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15/07/2025

Best first cars for new drivers in 2025

Written By Ivan Aistrop

Renault Clio Review 2024: driving dynamic

Just got your first taste of freedom on the road? If you've recently passed your driving test, or you're gearing up to take it, you'll want an affordable, safe and cheap-to-run first car. Here's our rundown of the best cars for new drivers. 

Passing your driving test is an exciting time, opening up new destinations and adventures, giving you a real sense of freedom. But there are some harsh motoring realities to face when you're young, inexperienced and have a limited budget. 

Buying a brand new car as your first car is a luxury that most new drivers don't have, so most will be looking to the used car market. But even if you find an affordable car, choosing poorly could still see you burdened by prohibitively expensive running costs, particularly when it comes to insurance, as cover can be really expensive for inexperienced drivers. That's why it's important to choose wisely.

We've selected ten cars that'll be perfect for if you've just passed your test. Our selection is based on a mixture of sensible and fun traits, but most importantly, these cars must be cheap to insure, and are economical and safe. 

That doesn't mean they need to be dull or basic, however. All of our top 10 first cars for new drivers are comfortable, stylish, well-equipped and enjoyable to drive. If you're looking to save money on a first car, check out the best new and used car deals we've found online, including some brilliant PCP deals. Still need to pass your test? Read our guide to booking and passing your driving test.


Best first cars for new drivers in 2025

  1. Volkswagen Polo
  2. Volkswagen Up
  3. SEAT Ibiza
  4. Renault Clio
  5. Kia Picanto
  6. Ford Fiesta
  7. MINI Hatch
  8. Toyota Aygo X
  9. Fiat 500
  10. Hyundai i10

1. Volkswagen Polo

Like a Golf but smaller

Volkswagen Polo Review 2024: front side driving
Volkswagen Polo Review 2024: dashboard

Pros

  • More than ample cabin space

  • Superb refinement and ride

  • Feels solid and built to last

Cons

  • Pricier than most rivals

  • Not as sharp to drive as a Fiesta

  • Facelifted model's cabin controls are more fiddly

The Volkswagen Polo makes a great first car for new drivers. It feels like a small car that’s grown up, so while it's restrained on the outside it feels premium on the inside, with a dashboard that features squidgy plastics and a large infotainment screen that can mirror the display on your smartphone.

It’s impressively roomy inside. You get plenty of space to stretch out up front but the Polo is also impressively roomy in the back. The boot is also large and well designed, with an adjustable boot floor that means you don’t have to lift heavy luggage over an awkward lip.

The Polo’s comfortable ride and quiet cabin mean it feels like a big car on the motorway, but its small size and light controls make it easy to get the hang of if you’re a first-time driver. Choose the 95PS petrol engine for a perfect balance between fuel economy and running costs, but the base 75PS engine isn't too underpowered. 

The latest VW Polo has been around since 2017, so if your budget can't stretch to a brand new model, there are lots of used examples around, meaning plenty of choice.

"It's not the best valve, but it's about as good as small cars get"

Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor

Read our full Volkswagen Polo review

2. Volkswagen Up

There's a reason the little Up is so popular

Volkswagen Up (2012-2023) Review: Front Side View
Volkswagen Up (2012-2023) Review: Front Interior

Pros

  • Feels posh despite the price

  • Good to drive and impressive ride quality

  • Low fuel and insurance costs, holds its value well too

Cons

  • Limited petrol engine range

  • Automatic on used cars is best avoided

  • SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo are cheaper

The Volkswagen Up is a small car that feels big, but it's more affordable than the Polo. When it was new, it was available with a range of personalisation options that mean you can have it with a striking paint job and an uprated Beats Electronics stereo.

Whatever model you choose, the Up feels more spacious inside than other city cars. There’s noticeably more elbow room than in narrower small cars and the back seat is just big enough for tall adults. Even the boot is relatively large and most models have an adjustable floor that gives you somewhere to hide valuables.

The Up feels right at home in the city where its small size and accurate steering make it perfect for negotiating congestion and squeezing into tight parking spaces. The Up is only available with small petrol engines that are extremely cheap to run, although the 90PS model is worth considering if you do lots of motorway driving and can afford the insurance. 

