
Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen Taigo proves not all coupé-SUVs are expensive at £214 a month
Stylish design
£214 a month
Until relatively recently, if you wanted a coupé-SUV your only option was to spend big on the likes of the BMW X6, Mercedes GLE Coupé or Audi Q8. The segment has grown, however, and now the likes of Volkswagen has joined in with smaller, more affordable alternatives that still give you that blend of coupé styling and an SUV driving experience.
This deal we found via Select Car Leasing Volkswagen on the Auto Express Find A Car service is a real head-turner, offering VW's Taigo coupé-SUV for just £214 a month. The deal is based over a 48-month period, with a sensible initial deposit of £2,863. While that's dependent on a 5,000-mile annual mileage limit, you can bump that up to 10,000 miles for an extra £15 a month. Advertisement - Article continues below
Some coupé-SUVs are quite difficult to make a case for over their SUV siblings, typically losing out on interior space while costing a boatload more. However, in the case of the Taigo, which is based on the T-Cross, you'll find a rather spacious cabin, complete with a very accommodating 440-litre boot.
The 95bhp 1.0-litre TSI petrol unit might sound a bit weedy, but it feels sprightly enough around town, and the five-speed manual shift is easygoing. Plus, with extra ground clearance compared to its Polo supermini sibling, the Taigo's ride quality is pretty impressive considering its size. Despite not having any mild-hybrid assistance, the car is fairly frugal, too, with a combined 51.8mpg meaning it won't cost a fortune to run.
This being the Match version of the Taigo, inside you'll find a decent equipment list with wireless smartphone charging, a rear-view camera, keyless go and tinted windows.
The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top Volkswagen Taigo leasing offers from leading providers on our Volkswagen Taigo hub page.
Check out the Volkswagen Taigo deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here…
Find a car with the experts Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper
Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper
The modern-day Super Cinq comes with a super price. It's our Deal of the Day for 14 May Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it's a 'monster'
Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it's a 'monster'
VW is taking the iconic hot hatchback brand into the electric era with the new Golf GTI EV already in development… Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change
Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change
The number of MoT failures caused by worn tyres is on the rise, and experts are calling for mandatory follow-ups on advisories
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari: no podiums but a new culture in going ‘the extra mile'
Success breeds expectation as Lewis Hamilton, who has enjoyed both like few other drivers in Formula One, knows only too well. Having set himself the task of returning a title for Ferrari, anticipation for his first season with the team was off the scale but success has been far from forthcoming. As the Scuderia have struggled the seven-time champion has been drawing on every bit of experience in what may be the defining challenge of his storied career. At the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend Ferrari announced they were extending their contract with team principal, Fred Vasseur, backing the Frenchman who was instrumental in bringing Hamilton on board to complete his mission of reforging Ferrari into a championship-winning outfit after underachieving for so long. However as the season approaches its summer break, with 10 races to come after Budapest and Ferrari winless, Vasseur still has much to achieve. Hamilton has been outspoken in his support for Vasseur since he made the switch after 12 years with Mercedes but, during a season of acclimatisation and adaptation to a new team, the British driver has appreciated that he must do more than drive. Rather it seems, as Michael Schumacher managed to such great success with Ferrari, to take a leadership role. It is believed Hamilton was somewhat taken aback at the team's organisation and methodologies when he began working with them and that he felt the decision making process was ungainly. He has repeatedly stressed he is convinced they have the talent in personnel to succeed but it has become clear he thinks they must be utilised better. At Belgium last week he was unusually candid in revealing he had held a series of meetings with the key players at Ferrari: Vasseur, the chair John Elkann and the chief executive, Benedetto Vigna. Moreover he had gone as far as compiling two documents detailing suggestions for the progress he believes is needed to turn around Ferrari's fortunes, an admission that caused no little stir. One of said submissions was about the car, where he thought it could be improved and more crucially where they might take it under the new regulations next year. This might be considered the due diligence of any committed, ambitious and thoughtful driver. However of more significance was the second aimed at the operational approach at Ferrari, the 'structural adjustments' he believed were required. 'It is a huge organisation and there's a lot of moving parts, and not all of them are firing on all the cylinders that [they] need to be,' he said. 'That's ultimately why the team's not had the success that I think it deserves. So I feel that it's my job to challenge absolutely every area, to challenge everybody in the team, particularly the guys that are at the top who are making the decisions.' For the 40-year-old Hamilton there is urgency to this task. Ferrari is surely his last shot at claiming a record-breaking eighth title that would end the team's drought stretching back to 2007 for a drivers' championship and 2008 for a constructors'. He is more than aware that since then the Scuderia has come close but still failed to deliver even with former world champions Fernando Alonso and then Sebastian Vettel at the wheel. Over 11 seasons between 2010 and 2020, there were many wins for Alonso and Vettel but still ultimately the team could not seal a championship. Hamilton's actions and attitude reveal a determination that if he too is to fall short it will not be through a lack of effort on his behalf. 'I refuse for that to be the case with me, so I'm going the extra mile,' he said. 