Best New Electric Cars Available Now To Lease
< Back to blogWith new electric cars seeming like they’re being released at a rate of knots, now is a very exciting time to consider making the switch.
Here at Moneyshake we’ve seen a number of exciting new electric cars become available to lease through our platform. These include luxury models from top manufacturers, such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.
We’ve also seen less conventional and more affordable electric cars arrive on our site from the likes of MG, GWM Ora and Renault.
In this blog, we take a closer look at each of these new electric cars to show you what’s good and what’s not so good about them to help you decide if you should consider any of them.
BMW iX1
Things we like:
- It’s based on the existing BMW X1 so it looks like a regular car
- Dual motor setup offers a punchy 309bhp and four-wheel drive
- Compact yet spacious design makes it functional and practical
Things we’re not too keen on:
- Range isn’t great for a high-end EV (approx. 257-272 miles between charges)
- More affordable bespoke electric SUVs with longer ranges available
- Rather cheap-looking blue decals
What is it?
The BMW iX1 carries on BMW’s plan of converting its combustion engine range into electric cars.
While this might not sound like the most revolutionary concept when you consider the brand’s innovations like the i3 and iX, we still expect it to be a very good option for people looking for a luxury green family car.
How much is a BMW iX1 lease?
Our iX1 lease deals start from around £576 per month*.
*Price accurate as of August 2022
Should I consider a BMW iX1?
When you consider the range and that the BMW iX1 isn’t a bespoke electric model, we’d say that you’re better off looking at competitiors for better value.
For example, the Tesla Model Y is available to lease from around £558 per month in Long Range guise, getting an official range of around 331 miles between charges.
Lexus RZ
Things we like:
- The bespoke e-TNGA platform gives it a unique design that looks futuristic
- Optional One Motion Grip models innovate with steer-by-wire tech and a butterfly-shaped steering yoke in place of a convetional steering wheel
- Lexus has done plug-in hybrid cars very well, so we have high hopes for its first bespoke electric car
Things we’re not too keen on:
- Heavy weight and light steering could make negatively affect the ride
- The range isn’t groundbreaking for the asking price
- More affordable rivals in this sector with better ranges
What is it?
Lexus’ first bespoke electric car, the RZ, is inspired by Toyota bZ4X, itself a new electric SUV.
The most important thing you need to know about this car is that it’s got a lot of cutting-edge and is similarly sized to the Lexus NX. That means it’s quite a spacious family car, which hasn’t been impacted by the addition of a battery pack.
From the get-go the Lexus RZ range is available with a 71.4kWh battery pack that is good enough for approximately 250 miles official range between charges (WLTP).
How much is a Lexus RZ lease?
We currently have Lexus RZ lease deals available from around £899 per month*.
*Price accurate as of August 2022
Should I consider a Lexus RZ?
Sure, this is a very nice looking electric car and Lexus has dominated the reliability charts in recent years. If you have a soft spot for the brand, too, then you’ll likely be queueing through the door to order one.
We would consider looking at some more affordable alternatives like the Skoda Enyaq, which is available to lease with a bigger 82kWh battery (this translates to more than 50 miles of extra range than the Lexus RZ) for around £389 less per month.
While Skoda may not be as high on the reliability scale than Lexus, they’re still highly rated by owners for reliability. What’s more is that the Skoda Enyaq still has some class-leading tech onboard that will let you know that you’re driving something innovative.
ORA Funky Cat
Things we like:
- Finally, an electric car that will be competitively priced with a reasonable(ish) range
- It’s way more spacious than it looks in pictures
- Retro looks – it’s a real head-turner!
Things we aren’t too keen on:
- First Edition launch versions are still a bit pricey, albeit well specced
- Current range isn’t ground-breaking by any stretch
- The name? It’s a bit quirky for our liking
What is it?
It’s certainly not a stylish feline, that’s for sure.
The ORA Funky Cat is an electric hatchback developed by Chinese manufacturer GWM (Great Wall Motors).
An initial First Edition of the car has been launched and is now available to order as a purchase or lease. With an official range of over 193 miles, it’s not a trailblazer in this department, but the good news is that longer range versions will be made available soon.
Where the Funky Cat excels is in its tech features. Standard equipment is extensive, with the car coming with 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, blindspot detection, traffic jam assist and a pair of smart 10.25-inch displays for the infotainment and driver information.
How much is an ORA Funky Cat lease?
We currently have ORA Funky Cat lease deals available from £338 per month*.
*Price accurate as of August 2022
Should I consider an ORA Funky Cat?
There’s no doubt that having a car that’s unorthodox has its merits. When it comes to the design and name, this is where the ORA Funky Cat scores a lot of points.
We’re not convinced that these factors are enough to excuse its range figures, especially when you consider the price.
We’d recommend waiting (if you can) until the longer range models and cheaper trims are released if you’ve got your heart set on one. This way you’ll have a comparison against the current First Edition and will be able to make a decision based on all the information in front of you.
Renault Megane E-Tech
Things we like:
- First Renault electric car to sit on a bespoke EV platform
- Striking modern design is very easy on the eye
- Two battery options offer range between 180-290 miles (official WLTP figures)
Things we’re not too keen on:
- Quite pricey when compared with more established rivals
- Storage space isn’t on a par with rivals
- Touchscreen infotainment system isn’t the most intuitive on the move
What is it?
The Renault Megane E-Tech is big news for the French manufacturer.
For starters, it’s the first of its kind to feature Renault’s bespoke electric car platform, which will form the base for many future models.
As a small (yet spacious) electric car, the Megane E-Tech will be similar in size to the Volkswagen ID.3 but will also come up against the Kia Niro EV, Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model 3.
On the face of it, the Megane E-Tech is a very good offering.
Two battery sizes are available – a 40kWh and 60kWh – which are capable of going 186 miles and 292 miles between charges (official WLTP figures). The former has a 129bhp electric motor, while the latter has a beefier 215bhp at its disposal. So, it’s safe to say that you won’t have any issues getting up to motorway speeds in this car.
All Renault Megane E-Tech models are expected to come with the latest driver and safety tech onboard too.
How much is a Renault Megane E-Tech lease?
You can lease the Renault Megane E-Tech from around £454 per month* with Moneyshake.
*Price accurate as of August 2022
Should I consider a Renault Megane E-Tech?
As it stands, the only Megane E-Tech available to lease is the longer range 60kWh models, so prices are still quite high.
Until the lesser-range models are released and more electric cars are unveiled (inevitably driving prices down) we’d look at cheaper rivals like the Kia Niro EV. With over 230 miles of range and a cheaper asking price, it’s hard not to recommend it over the E-Tech.
Compare Renault Megane E-Tech lease deals
Still considering your options for a new electric car? At Moneyshake, we compare lease prices from the UK’s top leasing providers on a wide range of electric cars.
Compare electric car lease deals
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