The Belgian leasing market is a jungle, a bubbling chaos where electric cars reign supreme and where the BMW iX1 has long sat enthroned like some kind of four-wheeled emperor. This electric SUV was the darling of company cars, the undisputed queen of Flanders and even all of Belgium. But as it goes in the car world, where trends shift faster than the tyres on a Formula 1 car, a new sheriff has rolled into town. And trust me, it’s not who you’d expect.
The iX1, let’s be honest, is a beast of a machine. With its sleek lines, an interior that looks like it was designed by a Scandinavian minimalist, and an electric drivetrain that makes you forget you ever pumped petrol, it’s no surprise it ruled the leasing world. The xDrive30 with its dual motors was already a hit, but when the slightly cheaper eDrive20 hit the stage, it was like a mass migration to BMW showrooms. Professional drivers fell for it in droves, and you couldn’t cross a company car park without spotting a gleaming iX1. But times change, and the crown has been knocked off its head.
According to figures from Arval, one of Belgium’s biggest leasing companies, the iX1 is no longer the top choice. It’s been demoted to third place, a real slap in the face for Bavarian pride. So, who’s dethroned it? Brace yourself: the Kia EV3 and the Skoda Elroq. Yes, you read that right. A Kia and a Skoda, two newcomers who, like a pair of cheeky teenagers, have toppled the established order. The Kia EV3, a compact electric crossover with a fresh design and a range that doesn’t leave you sweating at the sight of a charging station, has claimed the top spot. The Skoda Elroq, a sort of rugged Czech cousin to Volkswagen’s ID range, takes silver. And the iX1? It’s left settling for bronze.
What makes this shift so fascinating? For one, it shows that the Belgian leasing market is a fickle beast. Almost entirely electric, sure, but also surprisingly unpredictable. Last year, the Volvo EX30 was still in second place, and now? Gone, vanished from the top 10. And Tesla, oh Tesla, where have you gone? The Model Y and Model 3, once staples in the charts, are nowhere to be seen at Arval. Maybe it’s got something to do with the controversy around a certain flamboyant CEO, or maybe it’s just because the Model Y was off the market for a facelift. Either way, Belgians seem to have swapped their love for Tesla for something else.
But let’s pause for a moment on the winners. The Kia EV3 is a masterstroke from the Koreans. It’s a car that looks good, is affordable, and has a range that doesn’t force you to sprint to a charger every 200 kilometres. It’s practical, modern, and has that little bit of flair that lease drivers clearly love. The Skoda Elroq, on the other hand, is the underdog that’s caught everyone off guard. Skoda has always had a reputation for being “solid but not sexy,” but with the Elroq, they seem to have found a new groove. It’s an electric SUV that blends comfort, affordability, and a touch of toughness. And let’s be real, in a world where everyone wants an SUV, that’s a winning formula.
Still, it’s not all doom and gloom for BMW. The iX1 remains a powerhouse, and in Belgium’s overall sales figures, the X1 (including its petrol and plug-in hybrid versions) is still a top performer. But in the leasing world, where electric is the norm, it’s now facing competition from brands that, a few years ago, wouldn’t have dared to stand in BMW’s shadow. It’s a bit like your favourite rock band suddenly being overtaken by a boy band with better dance moves.
What can we take away from this? The Belgian leasing market is a mirror of the future. Electric isn’t just a trend anymore—it’s the standard. But it’s also a market where newcomers with a good product and a sharp price can shake up the established order. Kia and Skoda have proven that, and who knows what surprises are still in store. Maybe the next lease champion will be a Chinese EV we haven’t even heard of yet.
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