Try, Buy, Dream – January 2026

Trying a car has never been easier – lots of car brands now offer subscription services on a monthly basis, with no down payment or exit fee so you can swap in and out of different models with minimal notice. Or you can lock in for longer, on a leasing deal, which still means you just pay a monthly amount and hand the car back at the end of the deal. Additionally, some brands provide 24-hour test drives for a chance to get to know the car before you commit.
Then there’s the Buy choice, whether it’s paying for the car in one hit or signing up to a fixed term finance deal with the option to buy the car at the end. These are cars that make good long-term sense. And finally our fave section, for dreamers everywhere. The new luxe stuff, the wishlist option or the treat yourself splurge, depending on how big that imagined windfall might be. Enjoy this month’s offerings!

The plucky Suzuki Swift is a fun little hatchback to rival the VW Polo, Renault Clio and Peugeot 208. We loved the Swift’s old-school charm, incredible fuel economy and satisfying manual gearbox when we lived with one on long-term test. So, this month we think you should try out life with a Swift, too, and there are currently some very compelling leasing deals while will allow you to have a Swift on your driveway for as little as £150 per month.
Find out more about the Suzuki Swift here

The Kia EV4 certainly makes a statement and while its unusual looks won’t appeal to everyone, its hatchback shape offers a great alternative to the countless list of compact SUVs. The overall package follows Kia’s winning EV formula which provides loads of space, bags of tech and plenty of refinement and results in an excellent family car. As an added bonus, selected models are now eligible for the government’s £1,500 Electric Car Grant which is why it’s our top pick to buy this month.
Find out more about the Kia EV4 here

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is an icon in its own right. To celebrate 50 years of the GTI badge Volkswagen is launching a special-edition Golf GTI Edition 50 which will be the most powerful version of the car to date. The Golf GTI Edition 50 will pack 325 horsepower, feature tweaks to the suspension and sit lower than the standard Golf GTI, plus it will have an additional Nürburgring drive mode designed specifically for the track. In addition to its uprated performance the GTI Edition 50 will have unique touches including GTI 50 badges, red pedals and seatbelts, a special seat trim, and optional Dark Moss green metallic paint – an exclusive colour for this model. There’s even the option of a Performance Pack to further enhance the driving experience. However, there’s a catch: the Golf GTI 50 will only be available in limited numbers and it costs nearly £50,000. Due to this most of us will just have to keep on dreaming. Alternatively, you could find yourself a Golf GTI Edition 35 instead.
Find out more about the regular Volkswagen Golf here

Try, Buy, Dream – December 2025
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