For new UK drivers, after the excitement of passing your practical driving test, the daunting task is finding that perfect first car. A perfect car can always come down to a mix of safety, easy handling, economy, and lower insurance costs—all within an affordable price range for first-time car owners. The best first cars in 2025 come with excellent value, reliability, and low running costs, making them ideal for young, confident motorists who are about to join the roads.
To shortlist a vehicle, it is always important to ensure the cars are of good quality and do not have a hidden past. This can be achieved by running a car history check. The report will provide information such as whether the car has been written off or if it has outstanding finance.
- Skoda Fabia
The Skoda Fabia is great for first-time car owners because of its perfect mix of affordability, practicability, and low insurance costs. A 1.0 MPI petrol-based car is sitting in insurance group 4, hence easy to insure, plus having more than 50mpg in fuel efficiency will make it an inexpensive drive. The Fabia is a refined and spacious supermini, making it ideal both for city roads and long-distance driving.
- Kia Picanto
It’s been a firm favorite for new drivers for ages, and not without reason: the Kia Picanto is a compact, manageable car with a fantastic list of standard kits across every ‘2’ grade, including a big 8-inch touchscreen, air-conditioning, and alloys. It is economical to run, and peace of mind for reliability comes as standard with the seven-year warranty.
- Hyundai i10
Another good city car for the first-time driver is the Hyundai i10. It’s one of the cheapest to insure with the Group 1 insurance rating attached to the automatic version. In addition, it comes with a decent number of tech features, including Apple CarPlay, rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera. Its compact dimensions are convenient for parking even in very tight spaces, it doesn’t have any major flaws, and its overall performance is just smooth enough.
- Toyota Aygo X
This is a good choice for anyone who wants something that is styled like an SUV but still maintains compact dimensions for navigating through the urban jungle. A small three-cylinder engine also helps keep running costs low. A reversing camera and modern tech features, including Apple CarPlay, make parking and driving easy. This is a great choice for young drivers looking for something a little more eye-catching but still budget-friendly.
- Volkswagen Polo
If you crave a “growing-up” supermini without losing practicality but still imbued with luxury, the answer is the Volkswagen Polo. Boasting excellent quality of build and easy driving manner, the new Polo comes also with an incredible list of active safety features in the form of electronic stability control and automatic wipers. Its compact size is easy to park, and it has a very generous equipment list, making it a reliable and well-rounded choice.
- Dacia Sandero
One of the most budget-friendly cars in the market is the Dacia Sandero, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious new drivers. It shares a platform with the Renault Clio, which is known for its practicality. The Sandero provides enough room for five passengers, a spacious boot, and a low insurance group. It may not be the most exciting to drive, but it’s certainly reliable and cost-effective.
- Dacia Spring (Electric)
Well, if you’re after your first car as part of the electric revolution, Dacia’s Spring is as cheap an entry point as you are going to find. Starting at just £15,000, it’s one of the cheapest EVs on sale and comes with a go-anywhere distance of up to 140 miles on a single charge. It’s great for those primarily driving in the city, looking to save as much on running costs as possible without breaking the planet.
- Renault Clio
Renault Clio is one of the stylish ones with good substance. With great looks, it has more than enough technology and safety. The three-cylinder TCe engine is the best in fuel economy, offering more than 50mpg. For a new driver looking for a fashionable, comfortable, and practical supermini, the Renault Clio is an excellent option.
- Vauxhall Corsa
The Vauxhall Corsa is another super-popular first car, for one simple reason: it is often used as a driving school car. Very easy to handle, cheap, and with quite a few variants to suit needs, it ticks all the boxes. And as for whether it is the conventional petrol or a hybrid or full electric version of the Corsa, you don’t have to compromise on wheels like alloy or a touchscreen and LED lights in its infotainment system.
- Fiat 500 (Electric)
For the fashion-focused city car lover, the Fiat 500e offers a fashionable design and electric performance. It is more expensive than some of the other first cars; it would be a great value for those with an interest in driving an eco-friendly vehicle. The larger battery will go up to 199 miles on a charge, which would work great for short commutes or urban driving.
