What are the best first cars?

Buying your first car is a real milestone in life, but what should you choose to get you on the road? Factors to consider when buying a first car include not only the purchase price, but also how much it’s going to cost you in fuel, tax and – the big one for young drivers – insurance. You also need to think about what tech or safety features you’d like it to have, and how much space you need – if you’re going to be regularly ferrying your friends or family about a two-seater won’t cut the mustard!

How we chose these cars

Here, we’ve considered all of the above and used our expertise to put together a list of what we think are the best first cars you can buy. We’re focusing on used cars, although many of these are also available brand-new. We’ve tried to cater for a variety of tastes because we get that  some people prefer something more stylish or sporty and others just want something that ticks all the boxes. Here then, in no particular order, are our top ten first cars for new drivers.

1. Renault Clio

If you want an affordable car that has a certain ‘je ne sai quoi’ the Renault Clio has long been the go-to-choice. The latest model, introduced in 2019, is chic on the outside and classy on the inside – higher-spec models have a huge, vertical touchscreen similar to the one you’ll find in a Tesla. 

The Clio is also remarkably practical for a small car, with decent space for four adults and a bigger boot than a Ford Focus. You get high-tech safety features such as lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking on all versions and most have support for Android Auto and Apple Carplay. The petrol engines are very fuel-efficient and Renault recently added a hybrid version that gives an average of more than 65mpg, according to official figures.

2.Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto is tiny but mighty, cramming a lot into a compact package. The current model, introduced in 2017, is available with a lot of the tech you get in Kia’s larger models, including features such as LED headlights, a wireless phone charger, heated front seats and even a heated steering wheel! 

The downside of a car that’s small enough to fit into all but the tiniest parking spaces is that taller adults don’t have a lot of wiggle room in the back, and the boot is only big enough for a couple of weekend bags. Some versions have a group 1 insurance rating (the lowest you can get), while all Kias have a seven-year manufacturer warranty when new, so you could find a Picanto with plenty of cover left, giving you extra peace of mind.

3.Toyota Aygo

The Toyota Aygo gives you all the dependability and cost-efficiency you’d expect of a small Toyota. And while it has the sensible stuff covered the Aygo also brings a bit of fun to the table, with a sharp-edged design and some very bold colour options. Don’t worry, there’s plain old grey or black if that’s more your thing…

With its large windows and diminutive dimensions the Aygo is an absolute doddle to park. Later versions have support for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay as standard and you’ll also find some with a ‘funroof’ – a fabric sunroof that slides back to fill the interior with light and allow you to get the wind in your hair!

4.Vauxhall Corsa

It’s safe to say that the Vauxhall Corsa is a familiar sight, with more than two million sold since the first model went on sale more than thirty years ago. 

The current Corsa – the one we’re recommending – arrived in 2019. As you’d expect it’s the most advanced Corsa ever, yet it gives you the same kind of excellent value as its predecessors. It’s available with all kinds of up-to-the-minute features and is good to drive, feeling solid and secure on the road. You can buy fuel-efficient petrol or diesel versions and there’s also a pure-electric model that has a range of more than 200 miles, according to official figures.

5.Seat Arona

If you thought your budget couldn’t stretch to a contemporary SUV the Seat Arona might prove you wrong. While it’s not as roomy as a full-size SUV, the Arona is more practical than many small cars and has an impressively large boot. 

The Arona is one of the most affordable SUVs around but even the cheapest version is far from basic, with alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control and an automatic braking system as standard. With its raised driving position and responsive feel the Arona inspires a lot of confidence behind the wheel – perfect for first-time drivers who are just finding their feet.

6.Volkswagen Polo

If you want a first car with a more premium feel, the Volkswagen Polo is a no-brainer. It might cost you a bit more than most similar-sized cars but the Polo is a class act, with the kind of features and drive you’d expect of a more expensive car and an interior that looks posher than most.

The version we’re focusing on is the latest Polo, which was introduced in 2017. It’s the biggest Polo yet and gives you lots of  space, although it remains small enough to thread through narrow gaps in traffic. All versions have an easy-to-use touchscreen, while standard safety features include an automatic braking system that can reduce the likelihood of you driving into the back of another vehicle. All versions have low running costs and some have a lowly group 1 insurance rating.

7.Hyundai i10

While the Hyundai i10 might not be the most glamorous car on this list it’s one of the best all-rounders. What’s so impressive is that it combines the low running costs and diddy dimensions of a city car with the comfort of something much larger. That comes partly from a smooth, quiet ride and partly from an interior that’s remarkably roomy. 

The engines give great mpg, while other running costs should be low. Many used Hyundai i10s of this era will still be covered by their original manufacturer warranty, too. That’s because Hyundai gives its cars a five-year/100,000-mile warranty rather than the three-year/60,000-mile cover you get with most new cars.

8.Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 is as cute as it gets, but there’s more to it than adorable looks. It’s also very cheap to buy, partly because it’s been on sale far longer than any other car on this list, having been introduced way back in 2007. You can buy one from that era for little more than £1000 but it’s worth spending more to get a newer car that’s covered fewer miles and has more equipment. On that front, the 500 isn’t a match for newer cars in terms of tech and safety features. It’s not especially practical either, with limited legroom in the back and a tiny boot.

What the 500 has in bucketloads is charm – the interior is a cheerful blend of retro details and modern usability and the 500 is an excellent companion around town, with light steering that makes it easy to get into and out of tight parking spaces. You’ll find used Fiat 500s in all manner of colour combinations, so there should be one to suit your personal style.

9.Renault Zoe

If you want your first car to be an electric car, the Renault Zoe could be the one for you. As well as being one of the most affordable pure-electric cars it also has an excellent battery range, with some versions capable of almost 250 miles with a fully charged battery. Some older versions have not much more than half of that, but they do cost a lot less to buy. 

As with any electric car, there’s no road tax to pay with the Zoe (for now, at least) and running costs could be very low if you have access to a home or work charger. It’s also quiet and nippy to drive and the interior has a stylish look, decent space and a comparatively large boot.

10.Dacia Sandero

If you want the newest car for the least money, look no further than the Dacia Sandero – the cheapest new car on sale in the UK. For the money you get a car that’s modern, roomy and good to drive. Standard features on the most cost-effective versions are a bit basic, but if you get one of the mid-range models you get plenty of gadgets for the money. 

We’d recommend the version of the Sandero that’s been on sale new since 2021 – the one that was sold before that is an older version that’s not as spacious and is rather dated in its looks and safety features. Stick with the newer car and you’re getting one of the best bargains around.