- The UK's most popular cars - and their brilliant alternatives
- Some are obvious, other options are perhaps often overlooked
- What should you consider instead of the Tesla Model 3 or Model Y?
- What's one of the best alternatives to the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai?
These are some of the best alternatives to Britain's favourite cars - and they could help to hone your leasing choices.
There’s often a reason why a Nissan Qashqai or MG4 EV can be found on almost every street in Britain: both offer exactly what the market demands, such as value for money, practicality and user-friendly tech.
Therefore, it’s easy to follow the herd of people rushing to a Nissan or MG lease deal - and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it may be worth broadening your horizons to other manufacturers.
Doing this brings a sense of ‘newness’ to car ownership - you might also end up with a car that's better suited to your needs.
Here are a few cars worth considering over their popular counterparts.
Tesla Model Y vs Hyundai Ioniq 6
(Hyunbdai Ioniq 6, left, Tesla Model 3, right)
You’ll likely remember Hyundai as a cheap, early-2000s Korean brand that spits out subpar cars - well, not today.
Model 3 buyers will have access to Tesla’s vast supercharger network; however, the Ioniq 6 features 800V architecture, meaning it’ll charge from 10-80% (18mins via a 350kW charger). The Long Range AWD Tesla is claimed to return up to 421 miles on a single charge, while the Hyundai can get up to 382 miles.
(Hyundai Ioniq 6 interior)
As for the interior, the winner for many might be the Ioniq 6, which features physical buttons, while the Tesla is much more minimalistic.
The Tesla Model 3 beats the Ioniq 6 in the software department with its array of quirky features, but the Ioniq 6 offers smooth ride, a quiet cabin at speed, and acres of rear legroom. That said, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has only 401 litres of boot space, versus the Tesla’s 561 litres.
Tesla Model Y vs Skoda Enyaq
(Tesla Model Y, left, Skoda Enyaq, right)
Like the Model 3, there’s an alternative to the Tesla Model Y - the Skoda Enyaq. The Enyaq is a fantastic machine that’s also available as the Enyaq Coupe, if you want that Model Y look without the Tesla badge.
Compared with the Model Y, the Enyaq rides comfortably over potholes and drain covers, while its less minimalist interior can be finished in a range of colours. The Skoda’s cabin also feels noticeably premium, with plenty of soft-touch materials and fantastic overall build quality.
(Skoda Enyaq interior)
As for range, the Model Y can deliver between 353 and 391 miles depending on trim, whereas the Skoda returns between 334 and 360 miles - a fair trade-off, given how much the Enyaq impresses in other areas.
However, the Skoda falls short of boot space at 585 litres versus the Model Y’s massive 854 litres. That said, lease deals on the Skoda Enyaq are typically (at the time writing) significantly cheaper than those of a Tesla.
MG4 EV vs Renault Megane E-Tech
(MG4, left, Renault Megane E-Tech, right)
Modern MGs can be great value, but stretching your monthly budget can get you a car that feels a bit more upper-class.
The Renault Megane E-Tech is a perfect example of this. When compared to the MG4, the Megane E-Tech has plush interior materials, sharper infotainment, and more comfortable seats. The Renault also gets an additional year of warranty over the MG’s seven years.
(Renault Megane E-Tech interior)
If you need a range of over 300 miles, then the MG is the one to go for. It can return up to 338 miles in Premium Extended Range trim thanks to its larger 77kWh battery versus the Renault’s 285 miles and 64kWh battery.
However, the Renault is quieter at speed, rides better over harsher surfaces, and has a larger boot at 440 litres, compared with the MG’s 363 litres.
As always, compromises must be made. Here, rear headroom in the Renault is compromised by its swooping roofline, and while it has a larger boot, it also has a large load lip.
Polestar 2 vs BYD Seal
(Polestar 2, left, BYD Seal, right)
Since its 2020 launch, the Polestar 2 has been a commercial success, cementing itself as a Tesla Model 3 alternative. Elon aside, the BYD Seal is China’s answer to the Swedish Polestar.
Both the Polestar 2 and BYD Seal are similarly priced, but the Seal, to me at least, feels smoother on the road over nasty bumps, while the Polestar is more fun to drive.
Moreover, the Seal has a premium interior, mimicking that of a higher class, while the Polestar emits minimalism like Tesla
(BYD Seal interior)
Range is incredibly important in EV ownership, as is charging. Polestar claims the 2 will return up to 409 miles on a full charge, while the Seal falls short at 354 miles.
