How the DS No8 Lease Deal Stacks Up at £359 a Month

DS Automobiles' flagship electric fastback, the DS No8, is being advertised through Auto Express's Buy A Car marketplace at £359.21 a month on a two-year lease from DreamLease. That puts the deal hundreds of pounds a month below benchmark German electric executive cars such as the BMW i5 and Audi A6 e-tron Sportback, according to the advertised terms.

The contract requires a 12-month initial payment of £4,610.51, or a nine-month initial payment of £3,853.10 with the monthly rate rising to £394.79. A default annual mileage cap of 5,000 miles applies, and raising it to 8,000 miles costs roughly £25 a month extra. The car's list price is £55,000.

The No8 in this deal is the range-topping Etoile trim with the smaller 73.7kWh battery, a claimed 327-mile range and a single 226bhp front-mounted motor. Equipment highlights include an illuminated grille, comfort seats with neck warmers, laminated windows and a head-up display. DS positions the car as a quieter, more luxurious and more distinctive alternative to sportier German EVs.

Why DS Is Competing on Lease Price in the Executive EV Market

Where DS Fits in the Executive EV Market

The No8 is DS Automobiles' most expensive model, so advertising it at a headline rate below the BMW i5 and Audi A6 e-tron Sportback is a clear push for attention in a segment the brand has yet to crack in volume. Rather than competing on driving dynamics, DS is leaning on distinctive styling and generous equipment to make the No8 stand out in the corporate car park.

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Reading the Lease Structure

The headline £359.21 monthly figure is only part of the financial picture. The deal requires a £4,610.51 initial payment on the default plan, and the standard 5,000-mile annual cap is lower than many drivers' needs — keeping mileage down helps protect the car's residual value, which is part of what makes the low monthly rental possible. Choosing the nine-month initial payment of £3,853.10 lowers the upfront cost but pushes the monthly rate to £394.79, while the 8,000-mile allowance adds about £25 a month. Buyers should confirm on paper how many monthly rentals follow the initial payment before comparing the total cost with rival offers.

What to Check Before Signing the DS No8 Lease Contract

Before signing the DS No8 lease, compare it against rivals on a like-for-like basis:

  • Ask DreamLease for a written breakdown of the total amount payable: the £4,610.51 initial payment and £359.21 monthly rate cover a two-year term, but the number of rentals that follow the initial payment should be confirmed in the contract.
  • Work out your real annual mileage. At the default 5,000-mile cap, a modest commute plus weekend driving can exceed the allowance; stepping up to 8,000 miles costs around £25 a month, taking the payment to roughly £384.
  • Check that any BMW i5 or Audi A6 e-tron Sportback quote you compare against uses the same contract length, initial payment and mileage allowance, otherwise the advertised saving may not hold.
  • Remember this is a two-year rental, not ownership: after the term the car goes back, so factor in the £55,000 list price only as the value of the car you are renting, not an asset you will own.