Having been around for well over than a decade now, the VW Up is one of the most affordable cars in this list, with prices starting from around £5,000. If you can't find an Up to suit you, then you could opt for the Seat Mii or Skoda Citigo, which are more or less identical apart from their exterior styling.

"The Up brings a level of quality and maturity that has not been seen in this sector before"

Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor

Read our full Volkswagen Up review

3. SEAT Ibiza

Possibly better than a Fiesta

SEAT Ibiza Review 2024: exterior dynamic
SEAT Ibiza Review 2024: interior dashboard

Pros

  • Comfortable suspension

  • Refined at all speeds

  • Lots of space to spread out in cabin

Cons

  • SEAT could provide more standard kit

  • Some will miss crisp handling of previous Ibizas

  • Slow reactions of ventilation system

The SEAT Ibiza is mechanically identical to the Volkswagen Polo, but SEAT differentiates its car by giving it a slightly sportier character, evidenced by its sharper styling and (ever so slightly) sportier driving manners.

It’s not quite as posh inside as the Polo, but the interior feels durable, has a very intuitive layout and the infotainment system can mirror the display of your phone. The SEAT only comes with five doors so your passengers get great access to the back seats, and the boot will take a couple of larger suitcases.

The Ibiza’s light controls make it an easy first car to drive and it comes as standard with automatic emergency brakes that should give you added peace of mind. All the engines are great in town, but the 95PS petrol also copes well on the motorway and is cheap to run. 

In terms of buying, the SEAT Ibiza is generally cheaper than the VW Polo, with prices starting from £7,000 for a 2017 model. 

"Its huge boot and refined ride provide comfort and space that are in short supply with many of its rivals"

Phil Hall, Senior Editor

Read our full SEAT Ibiza review

4. Renault Clio

Stylish and affordable little car

Renault Clio Review 2024: driving dynamic
Renault Clio Review 2024: interior and driving position

Pros

  • Lots of useful tech in most models

  • Cabin space is among the best in class

  • Hybrid capable of impressive 67.3mpg

Cons

  • Manual' box has only five gears in some Clios

  • Bigger wheels make ride too firm

  • Not as fun to drive as a Ford Fiesta

Remember at the very start of this article we mentioned that one of the most important aspects of any first car is safety?

 Well, that's an area in which few manufacturers have a better reputation than Renault. And even a small Renault like the latest Clio, which was first released in 2019, excels in that area, with a five-star rating from Euro NCAP.

We also mentioned that low insurance was a vital attribute, and entry-level versions of the Clio have insurance groupings as low as group 3, making them extremely affordable to insure. Just be aware that upgrading your engine or trim level - or both - will substantially elevate the premium you'll pay.

Otherwise, the Clio is an utterly pleasant car to live with. It looks great, with expressive Gallic styling, it's comfortable and easy to drive, and it has a pleasant interior that's good on quality and has lots of space. You get most of the luxury toys you expect and used prices are affordable.

"The latest Renault Clio is more deserving than ever of its status as a fashionable small car"

Phil Hall, Senior Editor

Read our full Renault Clio review

5. Kia Picanto

Compact, good value city runabout

Kia Picanto Review 2024: driving dynamic
Kia Picanto Review 2024: interior and infotainment

Pros

  • Reasonable running costs

  • Mid-spec cars come loaded with kit 

  • Neat and tidy handling 

Cons

  • Non-turbo engines are slow

  • Not the roomiest in the back

  • Fidgety ride on 16-inch wheels

When it comes to all-rounders, not much can match the Kia Picanto. It might not excel at any one thing, but it's excellent or very good and just about everything, which makes it a doddle to drive and own. 

Massive warranty? Yep, seven years. Affordable to buy? Impressively so. Good to drive? Yes, comfortable and nippy, and happy in town or on the motorway.

The Picanto also has rock-bottom running costs when it comes to insurance and fuel economy thanks to its choice of small 1.0-litre or 1.25-litre engines. There's a dizzying amount of trim levels to choose from and most are well-specced.

Although the Picanto is small, it's got enough room for two passengers in the back and the boot is a decent size at 255 litres.

Used versions are in plentiful supply and start at around £5,000.