'I've obviously been very fortunate to have had experiences in two other great teams. And while things for sure are going to be different, because there's a different culture and everything, I think sometimes if you take the same path all the time, you get the same results. So I'm just challenging certain things.' That the best use of the human resource in F1 can be gamechanging could not be better illustrated than with the extraordinary resurgence Andrea Stella has wrought at McLaren in just over two years. Moreover there are also indications that internally Hamilton is already making a difference. 'The response has been amazing to the steps that we've taken in all areas,' he said in Hungary. 'The passion and the desire to continue to do better is what's the most amazing thing.' On track there is a sense that for all that Hamilton has struggled with the car this year, without a podium for 13 races, the longest period of his career, he remains as sharp as ever. His recent drives at Silverstone and Spa were proof enough of that and his call to switch to slick tyres in Belgium evidence that his instincts remain finely honed. Hamilton is then putting the building blocks in place, confident that if the team can deliver he will too, having already done the hard yards behind the scenes this season. In first practice at the Hungaroring Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc continued to work with the new rear suspension Ferrari brought to Spa and which they hope will develop into a serious improvement for the car. They finished fifth and third respectively in a session which was once more dominated by the McLarens of championship contenders Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. In the second session McLaren were once more on top, with Norris again leading Piastri by two-tenths. Leclerc was third and Hamilton sixth, with Max Verstappen in 14th, very much struggling with the balance of his ride. The Dutchman's difficult afternoon was further compounded as he was investigated for throwing a towel, left in error in his car, from the cockpit while on track and issued with a warning for an unsafe release. Norris on Friday looked to ease the pressure on the title race, saying that it does not matter if he fails to beat Piastri to the world championship because 'in 200 years we will all be dead'. Asked if he needs to get under the Australian's skin to land his maiden F1 title, Norris replied: 'I don't enjoy that. In 200 years no one is going to care. We'll all be dead. I am trying to have a good time. I still care about it, and that's why I get upset sometimes and I get disappointed and angry at myself. And I think that shows just how much I care about winning and losing. 'But that doesn't mean I need to take it out on Oscar. I just don't get into those kind of things.'


Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Keir Starmer must fight for UK drug firms
The life sciences industry is among the brightest jewels in the British economy, generating £100billion a year and employing more than 300,000 people. At its heart is the development and manufacture of pharmaceuticals, notably by AstraZeneca, which spends vast sums on research and is worth £167billion. So, if this hugely successful company were to relocate to the US, it would be a disaster both for the London Stock Exchange and the wider economy. Worryingly, this is not out of the question. AstraZeneca already sells 40 per cent of its drugs to America and, following President Donald Trump 's tariff threat, is ramping up research and production there. While there are no immediate plans to desert the UK, chief executive Pascal Soriot is said to be 'flirting' with the idea. Mr Trump's latest demand that foreign drug companies cut prices to US customers or face penalties may be an added incentive. The Left has always been highly critical of 'Big Pharma', accusing it of profiteering on the backs of NHS patients. Under Jeremy Corbyn, Labour planned to create a state-owned drug manufacturer with the power to override the patents which enable firms to make profits from their research. Only last year, Sir Keir Starmer refused to help fund a new vaccine plant in Liverpool – while pouring public money into our ailing steel industry. This Government must understand that failing to nurture AstraZeneca, GSK and others would be a catastrophic mistake. And Sir Keir should realise that while they say they want to remain in the UK, they may yet change their mind. Car lenders off hook Banks and credit providers will have heaved a huge sigh of relief yesterday after the Supreme Court ruled they will not have to pay compensation to millions of motorists who bought cars on finance without being told the dealers were receiving commission on the loan. The Treasury was also delighted with the result. Had it gone the other way, damages could have been comparable to the PPI scandal, which destabilised the financial industry for more than a decade. The court decided that dealers did not have a duty to act solely for buyers and that commissions were not a form of bribery in the legal sense, as had been alleged. However, it was not a total exoneration. Court President Lord Reed also ruled that excessive commission payments were unfair and ordered one buyer who had been charged 25 per cent of the value of the car to be repaid with interest. This opens the way to further claims. Many brokers and dealers were paid behind-the-scenes commission by lenders to sign buyers up to car finance deals, a practice deemed 'unlawful' by the Court of Appeal in October last year - a decision that was successfully appealed by lenders at the Supreme Court The dealers and lenders have escaped their worst fears, but they do not come out well. They have certainly been guilty of sharp practices even if not illegal ones. The Competition and Markets Authority must now force them to clean up their act. OAPs feel the cold In September, Rachel Reeves promised she would 'put more money in pensioners' pockets'. What she didn't say is that she would take even more out. Research shows pensioner households are an average of £800 worse off after a year of Labour thanks to higher bills – mainly owing to the Chancellor's £40billion Budget tax raid. With more taxes coming down the track to fill Labour's ever-widening financial black hole, the cost of living is set to soar further. For all Ms Reeves' promises, the elderly are in for a bitter winter.


