Motoring expert Richard Aucock reviews his seven top car picks that are available on the Motability Scheme this quarter, including a feature-packed 7-seater, stylish new EV and three top choices for no Advance Payment.
The prices shown are valid for applications placed before 31 March 2026.
The new car market is changing fast. 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.
However, if you’re not yet ready to make the switch to electric, don’t worry. 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.
No matter what new Motability Scheme car you choose, you will get 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 7-seater: Chery Tiggo 8
£1,999 Advance Payment
Chery is a new Chinese brand in the UK. You may have heard of its sister brands, Omoda and Jaecoo. Chery is family-focused with a range of roomy SUVs. The Chery Tiggo 8 is the 7-seater version.
Why is it so popular?
The Chery Tiggo 8 is an upmarket-looking SUV. It is a fairly large model, measuring more than 4.7 metres long. This means there is a good amount of space onboard. The driving position is accommodating and rear seat space is good. The third row of seats is OK for children, and they fold flat into the floor when not needed. This expands boot space from 117 litres to 494 litres. With the second row folded too, there’s more than 1,900 litres of space.
This Tiggo 8 has a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine. It produces 145bhp and has decent pulling power. It has a 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox for ease of use. This well-equipped Aspire variant has stylish 19-inch alloy wheels, a convenient power driver’s seat, front and rear parking sensors plus wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The reverse parking camera is convenient too.
Alternatives to consider: The Peugeot 5008 is a French SUV that comes with seven seats. The Allure model, with a fuel-saving hybrid engine, is available for an Advance Payment of £2,499.
Top choice for boot space: Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
£849 Advance Payment
The Toyota Corolla Touring Sports is the estate version of the British-built family car. Made in Derby, it is powered by an all-hybrid range of petrol engines. These give great fuel economy and low emissions, without needing to be plugged in.
Why is it so popular?
The Toyota Corolla Touring Sports certainly ticks the right boxes when it comes to boot space. It has a 598-litre load bay, and the space is wide and well-shaped. The load lip isn’t too high, either. Fold the rear seats flat and boot space grows to 1,606 litres. To illustrate its size, it is roomy and practical enough to stow a mountain bike with the wheels and saddle in place.
The Toyota Corolla estate has a longer wheelbase than the hatchback. This means it has more rear seat legroom, which your passengers will appreciate. This Icon version is well-equipped and even includes an upmarket JBL stereo as standard. It uses the 1.8-litre hybrid engine, which is very fuel-efficient. The claimed average is 62.8mpg. You’ll notice it is able to frequently drive in fuel-saving EV mode, particularly if you drive mainly in the city. Cleverly, the car does this entirely automatically.
Alternatives to consider: If you value space above all, the Citroen Berlingo is well worth a look. The boot is enormous and there’s lots of space for passengers too. The electric Max version is available for an Advance Payment of £1,499.
Top choice for under-25s: Vauxhall Corsa
No Advance Payment
The Vauxhall Corsa is one of the best-selling cars in the UK. It is familiar to millions, helping make it approachable and easy to drive. All versions these days have five-door practicality. The 1.2-litre GS version I’ve chosen here has no Advance Payment.
Why is it so popular?
The Vauxhall Corsa is a stylish small car from this famous British brand. The GS model I’ve picked here has a black styling pack as standard. It means items such as the wheels, grille and even the badges are finished in black. Under-25s will love this modern appearance, particularly with the stylish range of colours Vauxhall offers.
This Corsa uses a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, and is paired with an automatic gearbox. This will be ideal for those who hold an automatic-only driving licence. It is officially capable of nearly 50mpg, and the 99bhp output gives punchy but not excessive performance. Under-25s will be pleased to see the standard touchscreen, which offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
Alternatives to consider: The Peugeot 208 is a stylish alternative that could be a fun choice for under-25s. It too is currently available for no Advance Payment.
Top electric car choice: Kia EV4
£299 Advance Payment
The Kia EV4 is a new electric car from this popular and stylish brand. It is the family hatchback alternative to the Kia EV3 small SUV. There is a choice of two batteries. The 81.4kWh Long Range battery I’ve chosen here has a superb range of up to 388 miles. The Advance Payment is just £299.
Why is it so popular?
