Best new cars for under £350 per month
After a fresh set of wheels? Check out the best new cars for under £350 per month
If you’ve got a budget of £350 per month for a new car, the world really is your oyster. You could get yourself anything from an all-electric supermini - such as the MINI Electric - to a practical Audi A4 Avant. There are plenty of SUVs you could get your hands on too. A seven-seater Nissan X-Trail can be acquired in this price range, as can some more luxurious models like the DS 7.
There are some real bargains out there, and to help you on your way we’ve trawled our net for the best offers on our favourite vehicles right now. In the current financial climate, leasing a car via a Personal Contract Hire (PCH) deal tends to result in the lowest monthly payments. It’s important to remember, though, that if you’re leasing a car you will not own it at any stage or have the option to do so.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to have the option of owning your car when the finance deal is completed, we have also listed some Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) deals. It’s worth noting that PCP plans tend to require a larger initial deposit if you’re after low monthly payments.
The prices listed here are examples of those that are currently available on the UK market. On the PCH leasing deals we have produced links to our partners at leasing.com, who source a range of offers from various providers. All other deals have been sourced from the manufacturers themselves, but it’s worth remembering that other finance providers are also an option.
Best new cars for under £350 per month
- Audi A4 Avant
- Citroen C5 X
- Cupra Formentor
- DS 7
- MINI Electric
- Nissan X-Trail
- Peugeot 508
- Toyota Yaris Cross
- Volkswagen Tiguan
PCH deals
Audi A4 Avant - £336 per month
- Model: A4 Avant 35 TFSI Technik 5dr S Tronic
- Deposit: £3,205
- Term: 48 months
- Type: Personal Contract Hire
- Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl petrol
- Seats: 5
- Economy: 44.1mpg
- Boot space: 495 litres
An Audi for £336 a month represents a lot of badge for not a lot of money, and this isn’t an A1 we’re looking at here – it’s the much bigger and very well rounded A4 in practical Avant estate form.
However, there are compromises to be made to get that tempting monthly payment, because this model uses the base 35 petrol engine and pairs it with entry-level Technik trim. That powertrain is pokey enough, though, while Technik comes with a decent level of standard kit, so there’s still plenty to recommend here.
View the latest Audi A4 deals at Leasing.com…
Citroen C5 X - £320 per month
- Model: C5 X 1.2 PureTech Shine Plus
- Deposit: £2,877
- Term: 48 months
- Type: Personal Contract Hire
- Engine: 1.2-litre 3cyl petrol
- Seats: 5
- Economy: 41.1mpg
- Boot space: 545 litres
Citroen must be commended for bringing out the C5 X, which seeks to get new-car buyers interested in estate cars again, by blending the traditional wagon shape with the kind of ride height and tough body cladding you’d expect from an SUV. It features Citroen’s trademark ride comfort, a classy cabin, and great looks.
It works out a little more expensive than we’d like on a lease deal, but the mid-grade Shine trim level of our chosen example has a decent list of standard kit. The 1.2-litre engine is a good fit for the car, too, although the eight-speed automatic gearbox it’s paired with isn’t the slickest.
View the latest Citroen C5 X deals at Leasing.com…
Cupra Formentor - £308 per month
- Model: Formentor 1.5 TSI 150 V2
- Deposit: £3,774
- Term: 48 months
- Type: Personal Contract Hire
- Engine: 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol
- Seats: 5
- Economy: 43.5mpg
- Boot space: 450 litres
The Formentor is the first bespoke model for Cupra since it split away from SEAT, and it’s a solid effort. The great-looking crossover offers sharp handling, and even a 306bhp engine, if you want.
This example has a more modest 148bhp 1.5-litre unit, but it’s still plenty of fun. It’s also pretty practical, and mid-range V2 trim includes Nappa leather, bigger wheels, heated electric seats and parking sensors.
View the latest Cupra Formentor deals at Leasing.com…
DS 7 - £349 per month
- Model: DS 7 1.5 BlueHDI Rivoli
- Deposit: £3,144
- Term: 48 months
- Type: Personal Contract Hire
- Engine: 1.5-litre 4cyl diesel
- Seats: 5
- Economy: 51.4mpg
- Boot space: 555 litres
Recently improved thanks to a mid-life refresh, the DS 7 looks better than ever. The cabin is equally attractive, and it’s far more distinctive than its rivals; the rotating B.R.M clock is a particular highlight.