Auto Blog
2 hours ago
- Auto Blog
The Forgotten Ferraris: 5 Models That Deserve More Love
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Looking for a lease on the new 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe? Find out the August lease special, including monthly payment, term length, and down payment for this popular SUV. A Ferrari is still a Ferrari (that is, unless it's a Mondial) When you think of Ferrari, chances are your mind jumps straight to icons like the F40, 250 GTO, LaFerrari, or even more modern fare like the SF90 Stradale, the 296GTB, and the new F80. While not all of the modern Ferraris are as iconic as the ones of old, they're still worthy road and track machines that command attention. But what about those lesser Ferraris that don't end up on teenage boys' walls or command high prices at auction? There are a handful of prancing horses that slip through the cracks—Ferraris that, despite their engineering excellence and distinctive character, remain underappreciated or overlooked. Here are five forgotten Ferraris that deserve far more love than they get—from collectors, enthusiasts, and the Ferrari faithful alike. 0:04 / 0:09 2025 Audi S3: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice Watch More Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (2004–2011) Engine: 5.7-liter V12 Power: 533 hp 0–60 mph: 4.0 seconds Top Speed: 199 mph At first glance, the 612 Scaglietti ('skal-yeti') doesn't scream Ferrari. Back when it was new, it didn't turn heads or grab headlines the way the 458 Italia did. The 612 Scaglietti is a big, understated 2+2 grand tourer with smooth, flowing lines that made it more elegant than aggressive. That design, penned by Pininfarina, didn't immediately resonate with traditionalists who wanted more muscular curves or mid-engine theater. Some viewed it as having too soft a look to be a hot performer, but they'd be wrong. The 612 was never meant to be a brash supercar because it was built for covering long distances in supreme comfort and style, with room for four. Under the hood sat a sonorous V12 derived from none other than the hyper-exclusive Enzo supercar, paired to either a six-speed manual or the F1-style automated manual transmission. In terms of practicality and performance, the 612 delivered in spades, and today it represents a surprisingly affordable gateway into V12 Ferrari ownership. Good versions sell for between $80,000 and $150,000, and the fact that you can have one for the price of a new BMW 7-Series is almost shocking. Its aluminum chassis, adaptive suspension, and usable rear seats make it a rare offering in Ferrari history—one that's aged with quiet dignity and whose appearance has held up quite well over time. It's time the 612 Scaglietti got its due as a refined and capable GT machine. Ferrari FF (2011–2016) Engine: 6.3-liter V12 Power: 651 hp 0–60 mph: 3.7 seconds Top Speed: 208 mph Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The FF is what you'd call a 'family Ferrari'. That's right, the slinky all-wheel drive, four-passenger, hatchback shooting brake was touted as just that. The 'FF' name stood for 'Ferrari Four,' denoting its four-wheel drive. Ferraristi didn't know what to make of it because there had never been anything like it before (unless you consider the 1962 250 GT SWB Breadvan). The mere thought of putting your child in the back seat of a Ferrari was pretty radical, but the FF could do it with luxury and aplomb. Source: Amos Kwon The FF's V12 remains one of Ferrari's finest, delivering instant throttle response, an engine note from the automotive gods, and relentless acceleration. The innovative 4RM all-wheel-drive system was rear-biased and incredibly lightweight, preserving much of the classic V12 grand touring Ferrari driving feel while adding all-weather traction. Despite its polarizing styling and hefty price tag when new, the FF has developed a niche following. It's eminently practical as a daily driver thanks to its AWD and room. It offers practicality, exclusivity, and real-world versatility that few exotics can match. For those in the know, the FF is a modern classic in the making, and the average used price right now is just over $132,000. That's about $30,000 less than a new Maserati GranTurismo. That's a no-brainer, we say. Ferrari 456 GT/GTA (1992–2003) Engine: 5.5-liter V12 Power: 436 hp 0–60 mph: 5.1 seconds Top Speed: 186 mph The 456 GT marked Ferrari's return to the