A monthly payment of £400 gets you an awful lot of car. Indeed, that amount will get you a new car deal on just about any type of car you could want, whether you’re looking for a family-friendly SUV, a posh saloon, or a sporty little number. You’ll find all of those, and more, on this list of the best cars for £400 per month.
We’re looking at both leasing and personal contract purchase (PCP) deals. To secure a PCP deal, you pay a deposit then a series of monthly payments. When those payments end, you can make the optional final payment to take full ownership of the car, or give it back.
Leasing – technically called personal contract hire, or PCH – is effectively a long-term rental. You make an initial payment followed by monthly payments. At the end, you just hand the car back.
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to £400 a month, check out our pick of the best cars available for £300 a month.
It is important to note that prices can fluctuate day-to-day for leasing rates, so there may be times a car jumps out of our price parameters which is why we don’t give exact figures for leasing deals. Give it a few days and the leasing rate may return back down in a couple of days. Finance will often be locked in for at least a couple of months meaning we can give accurate numbers for these.
Best new cars to lease (PCH) for £400 a month 2024
The stalwart family saloon is as good as ever
There's almost no point continuing this list after including the BMW 3 Series. It's a standout car for several good reasons, but they can all be summed up in this simple phrase: the BMW 3 Series is all the car most people will ever need.
It's spacious enough for a family, the interior is well-trimmed and it's an enjoyable car to drive. Then there are the variants to choose between. BMW may have slimmed down the lineup in recent years, but you still have the pick of saloons and estates. Unfortunately, the tax-friendly PHEV 330e and monstrously quick M3 will set you back more than the £400 per month limit.
To find out more, read out full BMW 3 Series review
Leasing prices fluctuate too regularly to give an accurate offer. However, this car does fall within the £400 per month ballpark figure.
It's spacious enough for a family, the interior is well-trimmed and it's an enjoyable car to drive. Then there are the variants to choose between. BMW may have slimmed down the lineup in recent years, but you still have the pick of saloons and estates. Unfortunately, the tax-friendly PHEV 330e and monstrously quick M3 will set you back more than the £400 per month limit.
To find out more, read out full BMW 3 Series review
Leasing prices fluctuate too regularly to give an accurate offer. However, this car does fall within the £400 per month ballpark figure.
Pros
- Great fun to drive yet still comfortable
- High-quality interior with lots of tech
- Wide range of engines and trims available
Cons
- Jerky start/stop system
- Firm and fidgety ride on M Sport models
Striking seven-seater
The new Santa Fe is far removed from the bland-but-capable models of old, and it’s now even more practical. The strikingly boxy styling translates to a huge and well-equipped interior, with acres of room for up to seven passengers. It punches well above its price tag for quality and would make for spectacular family transport.
You can get it in either mild or plug-in hybrid flavour, although the EV range in the latter isn’t that impressive. Those macho looks don’t translate into an engaging driving experience either, but it is at least comfortable and very refined, especially at motorway speeds.
To find out more, read our full Hyundai Santa Fe review
Leasing prices fluctuate too regularly to give an accurate offer. However, this car does fall within the £400 per month ballpark figure.
You can get it in either mild or plug-in hybrid flavour, although the EV range in the latter isn’t that impressive. Those macho looks don’t translate into an engaging driving experience either, but it is at least comfortable and very refined, especially at motorway speeds.
To find out more, read our full Hyundai Santa Fe review
Leasing prices fluctuate too regularly to give an accurate offer. However, this car does fall within the £400 per month ballpark figure.
Pros
- Extremely spacious and practical
- Quiet and comfortable at speed
- Economical for its size
Cons
- Infotainment is a little fiddly
- Not that interesting to drive
An excellent left-field performance saloon
The Seal feels good, drives well and looks suitably upscale both inside and out. The warranty cover is generous, and BYD has managed to produce a car that looks good straight out of the blocks. Prices are also improving and becoming increasingly competitive thanks to the introduction of slower, less well-equipped rivals.
So, should you take one over a Tesla Model 3? In the Seal’s favour, its interior is more welcoming, it’s better built and there’s more room inside. It’s a close call. But overall, it's a very convincing Chinese-built electric saloon, and its strength across the board is genuinely surprising.
