10 Best Cars for New Drivers UK | Low Insurance and Safety

Buying the first car can be exciting, as you will never forget it. Getting into a four-wheeler car is a crucial moment in the life of every driver. However, due to too many options, it’s really hard to choose the best first car. Because you have to consider insurance, running costs and safety. This guide has listed the 10 best cars for new drivers, considering insurance, engine size, price and reliability. 

So let’s get started!

What Makes a Good First Car?

Choosing your first car is not just about style or brand, but it is about safety, reliability and being easy to run. When purchasing your first car, you should take into account several factors, such as the fact that it should be inexpensive to operate, fall into a low insurance group, and require little maintenance.

Choosing a car with these traits makes your first driving experience smoother, cheaper, and more enjoyable. Also, these are cheapest cars to insure for new drivers. After reading this blog, you will be able to make an informed decision about which car best suits your needs. 

Best Cars for New Drivers UK 2025 – Quick Comparison Table

Car Model	Starting Price (Approx.)	Insurance Group	Fuel Economy (mpg)	Key Strengths	Weak Points
Hyundai i10	£15,420	1–4	Up to 56	Cheap to insure, easy to park	Smaller boot
Kia Picanto	£15,595	3–10	Up to 58	Reliable, good warranty cover	Not the most spacious
Dacia Sandero	£14,320	2–8	Up to 53	Very affordable, spacious interior	Basic interior, lower safety
Toyota Yaris	£22,630	2–14	Up to 68 (hybrid)	Excellent reliability, hybrid option	Higher upfront cost
Volkswagen Polo	£20,730	1–12	Up to 58	Solid build, refined interior	Pricier than rivals
Ford Fiesta	£17,000	2–16	Up to 57	Fun to drive, widely available	Production ended in 2023
Vauxhall Corsa	£19,275	1–10	Up to 62	Cheap to insure, electric option	Common on UK roads
Renault Clio	£19,095	3–11	Up to 60	Stylish design, practical cabin	Rear seats less roomy
Skoda Fabia	£18,600	1–8	Up to 58	Big boot for size, reliable build	Not as sporty as rivals
Suzuki Swift	£17,199	9–11	Up to 59	Lightweight, fun to drive	Small boot, basic interior

10 Best Cars for New Drivers

1. Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 is a compact city car which stands out as the top pick for new drivers. It is smooth and reliable and offers excellent value for money. With its small engine, the 1.0-litre automatic variant lies in group 1 of insurance groups. It is a perfect choice for new drivers, offering good fuel economy and low maintenance costs. 

The current Hyundai i10 (2020) holds a 3-star Euro NCAP rating. While it scores well for adult occupant protection, this is lower than rivals like the Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris.

Pros

• Low running costs
• Small and compact in size
• Comes with 5 5-year unlimited mileage warranty

Cons

• Low Euro NCAP safety ratings (3 stars)
• Perfect for city driving, but may feel underpowered on faster roads.

2. Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto is a stylish, compact hatch that works well for new drivers. It’s easy to handle, economical to run, and has low insurance costs. The smaller engines fall into insurance group 1–2, making it affordable for first-time drivers. Fuel economy is good, and maintenance is straightforward.

Pros

• Low running and insurance costs
• Compact size for city driving and parking
• Comes with a 7-year unlimited mileage warranty
• Modern features like touchscreen and Apple CarPlay

Cons

• Performance is modest on motorways
• Euro NCAP safety rating is average
• Handling isn’t as sharp as some rivals

3. Dacia Sandero

The Dacia Sandero is one of the cheapest cars in the UK, and it has been a favourite among new drivers. As a reliable car, it is Europe’s best-selling car, and starts from £14,320 for the base model. However, it is not much of a stylish hatchback, but it offers plenty of space with dimensions of 4,088 mm; Width: 2,007 mm; Height: 1,587 mm. 

Its initial low price makes it perfect for a tight budget. However, the low initial cost leads to a lower resale value, which means you lose more money over the ownership period than you would with a Toyota or VW.

Pros

• Very affordable to buy and run
• Low insurance group for new drivers
• Spacious for a small car
• Simple, easy-to-maintain mechanics

Cons

• Basic interior and fewer modern features
• Euro NCAP safety rating (2 stars) is lower than some competitors
• Low resale value

4. Toyota Yaris

Toyota Yaris is already the most popular car in the UK, known for its reliability and dependability. It is one of the best cars for new drivers, which gives peace of mind with Toyota’s reputation for dependability. It’s a compact hybrid car, which makes it perfect for city drives.

