Motoring expert Richard Aucock reviews his seven top car picks that are available on the Motability Scheme this quarter, including a clever new Chinese SUV, a city-friendly British icon and a roomy, practical electric car.
The prices shown are valid for applications placed between 1 July and 30 September.
Jump to:
- My top family car choice – BYD Sealion 5
- My top choice for boot space – Kia Sportage
- My top choice for under 25s – Volkswagen Taigo
- My top electric car choice – Skoda Enyaq
- My top choice for no Advance Payment – Dacia Jogger
- My top choice for best accessibility – Nissan Qashqai
- My top choice for city driving – Mini Cooper
The Motability Scheme remains a great value way to lease a safe, reliable and practical new car. There are hundreds of models on the Scheme to choose from. All cars come with the Motability Scheme’s all-inclusive lease package. This includes insurance, servicing and breakdown cover.
Research has shown that the Motability Scheme is the cheapest way to lease a new car. Overall savings from the full package can exceed 40% compared to a regular car lease. The support available from the Motability Scheme is second to none, too.
Leasing a new car is an exciting prospect these days. The latest cars are better than ever thanks to the growth of technology. They are packed with features that make driving easier, safer and more comfortable. Modern high-efficiency petrol engines are really economical too. This means your new car can save money on your fuel bills.
Because petrol and diesel cars are being phased out from 2030, I have also included some electric cars (also known as EVs) here. More affordable EVs are being added to the Motability Scheme all the time. Use the clever comparison tool to see how different electric cars compare for range and value for money.
When you lease your first electric car, Motability Scheme customers with off-street parking will get a home charger installed at no extra cost. This means you can charge at home in the cheapest way. You can start each day with the convenience of a fully charged battery, too.
If you cannot have a home charge point installed, you’ll get a subscription to bp pulse. This gives Scheme customers cheaper rates at bp pulse chargers, which is Britain’s largest public charging network. All Scheme customers also get access to Go with the Motability Scheme (or ‘Go’ app). This gives you access to more than 80,000 public chargepoints from over 70 operators across the UK.
If you’re wondering whether an EV might work for you, take a look at the Motability Scheme’s unique new set of interactive tools. These will help you explore running costs, charging options and personalised EV suggestions.
These are my choices with no or low Advance Payment this quarter, but there are plenty more new cars available on the Motability Scheme to suit all needs. Read on to be inspired about your next mobility car!
VAT changes to the Motability Scheme
From 1 July 2026, some tax changes announced by the UK Government will affect new leases on the Motability Scheme.
New car Advance Payments will be shown with standard rate VAT (20%).
You may be eligible for VAT relief if the vehicle has been permanently and substantially adapted for someone who normally uses a wheelchair, or who needs to travel on a stretcher.
Your dealer will explain what applies to you before you order your vehicle.
£249 Advance Payment
The BYD Sealion 5 is a new addition to the Motability Scheme. It is a family-sized SUV with a clever plug-in hybrid engine. This combines the best of both petrol and electric power, making it a great choice for all types of journey with the family.
Why is it so popular?
The BYD Sealion 5 is certainly a family-friendly SUV. Measuring over 4.7 metres long, it has plenty of on-road status. This means it has a good amount of space inside, both front and rear. This Comfort version has a smart vegan leather interior that is upmarket and soft to the touch. The crisp 12.8-inch touchscreen includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also has a 463-litre boot, with a flat floor that is easy to load.
The BYD Sealion 5’s DM-i plug-in hybrid technology gives a range of well over 600 miles, including petrol and battery power. The battery alone gives a 38.5-mile range, with the 1.5-litre petrol engine then taking over. The car itself manages all this, so you do not have to drive it any differently. During testing, I was surprised how frequently it ran in silent electric mode. Overall fuel economy impressed me, too!
Alternatives to consider: The Geely Starray is another interesting plug-in hybrid choice from a new Chinese brand. It too is roomy inside and very well-equipped. It is currently available for an Advance Payment of just £999.