To find out more, read our full BYD Seal review
Leasing prices fluctuate too regularly to give an accurate offer. However, this car does fall within the £400 per month ballpark figure
So, should you take one over a Tesla Model 3? In the Seal’s favour, its interior is more welcoming, it’s better built and there’s more room inside. It’s a close call. But overall, it's a very convincing Chinese-built electric saloon, and its strength across the board is genuinely surprising.
To find out more, read our full BYD Seal review
Leasing prices fluctuate too regularly to give an accurate offer. However, this car does fall within the £400 per month ballpark figure
Pros
- Stylish, sleek and spacious
- Excellent range and performance
- Very well equipped
Cons
- Almost no brand awareness
- A Tesla Model 3 is easier to live with
Desirable, well-built electric SUV
The Enyaq is so good that Parkers named it our Car of The Year in 2022 and it remains one of the best electric cars. In many ways, it’s the perfect family car. It’s hugely spacious, has a vast boot, comes well-equipped, it’s great value and provides decent range. There are no ‘look at me’ EV gimmicks either, so it’s an easy first step into electrification.
Our budget stretches to the Enyaq 85 Edition model which has 348 miles of official range, triple-zone climate, adaptive cruise control, clever variable LED lights, front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera. Most importantly, you get the biggest battery and a potential real-world range of around 300 miles.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Enyaq review
Leasing prices fluctuate too regularly to give an accurate offer. However, this car does fall within the £400 per month ballpark figure
Our budget stretches to the Enyaq 85 Edition model which has 348 miles of official range, triple-zone climate, adaptive cruise control, clever variable LED lights, front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera. Most importantly, you get the biggest battery and a potential real-world range of around 300 miles.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Enyaq review
Leasing prices fluctuate too regularly to give an accurate offer. However, this car does fall within the £400 per month ballpark figure
Pros
- Comfortable and roomy interior
- Good electric range
- All-wheel-drive available
Cons
- Options jack up the price
- Looks a bit plain
Delightful premium hatchback
The Civic took home our prestigious Car of The Year award in 2023, and we’d still heartily recommend one. It sits right at the top of the hotly contested hatchback segment with comfort, efficiency and driving dynamics sitting above the competition. You’ll be looking for a proper hot hatch to match the way the standard Civic corners.
Leasing rates aren’t kind on face value. A comparable Volkswagen Golf costs £100 less per month, but the Civic skews heavily into premium territory with effortless comfort, a good list of standard kit and solid build-quality.
To find out more, read our full Honda Civic review
Leasing prices fluctuate too regularly to give an accurate offer. However, this car does fall within the £400 per month ballpark figure.
Leasing rates aren’t kind on face value. A comparable Volkswagen Golf costs £100 less per month, but the Civic skews heavily into premium territory with effortless comfort, a good list of standard kit and solid build-quality.
To find out more, read our full Honda Civic review
Leasing prices fluctuate too regularly to give an accurate offer. However, this car does fall within the £400 per month ballpark figure.
Deeply handsome saloon that’s great to drive
It’s a such a good-looking car, the Giulia. Its rival mid-size saloons tend to look like smaller versions of their manufacturers’ bigger models, but the Giulia has a look and character all its own. It handles with a life and agility that it’s rivals can’t quite match, either.
It’s also practical enough for family life and the latest version has brilliantly user-friendly infotainment system. The mid-range Veloce model has Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, satnav, adaptive cruise control, electric leather seats and a heated steering wheel. With a 280hp petrol engine, it’s rapid and does 30mpg if you behave with the throttle.
To find out more, read our full Alfa Romeo Giulia review
Leasing prices fluctuate too regularly to give an accurate offer. However, this car does fall within the £400 per month ballpark figure.
It’s also practical enough for family life and the latest version has brilliantly user-friendly infotainment system. The mid-range Veloce model has Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, satnav, adaptive cruise control, electric leather seats and a heated steering wheel. With a 280hp petrol engine, it’s rapid and does 30mpg if you behave with the throttle.