"It's small, easy but fun to drive, just about spacious enough, and looks and feels really good inside and out"

Phill Tromans, Contributor

Read our full Kia Picanto review

6. Ford Fiesta

One of our favourite little cars

Ford Fiesta Review 2024: front dynamic
Ford Fiesta Review 2024: front interior

Pros

  • Comfortable, well made and roomy cabin

  • Impressive levels of refinement 

  • Wide range of engines and trims to pick from

Cons

  • Some models are expensive

  • 1.1-litre petrol engine now feeling outdated

  • Will soon be removed from sale

The Ford Fiesta is a small car with a fun character and smart looks. It’s roomy, great to drive and available with an excellent range of engines. This is why it's such a good first car.

Inside, you get a smart design dominated by a large touchscreen infotainment system that’s right in your line of sight and easy to use. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you can use your phone's navigation and music apps on the car’s big screen. For the ultimate practicality, we’d go for a five-door model, which gives your passengers better access to the reasonably roomy back seat.

The best bit about the Fiesta is its ability to put a smile on your face on a twisty road. Its steering feels accurate and positive as the car hunkers down into corners and there’s no shortage of grip. Choose one of the petrol EcoBoost models and you’ll get perky performance and cheap running costs, although insurance costs might limit you to the non-turbo models. These do need working to get the best out of them, but they're more reliable.

"It's one of the most enjoyable small cars to drive, thanks to its eager handling and sprightly turbocharged petrol engines"

Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor

Read our full Ford Fiesta review

7. MINI Hatchback

Stylish and fun to drive

MINI Hatch (2014-2024) Review: exterior front three quarter photo of the MINI Hatch 3-door on the road
MINI Hatch (2014-2024) Review: interior close up photo of the MINI Hatch 3-door dashboard

Pros

  • Rivals can't match MINI's badge appeal

  •  Upmarket and comfortable cabin

  •  John Cooper Works models are very rapid

Cons

  • Electric version has limited range

  • Cramped in the back seats for adults

  • Options can ramp up the price a lot

The last-generation Mk3 MINI hatchback injects much of the charm of the original model but in a thoroughly modern package.

It was available with a huge range of customisable options when new, so each individual car has its own unique personality.

Find one with the uprated infotainment system and it even communicates with you using coloured LEDs in the screen bezel, giving the car genuine personality. It also feels nice inside and has a sculpted, sporty design. There’s loads of room up front, but the back seat is tight and, if you opt for the three-door MINI hatch, it’s a squeeze to get into. The boot is also small.

All that will be forgotten when you experience the MINI’s energetic responses and limpet-like grip. It really is great fun on a twisting road and even the basic One model is nippy. Plus, its cheap running costs won’t turn that smile into a frown every time you need to fill up. 

You'll pay a bit of a premium for the desirable MINI over some other cars in this list, but it's been on sale since 2014, meaning as little as £8,000 will get you into one. If you've got a bigger budget, then check out the new MINI Cooper.

"It's certainly not as practical or as good value as some rivals, but what it does well it does better than most"

Antony Ingram, Contributor

Read our full MINI Hatchback review

8. Toyota Aygo X

Fun little jacked-up city car

Toyota Aygo X Review 2024: front dynamic
Toyota Aygo X Review 2024: interior dashboard

Pros

  • Likely to be very reliable and cheap to run

  • Funky styling inside and out

  • You can get it with a canvas roof

Cons

  • There are more spacious city cars

  • You might find the engine lacking a bit of grunt

  • No hybrid option, either

If your parents know anything about cars they'll no doubt be encouraging you into something known for reliability, like a Toyota. The Aygo has been around for several years and is a very popular and likeable first car, and one of the cheapest cars to run and insure that money can buy.

The older models are decent enough, but if you're leasing or lucky enough to have a bigger budget, then we'd highly recommend stepping up to the newer Toyota Aygo X. It's more desirable thanks to its rugged baby SUV styling, classier interior and added refinement. 

All Toyota Aygos made in the last few years get smartphone integration as standard, but the touchscreen in the Aygo X is more advanced, as is the level of fit and finish on offer. You can also get neat features such as an opening fabric roof to enjoy summer days, although that does impact on rear seat space, which is pretty tight for adults. 

On the road, the Toyota Aygo X is a fun and plucky little car. It gets the same 1.0-litre petrol engine with a modest 72PS as the older Aygo, but its eager nature means using all the performance is no hardship. It'll feel a bit underpowered on a motorway, though.