A pinch of salt is, indeed, required here, as real-world figures suggest both are incredibly close, with the Polestar returning between 260 and 310 miles, and the Seal 240 and 290 miles.
Likewise, if performance is required, both manufacturers offer dual-motor speedy variants. Monthly price differences can vary, so be sure to check out our latest lease deals on both cars.
Kia Sportage Hybrid vs Honda CR-V e:HEV
(Honda CR-V, left, Kia Sportage, right)
Seeing why the Kia Sportage is a favourite is easy: it’s a fantastic all-rounder. But if Kia isn’t for you, then consider the Honda CR-V e:HEV.
The CR-V can get slightly higher mpg in the real world, 45-55mpg, versus the Kia’s 42-50mpg. Of course, this depends on how heavy your right foot is.
Likewise, the Honda feels soft and calm at lower speeds, and its cabin feels a tad more mature. However, the Kia is quieter at higher speeds, and it feels brisker than the Honda.
(Honda CR-V interior)
There’s lots of room in the CR-V, which has a 587-litre boot in Elegance trim, dropping to 579 litres in Advance. Still, the Sportage HEV is the same at 587 litres. Both cars have similar rear head and legroom, while the Honda’s folding 60/40 split rear seats are less versatile than the Kia’s 40/20/40 split.
Despite the Honda being a great alternative, there’s likely a reason it’s overlooked: price. Monthly payments can be larger than the Kia’s.
Nissan Qashqai vs Skoda Karoq
(Nissan Qashqai, left, Skoda Karoq, right)
The Nissan Qashqai came third in the top ten best-selling cars of 2025, but why not consider an alternative, like the Skoda Karoq?
The Skoda Karoq offers no-nonsense practicality and is packed with the brand’s “Simply Clever” features, including an ice scraper in the fuel filler and an umbrella in the door.
The Qashqai is available as a mild hybrid, while the Skoda isn’t. Don’t let this put you off, though, as the Skoda is claimed to return between 45 and 49mpg with the 1.0-litre engine (45 to 48mpg for the 1.5). The mild-hybrid Qashqai is said to return the exact same, whereas the range-topping e-Power is calculated to return 64mpg.
(Skoda Karoq boot)
That said, the Skoda feels settled on the road, and its interior feels reassuringly sturdy. Skoda’s driver assistance systems are perhaps less intrusive, although its rear seats are slightly tighter. While the Qashqai is excellent, we’d pick the Skoda for longer commutes.
Lease prices are very similar, at the time of writing. If you decide on the Skoda, we’d recommend the 1.5 engine for the power hike alone.
Ford Puma vs Mazda CX-30
(Mazda CX-30, left, Ford Puma, right)
Ford Pumas are the new Fiesta - they are everywhere, and for good reason. The Puma offers a lot out of the box, but if you fancy straying from the crowd, we’d recommend the Mazda CX-30.
The CX-30 is slightly larger and therefore lands in the compact SUV segment, rather than the Puma’s crossover segment. However, the difference in length is about 19cm.
Both cars are mild hybrids, meaning you don’t need to plug them in, and both can return up to 50 mpg. But the Mazda feels a little more premium inside while offering a seamless infotainment experience.
(Ford Puma's Megabox)
The Puma does, however, have a couple of aces up its sleeve. First is the mega box (pictured above) - a deep 80-litre storage compartment underneath the boot floor - and next is how it drives. Like the Fiesta, the Puma is more engaging to drive than the Mazda.
Toyota C-HR Plug-in vs Ford Kuga PHEV
(Toyota C-HR, left, and Ford Kuga, right)
Despite the Ford Kuga being a slightly larger family-oriented SUV, the Toyota costs £39,295 in its plug-in form, while the Kuga is priced at £39,320 (at the time of writing).
The Toyota is backed by the brand’s superb reliability and an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty, extendable to 10 years, while the Kuga has two warranties: a three-year/60,000-mile base warranty and an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.
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(Ford Kuga interior)
Both cars are claimed to deliver up to 41 miles of electric range, and both are expected to return 50-60 mpg in the real world. Likewise, performance is very similar with 0-62 mph arriving in the sub-seven-second range, although the Kuga has more oomph (240bhp versus 220bhp). Similarly, with a 7kW wallbox, both cars will charge from empty to full in around 2 hours, with the Toyota taking 30 minutes longer.
The Kuga is also a winner when it comes to interior and boot space; the C-HR has a 388-litre boot, while the Ford offers 475 litres.
Check out our latest Ford Kuga lease deals.
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