To find out more, read our full Alfa Romeo Giulia review
Leasing prices fluctuate too regularly to give an accurate offer. However, this car does fall within the £400 per month ballpark figure.
Pros
- Best-looking mid-size saloon
- Usefully spacious
- Just delightful to drive
Cons
- Interior quality lags behind rivals
- Efficiency isn’t great
The best cars to finance (PCP) for £400 per month
A hot hatch for grownups
If a standard hot hatchback just isn't practical enough for you, but you still want some sporting prowess, the Cupra Formentor fills that small but noble niche. A subtle facelift in 2024 has helped keep the Formentor fresh, and it retains the performance and practicality that made it so desirable in the first place.
The standard V models can be financed for less than £400 per month, but we'd recommend the range-topping VZ models if you can put down a heftier deposit. You'll get a sportier driving experience and better engine choices for your money.
To find out more, read our full Cupra Formentor review
Cupra Formentor VZ1 2.0 TSI
Monthly cost: £422.51 (48 payments)
Deposit: £6,000
Manufacturer's contribution: £4,000
Total amount payable: £47,320.77
Cash price: £32,525.00
Mileage allowance: 10,000 miles per year
APR: 4.9%
The standard V models can be financed for less than £400 per month, but we'd recommend the range-topping VZ models if you can put down a heftier deposit. You'll get a sportier driving experience and better engine choices for your money.
To find out more, read our full Cupra Formentor review
Cupra Formentor VZ1 2.0 TSI
Monthly cost: £422.51 (48 payments)
Deposit: £6,000
Manufacturer's contribution: £4,000
Total amount payable: £47,320.77
Cash price: £32,525.00
Mileage allowance: 10,000 miles per year
APR: 4.9%
Pros
- Great to drive for an SUV
- Entry-level engine economical
- Eye-catching looks
Cons
- Firm ride in Cupra mode
- Fiddly infotainment system
Pragmatic family car choice
After a five-seater estate car that offers excellent value, acres of room and masses of comfort? The Skoda Superb Estate should be firmly on your radar for its functionality and roomy interior. Our financing lists are littered with Skodas, so it's no surprise that the Superb would be featured here.
The boot is one of the largest for its class, and the rear seats offer a limousine-level lounging room. Folding them down essentially turns the Superb Estate into a small, stylish, and well-appointed van. Financing rates are excellent on Skodas at the minute, especially if you're after a 0% APR deal. The Superb can squeak in under £400 per month if you put down an £8,000 deposit.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Superb Estate review
Skoda Superb Estate SE Technology
Monthly cost: £399 (24 payments)
Deposit: £8,000
Manufacturer's contribution: zero
Total amount payable: £36,995
Cash price: £36,995
Mileage allowance: 8,000 miles per year
APR: 0%
The boot is one of the largest for its class, and the rear seats offer a limousine-level lounging room. Folding them down essentially turns the Superb Estate into a small, stylish, and well-appointed van. Financing rates are excellent on Skodas at the minute, especially if you're after a 0% APR deal. The Superb can squeak in under £400 per month if you put down an £8,000 deposit.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Superb Estate review
Skoda Superb Estate SE Technology
Monthly cost: £399 (24 payments)
Deposit: £8,000
Manufacturer's contribution: zero
Total amount payable: £36,995
Cash price: £36,995
Mileage allowance: 8,000 miles per year
APR: 0%
Pros
- Comfortable
- Spacious interior
- Easy to drive
Cons
- Mild-hybrid engine is gutless
- Not that sharp to drive
Expert balance of performance and practicality
Is there another Civic on this page? We promise that the Type-R is a different beast altogether from the standard version. It's one of the most complete hot hatches of all time. The steering, controls, and excitement factor are all breath-taking.
Beneath the performance, the Civic works well for day-to-day living. It's as well-made, and the only casualty to the practicality is a drop to four seats. The APR is steep, but it's a clever way to get a modern performance hero.
