Getting your first car is a milestone in any driver’s life. It’s memorable for so many reasons and often looked back on affectionately even if it did have countless breakdowns, stalls, and dents over the years.
Figuring out what you can afford and remember to factor in running costs is one of the first hurdles to get out of the way for new drivers. But once that’s done, you can start the fun bit of looking at which car to select as your first car.
It can be a minefield out there with so many options available, especially when you may not know what you like just yet. So here is our shortlist of the best cars suited to new drivers for safety, ease, and relatively low cost driving.
1. Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is one of the most popular cars in the UK. So as the chances are that you may know someone who has one already, you can probably quite easily take one for a test drive. When you do so, you’ll find them to be easy to drive, relatively spacious, and notoriously good fun. The fiesta is tried and tested by new drivers across the country, it’s reliable and good value for money – making it the perfect first-time car.
2. Fiat 500
Small, nippy, and pretty economical to drive – the fiat 500 certainly ticks a lot of the new-driver boxes. The small build of the car means it might be squeeze for anyone in the back on longer journeys, but you’re far less at risk of any scrapes and scuffs when getting into tight spaces of carrying out your still-a-bit-shaky-manoeuvres.
3. Kia Picanto
This 5-door hatchback is much roomier on the inside than you might first expect. And a decent amount of space in the boot means that packing up your belongings and moving on to new adventures such as uni halls or a new city for a job shouldn’t be a problem. The Kia Picanto is easy to drive, reliable, cheap in terms of tax and insurance, and handles very well. All in all, it’s a great option and more than ideal for city living.
4. Vauxhall Corsa
Another big seller, the Vauxhall Corsa has been a long-standing favorite thanks to its broad appeal of being small, stylish, and affordable. The car comes with options of 3 door or 5 doors and offers a sport and turbo mode for extra appeal. It’s also relatively cheap to insure which is just another reason why it has long been favored by younger drivers.
5. Nissan Micra
Less expensive than a Vauxhall Corsa, but less fun to drive than the Fiesta, what the Nissan Micra offers is practicality and safety. Plus, it’s a pretty attractive vehicle (for those that are into such things). It’s comfortable across longer distances, has a good engine, and is a favourite amongst many.
Hopefully, this list has given you a little bit of direction for your first-car shopping, but whatever vehicle you go for, make sure to take it for a sufficient test drive first to check you’re comfortable. And keep in mind that buying from reputable second hand car dealers will often mean you have a set period in which you can return the car if you find you aren’t happy with it.
