Best First Car: Top 15 for Young Drivers (2022)

Choosing a new car can be complicated even for experienced drivers, let alone beginners. The latter are usually pretty excited about getting their first vehicle, so they might overlook or underestimate some crucial downsides of a car.

To help first-time buyers pick a safe, long-lasting vehicle, we have listed 15 of the best cars for new drivers. Analyse the cars, compare their characteristics, and find a great first car to suit your needs.

What to Look for in a First Car

Honestly, there is no need to invest in a brand-new car for £15,000. At this point, you have to think about your own safety and comfort first, while trends and design should come second. Speaking of a first car’s characteristics, new drivers must take a lot of things into consideration, such as mileage, overall condition, horsepower, and top speed – not to mention tax, maintenance cost, and the price of the vehicle itself.

It may sound a little overwhelming and unclear, but as soon as you begin your research, you’ll take it all in easily. Now, let’s have a look at some of the best new cars for teenagers.

Top 15 Best First Cars for Every Budget

1. Volkswagen Up

Model: Volkswagen Up
Years of manufacture: 2011-present
Price from (used): ~£3,000
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 82%
Annual maintenance cost: £571
Boot capacity: 251 litres
Fuel consumption: 5.7-5.6 l/km
Horsepower: 118 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8.8 seconds
Top speed: 196 km/h
Road tax: £145 a year
Gearbox type: Manual
Emissions: 129-127 g/km

Up is a great little car produced by Volkswagen Group. It’s safe and super easy to drive, which is extremely important for beginners. The car may not be necessarily cheap, but its excellent fuel economy and low insurance group ratings certainly make up for it. From the outside, it looks just as good as the inside: Volkswagen’s trademark simplistic design strikes the eye, no matter what detail you’re looking at. VW began manufacturing Up 10 years ago, so you’ll have a wide range of variations to choose from, depending on your budget and needs.

Used Volkswagen UpFrom £3,000

2. Kia Picanto

Model: Kia Picanto
Years of manufacture: 2004-present
Price from (used): ~£500
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 79%
Annual maintenance cost: £174
Boot capacity: 255 litres
Fuel consumption: 5 l/km
Horsepower: 67 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 14.1 seconds
Top speed: 155-160 km/h
Road tax: £110 a year
Gearbox type: Automated manual
Emissions: 123-129 g/km

If you are looking for reliability and great safety in a first car, Kia Picanto is the best one for you. It’s a rather small hatchback, but it’s very attractive and cheap, doesn’t require much repair costs, and comes with a 7-year warranty. Obviously, this is no sports car, and it isn’t nearly as powerful as the car of your dreams, but it’s practical and works well for those who need a little more practice before switching to a more expensive new car. The design is good, too, suitable for teenage girls and boys alike.

Used Kia PicantoFrom £500

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3. Ford Fiesta

Model: Ford Fiesta
Years of manufacture: 1976-present
Price from (used): ~£700
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 64%
Annual maintenance cost: £552
Boot capacity: 311 litres
Fuel consumption: 4.9 l/km
Horsepower: 120 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 6.8 seconds
Top speed: 181 km/h
Road tax: £130 a year
Gearbox type: Manual
Emissions: 120 g/km

Any teenager must have heard of Ford Fiesta. It’s become a real household name these days – and for a good reason. Ford has been manufacturing this car for almost 50 years, which is mind-blowing and only speaks of its reliability, accessibility, and safety. Even though the vehicle only comes with a 3-year warranty, it’s the best deal for a first-time car buyer who’s looking for comfort on the motorway and more space inside the car. We can guarantee you that if you choose this as your first car, your parents will definitely approve of it, as it feels like it was particularly designed to provide young teenagers with safety.

