Best first cars for new drivers in 2024
Choosing your first car is daunting. You want one of the best cars that you can afford to buy and run, is safe, and spends more time on the road than at the mechanic’s. You’ll also want it to be a bit cool so your friends don’t mind being seen in it!
With plenty to consider before you part with your money, we’ve compiled this quick guide to the best first cars on the market
Best first cars for new drivers in 2024
Renault Clio
Price
RRP £18,095 – £24,795
Pros
👍 Easy to drive
👍 Cheap to run
👍 Reliable
Cons
👎 Bit bland
👎 Interior feels cheap
Summary
The Renault Clio is a popular choice for first-time drivers. Compact and easy to manoeuvre, it has excellent fuel efficiency. The car is known for its reliability and modern features, which make it a comfortable and convenient drive. With more focus on safety than looks, the Clio provides peace of mind, making it a solid option for a dependable first car, if not the coolest of rides.
SEAT Ibiza
Price
RRP £19,725 – £25,470
Pros
👍 Comfortable and spacious
👍 Good economy
👍 Looks good
Cons
👎 Lack of options
👎 Lots of road noise
Summary
The Ibiza is a good all-around option for new drivers, combining a compact design with a spacious interior. It’s easy to drive, making it an excellent choice for city commuting and longer trips. The Ibiza is known for its good fuel economy and reliable performance, ensuring a smooth driving experience. Additionally, the price and running costs of the SEAT Ibiza make it an economical choice for newly qualified drivers.
Hyundai i10
Price
RRP £15,430 – £18,980
Pros
👍 Good tech
👍 Feels roomy
👍 Smart looking
Cons
👎 Lack of options
👎 Lots of road noise
Summary
The Hyundai i10 is a popular choice for first-time car buyers due to its practicality and affordable price. As one of the ideal small cars, this compact city car offers nimble handling, a well-designed interior, and a range of modern features. It’s efficient and easy to move around, making it perfect for urban driving. The i10’s size also makes it a breeze to park in tight spaces. Overall, the Hyundai i10 is a sensible and reliable option for new drivers.
Skoda Fabia
Price
RRP £19,730 – £25,630
Pros
👍 Spacious and practical interior
👍 Comfortable ride
👍 Good fuel economy
Cons
👎 Outdated infotainment
👎 Not that engaging to drive
Summary
The Skoda Fabia is an excellent choice for first-time car buyers thanks to its practicality and versatility. With a spacious and well-designed interior, the Fabia offers ample room for passengers and luggage. The rear seats feature split-folding capabilities, enhancing boot space and contributing to the vehicle’s versatility for both everyday use and adventures. Its comfortable ride quality and fuel-efficient engines make it ideal for city driving and longer journeys. While the infotainment system may feel slightly last century, Fabia’s overall reliability and affordable running costs make it a compelling option for new drivers.
Peugeot 208
Price
RRP £20,410 – £28,810
Pros
👍 Stylish, modern design
👍 Fuel-efficient engine options
👍 Comfortable, well-equipped interior
Cons
👎 Limited rear-seat space
👎 Relatively high starting price
Summary
With its compact size and comfortable and modern interior, the Peugeot 208 is an excellent option for first-time drivers. It’s easy to handle and perfect for city driving and longer journeys. The 208 is known for its fuel efficiency and reliable performance, offering a smooth driving experience. With a focus on safety, including features like rear parking sensors, it makes a good choice for a first car.
Volkswagen Polo
Price
RRP £20,975 – £27,475
Pros
👍 Stylish design
👍 Efficient
👍 Advanced technology
Cons
👎 More expensive than rivals
👎 Firm ride
Summary
The Volkswagen Polo is a top choice for first-time car buyers thanks to its practicality, build quality, refined interior, comfortable seats, user-friendly infotainment system, and good fuel efficiency. Its compact size makes it easy to manoeuvre through city streets while offering a surprising amount of interior space. Additionally, the Polo often features lower insurance costs, making it an affordable option for new drivers. To sum up, the Polo is a well-rounded and reliable choice for a first car.