front-engine V12 grand touring formula after a break from that effort in the '80s. The long, sculpted hood, the eggcrate grille, and the flip-up headlights gave the 456 GT presence. Credit goes to Pietro Camardella at Pininfarina for giving the 456 GT an understated yet undeniably elegant look. Like its 360 Modena sibling, nothing about the styling of the 456 GT was overdone. With a sloping roofline that terminated into a lovely integrated decklid spoiler and capped off by quad round taillights and quad tailpipes that sang mellifluous V12 notes, the 456 GT was a gentleman's GT. At the time, it was one of the few Ferraris available with an automatic transmission, known as the 456 GTA, which made it appealing to a wider swath of customers. That said, the gated manual shifter is our choice. Despite the 456 GT's luxurious appointments, it was no slouch. The V12 engine delivered strong performance, and the car's dynamics were impressive for its size and layout. Today, the 456 remains one of the most affordable V12 Ferraris on the used market, with good examples going for about $72,000. It's a Ferrari classic that can be had for a little more than a Mercedes E-Class. Tough choice? Not really. Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina (2001) Engine: 5.5-liter V12 Power: 485 hp 0–60 mph: 4.4 seconds Top Speed: 186 mph If you love the 550 Maranello as much as we do, the Barchetta ratchets it up a notch. Built to commemorate Pininfarina's 70th anniversary, the 550 Barchetta (Italian for 'little boat') was a limited-run, open-top version of the iconic front-engined V12, rear-wheel drive Maranello. The 550 Barchetta embodied everything wonderful about the 550 hardtop but chopped off the roof, added roll-hoops at the cowls, and a manually removable and abbreviated fabric top meant only for light rain. Ferrari made a mere 448 units, which is part of the reason why you never see them. They also didn't get as much love as the F50 or the Enzo did. The Barchetta was like an Italian speedboat on wheels. It was a pure-looking and pure-driving Ferrari that came with a gated six-speed manual and minimal driver aids. This was a car designed for blasts down sunny Italian coasts listening to the sonorous V12 soundtrack. The heavily bolstered seats, the gated manual shifter, and the waterfall center console all contributed to a driving experience that elicited nothing but grins. While it's not nearly as affordable as some of the other Ferraris here, averaging about $480,000, it's a very reasonable price to pay for such stunning and powerful exclusivity. Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 (1973–1980) Engine: 3.0-liter V8 Power: 240 hp 0–60 mph: 6.4 seconds Top Speed: 155 mph The Dino 308 GT4 isn't nearly as prominent as the Dino 206 and Dino 246 GTs, but it stands out in Ferrari history as the first first mid-engine V8 production car, the first Ferrari badged as a 'Dino' (named for Enzo's son) before eventually wearing the Prancing Horse badge, and the only Ferrari designed by Bertone rather than Pininfarina during that period. The Bertone style stood out in the 308 GT4's straight-edge styling, which was more reminiscent of a Lotus Esprit than a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. Its angular, wedge-like styling wasn't universally loved, but the GT4's 2+2 layout, balanced handling, and high-revving V8 made it a rewarding driver's car. It offered Ferrari thrills in a more practical and attainable package. Not exactly beloved in the Ferrari collector world, the GT4 has begun to gain appreciation as enthusiasts seek more accessibility into vintage Ferrari ownership. With its racing DNA, daily usability, and unique place in Ferrari's history, the Dino 308 GT4 is pretty affordable, unlike other Ferraris from the same era. Examples sell for between $40,000 and $80,000. Final thoughts Each of these Ferrari models represents a unique chapter in Ferrari's history. They may not have the instant-name recognition of the Testarossa or F40, but they offer something equally important: individuality. Whether it's the grand touring prowess of the 612, the all-weather usability of the FF, or the nautical-themed 550 Barchetta, these forgotten Ferraris remind us that the brand's greatness isn't confined to just its most boisterous and head-turning models. Granted, not everyone can find (nor afford) the Barchetta, but that 456 GT might be calling your name. About the Author Amos Kwon View Profile