Jaguar’s new XJ saloon is the latest in a long line of big cats to bare the name stretching right back to the 1960s.
This latest Jaguar XJ is without a doubt a very different beast from its predecessors.
Its imaginative cabin design and styling may divide opinion among Jaguar traditionalists, but one thing’s for sure, the company really has gone out of its way to offer up the luxury car buying the public something very special.
The design may have its critics but there is just no arguing with its performance, comfort and near perfect driving manners for a car of this size and weight.
Engines are shared with the smaller XF series starting with the punchy but frugal 3.0 litre turbo diesel through to the phenomenal performance of the 5.0 litre V8
The V6 diesel could be the top seller though, it’s powerful yet smooth and refined, and it’s impressive consumption gives the model a good cruising range.
Although bristling with every possible gadget it is possible to request optional extras. One really worth considering for any Jaguar XJ car lease has to be the sensational sound from the superb Bowers and Wilkins stereo. One of the world’s premier audio manufacturers is ideally suited for this luxury environment.
Rivals in this class are few and far between but for anyone looking at leasing in this, the very top of the luxury sector, they might also want to take a look at the Mercedes S class or if their pockets are very deep the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost.
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Small, drop head coupes are often accused of being all style over substance, but the Nissan Micra CC is not just a pretty face, it has strength and depth in abundance.
Roof down the little Nissan is a great looking coupe-cabriolets, one of the best on the market.
One of its most attractive features is rather than having a folding metal roof, the car has a glass centre letting plenty of light in, roof up or down.
Anyone thinking of a Nissan Micra CC car lease will be impressed by the boot capacity which is huge compared to the Nissan’s rivals. It boasts 457 litres with the roof up and a none too shabby 255 litres with it down.
Only two petrol engines are available on the range a 1.4 litre and a 1.6 litre, the latter also comes with an automatic option for that ultimate summer time cruise experience.
All CC models have decent levels of equipment. The basic Visia features electric door mirrors, CD/radio, keyless ignition and Bluetooth just for starters and all models have alloy wheels as standard. Equipment levels increase through mid range Acenta to the top of the range Active Luxury model which boasts leather sports seats and metallic paint.
The Micra is a dependable but slightly dull small car, the CC injects some funky styling and something often missing from Japanese cars, character.
Anyone looking to lease a small car in the drop head coupé market might find it hard to look past the Peugeot 207, that would be a mistake.
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The Renault Twingo is the junior partner among the French manufacturers stable of cars.
Introduced in 1992 it was marketed as a city car and had some innovative features for the time, including a central instrument panel. The original version was never sold in right hand drive markets so anyone interested in leasing a Twingo in the UK had to wait until the second-generation model launched in 2007.
A Renault Twingo car lease is a very accomplished package for a city car. It has supple ride, good road manners and can seat four adults in relative comfort.
There are 1.2 petrol engines available in 74 and 99 bhp units and topping the range is the blisteringly quick 1.6 Renault Sport.
However, on the open road the Twingo reinforces the fact that this is a car built for zipping around the city streets not for cruising the open highways. The dynamics are a mixed bag with too much body roll in the corners and it suffers a general lack of refinement all round.
Inside there is evidence of cost cutting with cheap plastics and exposed wiring giving the impression that the baby Renault maybe doesn’t get the resources its larger siblings do. For a small car it’s pricey to maintain as well.
It’s bigger than true city cars like the Mitsubishi I and the Smart car but not quite as big as a Toyota Aygo. It fills the gap well enough but there are more accomplished small cars on the market.
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This model may be better associated with the Ferrari chasing Evo range of performance cars, but without the wolf’s clothing the Mitsubushi Lancer Saloon is also a family car.
There may be some styling similarities but an Evo without the crippling insurance premiums it is not. Anyone who thinks the some of the blistering pace and unbelievable handling ability will rub off on the saloon will discover it’s a very distant cousin indeed. The saloon is pretty neutral to drive with an overly firm ride and compared to its competitors is not particularly cheap.
