So what is the best petrol hatch to lease in 2019? Is it the BMW M140i, the Seat Cupra, the Mercedes A35 or this, the VW Golf GTi?
There are probably two categories of performance hatchbacks which exist in the UK automotive market – 1) the day-to-day practical and more subtle vehicles; and 2) the more extreme and extravert options.
We are conscious that you could select some leasing deals on the Audi RS3, upcoming Mercedes A45 or the VW Golf R, which well and truly sit within the second category. However, when you go towards more highly-tuned cars, you are looking at something which is very specific i.e. cars based on acceleration, aesthetics and image.
As part of treating customers fairly, we are always keen to make the distinction between the two different vehicles, so that they select the right option.
As contract hire is a long-term option (2, 3 or 4 years) we don’t want a customer to be a position where the car they selected becomes unusable – insurance cost, petrol costs or just the practicality of running a more extreme performance vehicle. This is why some customers go for the GTi-type vehicles as you get a great mix of style, substance and performance but is something which you can still operate on a day to day basis, particularly if you are covering less than 10-12,000 miles per annum.
So with the above in mind, should I only lease my new car for two years? Contract hire is fixed term agreement. This means that this is a set contract based on the vehicle, the annual mileage and the length of time which you wish to use the vehicle for.
With contract hire we use the phrase “usership” as this makes it clear to the customer that we are not discussing an ownership product. This is not a suitable method if you wish to own the vehicle.
As part of this discussion, customers do need to be aware that the contract is not a flexible one; you can’t just hand the vehicle back or “swap” it for another one if it is no longer suitable. This is why leasing brokers are keen to ensure you have considered all of the details thoughtfully, as there is nothing which we can do in order to help you exit the agreement with the finance company. If you do wish to exit a lease agreement early, you need to ask the finance company for an early termination. In most cases, this is will result in a bill which is equivalent to half of the total amount of rentals remaining.
For example, if you wish to end the agreement 1 year into a 2 year contract, you would need to pay circa 6 months’ rentals to return the vehicle. As part of this, you also need to be aware that the car will be inspected at the point of collection and you could also receive a bill for any excess mileage or any issues which exceed fair wear and tear.
In choosing the contract term there is no right or wrong answer – there is no best term to confirm! It is about considering the car, your budget and the circumstances and reaching a conclusion which meets all of these.
In terms of the car shown, the VW GOLF HATCHBACK 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5door (Petrol/Manual), this was based on the following configuration:
· Tornado Red Special solid
· Jacara cloth – Titan black/red
· 18″ Parker alloy wheels with anti-theft wheel bolts
As standard the GTi comes with a great level of spec – front sport seats, discover navigation, lumbar support for driver/passenger, LED headlights with dynamic curve, winter pack, 18” alloys, 12.3” high resolution screen, rear tinted glass (65%), front and rear parking sensors, automatic windscreen wipers, ABS with HBA, automatic post collision braking ESC, front ventilated disc brakes, red brake calipers, Bluetooth, adaptive cruise control with front assist, front and rear carpet mats, rear view camera, stop/start system, body coloured externals, electrically adjustable ad foldable door mirrors, GTI logo front and back, twin exhaust pipes, 3D LED tinted rear lights, dusk sensor with automatic lights, climate control, LED daytime running lights, cooled glovebox, multifunction steering wheel with GTI logo, stainless steel pedals, ambient lighting pack, convenience pack, light and sight pack, mirror pack, 60/40 split folding seats, keyless entry with stop/start button, XDS differential lock and alarm with engine immobiliser. In terms of additional specification, consider adding – rear tinted glass 90%, 19” alloys (Brescia or Santiago) or the electric sliding/tilting panoramic sunroof.
On the technical-side company car and business users can note the P11d at £32,145.00 and CO2 at 155g/km. The 6 speed manual petrol 1984CC engine delivers 245ps, combined MPG of 41.5 (EC) and 0-62 times of 6.2 seconds. Service intervals on Golf GTi are every 24 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.
So would the VW Golf GTi, which is coming to the end of its life cycle, be you preferred leasing option? Or would you go elsewhere for the best petrol hot hatch?
Browse VW Golf Lease Deals Online @CarLease UK – or check out more hot hatch and sports car reviews below…
