Motoring expert Richard Aucock reviews his seven top car picks that are available on the Motability Scheme this quarter, including electric city cars, upmarket seven-seaters and stylish new models with big boots.
The prices shown are valid for applications placed before 31 December 2025.
Change is underway across the new car market in 2025. The drive to zero emissions means the car industry is switching to electric. New electric cars, also known as EVs, are being launched all the time. The UK’s commitment to phase out regular petrol and diesel cars from 2030 is driving this.
Many new electric cars are available on the Motability Scheme for low or no Advance Payment. If you have a driveway, your first electric car lease includes a home charger and standard installation. This is the cheapest charging option. It can save you a lot of money compared to running a petrol or diesel car.
For those who do not have a driveway, a bp pulse subscription is included instead. This gives Scheme customers cheaper rates at bp pulse chargers, which is Britain’s largest public charging network.
There is still a broad range of petrol and diesel cars available on the Motability Scheme, too. This is part of a mission to offer the right car for everyone, no matter what your mobility needs. In this guide, I have included fuel-sipping petrol cars alongside long-range EVs.
All new Motability Scheme cars include the same all-inclusive leasing package. The package covers all the major costs of motoring, including car insurance, servicing and routine repairs. It also includes breakdown cover. This makes it the cheapest way to drive a new car in the UK.
These are my seven top choices of cars this quarter. They show the sheer breadth of choice available on the Scheme to suit all independent mobility needs. Read on to be inspired about what could be your next new car!
Top car for no Advance Payment: Kia Niro
No Advance Payment
The Kia Niro is a modern-looking small SUV with distinctive, characterful lines. It is offered in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric guise. The electric Kia Niro EV is now even more appealing on the Motability Scheme as it is available for no Advance Payment.
Why is it so popular?
The Kia Niro is very space-efficient. It measures just over 4.4 metres long on the outside, yet has ample space in both front and rear seats. It feels airy inside, and the 475-litre boot is particularly large and practical. Fold the rear seats and the boot grows to 1,392 litres, which again is very impressive.
The 285-mile combined range is good, further underlining the Niro EV’s family-friendly potential. The charge port is in the front, which makes driving up and plugging it in at a public charger easier. Kia also offers the Niro in some bright metallic colours, which makes configuring it fun!
View the Kia Niro range.
Alternatives to consider: The Toyota Yaris is a smart choice for no Advance Payment. It’s a little smaller than the Kia Niro, which some will prefer. It also has a standard hybrid drivetrain, making it a very economical petrol-powered car.
Top car for boot space: Ford Tourneo Courier
From £1,495 Advance Payment
The Ford Tourneo Courier is a distinctive-looking MPV with a style all of its own. The angular lines can be finished with bright metallic colours such as Bursting Green or Digital Aqua Blue. They give this unique car a retro-modern appearance that is very fashionable.
Why is it so popular?
A high-roof design means the Ford Tourneo Courier has superb interior space. Large front doors mean it’s easy to get in and out of, and the driving position has lots of adjustment. The controls are straightforward and the colour screen in the dashboard mirrors both Apple and Android smartphones.
There are sliding side doors in the rear, which reveal a huge back seat. But it is boot space that will really surprise. Under the sturdy parcel shelf, there is a very generous 570 litres of space. The low loading lip makes it easy to load heavy items. If you load to the roof, space expands to 1,188 litres. Fold the rear seats and there is a huge 2,162 litres of space. You will need to get a van if you want more room than this!
View the Ford Tourneo Courier range.
Alternatives to consider: The Dacia Jogger is an interesting alternative. It is a seven-seater, and both second- and third-row seats can be removed to expand boot space. It too offers over 2,000 litres of boot space in its largest configuration.
Top 7-seater: Skoda Kodiaq
£3,899 Advance Payment
The latest Skoda Kodiaq is a superb large SUV with a premium appearance outside and in. Measuring over 4.75 meters long, it is big on the outside and this carries through to the inside of this range-topping 7-seater. It is a top choice for those after a practical people-carrying SUV.
Why is it so popular?
The Skoda Kodiaq is a very nice car to travel in. The dashboard feels high-quality and it is packed with clever details. I love the configurable ‘smart dials’ on the dashboard, which certainly have the wow factor. There is great attention to detail too, making it an easy car to live with.
Those in the front have a commanding seating position and the middle row of seats has plenty of space for three people. Even the third row is roomy, and the seats can be folded flat into the boot floor when not needed. Even with all seven seats in use, there is 340 litres of boot space. Folding the third row expands this to a practical 910 litres.
View the Skoda Kodiaq range.
Alternatives to consider: The Nissan X-Trail is another large SUV, with five and seven seat options on the Motability Scheme. It is available for an Advance Payment starting from £2,499, for those seeking a more affordable alternative.
