Just 15 years ago, the market for medium-sized SUVs was practically non-existent. The Nissan Qashqai – the car that kick-started the SUV revolution – was still in development, the Ford Kuga was still three years away and the Toyota RAV4 was still being dismissed as a car for hairdressers. How times change.
Today, one in every three new cars registered in Europe is an SUV of some description, and the core of that market is right here. The car industry calls this the C- and D-segment, where family cars such as the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Mondeo once reigned supreme. Now, though, these cars are being challenged by a flotilla of high-achieving, high-riding models.
There are some really good SUVs around these days, but if you’re looking for a new lease in 2021, where should you look? Well, we’ve come up with six of the best mid-size models that would make a great choice for you in the new year. No need to thank us.
Volkswagen Tiguan
Car lease price: from £239.99 per month*
Despite growing old with remarkable grace, VW has seen fit to update the Tiguan for 2021, giving it up-to-date engines and on-board technology, as well as styling more in line with the rest of the range. As before, though, the Tiguan remains a more premium option than most, with a blend of technology and quality that belies the brand’s ‘People’s Car’ heritage.
Volkswagen Tiguan need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Medium SUV
- Select’s Car Review Score: 4.1 out of 5**
- Boot size: 615 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol, Petrol Plug-In Hybrid, Diesel
- NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Mazda CX-5
Car lease price: from £255.07 per month
If you like driving, but you want the practicality and implicit adult-ness of an SUV, then there’s only one car for you. Unless you’re happy to splash out on a Porsche Macan S, the Mazda CX-5 is the best-handling SUV out there, particularly when paired with the 2.2-litre diesel engine. It has the heavy, grown-up boxes ticked and bundled into its massive boot, too, and the quality of the materials in the cabin is exemplary. Just be careful to avoid the gutless petrol engines and stick with those peachy diesels.
Mazda CX-5 need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Medium SUV
- Select’s Car Review Score: 3.9 out of 5
- Boot size: 506 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol, Diesel.
- NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Jaguar F-Pace
Car lease price: from £458.96 per month
The F-Pace was Jaguar’s first ever SUV, but when it arrived in the UK in 2016, it was an absolute corker. The aluminium construction made it light and agile, and although lowlier models got some ropey 2.0-litre diesel engines, the trusty old 3.0-litre V6 diesel was as brilliant as ever. Aside from those engines, the only downside was the cabin, which felt as though it had been built on the cheap. But now Jaguar has addressed that, bringing out an updated car with some interior tweaks including fresh infotainment and a new steering wheel. The engine range has grown, too, with mild-hybrid tech across the range and a new plug-in hybrid model. There’s also a V8-powered, high-performance SVR model.
Jaguar F-Pace need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Medium SUV
- Select’s Car Review Score: 3.9 out of 5
- Boot size: 650 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol, Petrol Plug-In Hybrid, Diesel
- NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Ford Kuga
Car lease price: from £220.79 per month
A total revamp last year has seen the Kuga transformed into the spitting image of the Aston Martin DBX. Okay, it looks like someone described the Aston down a crackly phone line, but it’s still a good-looking thing. Plug-in and mild-hybrid technology has been applied, too, while mild-hybrid power can be found lower down the range and it comes with Ford’s latest on-board infotainment and connectivity technology.
Ford Kuga need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Medium SUV
- Select’s Car Review Score: 3.8 out of 5
- Boot size: 475 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol, Petrol Plug-In Hybrid, Self Charging Hybrid, Diesel
- NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Range Rover Evoque
Car lease price: from £290.02 per month
If you thought the Evoque was pretty before, you’re going to love the latest version. Land Rover has cleaned up the popular luxury SUV with fresher, more modern styling and equally fresh mechanical components. Mild-hybrid technology can be found across the range, and the cabin is now bang up to date. But for all the luxury, the Evoque still boasts plenty of substance both on and off the road.
Range Rover Evoque need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Medium SUV
- Select’s Car Review Score: 4.2 out of 5
- Boot size: 591 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol, Petrol Plug-In Hybrid, Diesel
- NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Kia Sportage
Car lease price: from £215.99 per month
When it first arrived in the UK, the current-generation Sportage divided opinion with its looks, but there could be no questioning the competence of the car underneath the skin. A surprisingly classy cabin, comfy ride and great value for money put the Sportage on plenty of drivers’ shortlists. Over the years, the car has been upgraded with new tech, and the looks have aged well – thanks in part to some subtle tweaks. As family SUVs go, it’s hard to beat.
Kia Sportage need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Medium SUV
- Select’s Car Review Score: 3.3 out of 5
- Boot size: 491 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol, Diesel
- NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Seat Ateca
Car lease price: from £239.16 per month
Although it shares much with the VW Tiguan, the Ateca comes to the market with a very different attitude. Newly revamped with a fresh front end and updated tech, the latest Ateca looks more upmarket than its predecessor, but it boasts the same vast collection of qualities that made the old car so good. Solid handling, plenty of space and an emphasis on quality put the car up with the best in its class.
Seat Ateca need to knows:
- Car Leasing Category: Medium SUV
- Select’s Car Review Score: 4.1 out of 5
- Boot size: 422 litres
- Engine Options: Petrol, Diesel
- NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Price correct as of 21/12/2020.
**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the scores of the UK’s top five leading independent car website reviews