However, a Mitsubishi Lancer car lease does offer good build quality with well kitted out cabins and a manufacturer off the straight and narrow which may appeal to some thinking of a medium sized family saloon.
There are just three Mitsubishi Lancer versions available for lease the Mitsubishi Lancer Saloon 2.0 DI-D GS3 four door, the Mitsubishi Lancer Saloon 1.8 GS4 four door and the Mitsubishi Lancer Saloon 1.5 SE 4 door.
The lower running costs of the 1.5 litre make it the most popular model in the range. The Lancer is a solid performer in the saloon car category but nothing inspiring.
Anyone thinking of leasing the Mitsubishi may also be interested in the Skoda Octavia. Or if a Skoda is a step too far try a Volvo S40 better image and build, less kit as standard though.
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The CZC is the cabriolet version of Mitsubushi’s popular small run around the Colt.
Anyone thinking of taking on a Mitsubishi Colt CZC car lease will already have a good idea about what they want from this type of car. This model doesn’t disappoint, it’s well built funky and fun.
It’s also fast, the 1.5 litre turbo model does 0-62 in a fraction over eight seconds. No surprise though with performance figures like this that drivers pay for it at the pump. The little CZC delivers less than 40mpg on the combined cycle.
The problem with all models of cabriolets is how to keep the chassis stiff without a roof to support it. Mitsubishi engineers have solved the problem by fitting braces to stop it flexing too much. The drawback with this approach however has been to make the steering overly heavy, given the size of the car this is a minor drawback.
It may be marketed as a four seater but frankly it’s not. Even small children would struggle to get comfortable in the space available
Lastly it suffers the perennial problem of stow away fold down roofs. When the roof is down almost the entire boot space is taken up by it. Drivers are left with the weekend away dilemma, do they sacrifice that extra bag for the wind in their hair experience or not.
However, all in all as an attempt to straddle the market between hot hatchbacks and convertibles, this is a fair attempt.
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The Mitsubishi Shogun is one of the world’s most respected and capable off road vehicles.
Designed at a time when off roaders were expected to be working well off road it is a massively capable 4×4. Unfortunately the vast majority of people who will be leasing a vehicle like this will very rarely venture off the beaten track, if ever.
It’s reputation; as a bombproof workhorse will still make a Mitsubishi Shogun car lease something to be considered for those in the market for a big 4×4.
It comes with a choice of 3.8 litre V6 petrol or 3.2 litre diesel engines, with the latter being the more flexible and economical choice. But even with the smooth performing diesel this is no motorway cruiser and that is the Shogun’s Achilles heel. The market for big 4×4 has changed since it was first introduced back in 1973. Although it has evolved, now in its fourth generation, it is not as evolved as its rivals who now put much more emphasis on road rather than off road manners.
The Volvo XC90 and BMW X5, even the king of off roaders the Landrover Discovery have all evolved better road behaviour than the Shogun. The ride is bumpy, especially at low speeds, and the handling is vague with body roll is real problem in the corners.
For a car costing serious money the cabin also disappoints looking cheap and tacky compared to its rivals.
Overall a mud plugger that’s a throwback to when 4×4 really did go further than the school run.
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A Renault Megane car lease gives drivers access to one of the most flexible vehicle ranges the French giant has ever produced.
The Megane comes in Estate, Sports Tourer, Coupe and the Coupe Cabriolet models and with a bewildering range of engines and trim levels there is a style and specification to meet almost every motoring eventuality.
All models are extremely well priced compared to their respective rivals and all are generously equipped. Handling and ride quality are sharp across the range and engine choice is generous with some particularly clean, green and economical diesels.
On the down side rear head and leg room is limited and feels cramped. Build quality can be a little iffy and to be honest other manufacturers put together more interesting propositions. Competition for the Megane is tough particularly in the small hatchback class.