It is the headline-grabbing range of this Kia EV4 that helps it stand out. It will eliminate range anxiety for many. The standard sat nav system helps you manage charge on the move, and will even automatically find public charge points for you. DC rapid charging means it can go from 10-80% charge in around 30 minutes.
The Kia EV4 is a very distinctive-looking car. It has futuristic and modern styling outside and in. It is a practical car too, with lots of rear passenger space and a flexible 435-litre boot. It is big enough to take three large suitcases with ease. The Kia EV4 is popular with critics, too. It has recently been announced as a top 10 finalist in the 2026 World Car of the Year competition.
Alternatives to consider: The Skoda Enyaq is a larger competitor to the Kia EV4, for those who need more space and an even bigger boot. It is currently available on the Scheme for an Advance Payment of £749.
Top car for no Advance Payment: Mazda CX-30
No Advance Payment
The Mazda CX-30 is a stylish and eye-catching small SUV from a brand that celebrates modern Japanese luxury. Its crisp design is eye-catching and the interior feels feature-packed. This model comes with an interesting 2.5-litre mild hybrid engine.
Why is it so popular?
Being available for no Advance Payment is an immediate draw for the Mazda CX-30. It has a good level of standard equipment too, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The CX-30 also has a high-tech head-up display. It lets you view your speed and other instructions without taking your eyes off the road.
The Mazda CX-30 measures around 4.4 metres long, so is fairly roomy inside. It has a 430-litre boot that expands to 1,406 litres with the rear seats folded. The engine is large for this size of car, so gives effortless pulling power. It is economical too though, with an official average of 47.1mpg. I love the slick six-speed manual gearbox, and a hill-hold electronic handbrake takes away the worry of using a clutch on steep roads.
Alternatives to consider: The Skoda Kamiq is another small SUV that scores well for practicality. With an efficient 1.0 TSI engine, it is also currently available for no Advance Payment.
Top car for accessibility: Nissan Qashqai
£149 Advance Payment
The Nissan Qashqai is another UK best-seller. Notably, it was designed and engineered in Britain, and is built at Nissan’s giant factory in Sunderland. It is a true British success story, which has been kept competitive with frequent updates to its tech and design.
Why is it so popular?
The Nissan Qashqai is an extremely well-designed car. The front doors have a wide opening angle, the cabin is easy to access and the driving position is excellent. It has a raised seating position, but it is not too high. All the controls are clearly marked, and it is an easy car to drive.
It is just as good in the rear, thanks to doors that open almost 90 degrees. There is a good amount of room for three people, and lots of clever stowage spaces. The 504-litre boot is well-sized and Nissan’s flexible luggage board system is useful. This is a pair of boot boards that can be arranged in various ways to transport awkwardly-shaped loads without them sliding about. The 1.3-litre engine averages nearly 45mpg. Of course, the Nissan Qashqai I’ve picked here is accessible in another way too, thanks to an Advance Payment of just £149.
Alternatives to consider: The Cupra Formentor is a sporty crossover that is a good choice for enthusiastic drivers. The 1.5 TSI V1 version is punchy and economical, and has an Advance Payment of £745.
Top choice for city driving: Jeep Avenger
No Advance Payment
The Jeep Avenger is the smallest SUV from this famous 4×4 brand, measuring just under 4.1 metres long. It is a city-focused machine, with manageable dimensions and a high-up driving position for good visibility. Appealingly, it is currently available on the Motability Scheme for no Advance Payment.
Why is it so popular?
I love the Jeep’s chunky styling and squat appearance. It helps make you feel safe and confident in the city. The interior is easy to use, with a handy row of buttons on the centre console. The colour touchscreen is crisp and there’s a clear electronic instrument display too. Even the buttons on the steering wheel are easy to use. A heated driver’s seat is a nice comfort touch.
The 99bhp 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine officially averages nearly 49mpg, giving city-friendly fuel economy. It feels lively and still has enough pulling power for longer motorway journeys. Its 321-litre boot will take around two suitcases, and the space is well-designed so it is easy to access.
Alternatives to consider: The Nissan Juke is another car that will help you stand out in the city. The 1.0 DiG-T Acenta Premium is available for no Advance Payment. This is another model built in Britain, too.
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.
And be sure to stay in the loop with the latest Scheme news, by signing up to our monthly e-newsletter. We’ll keep you updated with the latest cars on the Scheme, plus other everyday tips and useful accessibility information.
*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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