Overview
Chinese automakers account for five of the top 10 most-leased vehicles at Select Car Leasing so far in 2026, with the Jaecoo 7 holding the No. 1 position again. Select attributes the surge to sharp pricing and generous standard equipment, and says UK customers are showing growing acceptance of newer Chinese brands.
Models Highlighted
Chinese brands in the top tier
- Jaecoo 7 — leading Select’s ranking after topping 2025 as well
- BYD Seal
- BYD Dolphin Surf
- Leapmotor C10
- BYD Sealion 7
Other notable placements
- Kia Sportage — No. 2
- Nissan Qashqai — No. 6
- Ford Puma — No. 8 (despite being the UK’s most registered new car in 2025)
- Tesla Model Y — No. 9
Just outside the top 10
- Volvo XC40
- Volkswagen ID.5
- Audi A3
- Jaecoo 5 — No. 19
What It Signals
Select’s early-2026 snapshot shows value-focused UK leasers increasingly choosing Chinese models, with multiple entries from a single brand (BYD) indicating breadth beyond one breakout name. Mainstream family crossovers such as the Sportage and Qashqai remain core choices, while the Ford Puma’s lower leasing rank versus its national registrations underlines how a broker’s mix can diverge from marketwide data.
Context and Drivers
Pricing sensitivity, high specification levels, and contemporary styling are central to the shift, according to Select. The Jaecoo 7, which arrived in Europe in early 2025 and quickly became Select’s most-leased model, appears to have sustained its momentum into 2026.
Caveats
The company did not release a full ranked top 10, nor details on lease pricing, spec mixes, or customer demographics. The ranking reflects Select’s own orders “so far in 2026,” not industrywide leasing or registration figures.
Outlook
Select will continue to track its top 20 throughout the year. For now, the mix blends established European, Japanese, and Korean nameplates with a growing contingent of Chinese models occupying key top-10 positions.