Used Ford FiestaFrom £700

4. SEAT Ibiza

Model: SEAT Ibiza
Years of manufacture: 1984
Price from (used): ~£650
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 95%
Annual maintenance cost: £552
Boot capacity: 355 litres
Fuel consumption: 5 l/km
Horsepower: 113 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 10.9 seconds
Top speed: 117 km/h
Road tax: £161 a year
Gearbox type: Manual
Emissions: 119 g/km

If you think all cars under £2,000 look like mini-family cars, that’s not how it is at all. SEAT Ibiza, with its sporty vibe, is very eye-catching – but this isn’t the car’s only good characteristic. This Spanish hatchback is very affordable, powerful, and safe, which, in our humble opinion, is all you need as a teenager. A new model comes with features like Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, and this should be a big advantage for a young driver.

Used SEAT IbizaFrom £650

5. Hyundai i10

Model: Hyundai i10
Years of manufacture: 2007-present
Price from (used): ~£2,000
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 69%
Annual maintenance cost: £338
Boot capacity: 251 litres
Fuel consumption: 5.1 l/km
Horsepower: 81 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 15.7 seconds
Top speed: 144 km/h
Road tax: £155 a year
Gearbox type: Manual
Emissions: 114 g/km

i10’s great tech, five-year warranty, and relatively low price have always attracted new drivers since the year Hyundai began manufacturing this car. The vehicle is easy to park thanks to its size, and it drives smoothly on the motorway. Additionally, some variations come with an eight-inch touchscreen that can connect to your smartphone. A Bluelink app will send a route to the sat nav (satellite navigation) directly. The 15.7 seconds it takes the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 may seem a little longer than the rest of the cars we’ve listed, but low road tax and maintenance costs make up for it.

Used Hyundai i10From £2,000

6. Volkswagen Polo

Model: Volkswagen Polo
Years of manufacture: 1975-present
Price from (used): ~£900
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 85%
Annual maintenance cost: £214
Boot capacity: 530 litres
Fuel consumption: 5 l/km
Horsepower: 76 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 10.9 seconds
Top speed: 160 km/h
Road tax: £170 a year
Gearbox type: Automatic
Emissions: 108 g/km

VW Polo is another well-known household name. The German quality and reliability of the Polo have won the hearts of millions of drivers since 1975. Volkswagen has come up with a variety of models, each coming with a different set of features. For instance, some have parking sensors, DAB digital radio, and smartphone integration capabilities. This is truly one of the best first cars for teens, although it might be a little too pricey for kids. However, you’ll feel the benefit of it when it comes to selling time.

Used Volkswagen PoloFrom £900

7. Peugeot 108

8. Skoda Fabia

Model: Skoda Fabia
Years of manufacture: 1999-present
Price from (used): ~£600
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 81%
Annual maintenance cost: £205
Boot capacity: 330 litres
Fuel consumption: 5.1 l/km
Horsepower: 95 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 11.1 seconds
Top speed: 163 km/h
Road tax: £130 a year
Gearbox type: Manual or automatic
Emissions: 180 g/km

While you may not be particularly excited about getting a Skoda Fabia as your first car, the level of safety it provides, as well as its tech, are pretty good. Besides, the car will be perfect for those why value space and need a bigger boot for their vehicle. New drivers will certainly like its price, too, as it’s a little lower compared to rivals. The details are what make the car so special: Skoda’s motto – ‘Simply Clever’ – is reflected in the built-in ice-scraper, the umbrella inside the cabin, and the ticket holder on the windscreen.

Used Skoda FabiaFrom £600

9. Dacia Sandero

Model: Dacia Sandero
Years of manufacture: 2007-present
Price from (used): ~£2,000
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 42%
Annual maintenance cost: £113
Boot capacity: 320 litres
Fuel consumption: 7.2 l/km
Horsepower: 70 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 10.3 seconds
Top speed: 165 km/h
Road tax: £155 a year
Gearbox type: Manual, automatic, or automated manual
Emissions: 127 g/km

Dacia Sandero provides serious competition for its rivals in terms of price. A brand-new Dacia Sandero can be purchased for only £12,000 – still more than an average teen could afford, but way less than Volkswagens or Peugeots. The car has made it to our list, but we recommend studying its characteristics carefully. As you see, the safety level, as well as fuel consumption, is not particularly impressive, which means that you may end up overpaying for the repair. But besides that, you will enjoy a roomy interior space and boot size.

