Best first cars for new drivers 2025
These are the best cars for first time drivers, all of which are cheap, easy to drive and safe
Once you've passed your practical driving test, the next barrier between you and a whole new level of freedom is finding your new car. The best first cars offer a combination of safety, equipment, practicality, and easy manoeuvrability, not to mention being some of the cheapest cars to insure. To help make your search as easy as possible, our experts have rounded up the very best first cars for new drivers right here.
The cost of buying and running a car can be steep, especially for new drivers, so we’ve chosen these cars with their value for money, reliability and fuel economy at the forefront of our minds. Naturally, our picks also offer cheap car insurance for young drivers.
All of these models are brand new, but many great examples can also be found on the used market for lower prices. Either way, they are all available for a reasonable price, particularly if you finance them through a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) finance agreement or a Personal Contact Hire (PCH) leasing deal.
The best first cars for new drivers
Read on to find the best first cars for new drivers, as based on our thorough real-world testing.
1. Skoda Fabia
At a glance
Engine power
80 - 240 BHP
0 - 62mph
8 - 15.7 secs
Top Speed
108 - 137 MPH
Fuel Economy
52.8 - 56.7 MPG
Insurance Group
4E
Buying a car for a first-time driver can be tricky. Not only do you want something that’s small and easy to handle, but you’ll almost certainly prefer cheap running costs, a low insurance group and an affordable asking price to boot. The car that manages to blend all of these things together best of all is the Skoda Fabia.
Spec the Fabia with the 1.0 MPI petrol engine in SE spec, and it’ll sit in insurance group four, so it shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to cover. You’ll also be getting one of the most refined and spacious superminis around. Its little 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol only puts out a modest 79bhp, but it can return over 50mpg.
2. Kia Picanto
At a glance
Engine power
62 - 77 BHP
0 - 62mph
13.1 - 18.2 secs
Top Speed
90 - 98 MPH
Fuel Economy
50.4 - 54.3 MPG
Insurance Group
3E - 7E
The Kia Picanto has grown into an attractive little city car over the years, but it hasn’t lost sight of its low-cost roots. Not only is the latest model stylish to look at, but even the base ‘2’ model is fitted with useful kit such as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, air-conditioning, all-round electric windows and 14-inch alloy wheels.
When it comes to powering the Picanto, none of the petrol engines are particularly punchy, but they are economical. You also have the option of a manual or automatic gearbox. Reliability shouldn’t be too much of a concern, either, as the Picanto comes with Kia’s renowned seven-year/100,000-miles warranty as standard.
3. Hyundai i10
At a glance
Engine power
63 - 100 BHP
0 - 62mph
10.5 - 17.8 secs
Top Speed
97 - 115 MPH
Fuel Economy
49.6 - 55.4 MPG
Insurance Group
1E - 10E
The Hyundai i10 is a small car with plenty of big car qualities, but the biggest highlight is that it’s available with the coveted Group 1 insurance rating, provided you choose the automatic model in Advance trim. Unfortunately this gearbox is pretty jerky in operation, but if you want the more pleasant five-speed manual, you’ll be looking at a higher insurance premium.
On the plus side, Hyundai’s city car is great to drive and very well equipped. The base Advance trim comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and cruise control.
4. Toyota Aygo X
At a glance
Engine power
72 BHP
0 - 62mph
14.8 - 14.9 secs
Top Speed
93 - 98 MPH
Fuel Economy
56.5 - 58.9 MPG
Insurance Group
5A - 8A
The Toyota Aygo X brings a little SUV style into the city car class. Chunky plastic cladding on the wheelarches and 17-inch alloy wheels give the car an upright stance, but its 3.7-metre length still enables it to squeeze into the tightest of parking spots. The standard-fit reversing camera means that there’s less chance of unintended bumps, too.
The thrummy little three-cylinder engine has plenty of character, but its modest power output helps to keep insurance premiums under control. Body-coloured splashes on the insides of the doors add some charm to the cabin, while the central touchscreen features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It isn’t quite as refined or as spacious as the Kia or Hyundai, but there’s still plenty to like.
