Ford is ditching its iconic Fiesta in a matter of weeks - but if you’re in the market for an affordable hatchback, worry not, because there are still some amazing leasing options to enjoy!
June 2023 marks the end of a motoring era.
That’s when production of the Fiesta will cease entirely, with the car having been a dependable family run-about for the best part of five decades.
You’ll still be able to lease a new Ford Fiesta in the coming months - with prices at Select beginning at around £258 per month* - but that’ll prove trickier and trickier as the weeks tick by.
It’s true that the Fiesta offers much to lots of lease customers. It’s small but surprisingly spacious, stylish without being expensive, and there are enough versions and trim levels out there to suit most motorists.
Let’s also not forget the performance Fiesta ST hot-hatch (above)- a car that’ll be sorely missed by this particular petrolhead.
But the good news here is that you’re not short of options when it comes to compact hatchback leases.
And here we run you through the most tempting Ford Fiesta alternatives:
The old foe - Volkswagen Polo
Yep, the Ford Fiesta and the Volkswagen Polo have been slugging it out in the marketplace for what seems like an eternity.
And, unlike the Fiesta, the Polo will be hanging around for a while yet, with VWhttps://www.selectcarleasing.co.uk/car-leasing/mazda/2-hybridrecently confirming it won’t be phased-out until at least 2025.
The cheapest VW Polo to lease is the ‘Life’ trim, which still brings you 15 inch alloys, cruise control, and driver assistance systems like autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist.
The entry-level engine is a 1.0 litre petrol unit with power of 80 PS, but as you move up through the range the power from that engine rises to 110 PS.
Like the Fiesta, there’s also a sporty version - the simply brilliant Polo GTI, which was relaunched and revamped last year. It boasts power of 207 PS and will hit 62 mph from a standstill in 6.5 seconds.
Lease a Volkswagen Polo from £203 per month*.
The award-winner - Citroen C3
The Citroen C3 isn’t just one of the most affordable compact hatchbacks to lease, it’s also a recent award winner.
The C3 was named World Urban Car at the 2023 World Car of the Year Awards, fending off competition from the Volkswagen Taigo SUV and the electric Ora Funky Cat.
There’s a choice of petrol and diesel engines, with the 1.5 litre diesel mill returning close to 70 miles to the gallon.
And even the most affordable variant features a 5 inch infotainment touchscreen, DAB radio, cruise control, and a lane departure warning system.
Lease a Citroen C3 from £175 per month*.
If you crave energetic styling - SEAT Ibiza
The SEAT Ibiza has always exuded an air of being young and care-free.
And because the Ibiza shares the same underpinnings as the Volkswagen Polo, it’s one of the more spacious superminis out there, too.
The Ibiza is packing a 355 litre boot - which eclipses the 292 litres you get in a Fiesta.
Whichever Ibiza trim level you choose, it’ll be powered by a 1.0 litre petrol engine, with decent power of up to 110 PS.
The one you arguably want is the ‘FR’ Ibiza, which features sporty exterior styling, including dedicated FR bumpers, as well as dark tinted windows and a rear spoiler.
Those FR models also get sports suspension, a leather steering wheel, 17 inch alloys, and a 9.25 inch touchscreen with sat nav - all for around £216 per month.
Lease an entry-level SEAT Ibiza from £192 per month*.
If you want a hybrid - Mazda 2 Hybrid or the Suzuki Swift mild-hybrid
The Mazda 2 and the Suzuki Swift are very different, but both deserve a mention in this ‘electrified’ category.
The Mazda 2 (above) we’re focusing on here is the Hybrid model, which is a sister car to the slightly more expensive Toyota Yaris Hybrid.
It features a full hybrid powertrain - which never needs to be plugged-in and which recycles energy back into the battery when you brake - to give you great fuel economy of up to 74 mpg. You also still get a 286 litre boot.
The Suzuki Swift (above), on the other hand, is a mild hybrid that uses 48 volt tech which works to boost fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.
It’s worth pointing out here that the Swift also comes as a Swift Sport hot-hatch - which looks the part and has decent oomph.
Lease a Mazda 2 Hybrid from £225 or a Suzuki Swift from £187 per month*.
The no-brainer - Vauxhall Corsa
Just like the Volkswagen Polo, the Corsa has been locking horns with the Ford Fiesta for donkeys’ years, consistently trading places at the top of the ‘best selling cars in the UK’ list.
And the Corsa still makes for a cracking lease car.
Once again, you’re looking at a petrol engine, this time a 1.2 litre petrol unit.
The Turbo engine is particularly potent, boasting power of 130 PS and a very decent 0-62 mph time of 8.2 seconds. That’s actually quicker and more powerful than the Suzuki Swift Sport hot-hatch (see above).
The most affordable Corsa to lease is the Design trim level, which comes loaded with 16 alloys, a fully-connected 7 inch infotainment screen, and intelligent tech like cruise control with speed limiter and lane departure warning with lane assist.
Lease a Vauxhall Corsa from £185 per month*.
A crossover instead of a hatchback - Ford Puma
You should look no further here than the Ford Puma - hatchback-SUV crossover that combines lots of interior space for passengers alongside super cool exterior styling.
You get a 456 litre boot - 164 litres more than with a Ford Fiesta - and every model available to lease also features clever mild-hybrid technology.
The Ford Puma is generously equipped as standard, even in base ‘Titanium’ trim.
Here at Select we’ve currently got great deals going on the mid-range ST-Line X trim, which features 18 inch alloys, a unique exterior body kit, sport suspension, wireless phone charging, cruise Control with intelligent speed assist, and an uprated B&O sound system.
Lease a Ford Puma from £259 per month*.
The electric alternative - Renault ZOE
The Renault ZOE 100% Electric can be leased for roughly the same price as a traditionally-fuelled Ford Fiesta - and definitely deserves a place on this list.
You can expect a 52 kWh battery that gives you a range of up to 238 miles between charges, which is well up there with more expensive electric hatchbacks like the Peugeot e-208 or the MG4 EV.
While the ZOE looks like it has just the three doors, it is actually a proper five-door car, with the rear handles cleverly hidden in the window frame.
Power of 135 PS means the ZOE has a good turn of pace, reaching 62 mph from zero in 9.5 seconds.
And despite the ZOE’s compact proportions, you still get a 338 litre boot, which again is highly competitive in the segment.
Rapid charging at a speed of 50 kW will take the battery from 0-80% full in around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Lease a Renault ZOE from £230 per month*.
*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 12/04/23.
You can also read our love letter to the Ford Fiesta.
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