The Volkswagen Polo is one of our very favourite small cars, as the perfect 10/10 rating shows, and the even better news is that it also happens to be one of the cheapest to insure. When fitted the the entry-level engines - naturally aspirated 1.0-litre petrols with either 65PS or 80PS - many versions slot into the lowest group 1 classification.

It's a bit pricier to buy than many of its rivals, but the quality of the materials used in the cabin is that bit nicer, and because it's a bit bigger than most of the other cars on this list - it's only a bit smaller than the Volkswagen Golf - there's ample space for four adults, and a big boot as well. A generous amount of internal soundproofing also makes it that bit more refined than its rivals, and it feels comfortable and controlled on the road. For extra peace of mind, the Polo gets an impressive five-star NCAP rating.

If you're a young driver, you can’t do much better than the Hyundai i10. Some might find its styling a bit bland, so it's probably not at the top of every 17-year old's wish-list when it comes to buying a new car, but look past that and it’s a really cheerful little car to drive. Not only that, but the interior quality is up there with cars from the class above, and the i10 also comes with a comprehensive five year warranty, which is great for extra peace of mind should something go wrong. 

Sadly, for cheap group 1 insurance you’ll have to opt for the 66PS 1.0-litre petrol engine, and make sure it's paired with the automatic gearbox option. Yes, that means it's slow, so it’s best suited to around-town driving, but that’s the price you pay for a more affordable insurance premium.

It's no surprise to see the Kia Picanto alongside the Hyundai i10 on this list, because underneath, the two cars are virtually identical mechanically, so they share lots of the same virtues. Both are comfortable and surprisingly enjoyable to drive, both have a roomy cabin and a decent boot, and both have a stylish, high-quality interior that's packed with a good amount of standard equipment. Many would argue that the Picanto looks a bit better than the i10, too, and instead of Hyundai's five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, the Kia comes with a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, so low-mileage drivers will be covered for longer.

Again, you need the entry-level engine paired with the automatic gearbox to get rock-bottom insurance ratings, so you won't be going anywhere in any particular hurry due to limited performance, but for many young drivers, this sacrifice will be well worth making for more affordable premiums.

Sitting just behind its bigger brother - the Polo - in our rundown, the Volkswagen Up city car is another enormously appealing car that, when specified correctly, sits in the lowest group 1 insurance grouping. To qualify, you'll need a car with the entry-level 1.0-litre petrol engine that punts out a modest 60PS, so you won't be zooming about the place, but you'll have plenty more compensations for that than just affordable insurance.

Those compensations include a level of style and desirability rarely seen with cars in the city car class, while the cabin also has the quality to convince as a Volkswagen. The Up is also one of the roomiest cars in the class, with surprisingly generous passenger space and a comparatively large boot. And even with a teeny engine, the Up is the best car of its type to drive, with a sophisticated ride and enjoyable, darty handling.

Prepare to experience a bit of deja vu here. We've just been waxing lyrical about the brilliance of the Volkswagen Up, and you can also apply most of that praise to the Skoda Citigo. Why? Because as city car contenders that are both from brands within the Volkswagen Group, the two cars are virtually identical underneath. The means the Skoda is every bit as roomy, as high in quality, and as good to drive as its sister car.

Some will argue that the Skoda doesn't quite have the style or brand appeal of its sibling, but buyers are compensated for that with keener pricing, so it's a more sensible option. Again, you need an example with the entery-level 60PS engine to qualify for group 1 insurance premiums, but you do get a couple of choices of trim levels. Just be mindful that some of the trim levels available with this engine will nudge it into insurance group 2 or 3.

Time for a bit more deja vu, because the Seat Mii is the third member of the same Volkswagen-Group city-car triumvirate as the Up and Citigo already mentioned. As a result, we won't go through all its virtues all over again: just know that the small Seat is just as talented as its siblings, and in most of the same areas.

Of the three, it feels like the car that sits in the middle. It's perhaps not as stylish as the Volkswagen but cost costs a bit less, while it arguably has the style edge over the Skoda, but costs a fraction more. Either way, you're splitting hairs, and you'll still be getting a brilliant small car. Again, though, the entry-level engine option is needed for group 1 premiums.

While the Ford Ka+ might not set the pulses racing, it is roomier than some similarly priced rivals, and it also comes with five doors, making it easy to ferry your mates around, while there's plenty of headroom inside for four adults. There's also a decent amount of luggage space considering the size of the Ka+. 

Like with many cars in this list, you have to stick with the entry-level engine to qualify for group 1 insurance - in this case a rather measly 1.2 petrol with 70PS - but you also have to combine it with entry-level Studio trim with the Ford, which makes the car pretty basic, but you do get a DAB radio to get excited about. You also have to makes sure your car was registered before August 2018, because afterwards, this engine-trim combo shot up to group 3 for some reason we struggle to fathom.

The Nissan Micra has been around for a long time, and in its various guises over the years, it has been a popular choice with learner drivers. This is thanks to its easy and pleasant driving manners, making it a natural choice for new drivers. 

The latest Nissan Micra is a big step up over its predecessor, with a much sharper design, better interior and plenty of safety tech on tap. It's not perfect, as it still lags behind some of the competition, especially when it comes to practicality and comfort. While there's decent space up front, rear passengers are going to feel a little cramped.

However, the big draw compared with many supermini rivals is that it falls into the insurance group 1 category, making it one of the cheapest cars to insure for 17 year olds. You'll need to seek out a 71PS 1.0-litre petrol version to qualify, though but it is available with a variety of trim levels.

As suggested by its name, the Smart Forfour is a four-seat version of the Smart Fortwo. The Forfour is a little more conventional than its two-seat sibling, so a bit more practical if not quite so city-friendly, but the bigger car - perhaps surprisingly - is cheaper to insure. There's one solitary version of the Forfour that qualifies for a group 1 classification, the entry-level 71PS 1.0-litre petrol version in entry-level Pure trim. Picking another trim level will send the insurance rating up a few groups, and picking another engine will send it up by several.

The Forfour is quite a different proposition from most other cars in this class because the engine is positioned at the rear of the car and drives the rear wheels. That helps allow a tight turning circle, and standing at less than 3.5 metres in length, the car lends itself well to town and city driving. You can fit four adults in the cabin, but those in the back will feel a little cramped. Luggage space is small even for the class at just 185 litres.

Under the skin, the Seat Ibiza shares a great deal with the Volkswagen Polo that sits at the very top of this list, as reflected in an overal 9/10 rating that's very nearly as high, so the Ibiza is a truly brilliant little car. The only reason it sits at the bottom of this list rather than higher up is because the lowest insurance classification it can muster is group 2 rather than group 1. However, that still means you can expect very affordable premiums.

You'll need to confine yourself to the entry-level 75PS 1.0-litre MPI petrol engine for rock-bottom premiums, so your Ibiza won't be quick, but it'll dazzle in other ways. It's a really enjoyable and comfortable little car to drive, it looks great inside and out, and it's also one of the more practical choices in the supermini class. Find an example in SE or SE Technology trim, and you'll also get a touchscreen infotainment system with full smartphone integration.