5. Volkswagen Polo
At a glance
Engine power
80 - 207 BHP
0 - 62mph
6.5 - 15.6 secs
Top Speed
106 - 150 MPH
Fuel Economy
49.6 MPG
Insurance Group
3E - 25E
If what you desire is a ‘grown-up’ supermini, the Volkswagen Polo is very hard to beat. There are a few versions of Polo to choose from, but the base ‘Life’ trim offers plenty of features, including alloy wheels, automatic headlights, a DAB radio, electronic stability control, and rain-sensing automatic wipers.
While the current Polo is notably larger than previous generations, it should still prove easy to drive and park. That said, there is the option of the Driver Assistance Package which includes parking assist.
6. Dacia Sandero
At a glance
Engine power
91 - 100 BHP
0 - 62mph
11.6 - 13.4 secs
Top Speed
105 - 110 MPH
Fuel Economy
49.6 - 53.3 MPG
Insurance Group
12E - 14E
The Dacia Sandero is one of the cheapest cars to buy in the UK, and the latest-generation model is based on the current Renault Clio, which itself is a great supermini.
Admittedly, equipment on the Sandero is rather more sparse than in some of the other cars on this list, but the essentials are still there. With prices starting from less than £15,000, though, you won’t feel like you’re being short-changed. The latest Sandero should also prove practical for everyday use, with five seats, five doors and a 320-litre boot. While it won’t give any major thrills from behind the wheel, the Sandero is reasonably cheap to insure for new drivers – it starts from as low as insurance group 7.
7. Dacia Spring
At a glance
Power
45 - 65 BHP
0 - 62mph
13.7 - 19.1 secs
Top Speed
78 MPH
Efficiency
4.4 m/kWh
Range
140 miles
Insurance Group
24A - 25A
If you fancy starting off your driving career in an electric car, you’ll be pleased to know that you can buy a brand-new, fully-fledged EV for a mere £15,000. The Dacia Spring is in no way the most advanced car on the market, but it is a straightforward, no-frills city car that just happens to be fully electric.
For your £15,000 budget, you’ll get an entry-level Expression model, and this is fitted with a 26.8kWh battery that’s good for up to 140 miles on the WLTP combined cycle. This range might sound a bit restrictive at first, but it should still prove more than enough if you spend most of your time undertaking shorter urban journeys.
8. Renault Clio
At a glance
Engine power
90 - 143 BHP
0 - 62mph
9.3 - 12.2 secs
Top Speed
112 MPH
Fuel Economy
53.3 - 67.3 MPG
Insurance Group
10E - 16E
If you’re something of a fashionista, the latest Renault Clio should suit you as it’s one of the best-looking superminis that you can currently buy. It’s more than just a looker, too, as it comes with plenty of standard-fit equipment and also has the option of hybrid power.
Even if you decide to go for the petrol model, you should still see some pleasingly high economy figures as the three-cylinder TCe 90 engine claims over 50mpg on the WLTP combined cycle. The petrol-powered Clio also boasts a 391-litre boot, which is one of the biggest in the supermini class.
9. Vauxhall Corsa
At a glance
Engine power
100 - 156 BHP
0 - 62mph
8.2 - 10.8 secs
Top Speed
93 - 120 MPH
Fuel Economy
49.5 - 62.8 MPG
Insurance Group
19E - 30U
You may well have learned how to get your driving licence by taking driving lessons in a Vauxhall Corsa, as these cars are a firm favourite of instructors across the country. If so, this supermini will come with a sense of familiarity, but even if you learned to drive in another car, the Corsa is easy to live with, good to drive, economical and even rather practical for its size.
There are a number of powertrains and trims to choose from with the Corsa, but if you want the lowest purchase price you’ll need to look at the petrol-powered model. If you’re prepared to spend a bit more, though, there are hybrid or fully-electric power options on offer. In terms of standard kit, every trim level gets a reasonable amount including alloy wheels, LED lighting and a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
10. Fiat 500
At a glance
Power
95 - 118 BHP
0 - 62mph
9 - 9.5 secs
Top Speed
84 - 93 MPH
Efficiency
4.2 - 4.8 m/kWh
Range
118 - 194 miles
Insurance Group
16D - 21D
The Fiat 500e is arguably more fashionable than the Dacia Spring, but it does come at an additional cost. If you can afford the £25,000 starting price, though, it’s such a good little EV that we named it our City Car of the Year twice.