To find out more, read our Honda Civic Type-R review
Honda Civic Type R 2.0 VTEC
Monthly cost: £429 (36 payments)
Deposit: £10,321.62
Manufacturer's contribution: £2,500
Total amount payable: £56,852.02
Cash price: £50,050
Mileage allowance: 10,000 miles per year
APR: 6.9%
Beneath the performance, the Civic works well for day-to-day living. It's as well-made, and the only casualty to the practicality is a drop to four seats. The APR is steep, but it's a clever way to get a modern performance hero.
To find out more, read our Honda Civic Type-R review
Honda Civic Type R 2.0 VTEC
Monthly cost: £429 (36 payments)
Deposit: £10,321.62
Manufacturer's contribution: £2,500
Total amount payable: £56,852.02
Cash price: £50,050
Mileage allowance: 10,000 miles per year
APR: 6.9%
Pros
- Fast and accomplished
- Marvelous suspension
- Still comfortable
Cons
- Same money as a Porsche Cayman
- Strict four seater
Still the classiest mid-sized SUV for your money
The Evoque still looks fresh and oozes desirability, plus it has an excellent ride, a very high quality interior, and lots of up-to-date tech. Right now, we’d recommend it over the opposition, but make sure you don’t go mad on the options in order to keep the monthly cost down.
That said, the opposition is strong. Audi’s Q3 and Q3 Sportback are both very well-rounded, while the Volvo XC40 majors on tech, plus there’s an all-electric version to choose from. For now, the Evoque is still the best premium SUV for the money – but the opposition is rapidly catching up.
To find out more, read our full Range Rover Evoque review
Range Rover Evoque 260PE
Monthly cost: £369 (49 payments)
Deposit: £10,158
Manufacturer's contribution: zero
Total amount payable: £51,086
Cash price: £49,000
Mileage allowance: 10,000 miles per year
APR: 1.87%
That said, the opposition is strong. Audi’s Q3 and Q3 Sportback are both very well-rounded, while the Volvo XC40 majors on tech, plus there’s an all-electric version to choose from. For now, the Evoque is still the best premium SUV for the money – but the opposition is rapidly catching up.
To find out more, read our full Range Rover Evoque review
Range Rover Evoque 260PE
Monthly cost: £369 (49 payments)
Deposit: £10,158
Manufacturer's contribution: zero
Total amount payable: £51,086
Cash price: £49,000
Mileage allowance: 10,000 miles per year
APR: 1.87%
Pros
- Comfortable, refined and grown-up
- Plug-in hybrid version adds appeal
- Still our favourite premium SUV
Cons
- It's costly when loaded
- Petrol models' high running costs
Likeable premium electric SUV
If you've seen the barrage of electric crossovers on sale and want something a little different and quirkier, the Smart #3 might be the ticket. There's no denying it'll work as a conventional family SUV, with a decent range and plenty of passenger space. However, the styling inside and out impresses us, and the quality is excellent.
The boot space is lacking compared to rivals, and we'd appreciate a few more physical controls. However, a low deposit and relatively low APR of 2.9% stand heavily in its favour, even if the 6,000-mile-per-year limit is stingy.
To find out more, read our full Smart #3 review
Smart #3 Pro+
Monthly cost: £399 (49 payments)
Deposit: £3,119
Manufacturer's contribution: Zero
Total amount payable: £36,595.61
Cash price: £33,950
Mileage allowance: 6,000 miles per year
APR: 1.49%
The boot space is lacking compared to rivals, and we'd appreciate a few more physical controls. However, a low deposit and relatively low APR of 2.9% stand heavily in its favour, even if the 6,000-mile-per-year limit is stingy.
To find out more, read our full Smart #3 review
Smart #3 Pro+
Monthly cost: £399 (49 payments)
Deposit: £3,119
Manufacturer's contribution: Zero
Total amount payable: £36,595.61
Cash price: £33,950
Mileage allowance: 6,000 miles per year
APR: 1.49%
Pros
- Quiet and comfortable at speed
- Well-built, spacious interior
- Quick charging
Cons
- Boot is a little small
- Driver assistance technology is frustrating to use
**These deals are indicative examples of some packages available as of 14 January 2025 but are subject to change without prior notice. Everyone’s financial circumstances are different, and the availability of credit is subject to status. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Parkers cannot recommend a deal for you specifically.
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