Top electric car: Volkswagen ID.3
£399 Advance Payment
The Volkswagen ID.3 is an electric family hatchback offering an EV alternative to the famous Volkswagen Golf. It has a modern appearance, and this Match Pure model has a right-sized 52kWh battery that gives a range of 240 miles.
Why is it so popular?
The Volkswagen ID.3 is a popular electric car that has become a familiar sight in the UK. Its EV-optimised design pays dividends inside. It is spacious both front and rear, with an open-plan feel and good practicality. The dashboard has a digital-first design, with controls centralised around the large touchscreen.
The system has been improved in recent years, with an attractive and colourful new menu layout. This makes it easier to use. The Volkswagen ID.3 also has a stable ride and confident handling. I like the excellent visibility too, which makes it easier to drive on crowded city streets.
View the Volkswagen ID.3 range.
Alternatives to consider: The Ford Puma Gen-E is another electric car available for a low Advance Payment. It is a small SUV with a stylish appearance and a super-practical boot. It’s well worth checking out the famous Ford ‘Gigabox’ at your local dealer!
Top car for accessibility: Nissan Qashqai
£499 Advance Payment
The Nissan Qashqai is a British-designed family SUV that’s also built here, at the firm’s giant Sunderland factory. This updated version has a more eye-catching front end, and the latest Google-based infotainment technology within.
Why is it so popular?
Accessibility is a Nissan Qashqai strong point. The front seats are easy to get in and out of. They are high-set, but not awkwardly so. The driving position is excellent and all the controls are easy to use. The rear doors open almost 90 degrees, which aids accessibility for your passengers.
The Google-based infotainment system is logical and straightforward. It’s not intimidating to use, particularly if you sign in using your Google account. This will sync your Google maps and you can also use the voice-based Google Assistant. Instead of searching for a button or typing in an address, simply speak the command instead!
View the Nissan Qashqai range.
Alternatives to consider: The Kia Sportage is good for accessibility too. It has a large interior and its SUV design makes it a practical choice even for growing families. The latest version looks very stylish, too.
Top car for city driving: Hyundai Inster
From £199 Advance Payment
The Hyundai Inster is a fun-looking city car. It has a lively design that blends modern crossover looks with small car ease of use. Even better, it is fully electric. The version I’ve chosen here has the larger 49kWh battery. This gives it an overall range of 229 miles. Using a public ultra-rapid charger, it will go from 10% to 80% charge in just 30 minutes.
Why is it so popular?
The Hyundai Inster has a superb interior. It is stylish and feels extremely high quality. It has the same sort of usability as a much more upmarket car. It cleverly blends digital screens with physical buttons, helping make it easy to use. Equipment levels are very good too.
Despite being small on the outside, the Hyundai Inster is large and comfortable on the inside. Visibility is good, making it a stress-free car to drive on busy city streets. There are lots of safety aids that keep a watching eye out for you. Of course, being electric means you do not have to worry about low emission zones, either.
View the Hyundai Inster range.
Alternatives to consider: If you prefer a petrol-powered car for city driving, the Hyundai i10 is well worth checking out. There is a range of models available on the Motability Scheme, including some with an automatic gearbox. There are also several versions available for less than your weekly allowance.
Top car for under-25s: Renault Clio
No Advance Payment
The Renault Clio is a chic supermini-style small car that’s been a well-loved model for decades. This latest one is packed with finesse, from its cheerful exterior design to its tastefully-finished interior. It’s a perfect choice for under-25s.
Why is it so popular?
The Renault Clio has an economical 1.0-litre petrol engine with more than enough pulling power. It’s an easy car to drive and should not get drivers into any trouble. Handling is safe and secure, and there’s a full brace of safety assist technology to help avoid accidents.
The Clio has a youthful look and feel that is backed up by a good amount of standard equipment. There’s a portrait-format touchscreen, for example, that pairs with smartphones via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a vibrant choice of colours so under-25s can really make it their own.
View the Renault Clio range.
Alternatives to consider: The Kia Stonic is another small car available for no Advance Payment. It is a stylish small crossover, with SUV-style looks on the outside and a well-equipped interior.
Interested in joining the Scheme?
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Am I eligible?
You need to receive one of the qualifying mobility allowances, with at least 12 months left, to be eligible to join the Motability Scheme.
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*About the writer
Richard Aucock has been a professional motoring writer since 1998. He’s written about the car industry for the Motability Scheme since 2009. He has many key roles in the motoring world, including the UK juror for AUTOBEST, a juror for the World Car Awards, and Vice Chair of the Guild of Motoring Writers. Richard is also the director of Motoring Research, a leading UK publisher in the industry.
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