£399 Advance Payment
The Kia Sportage is a family-sized SUV that sells very well in the UK. It is currently the country’s favourite SUV, helped by a sharp new look that came as part of an extensive facelift last year. The 1.6 T GDI Pure model I’ve chosen here has an advance payment of just £399.
Why is it so popular?
The Kia Sportage has a very generous 591-litre boot. This is several hundred litres larger than a regular family hatchback, underlining the benefits of its SUV shape. The load space is wide, and a near-flat load lip means it is easy to slide things in and out. There’s even an extra-wide cutaway space behind the rear wheelarches, so you can store awkwardly-shaped loads.
The Kia Sportage is not just about boot space, though. There are high-set seats in the front, and an extra-large space in the rear. Even adults won’t have any trouble getting comfortable. The SUV stance means it is easy to step in and out. This car’s 1.6-litre turbo engine has ample power, and it is also capable of averaging nearly 40mpg on the official WLTP test.
Alternatives to consider: The Hyundai Tucson is a similarly-sized family SUV that also has a large and practical boot. It is currently available on the Motability Scheme for an Advance Payment starting from just £349.
Top choice for under 25s: Volkswagen Taigo
No Advance Payment
The Volkswagen Taigo is a stylish small SUV. It is the coupe-like alternative to the Volkswagen T-Cross. Instead of a boxier rear end, it has a sleek coupe fastback, giving it a distinctive appearance on the road. It is available in some novel colours too, for under-25s who like to stand out. ard.
Why is it so popular?
The Taigo combines all the famous Volkswagen solidity with a more expressive design that many find very appealing. The controls are clear and easy to use, and this Match version has a good amount of standard equipment. The slightly raised seating position feels good and rear seat space remains accommodating. Even the boot is very large, with a 440-litre total capacity.
Just like the outside, the Taigo is distinctive to sit in. There is a full digital cockpit display, making it feel advanced behind the wheel. The touchscreen system is comprehensive, and includes a handy reverse parking camera. Keyless access helps make life easier, and rear tinted glass adds yet another stylish touch. The fuel-sipping 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine is capable of over 52mpg, which will help make it cheaper to run for under-25s.
Alternatives to consider: If you’re under-25 and would prefer something smaller and more city-friendly, the Kia Picanto is a good choice. Several models are available for no Advance Payment, including the racy-looking GT-Line and GT-Line S models. You have the choice of manual or automatic for no Advance Payment, too.
Top choice for electric cars: Skoda Enyaq
£999 Advance Payment
The Skoda Enyaq remains one of the best electric car all-rounders on the market. It has recently been updated, with a sleek and more modern appearance. It looks distinctive on the outside, and a new two-spoke steering wheel is a nice touch inside. Standard equipment levels have been improved, too.
Why is it so popular?
The Skoda Enyaq is a large SUV with loads of space inside. Up front, it feels big and commanding, adding a sense of safe well-being. There’s loads of space for those in the rear seat, which remains comfortable even on long trips. The boot is a cavernous 585 litres and there are lots of practical touches to make living with it easy. Skoda calls these its ‘Simply Clever’ features.
This Skoda Enyaq SE L has an Advance Payment of £999. For that, you get the larger ‘85’ battery, with an excellent overall range of almost 360 miles. Using a powerful public DC rapid charger, it will go from 10% to 80% charge in under 30 minutes. Again, this helps make longer trips easier. I really like Skoda’s latest infotainment system, which is colourful and easy to use. There’s a ChatGPT-enabled voice assistant too, called ‘Laura’.
Alternatives to consider: The Kia EV3 is another good electric car choice on the Motability Scheme. The 81.4kWh Air model has a 375-mile range, and the same Advance Payment of £999. It is a former World Car of the Year winner, so comes highly rated by me and my journalist colleagues.
Top choice for no Advance Payment: Dacia Jogger
No Advance Payment
The Dacia Jogger is a really clever car. It combines the profile of an estate with the stance of a crossover SUV. Furthermore, it is actually a seven-seater, with three rows of adult-sized seats. It is a car with many strings to its bow, making it a top choice for no Advance Payment.
Why is it so popular?