Much like its petrol-powered predecessor, the little Fiat offers flair and style in bulk, only this time with the added bonus of zero-emissions. If you’re a bit concerned about range then you’re best-off opting for the larger 42kWh battery, as this offers a claimed range of up to 199 miles on the WLTP combined cycle.
Best first cars for new drivers: prices and ratings table
| Best 7-seat hybrid cars ranking | Name | Prices from | Efficiency and running costs rating (out of 5) | Overall Auto Express star rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Skoda Fabia | £20,295 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | Kia Picanto | £15,845 | 4 | 4 |
| 3 | Hyundai i10 | £15,880 | 4.2 | 4 |
| 4 | Toyota Aygo X | £16,140 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| 5 | Volkswagen Polo | £21,210 | 4 | 4 |
| 6 | Dacia Sandero | £14,200 | 4.4 | 4 |
| 7 | Dacia Spring | £14,995 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| 8 | Renault Clio | £18,595 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| 9 | Vauxhall Corsa | £18,505 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| 10 | Fiat 500e | £24,995 | 4 | 4 |
What to look for in a first car
Here are some key questions to ask when shopping for a first car…
Is it cheap to insure?
One of the biggest obstacles for new drivers to overcome is sky-high insurance costs. As a new driver, your shortage of experience will count against you in the eyes of an insurer. If you can keep out of trouble for 12 months, you will accrue a no-claims discount which will give you a percentage reduction on your premium. If you continue to not make any insurance claims, then this discount will only grow over the years. There are even some finance deals which include free insurance, although this usually raises the monthly payments drastically.
One way of boosting a no-claims discount is to fit your car with an insurer-approved 'black box'. This electronic device plugs into your car's electronics and monitors your driving, and you and your insurer can review your performance to see how and where you can improve. Return a good score, and the insurer can further reduce your payments.
Is it safe?
Some parents will be in a position to buy their children their first car, and if you're in that enviable situation, then you'll likely want to buy the safest car possible. You need to find the cars that come with the highest Euro NCAP safety rating: the higher the score for a car, the safer it is.
Still, buying a new car rather than an old second-hand one will mean it's inherently safer, because it will feature the most up-to-date safety equipment. This could include more advanced systems such as autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, which allow the car’s systems to intervene in an emergency and try to avoid a collision.
Which fuel type should I choose?
We'd recommend going for a petrol car over a diesel. There aren't many small diesel cars on sale these days, and you'll only reap the benefit of their better fuel consumption if you do lots of motorway miles, which is unlikely if you're an inexperienced driver.
It's better to go for a small petrol, and if the option of stop-start is available then that should help to reduce running costs even more. While the experience of the engine cutting out when you put the car in neutral might be unnerving at first, you'll soon get into the habit of saving fuel and making your money go further.
Alternatively, if your budget allows, an increasing number of smaller hybrid models are going on sale. These cars use both a petrol engine and electric motors to lower fuel consumption and emissions, meaning that you could make savings on both running costs, all while reducing your carbon footprint. If you are looking at a hybrid car, it is important to remember that there are different types of hybrid, and these carry their own advantages and disadvantages depending on how you use them.
If you’d prefer to go all-electric, there are lots of small, easy-to-drive models to choose from. However, prices for electric cars are still higher than their petrol, diesel and hybrid counterparts in the majority of cases, and insurance premiums can be a lot higher. Calculate it correctly, and the fuel and tax savings could help to counteract this. It is, of course, important to make sure that you would indeed be able to live with an electric car, such as having the space for a home-charger.
Is it easy to drive?
Other important things to look out for when buying a car for a new driver include light steering, good visibility, a responsive engine and brakes, user-friendly controls and a positive gear shift; all of these will help a new driver build confidence during their time behind the wheel. You’ll want to take a few test drives in the models on your first car shortlist to decide which one suits you best.
Keep reading to find everything you need to know about learning to drive, getting your driving licence and choosing your first car...
Learning to drive
Passing your driving test
- Driving theory test: everything you need to know
- Hazard perception test: what to expect and how to pass
- Driving test 'show me, tell me' questions: hints and tips
- Practical driving test: how to pass
- Driving test pass rates explained
- Driving test aids product test
- History of the UK driving test
Getting your first car