Pros

• Comes in a hybrid variant
• Toyota reputation for reliability
• Modern features like safety aids and infotainment
• Easy to drive and park in urban areas
  

Cons

• Rear seats are a bit tight for taller passengers
• Interior materials aren’t as premium as some rivals
• Driving experience is comfortable but not very engaging

5. Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo is a solid choice for new drivers. It is a grown-up super mini car that feels more premium with a spacious interior. It’s small enough for city driving, yet comfortable for longer trips. It costs more than some superminis, but you’re paying for a solid build and a smooth ride. However, it is a smart choice if you want a touch of class on an affordable budget.

Pros

• Feels more premium than many rivals
• Comfortable ride, easy for city or motorway driving
• Spacious cabin and decent boot space
• Reliable with strong build quality
  

Cons

• Costs a bit more to buy and run
• Driving isn’t very sporty
• Base models can feel a little basic

6. Ford Fiesta

 

The Ford Fiesta has also been a favourite car among new drivers in the UK for many years, but new model production ended in July 2023. This means you will be looking at used models.

It is compact and easy to drive, and feels confident on the roads. With its 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, it provides good fuel economy with around 47 to 56 mpg. And its price starts from £17,000. 

Pros

• Fun and responsive to drive
• Affordable to run and maintain
• Compact size for city driving
• Modern features and safety tech
  

Cons

• Rear seats are tight for taller passengers
• Base models are basic on features
• Boot isn’t the largest in its class

7. Vauxhall Corsa

 

The Vauxhall Corsa is a top pick for new drivers in the UK. It’s stylish, practical, and offers excellent value for money. The 1.2-litre (75 hp) Corsa does sit in Group 10, making it affordable to insure.

However, the far more common 1.2 Turbo (100 hp) models start from Group 16 and give a fuel average of up to 54.3 mpg.  And it’s compact yet spacious, with a boot capacity of 309 litres. 

Pros

• Stylish design with modern features
• Practical boot space for a supermini
• Affordable to insure and run
• Comfortable ride with supportive seats
  

Cons

• Rear seat space is tight for taller passengers
• Interior materials feel basic in lower trims
• Boot lacks a false floor for hidden storage

8. Renault Clio

The Renault Clio is a popular choice for new drivers in the UK. It looks smart, is easy to drive, and has plenty of space for everyday use. It’s a practical supermini, with a boot of 391 litres. You can fold the seats down to get 1,069 litres for larger loads. The 1.0-litre petrol engine sits in insurance group 10, keeping costs low for new drivers. Fuel economy is strong, up to 60 mpg on the hybrid model.

Pros

• Stylish inside and out
• Spacious boot for a small car
• Fuel-efficient, especially the hybrid
• Comfortable and easy to drive

Cons

• Rear seats are tight for taller passengers
• Boot has a slightly high lip
• Base models can feel a bit basic

9. Skoda Fabia

The second last in our list is Skoda Fabia. It is a practical yet efficient choice for new drivers in the UK. It is easy to drive and offers great fuel economy, with the 1.0 TSI 95 PS model achieving up to 58 mpg. With its 1.0-litre MPI engine, the Fabia sits in insurance group 4 and makes it one of the cheapest cars to insure.

Pros

• Spacious boot for a supermini
• Low insurance group
• Excellent fuel economy
• Easy to drive and park

Cons

• Basic interior in lower trims
• Limited engine options
• No hybrid or electric variant 

10. Suzuki Swift

The tenth best first car is the Suzuki Swift. It is a lightweight hatchback that’s fun to drive and cheap to run. It’s compact, easy to park, and has sharp handling, which makes it great for new drivers. And the prices start from about £17,199.

The 1.2 Dualjet mild hybrid engine keeps running costs low and sits in insurance group 9. Fuel economy is strong too, returning up to 59 mpg. While the boot is smaller than some rivals at 265 litres, it’s fine for daily use.

Pros

• Great handling and lightweight feel
• Low running costs
• Mild hybrid option helps efficiency
• Easy to park and city-friendly
  

Cons

• Smaller boot than competitors
• Interior feels basic in places
• Road noise at higher speeds

Final Verdict: Best Cars for New Drivers

Choosing your first car is exciting and yet a bit stressful. The best cars for new drivers should be affordable, easy to insure, and dependable on the road. In the UK car market, there are many options available, from small city cars like the Hyundai i10 to more practical options like the Skoda Fabia. So, the above-mentioned list is crafted after research into cars which are cheaper to insure, safer and reliable. And by now you should have made your decision about which car to buy.