That’s standard with Rivoli trim, and is paired with a frugal diesel engine and an eight-speed auto. The DS is not as complete as some rivals, however, partly due to its inconsistent ride, so you have to be won over by its looks.
View the latest DS 7 deals at Leasing.com…
MINI Electric - £318 per month
- Model: 135kW Cooper S Level 1
- Deposit: £2,863
- Term: 48 months
- Type: Personal Contract Hire
- Powertrain: 33kWh battery, 1x e-motor
- Seats: 5
- Range: 145 miles
- Boot space: 555 litres
A lot of EVs come up short when we look for fun, but that’s not the case with the MINI Electric Cooper S. It has that same ‘go kart feel’ the BMW-owned brand likes to brag about for its combustion-powered models, while the front-mounted motor produces a healthy 178bhp and 270Nm of instant torque.
MINI is pitched as a luxury brand these days, and it has prices to match, as evidenced by this car costing more than £300 a month to lease. For many, however, the car’s retro-inspired looks and general cool-factor will make that a price worth paying.
View the latest MINI deals at Leasing.com…
Nissan X-Trail - £349 per month
- Model: X-Trail 1.5 MHEV 163 Acenta Premium Xtronic
- Deposit: £3,051
- Term: 48 months
- Type: Personal Contract Hire
- Engine: 1.5-litre 3cyl petrol
- Seats: 5
- Economy: 39.5mpg
- Boot space: 485 litres
The previous X-Trail was, in effect, just a big Qashqai, but for this new version, Nissan has put more distance between the two via some aggressive styling.
As always with an X-Trail, it scores well for practicality, particularly in this seven-seat version, which has a mild-hybrid engine and a mid-range trim level. It features a high-quality interior, but the cabin is already looking a touch dated against rivals from Korean brands.
View the latest Nissan X-Trail deals at Leasing.com…
Peugeot 508 - £349 per month
- Model: 508 1.2 PureTech GT
- Deposit: £3,028
- Term: 48 months
- Type: Personal Contract Hire
- Engine: 1.2-litre 3cyl petrol
- Seats: 5
- Economy: 49.7mpg
- Boot space: 487 litres
The 508 is a niche choice, but its looks distinguish it nicely from more conventional rivals. It’s also fun to drive and refined, while our choice is in well specced GT trim and features an automatic gearbox.
We don’t want to sound like a stuck record, but make sure you’re happy with the i-Cockpit driving position before signing on the dotted line. It’s not for everyone, unlike the stylish cabin, which all will appreciate.
View the latest Peugeot 508 deals at Leasing.com…
PCP deals
Toyota Yaris Cross - £340 per month
- Model: Yaris Cross Design FWD
- Deposit: £4,000
- Term: 42 months
- Type: Personal Contract Purchase
- Engine: 1.5-litre 3cyl hybrid
- Seats: 5
- Economy: 64.1mpg
- Boot space: 397 litres
The Yaris Cross offers similar levels of efficiency and technology to its supermini namesake, but with the added benefit of a taller SUV body. Thanks to Toyota's expertise in hybrid powertrains, the Yaris Cross can achieve over 60mpg with ease, so this extra size doesn’t come at the expense of running costs. The model in this particular offer is in the ‘Design’ trim, so on top of the generous standard kit you will also get extras including larger alloy wheels, LED lighting and an upgraded 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
View the latest Toyota finance deals...
Volkswagen Tiguan - £325 per month
- Model: Tiguan Life 1.5 TSI 130PS 6-Speed Manual
- Deposit: £6,006
- Term: 48 months
- Type: Personal Contract Purchase
- Engine: 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol
- Seats: 5
- Economy: 44.1mpg
- Boot space: 520 litres
The Volkswagen Tiguan has been one of the brand’s most successful models since it originally launched in 2007. Today, the latest version of this mid-size SUV continues to offer plenty of family-friendly touches including room for five, a 520-litre boot and robust build quality. The Tiguan on offer here is in the base ‘Life’ trim, this includes 18-inch alloy wheels, wireless charging and Volkswagen’s ‘Discover Media’ infotainment system.
View the latest Volkswagen finance deals…