Kia Picanto
Price
RRP £13,705 – £19,145
Pros
👍 Well-made interior
👍 Easy to drive
👍 Great in cities
Cons
👎 Noisy drive
👎 Scuffs easily
Summary
The Kia Picanto is a small and agile car, ideal for new drivers who need something easy to drive around town. Despite its compact size, it offers a comfortable interior and a surprisingly spacious boot. The Picanto is known for its affordability and low running costs, making it a budget-friendly option. With solid safety features, it makes a reliable first car. For those who have just passed their driving test, the Kia Picanto is a great choice, offering both excitement and practicality.
Vauxhall Corsa
Price
RRP £18,505 – £29,030
Pros
👍 Fun drive
👍 Has some poke
👍 Good fuel economy
Cons
👎 Uncomfortable front seats
👎 Poor resale value
Summary
The Vauxhall Corsa is a popular choice for first-time drivers, offering a balance of practicality and comfort. Its compact size makes it easy to handle, while the interior provides enough space for passengers and shopping. The Corsa is known for its good fuel economy and reliable performance, making it suitable for city and motorway driving. It’s a solid, dependable option for those looking for a first car.
Fiat 500
Price
RRP £16,800 – £18,300
Pros
👍 Distinctive styling that doesn’t age
👍 Excellent cornering
👍 Smooth, quiet drive
Cons
👎 Tight on space in the back
👎 Modest performance
Summary
The Fiat 500 is a compact, stylish car perfect for new drivers, especially in urban areas. Its small size makes parking and manoeuvring through city streets easy, while the interior offers comfort and charm. The 500 is also known for its fuel efficiency and low running costs, making it an economical option. Additionally, there is an electric car version of the Fiat 500, which offers modern features and benefits such as lower insurance costs and tax incentives. Its fun driving experience makes it a popular choice for a first car.
Dacia Sandero
Price
RRP £13,795 – £17,295
Pros
👍 Great value
👍 Lots of headroom
👍 Comfortable ride
Cons
👎 Not the best safety record
👎 Quietier smaller cars out there
Summary
Despite its compact design, the Dacia Sandero is a practical option for new drivers with its spacious interior and plenty of boot space. It’s easy to drive and known for its affordability and low running costs, making it an economical choice. With a focus on simplicity and reliability, the Sandero provides a straightforward driving experience. It’s a good choice for a first car.
FAQs
What’s the best engine size for a first car?
An engine size of 1.0 to 1.4 litres is an excellent choice for a first car. These smaller engines are usually more fuel-efficient and affordable to insure, making them ideal for new drivers. They also provide enough power for everyday driving while being easy to handle, perfect for building confidence on the road.
What’s the cheapest first-time car to buy?
Depending on what options you want and other factors, the least expensive vehicle on the market, which makes an excellent first-time car, comes from a selection of choices:
🚘 Peugeot 108
🚘 Fiat 500
🚘 Toyota Aygo
🚘 Vauxhall Adam
🚘 SEAT Ibiza
🚘 Hyundai i10
What’s the best first car for cheap insurance?
The Volkswagen Polo SE 1.0 is an excellent option for cheap insurance. Sitting in Insurance Group:1, the Polo models with 1.0-litre petrol engines qualify for the least pricey insurance.
What’s the best way to buy my first car?
When buying your first car, researching online listings and visiting reputable dealerships can help you find various options to compare and choose from. Also, remember to take potential vehicles for test drives to get a feel for their performance and comfort before deciding.
Should I get my first car on finance?
Yes… and no. When considering getting your first car on finance, weighing up the pros and cons is essential. While financing can make it easier to afford a newer or more reliable vehicle, it’s necessary to consider the long-term financial commitment and the total cost, including interest.
What should I look for when buying my first car?
There are some things to look for when buying your first car. These include the safety record, MOT history, fuel efficiency, insurance and maintenance costs, and more.
Is it time to sell your car?
Ready to learn more about valuing, maintaining, and selling your car? Check out our other guides here, covering everything from hybrid and electric car depreciation to converting your vehicle to dual-LPG fuel.