Mat’s Car of the Day: why lease a Jaecoo 7 when you can have a Volkswagen Golf R for less?
Car changing is a big deal
Mat Watson has found a cracking lease deal on one of his favourite hot hatches: the Volkswagen Golf R.
The need for a sensible family car doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on fun – just look at the Volkswagen Golf R. It’s spacious, practical and comfortable, but offers blistering performance and handling which will put a smile on your face down any country road.
It may cost around £50,000 to buy one, but this week I’ve found a great deal on Carwow which could see you behind the wheel for less than the price of a Chinese SUV.
Volkswagen Golf R lease deals
Right now through Carwow, you can lease a Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition for £318 per month on a two-year deal with an up-front payment of £4,112. This is with a mileage limit of 5,000 per year, but you can double this for an extra £16 a month.
By comparison, a top-spec Jaecoo 7 costs £337 per month over four years with a £4,428 up-front payment, rising to £360 per month if you up the mileage limit from 5,000 to 10,000 per year.
So the Golf R may cost around £15,000 more than a Jaecoo 7 if you buy it in cash, but this lease deal makes the hot hatch cheaper than the sensible SUV.
Why should you lease a Volkswagen Golf R?
There are a few reasons you should consider leasing a Volkswagen Golf R. Here are three.
1. It’s great fun to drive, but also comfortable
There are two sides to the Volkswagen Golf R. In its normal drive modes it’s comfortable and quiet, making it ideal for daily driving, but in its sportier settings it becomes a riot on twisty roads. The 333hp 2.0-litre engine has loads of poke, the four-wheel drive system offers plenty of grip and it feels agile through the corners.
2. It looks great
There’s something cool about the understated styling of the Volkswagen Golf R. To the untrained eye, it almost looks like just a fancy Golf. But car enthusiasts know that the quad tailpipes and larger spoiler point to its performance credentials.
3. The interior is posh and roomy
I really like the Golf R’s sport seats and blue accents, and the interior feels nice and posh with solid build quality and soft-touch materials. There are loads of cubby holes as well, and the rear seats are roomy enough for lanky teenagers.
Three annoying things about the Volkswagen Golf R
As good as it is, the Volkswagen Golf R isn’t perfect. Here are three things to consider before leasing one.
1. The boot is pretty small
The standard Volkswagen Golf has a pretty average 380-litre boot, but the R’s four-wheel drive system robs you of another 40 litres. If you’re after similar thrills with more carrying capacity, the Cupra Leon Estate offers the same 333hp engine but with 620 litres of boot space.
2. Higher running costs
It may cost about the same as a sensible SUV to lease the Golf R, but you’ll have to consider the higher fuel consumption before committing. In the real world I managed to eke 30mpg out of this car, but a standard 1.5-litre petrol Golf will do closer to 50mpg.
3. Fiddly interior controls
The Volkswagen Golf R is the only Golf which has touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, and they’re really annoying to use on the move. You end up brushing them as you turn the wheel, and the touch-sensitive climate sliders are a faff as well.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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