Being able to carry seven people is a big reason for the Dacia Jogger’s popularity. It is extra-practical in other modes too, with the third-row seats folding flat into the floor to create plenty of boot space. They can be fully removed, opening up a van-like 2,085 litres of space. It has a clever set of roof bars for even more stowage. Dacia even sells a ‘Sleeper Pack’ so you can camp in your Jogger!
This Dacia Jogger Essential has the 1.0 TCe petrol engine. It is a turbo-assisted engine with reassuring pulling power. It is paired to a light and easy six-speed manual gearbox. As the name suggests, ‘Essential’ means important features such as air conditioning and electronic safety aids are standard. Instead of a touchscreen in the dash, it has a clever ‘YouClip’ holder for your mobile phone. You can download an ingenious app so you can easily use it on the move through the steering wheel buttons. It supports voice assistants such as Siri and Google Assistant too.
Alternatives to consider: Another good choice for no Advance Payment is the Suzuki e Vitara. This is the Japanese company’s first electric car, combining Vitara heritage with money-saving EV tech.
Top car for accessibility: Nissan Qashqai
No Advance Payment
The Nissan Qashqai is a British-built family SUV that has long been a very popular choice. Regularly one of the nation’s best-selling cars, Nissan has continually evolved it with tweaks and upgrades to keep it competitive. The Acenta Premium version I’ve chosen here is available for no Advance Payment.
Why is it so popular?
The Nissan Qashqai is brilliant in terms of all-round accessibility. Front seat access is clear, so it is easy to step in and out of. The rear doors open almost 90 degrees, which is good for passengers, and also for using a child seat or loading bulky items. The boot is wide and well-shaped, with an impressive 504-litre overall capacity. There are clever little features throughout that help make it that bit easier to live with.
This model uses a 1.3-litre DiG-T mild hybrid petrol engine with a generous 158hp. Acceleration is punchy and it is good on fuel. The Nissan Qashqai also has a good combination of ride and handling, so it is smooth and confident to drive. Excellent visibility helps take the pain out of driving on busy roads. It makes parking easier too.
Alternatives to consider: If you would prefer a smaller SUV that is also good for accessibility, it is worth checking out the Skoda Kamiq. It is a spacious and practical car that is really easy to live with. The 1.0 TSI 95 SE Edition is currently available on the Motability Scheme for no Advance Payment.
£249 Advance Payment
The famous Mini Cooper continues to be a very popular British-built icon. The latest version is available in both petrol and electric guise. Here, I’ve chosen the petrol-powered Mini Cooper C Classic. This has a punchy 1.5-litre turbo engine matched to a standard automatic transmission. It has an Advance Payment of just £249.
Why is it so popular?
Charming design is a big reason why the Mini Cooper is so popular. The latest version has expertly taken the famous lines and given them a crisp, modern makeover. It looks fabulous, and this three-door version has extra wide-opening doors so it is easy to step in and out. The modern interior is superb too, particularly that big round colour centre touchscreen.
Visibility is excellent, thanks to the upright windscreen and large side windows. Measuring less than 3.9 metres long means the Mini Cooper C is easy to steer in and out of city traffic. The engine has lots of easy-going pulling power and is great on fuel. Best of all, the Mini Cooper C is really good fun to drive, with nimble handling and a cheeky, dynamic feel. I guarantee it will put a smile on your face!
Alternatives to consider: The Mazda 2 Hybrid is a clever five-door small car. It is almost as compact as the Mini, and has both a larger boot and more rear-seat space. The hybrid petrol engine is even better on fuel too, and can also run in pure electric mode.
Interested in joining the Scheme?
Exchange your qualifying mobility allowance for a brand-new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), scooter or powered wheelchair with the Motability Scheme.
You’ll get a full package. We’ll cover your insurance, servicing and breakdown.
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.
Stay informed about Motability Scheme changes
In the Autumn Budget, the Government announced tax changes that will increase the cost of running the Scheme. From 1 July 2026, VAT and Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) will apply to most leases.
Read the latest information, including what these changes mean for you.
*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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