The Aygo's light weight and agile handling means it's enjoyable to zip about town in, while an available CVT automatic gearbox takes the stress out of traffic jams. You'll be doing at least 50mpg, too. Brand new prices for the Aygo X start at around £17,000, but there are some competitive leasing deals around, and you'll get a used one from £10,000. And whether you go for an Aygo X or and older Aygo, you'll likely benefit from Toyota's terrific ten-year, 100,000-mile warranty if you get it serviced at a main dealer.

"The Toyota Aygo X combines everything we loved about the old car with rugged new looks and even a retractable canvas roof"

Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor

Read our full Toyota Aygo X review

9. Fiat 500

Stylish, expensive, compact but a bit average

Fiat 500 Review 2024: exterior dynamic
Fiat 500 Review 2024: interior dashboard and front seats

Pros

  • Chic styling

  • Low fuel costs

  • Mid-spec models are well-equipped

Cons

  • Cramped cabin

  • Lacklustre handling 

  • Unrefined Dualogic automatic gearbox

Okay, we concede that in some ways, the Fiat 500 isn't a great car: it's rather underwhelming to drive, it's tight on space, and interior quality is a little patchy. 

Those aren't things that tend to matter to most new drivers, though, and it just so happens that on the things that do matter to most new drivers, the 500 does a sterling job.

For starters, it looks the absolute business, with its cutesy retro looks giving it lots of style. For seconds, it's cheap: it's been around for donkey's years, and its massive popularity means that the used car market is simply awash with examples, with prices starting from around £5,000. It's unquestionably a lot of style for the money.

Thirdly, most versions are very cheap to insure, with the cheapest sitting in group 3. That's the 'HeyGoogle' special edition, one of dozens available (we count 39 separate versions of the 500 over the years). Fuel economy is also very good, and when you tot up all these factors, the 500 suddenly looks like a very tempting prospect for a young driver.

"If you love the looks, you'll probably be happy to overlook its many shortcomings"

David Ross, Senior Editor

Read our full Fiat 500 review

10. Hyundai i10

Represents great value for many

Hyundai i10 2020 front-right exterior
Hyundai i10: interior

Pros

  • More space for the money than many rivals

  • Comes with comprehensive five-year warranty

  • Excellent ride quality

Cons

  • Sluggish automatic gearbox is best avoided

  • No adjustable boot floor

  • 1.0-litre engine is a little strained 

Like the Kia Picanto we mentioned earlier, the Hyundai i10 is a really terrific all-rounder, not hugely surprising given that the two cars share a great deal mechanically. There's not one single thing it does badly, and in most areas, it's either very good or absolutely great.

The latest iteration of the car came out in 2020, and it's better than ever, with impressive quality, generous equipment, very impressive practicality given its size (it's one of the roomiest city cars and has one of the biggest boots in the class), and it's enjoyable, comfortable and incredibly easy to drive. 

A budget of £10,000 is enough to get you into a three-year-old example with low miles, and thanks to Hyundai's impressive five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, that means it might still have a couple of years worth of cover left to run. Insurance groupings are also very low, with some versions even falling into group 1, which is the cheapest you can get.

"It offers more space than most, is incredibly comfortable yet remains good value for money"

Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor

Read our full Hyundai i10 review

To get the safest car possible, check the latest Euro NCAP crash test results to see which cars have been awarded five stars for safety. Even small cars come with plenty of safety features but it’s worth keeping an eye out for automatic emergency braking. It can slow the car automatically if it senses an imminent collision and, as a result, makes cars cheaper to insure.

The obvious answer is a second-hand car. Chances are, it’ll probably already have a few scuffs and scrapes so you won’t feel so precious if you damage the paint. Once you’re a confident driver, you can always trade it in for something nicer a few years down the line.

When you’re learning to drive it makes sense to get a small car that you’ll find easier to place on the road and squeeze into parking spaces. That said, even a tiny car like the Volkswagen Up has enough space to squeeze in four adults, and the larger Polo feels genuinely roomy. 

Most small cars come with a choice of petrol and diesel engines that cost buttons to run, and insurance costs are low. Small cars are much better equipped than they used to be. Most come as standard with air-con and some form of an infotainment system. Many even get autonomous driving aids like active cruise control and lane assist. 

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