Best cars for new drivers 🚗!

On a practical level, there are a few things first-timers should bear in mind. Style will no doubt be on the list of your priorities, but the best cars for new drivers are ones that are also safe, easy-to-drive and affordable – not only in terms of price and running costs, but also how much it’ll cost to get insured as a first-time driver.

Vauxhall Corsa - Insurance group range: 1-32

One of the most popular small cars around, the Vauxhall Corsa comes with everything a new driver is looking for in a compact, stylish package. It’s small, dynamic, responsive and a nifty car to drive in the town or city centre.

Renault Clio - Insurance group range: 5-39

Sleek, fun and practical – the Renault Clio is a seriously good car for new drivers. With affordable and small engine sizes available, it comes with a sporty exterior and fantastic features such as automatic headlights and wipers, and a 7-inch touchscreen.

If your budget stretches to around £5,000, it’s possible to pick up a 2014 Expression+ with cruise control, speed limiter and Bluetooth connectivity.

Ford Fiesta - Insurance group range: 5-30

It’s the best-selling car of all time in the UK, so it’s no surprise the Ford Fiesta is one of the best used cars for new drivers. The innovative MyKey system – introduced in 2012 – lets safety-conscious parents limit the stereo volume and maximum speed of the car.

Newer models also feature Electronic Stability Control (ESP) and optional autobrake. To underline its safety credentials, Fiestas made since 2008 have scored 5 stars in Euro NCAP tests (based on the tests at the time). In terms of cost, you can get superb value with this car – a 2015 1.25 Studio with just 30,000 miles is priced at around £4,500-£5,000.

VW Polo - Insurance group range: 3-30

The VW Polo is a popular choice for new drivers. Not only can you rely on the durability of your Polo, it suits the image-conscious driver too. Other rivals in its class may have a little bit more wow factor in the looks department, but this has a lot more to offer.

With an ‘S’ model, the Polo comes with electric front windows, autonomous emergency braking, ABS and manual air-conditioning – delivering in terms of comfort and safety. Fuel efficiency is another strong point of the Polo. A 1.0 TSI 95 BlueMotion, for example, has an official economy of 67mpg, while a 1.4 TDI officially returns 74.3mpg. When you come to purchase, there are definite deals to be had under £6,000.

Fiat 500 - Insurance group range: 5-38

Since its relaunch in 2007, the Fiat 500 has been riding a wave of popularity. Its iconic, retro design makes it a hit with new drivers of all ages – not least those hoping to leave a lasting impression when driving around town.

The 500L version is available for those looking for 5 doors and extra space in the rear. Both the 500 and 500L promise excellent fuel economy and low running costs. You’ll easily be able to find a used 5-year-old model in the £3,500-£4,000 range too.

Toyota Yaris - Insurance group range: 2-15

By far one of the best used cars for new drivers in terms of value, the Toyota Yaris is a straightforward car to maintain and more than capable of standing up to the test of time. Easy to drive, good ride quality and outstanding reliability are just some of the Yaris’ features, as well as a Euro NCAP 5-star safety rating.

It’s relatively affordable to run, thanks to its fuel efficiency. The 1.0-litre Yaris falls into Insurance Group 3, making it one of the cheapest cars to insure. Expect to pay around £5,000 for a 5-year-old model with a reasonable number of miles on the clock.

VW Golf - Insurance group range: 6-36

VW secures a second entry in our top 10 with the Golf – a high-quality first car for new drivers. It’s a step up from the Polo in the VW range, with impressive refinements and reliability. Bear in mind it’s a slightly heavier option as first cars go and insurance bills are higher compared to other models, but fuel costs are reasonable when compared with other options.

Some used VW Golfs from 2014 onwards at the lower end of the price range can have more than 100,000 miles under their belt. But don’t let this put you off. Golfs are very durable and will keep running for many years to come!

Ford Focus - Insurance group range: 6-43

Safe and sensible, the Ford Focus is more spacious than a Fiesta and one of the most popular cars on the road – not far behind its smaller sibling. Fun to drive with a smooth ride, the Focus handles nicely and has impressive official fuel economy ratings – a 1.0T EcoBoost 100 quotes up to 65.7mpg.

Due to the popularity of the Focus since it first launched, the used car market has many opportunities for a great value purchase. If your budget can stretch to the £7,500 mark, it’s possible to find a 3 / 4-year-old Focus packed full of features including ABS, Auto-Start-Stop System, Bluetooth, automatic temperature control and heated windscreen.

Nissan Qashqai - Insurance group range: 15-24

Not all the best cars for new drivers are small hatchbacks. A used Nissan Qashqai can prove an excellent solution if you’re after something a bit bigger. It’s incredibly practical – great for festivals, road trips and pet owners.

With many models sporting a 1.2 or 1.5-litre diesel or petrol engine, a Qashqai can work out relatively inexpensive to run – depending on how you drive it, of course. With 5-year old Qashqai’s available used from under £6,000, it won’t cost the earth to buy either.

Mini One/Cooper - Insurance group range: 15-33

A modern rework of a classic name, and now in facelifted third-generation form, the Mini continues to deliver retro style, singular charm and desirability, premium equipment features and driver appeal like few cars in this class.

For a budget of around £6,000 you could pick up 2013/14 model with relatively low mileage, 1.5-litre petrol Mini One.