Best First Cars for New & Young Drivers
By AlexSo, you've just finished your driving test and pulled up back at the test centre. You wait eagerly and then the instructor says "you've passed". It's up there with one of the best feelings in the world.
While you've been learning to drive in someone else's car, it's time to get behind the wheel of your own motor.
When thinking about your first car, there's lots to consider. Insurance, initial payment, reliability, fuel economy, technology, and safety - just to name a few. I bet you're more stressed now than when actually doing your test, apologies!
But don't worry, leasing experts Nationwide Vehicle Contracts are here to help. In this guide, we'll explore what you need to consider when getting your first motor and some of the best options on the market. We discuss:
“A first car should be small enough to be manageable and easy to drive but offer some luxuries to keep new drivers safe. Drivers should look for a car that helps them build confidence with every mile.”
Best Cars for New and Young Drivers
1. Kia Picanto
The reigning WhatCar? Best City Car, the Kia Picanto blends practicality with style, giving you the feel and comfort of a larger car in a city model. Insurance banding goes as low as group 3, which helps keep premiums on the lower end. Unlike many city cars, the Picanto has five-doors as standard, which is a real bonus for your passengers if they’re used to crawling awkwardly into the back of small three-door models.
2. SEAT Ibiza
The recently revised Seat Ibiza arrived in 2021 and continues to be popular amongst young drivers with its stylish exterior, sporty dynamics and latest tech including Seat's stay connected technology. Improved safety comes courtesy of the elevated touch screen together with a rear view camera. Great value leasing rates across the model range together with the latest fuel saving engines means the new Seat Ibiza is highly recommended.
3. Vauxhall Corsa Hatchback
The best selling Vauxhall Corsa continues to be one of the most in demand small cars for new drivers thanks to its competitive lease prices combined with excellent ratings for comfort, driver enjoyment, economy and generous level standard equipment.
4. Fiat 500 Hatchback
If you’ve been near a road in the UK in the past 10 years, you’ll be familiar with the Fiat 500. But it’s popular for a reason: it’s stylish and nippy, with a 1.2 litre engine on most models ensuring it’s got plenty of power for its slight frame. With great basic features and some models as low as insurance group 7, the Fiat 500 is a great, affordable option for young drivers.
5. Volkswagen Polo
A household name, the one-litre Polo models are great for young drivers, with group 1 insurance banding ensuring the lowest possible premiums. The new model has a 25% bigger boot – an impressive 351 litres – so there’s plenty of room for camping gear for a weekend away. To keep parents happy, the Polo has a NCAP safety rating of 96% in the adult occupancy category.
6. Hyundai i10
With its five-year warranty, practical interior space and low running costs, the i10 offers the complete package. It boasts plenty of kit as standard, including body-coloured door handles and mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth and DAB radio on mid-spec SE models. Plus, it’s efficient engine range means it’s cheap to run, has cheap road tax and is cheap insure, with insurance banding as low as group 6.
Looking to lease your first car? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
If you want to get on the road as soon as possible, check out our Fast Lease Service which features in-stock cars that are available for delivery within three to six weeks (times may vary)
Guide Information
Originally published: 21st March 2017
Last updated: 16th September 2022
