Buying your first new car should be an exciting experience, but this can sometimes be overshadowed by stress and confusion. As you likely already know, buying and running a car can be expensive especially for those who have recently passed their driving test or for young drivers in general

The cost of insurance is the biggest barrier for young and newly qualified drivers, which is why picking your first car can be such a pain.

So, what actually makes a good first-time car? You will want something affordable, in a low insurance group, with good fuel economy, with good safety features; a car that is easy to drive and manoeuvre, and with some fun features included.

With a lot to take into consideration, we thought we would put together a list of the best cars for young and first-time drivers to help take the stress out of your car buying journey…

Skoda Citigo, SEAT Mii & Volkswagen up! 

This VW group trio of cars are all structurally identical, with the same interior fittings and the same level of safety equipment, which is why we have listed them all as one.

They are all excellent choices for a first car due to their spaciousness for a small car, good fuel economy (meaning low running costs), and some good tech features to keep the drive fun.

All 3 cars are in the lowest insurance group, making them an affordable choice for newer drivers, and a safe choice as they have all been awarded the maximum 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

If you’re more price conscious, the Skoda Citigo is the best of the 3 choices – even though they’re practically the same car, the Skoda Citigo has the lowest price tag. Moreover, the Skoda Citigo was voted the best city car in the Car Buyer 2019 awards. (Build your new Skoda Citigo here, or pick a used one here)

If you’re more style conscious, the Volkswagen up! is a great choice. With 1000 different colour combinations to choose from, unique alloy designs and interior design options available, you can create a car as unique as you. (Build your new Volkswagen up! here, or pick a used one here)

Although the trio doesn’t boast a large list of technology and connectivity options, there are enough to keep you entertained and feel up-to-date. For example, you can turn your smartphone into an infotainment system instead of having a built-in one, so your drive can still be fun when you want it to be.

Kia Picanto 

The Kia Picanto is a good choice for a first car as it’s a small, compact car making it ideal for easy city driving and manoeuvres, but also more stylish than a lot of other small compact cars available.

The Kia Picanto isn’t the cheapest on the market, but it is a cheaper option than the Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen up!. On top of that, it is cheap to run in general and has some great all-new safety features such as torque vectoring brake-based system (TVBB), straight line stability (SLS), forward collision warning system (FCWS), and autonomous emergency braking (AEB). Moreover, it’s known for its easy visibility with its slim front pillars and wide windscreen.

The Kia Picanto is a safe choice for younger drivers not only for its safety features but because of its industry-leading 7-year warranty. There’s no wonder it’s been named the What Car? Car of the Year 2019 city car winner.

Build your new Kia Picanto here, or pick a used one here.

Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 is another small car that takes one of our spots amongst the best cars for new and young drivers. Its small body makes it easy for manoeuvres and there is a surprising amount of space for such a small car, so taller passengers have nothing to worry about.

As well as being practical with its ease of use, the Hyundai i10 has some other features that make it a great contender for new and young drivers. It has an intelligent safety system which is even more important for newer drivers as they are at a higher risk of road accidents, and this includes: lane departure warning system (LDWS), front collision warning system (FCWS), and hill-start assist control (HAC).


The Hyundai i10 also has some great technology packed inside, such as a touch screen navigation, audio system with DAB, Bluetooth connectivity, USB & AUX outlets, and a smart key, making the drive more convenient and fun. Moreover, the Hyundai i10 also has a 5-year warranty, letting you avoid paying for any manufacturer issues.

Build your new Hyundai i10 here, or pick a used one here.

Now it’s time to pick your first car… 

Picking your first car takes time, energy, and a long and thorough thought-process. There is a lot to take into consideration, such as your budget, and what sort of features you want from a car.

We hope this article has given you more insight into what the best cars for young and new drivers are to help you choose your very first car. And now that we’ve taken the stress out of finding the best car makes and models for young and first-time drivers, it’s time for you to continue your car buying journey.

To compare quotes for your first new or used car, click here.