Best Affordable Cars to Lease in 2026

With over 2 decades in the leasing industry, we've built strong relationships with leading dealerships and manufacturers around the UK, sourcing the best deals possible for the newest models. Whether you're looking for SUVs or small hatchbacks, leasing through Xcite gets you the best bang for your buck so your dream car costs less! Here is a list of some of our best deals today.

There is a reason the Nissan Juke was our best selling car of 2025 and here's why.

The Juke first launched in 2010, its distinctive off-road styling with a defined, angular body and elevated view, introducing a unique look to a market saturated with hatchbacks. Because of that, sales boomed and the market for small affordable SUVs grew exponentially. 

You can choose from a 1.0-litre petrol engine with a manual or automatic gearbox, and there’s a 1.6-litre hybrid and automatic transmission option too. Both of which offer reasonable fuel economy, but the hybrid is the more popular choice offering a smoother, more powerful, and efficient driving experience than the petrol. 

All models are equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, emergency call system, cruise control with speed limiter, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition. With the optional Advanced Safety Shield pack on N-Connecta adding traffic jam and lane-keeping assist, the Juke is very well equipped for all driving styles at an affordable price.  It also offers adaptive cruise control, driver-alertness monitoring, blind spot warning and intervention, and rear cross-traffic alert.

If you're looking for a cheap car lease under £200, then look no further than the Nissan Juke.

Starting price £176 per month

If you are looking for simple and spacious while remaining efficient and affordable, the Sandero may just be for you. When it was launched, the latest version of the Dacia Sandero was the cheapest new car you could buy in the UK. Still remaining budget friendly, it conquers the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta for value. 

 The inside is spacious with more than enough space to fit 5 people, and with the top spec Expression edition offering 15-inch alloys, a rear-view camera, keyless entry, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control, cruise control, and an 8inch touchscreen infotainment.

It uses efficient, modern engines compliant with the latest EU emissions standards.The Sandero itself received a 93.1% reliability rating, slotting it in between the Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris within the small car class. 

With its cheap monthly lease price of under £200, and a range of economical engines to choose from, it’s unsurprising the Sandero was named 'What Car?’s Value Car for Less Than £10,000 for the 8th year running in 2020.

Starting price £183 per month

The Renault 5 is an iconic supermini car produced by the French manufacturer Renault that was reinvented in 2024 as a fully electric vehicle named the Renault 5 E-Tech. Although it's a fully electric car, packed with modern technology such as a Google built-in vocal assistant and over 25 advanced driver-assistance systems, it still pays homage to its 1970s predecessor, revisiting the iconic shape, details, and bright pop coloured appearance options of the original. 

There are 2 main options available. A 40kWh "Urban Range" battery with a 120hp motor, offering an official range of up to 193 miles and a larger 52kWh "Comfort Range" battery paired with a 150hp motor, extending the official range to a maximum of 253 miles.

With its modern electric performance, retro design, and competitive pricing, it was awarded 2025 Car of The Year, solidifying its place as a top competitor in the compact electric car market. 

Starting price £210 per month

There's a reason that the Renault Clio has maintained such popularity throughout Europe and UK roads for the past 30 years, rivalling its competitors such as the Volkswagen Polo, Vauxhall Corsa, and Peugeot 208, making it one of the top choices when looking for a city hatchback.

With its economic running costs and a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, it's argued to be one of the most efficient small cars out there and a popular choice for first time drivers. 

If you need a small car that maximises space, the Renault Clio may be the car for you with 391 litres of boot space in the non-hybrid version, making it the most practical small car, with a bigger boot than the Volkswagen Polo, Audi A1, and Peugeot 208.

All models get lane departure warning and lane keep assist, plus traffic sign recognition and cruise control with a speed limiter function. Active Emergency Braking is also featured, including cyclist and pedestrian detection functionality, making it highly practical during city driving.

Combining style, practicality and affordability, the Clio has it all. 

Starting price £212 per month

The iconic Golf remains Volkswagen’s best selling car to date with more than 37 million Golf models sold in 70 countries around the world. It has remained a staple hatchback for over 50 years, strengthening its mass appeal.

Available as a hatchback, estate or hot hatch, with a choice of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid petrol models, there's something for everyone. It comes with 8 airbags and active cruise control that can brake and accelerate the car automatically. You also get automatic emergency brakes, lane assist, road-sign detection and driver alert which senses when it’s time for you to take a break. If that wasn't enough, you can tell the ChatGPT powered voice assistant named IDA. 

The Volkswagen Golf is considered highly money-efficient in terms of running costs, with the plug-in Hybrid (eHybrid/GTE) offering the lowest running costs if charged regularly, with an electric-only range of up to 88 miles. The Golf holds its value better than most, with experts estimating they retain around 39% to 46% of their value after 3 years.

Starting price £229 per month