Here the Golf reigns supreme and as good a car as the Megane is, it isn’t in the same class as the Volkswagen. Saying that it isn’t nearly as expensive but overall is average across too many areas to be seen as class leading.
But this shouldn’t preclude it as a lease consideration. The sports tourer is practical but not particularly sporty, the estate roomy as would be expected, and the coupé and cabriolet are both very pretty.
None of the models are particularly remarkable but it makes for a decent all rounder across the range.
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The Renault Koleos is the French manufacturers first foray into the SUV market.
Renault have been smart about getting the Koleos to market by drawing on the off-road experience of their partner Nissan. The Koleos shares much with their successful X trail and Qashqai models.
But the market for crossover SUVs is extremely competitive so does the Renault offer something others like the Volkswagen Tiguan or Ford Kuga don’t?
Well, if first impressions are anything to go by no. For a company famed for its styling flair the Koleos is pretty uninspiring.
Anyone thinking of a Renault Koleos car lease though will be impressed by its practicality. It boasts a split-opening tailgate leading to huge 450 litre luggage space, which rises to 1,380 litres with the seats folded. Inside the cabin there is no shortage of equipment or space.
Th Koleos comes with a choice of diesel engines both 2.0-litre units – one turning out 148bhp and its more powerful brother boasting 178bhp. Both have plenty of torque to deal with most eventualities.
Off road the Koleos has more than enough traction and ground clearance to cope with what most owners will throw at it.
Renault claims it is significantly cheaper and better equipped then it’s nearest rivals from Volkswagen and Ford. This maybe true but as an all round package a test drive is needed to determine the full experience.
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If there is one model produced by Renault that continues to have a va va voom in the leasing market it has to be the Clio.
The Renault Clio is now in its third generation since launching in 1990 and is still capturing the hearts of the leasing public with its sense of stylish sophistication and fine handling.
It is the only car to be voted European Car of the Year twice in 1991 and 2006.
Petrol engines start with a 1.2 litre through to the 1.6VVT and are topped by the blistering 2.0 litre Renault Sport 200. Diesel power comes from the very popular and economical 1.5 litre dci unit.
A Renault Clio car lease is an extremely attractive package for anyone looking for a car in the super mini class. It is a classy package that’s quiet, comfortable as well as being nimble to drive. It comes in six trim levels: Extreme, Expression, Dynamique, GT, Privilege and Initiale.
With a class-leading cabin as far as space is concerned it has room for five adults at a push. The boot as well is best in class with a useful 288-litre capacity.
The Clio has always served up a fine driving experience and this latest incarnation is no exception. Poise, grip and balance are all adjectives that can be applied to the ride quality.
All in all there is little to fault this French super mini in what is an extremely competitive sector.
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The Nissan Juke is the little brother of the Qashqai, a crossover aimed firmly at tempting those looking at a Mini or Audi lease with its greater practicality and eye-catching styling.
With its raised suspension and exaggerated wheel arches the Juke certainly has a bigger road presence than traditional super minis without being too aggressive.
The Juke follows Nissan’s Visia, Acenta and Tekna trim levels.
However dramatic the exterior styling, the interior falls short of expectations. While perfectly functional, Nissan have missed a trick in not making the Juke as distinctive inside as out.
On the plus side there is bags of space in comparison to other models in this class of car for both front and back passengers. Boot space is also well above average with a neat little extra area of stowage under a false floor.
On the road the despite its higher stance driving manners are on the whole very good with much more responsive handling than might be expected for a model this height.
It’s not as agile as a Mini or Fiesta but what’s traded in road handling is more than compensated by the extra space.
The excellent 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine is more than adequate for hauling the Juke around but for those looking for a little more excitement they could try the 1.6-litre DiG-T petrol engine which pushes out a chunky 187bhp.
A Nissan Juke car lease will no doubt tempt drivers looking for a premium small car. It’s looks and practicality more than make up for the lack of a premium badge.
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