Lifestages: Empty Nesters - Select Car Leasing
4.9 out of 5 46,530 reviews

Mon to Fri: | Sat:

Driving For Empty Nesters: What You Need To Know

As family life moves into its next stage and the kids move out and fledge into the world, you may well find yourself considering a new car that better-reflects, and even celebrates, your new lifestyle and sense of freedom.

And below we talk you through some of your options.

Take Advantage of Your Empty Nester Status

Perhaps you’ve got new-found cash to spend on a premium, luxury car. Or, on the other hand, you might find resources strained as you help a child or children pay their way through university.

You might even be looking to downsize your vehicle as you approach retirement.

Whatever your circumstances, there’s a lease car for you.

Here at Select Car Leasing, you can also choose from the very latest electrified vehicles – perfect for reducing your annual fuel cost bill – from sophisticated plug-in hybrids to fully-electric, battery-powered cars.

Stylish Options That Won’t Break The Bank

Just because you might be downsizing, it doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun.

The brilliant Ford Puma is a compact crossover that’s small enough to park with ease while also offering enough space for rear passengers.

Meanwhile hatchbacks like the MINI Cooper offer grin-inducing, go-kart like handling while still being fuel efficient. Just look at the sporty MINI Cooper S, for example, which offers incredible performance while still returning up to 48 miles to the gallon.

You might also want to consider affordable, compact, all-electric options like the award-winning MG MG4 EV or the Kia Niro EV. Both vehicles offer a class-leading range between charges and all the style you’d expect from a car at the cutting-edge of technology.

High Performance Fun

It’s not a mid-life crisis – it’s you living your best life!

And now that the kids have gone, you might feel like you deserve to throw-off the shackles and indulge yourself.

The phenomenal, long-running Mazda MX-5 is well worth a look. The compact, two-seat roadster offers all the thrills of top-down driving without the sort of power that might intimidate lease customers who are new to sports cars.

There are, of course, a series of premium hot-hatches for you to enjoy, including stalwarts like the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Audi RS 3, or the Honda Civic Type R – a car that was once an un-restrained hooligan but which has been restyled to look much more sophisticated.

And if you really want to throw caution to the wind, why not consider one of the new breed of performance electric vehicles – from the Porsche Taycan to the Audi e-tron GT, Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, or the Kia EV6 GT?

Key Things to Consider if You’re an Empty Nester:

If your nest is only empty some of the time (i.e. during university term time) and your kids still need you to ferry them and their gear around in holidays, then unless you’re thinking of having two cars you might find your plans for that two-seater foiled, at least for now.

The answer here is a compromise somewhere in the middle, such as a sporty SUV – like the stunningly-styled Cupra Formentor - that meets the desire for something new and snazzy but can still do the job for your kids when it needs to.

If babies and toddlers are on the horizon, and there’s a chance you’ll be driving them at least some of the time (along with all their equipment!), then, again, this is worth considering.

If ferrying young ones in safety is paramount, look to manufacturers such as Polestar, Volvo, Tesla, Lexus and Hyundai, who consistently record near-perfect scores with The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

If so, are there ergonomic features that would make transporting them around easier for all concerned, especially if they have physical difficulties restricting agility and movement.

Look for more generously sized back seats and consider if you need wide opening or sliding doors, like the ones you’ll find with the Volkswagen ID. Buzz.

For many empty nesters, travel plans are at the forefront of minds. 

And if you’re finally planning to visit all those places in the UK, and Europe, that you’ve meaning to see but haven’t yet gotten around to, you’ll need a lease car that’s up to the job.

A spacious, uber-comfortable mile-muncher like the BMW 5 Series Touring estate is a great option, particularly as it comes with the choice of a plug-in hybrid powertrain. If a higher-riding SUV is more your thing, the Audi Q5 offers that winning mix of style, comfort, and practicality.

If you’ve always been a petrol preferrer, why not consider a hybrid or a green vehicle, especially if you’re looking to save on running costs?

If you’re confused or unsure about any aspect of leasing a car, give the Select Car Leasing team a call0118 920 5130

Our Top 10 Lease Cars For Empty Nesters:

BMW 4 Series Convertible

The 4 Series Convertible is one of BMW's most sylish models yet. Boasting fantastic build-quality, and the latest in-car technology.

From £583.00 inc. VAT
View all
1 SPECIAL OFFER
Convertible

Mazda MX-5 Convertible

The MX-5 Convertible is a unique vehicle with significant practicality that offers a genuinely entertaining and enjoyable ride.

From £229.20 inc. VAT
View all
2 SPECIAL OFFERS
MX-5 Convertible

Porsche 718 Convertible

Comfortable, swish and capable of jaw-dropping speeds - the 718 is one of Porsche's hottest properties on the market.

From £1,746.91 inc. VAT
View all
718 Convertible

CUPRA Formentor Estate

Great to look at and just as good to drive, the Formentor is a stylish and practical family SUV. Opt for the most powerful versions, and it doubles as a hot hatchback.

From £263.84 inc. VAT
View all
3 SPECIAL OFFERS
Plug-in Hybrid

models available

models

Formentor Estate

Lotus Eletre SUV

The Eletre is a cutting-edge ‘hyper SUV’ from Lotus with power of up to 905 hp. Designed as a ‘lifestyle’ car, the Eletre can handle the racetrack just as well as it can the school run.

From £1,009.73 inc. VAT
View all
1 SPECIAL OFFER
Electric

models available

models

SUV

Lexus ES Saloon

The Lexus ES is a super-luxurious vehicle with a hybrid engine, that costs little to run and looks great on the road.

From £455.10 inc. VAT
View all
1 SPECIAL OFFER
Hybrid

models available

models

ES Saloon

BMW i5 Saloon

The BMW i5 brings a full electric powertrain to the long-running 5 Series, and offers lease customers a range of up to 357 miles between charges.

From £647.93 inc. VAT
View all
3 SPECIAL OFFERS
Electric

models available

models

Saloon

Ford Capri SUV

The Ford Capri is a classic name reborn for the modern era. The fully-electric SUV-coupe has a range of up to 389 miles between charges.

From £320.21 inc. VAT
View all
3 SPECIAL OFFERS
Electric

models available

models

Capri SUV

MG Motor UK Cyberster Convertible

The MG Cyberster is a premium electric convertible with dramatic scissor doors and stirring levels of performance.

From £740.24 inc. VAT
View all
1 SPECIAL OFFER
Electric

models available

models

Cyberster Convertible

Ford Mustang Coupe

A true icon of the road, the Ford Mustang is a fully-fledged muscle car with a soul-stirring 5.0-litre V8 engine.

From £718.68 inc. VAT
View all
1 SPECIAL OFFER
Mustang Coupe

Interested in leasing? Check out our car lease deals today!