What is the best electric car to lease?

Electric car leasing is a great, cost-effective way to experience the top makes and models of electric cars on the market, with the option to drive a vehicle for 24-48 months and then upgrade to an even newer model.

There is so much choice in the electric vehicle market nowadays. This includes top-spec models from the major manufacturers as we move towards the internal combustion engine phase-out in 2035. It begs the question, how can you choose what to drive?

It depends on what’s available, and there will, of course, be new cars launching all the time. But let’s look at some of the current best deals on electric car leases, which should give you a starting point in terms of what’s out there right now.

We would encourage drivers to do their own research into average electric mileage ranges before committing to an electric lease car. For some electric cars, real world driving conditions mean that, on occasions, the stated manufacturer range may not always be met, so reviewing your charging options and average daily mileage is also worth thinking about.

Tesla Model Y

Tesla pioneered the modern electric car market, and the Tesla Model Y SUV RWD 5dr Auto is an excellent example of how far EVs have come in the past 15 years. With an 85 kWh battery and a charge time of just 27 minutes (to reach 80% charge) on a Tesla 250 kW charge point, the Model Y can cope with long-range journeys and frequent travel.
The manufacturer states a maximum range of 455 km (283 miles) of combined driving and a fuel economy of up to 15.7 kWh per 100 km, which makes the Tesla Model Y a good option for intercity drives. It has an impressive top speed of 135 mph, which you should never need on public roads!
Inside are 12-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, a glass roof with UV and IR protection, a central console with two cupholders, and a long list of other features and comforts. HEPA filtration ensures that you’ll be breathing clean air throughout your journey.

Volkswagen ID.3

Hot on the heels of the Model Y Tesla is the Volkswagen ID.3 Hatchback 107 kW Family Pro, a five-door hatchback with a 62 kWh battery (58 kWh usable) and a top speed of 99 mph. The VW ID.3 has a stated range of up to 421 km combined at an economy of up to 15.6 kWh per 100 km.

A long list of driver conveniences makes the Volkswagen ID.3 suitable for city driving and commutes, including adaptive cruise control, BLIS (blind spot information system), radar distance monitoring, and a city-mode emergency braking system.
Isofix anchor points mean the VW ID.3 is also suitable for families, with front and rear curtain airbags to ensure all occupants are protected in the unlikely event of a crash.

Audi Q8 Quattro

The iconic Quattro name lives on into the all-electric era, in the form of the Audi Q8 Quattro Sportback 250 kW 5dr Auto. As the name suggests, the Audi Q8 offers all-wheel drive, with a top speed of 124 mph and acceleration from 0-62 mph in six seconds.

All of this is made possible by a hefty 95 kWh battery with a 28-minute charge time (from 10% to 80%) at 150 kW. A stated range of up to 463 km combined is the farthest on our list so far, although fuel economy suffers at up to 21.3 kWh per 100 km.

Multiple charger access points include AC and DC on the driver side, and a secondary AC point on the passenger side — ideal if you’re charging at home from a passenger-side AC supply. An onboard 11 kW charger adds to the convenience, making the Audi hassle-free for charging from the tens of thousands of slower charge points out there.

Peugeot 2008 SUV

The Peugeot 2008 SUV 100 kW GT 50 kWh 5dr Auto takes no prisoners with its squat stance and high hood. But does that 50 kWh battery mean a significant compromise on performance? At 8 kWh less than the VW ID.3, the Peugeot 2008 packs the least power on our list, but that means it can charge to 80% in just 30 minutes on a 100 kW charge point.

The manufacturer stated range is not bad — up to 332 km combined and up to 472 km in economical city-mode driving. The economy is good too, measuring as little as 14.5 kWh per 100 km with optimal conditions. Overall the stats are impressive given the smaller battery, and the 100 kW motor means the Peugeot 2008 SUV can hit 62 mph in under ten seconds.

Features fitted as standard include Peugeot i-Cockpit with a 10” touchscreen, a configurable 3D heads-up display, a mirror screen that offers mirror link, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Altogether, the Peugeot 2008 holds its own alongside its higher-capacity rivals on this list.

Cupra Born Hatchback

Could the Cupra Born Hatchback 150 kW V1 58 kWh 5dr Auto be the best-of-both-worlds solution you’re looking for? This late contender on our list packs a 62 kWh battery with a usable capacity of 58 kWh that matches the Volkswagen ID.3 but uses it to power an impressive 150 kW motor.

The result is a 0-62 mph time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 99 mph. Its stated maximum range is up to 427 km combined when driven with high efficiency, at an economy of 15.5 kWh per 100 km. Charging time clocks in at a respectable 35 minutes (5-80%) at the maximum supported 120 kW.

Best of all, the Cupra Born Hatchback offers four driving profiles — Comfort, Individual, Performance, and Range. If you’re trying to get those last few km out of the modest 58 kWh battery, switch to Range mode, and it’s got you covered.

How To Choose

Deciding what electric car to lease depends on your personal preferences and circumstances. If you’re going for the best economy or biggest range, you probably want to focus on vehicles that score well on their core EV data.

For acceleration and top speed, you need to look under Performance, all of which you can find on the ‘Technical’ tab of any EV on the Synergy website. Remember to compare the standard and optional specs of any cars you’re considering leasing, until you find the one that feels like the best fit for everything you want.

Beyond that, it’s just a case of choosing the terms of your lease – your initial rental, contract term, annual mileage and maintenance. If your opting for a company car, be sure to double check the benefit-in-kind tax on your chosen electric vehicle, but this should remain low for the next few years, offering great value. All you have to do then is place your enquiry to secure your seat behind the wheel of one of the top new models of electric cars on the market.