10. Vauxhall Corsa

Model: Vauxhall Corsa
Years of manufacture: 1993-present
Price from (used): ~£2,900
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 85%
Annual maintenance cost: £266
Boot capacity: 309 litres
Fuel consumption: 5.9 l/km
Horsepower: 73 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8.5 seconds
Top speed: 172 km/h
Road tax: £30 a year
Gearbox type: Manual or automatic
Emissions: 125 g/km

This is another small car well worth a look. Vauxhall Corsa is not considered one of the cheapest vehicles out there, but the price is still quite reasonable, especially if you take into account its pretty low maintenance costs. Since it’s been produced since 1993, you may consider getting an older version for an even lower price. The Corsa remains one of the best selling cars in the UK, as it’s a very comfortable car to drive and looks stylish as well. Conveniently, the car comes as a 3-door or 5-door variation, depending on your needs.

Used Vauxhall CorsaFrom £2,900

11. Peugeot 208

Model: Peugeot 208
Years of manufacture: 2012-present
Price from (used): ~£1,800
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 97%
Annual maintenance cost: £344
Boot capacity: 285 litres
Fuel consumption: 4.3 l/km
Horsepower: 75 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8.9 seconds
Top speed: 174 km/h
Road tax: £20 a year
Gearbox type: Manual or automatic
Emissions: 108 g/km

Peugeot 208 is a great-looking car that comes with the ‘Just Add Fuel Telematics’ package from Peugeot. The package will provide you with a lot of things that you might face in the first 3 years of driving a car, such as breakdown coverage, insurance, repair costs, and road tax exemption. Note that you’ll need to be at least 18 years of age to have a telematics box installed in your car to record your driving habits. The unique design of the vehicle draws from the classic Peugeot 205, which many people consider to be the best looking supermini of all time.

Used Peugeot 208From £1,800

12. Fiat 500

Model: Fiat 500
Years of manufacture: 1957-1975, 2007-present
Price from (used): ~£1,000
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 66%
Annual maintenance cost: £376
Boot capacity: 185 litres
Fuel consumption: 8.4 l/km
Horsepower: 135 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 12.9 seconds
Top speed: 180 km/h
Road tax: £155 a year
Gearbox type: Manual or automatic
Emissions: 118 g/km

Fiat 500 is easily one of the best and most iconic cars. Its design and chic interior are very well recognisable, and it offers a huge range of customisable features. Compared to other models, Fiat 500 isn’t as well-equipped or comfortable, but there’s a reason why the vehicle was put back on the market in 2007 after a 32-year break: it’s cheap to insure, has decent fuel consumption, and has a huge number of variations. The chances of seeing some driving the exact same car model as you are next to none!

Used Fiat 500From £1,000

13. Nissan Micra

Model: Nissan Micra
Years of manufacture: 1982-present
Price from (used): ~£1,200
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 91%
Annual maintenance cost: £360
Boot capacity: 300 litres
Fuel consumption: 5.8 l/km
Horsepower: 109 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 14.2 seconds
Top speed: 172 km/h
Road tax: £155 a year
Gearbox type: Manual or automatic
Emissions: 133 g/km

The very safe Nissan Micra will serve as a great first car for an inexperienced driver. It’s possibly one of the funkiest cars out there, catching everyone’s eye right away. The car gets along with modern technologies such as Bluetooth or USB, which makes the whole car-driving experience so much more fun. In addition, it provides a safety level of 91% and comes with auto emergency braking, so you won’t have to worry about your own security or your passengers’ safety.

Used Nissan MicraFrom £1,200

14. Renault Clio

Model: Renault Clio
Years of manufacture: 1990-present
Price from (used): ~£3,000
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 89%
Annual maintenance cost: £252
Boot capacity: 391 litres
Fuel consumption: 4.7 l/km
Horsepower: 75 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 12.2 seconds
Top speed: 177 km/h
Road tax: £145 a year
Gearbox type: Manual
Emissions: 99 g/km

The manufacture of Renault Clio began over 30 years ago, but the car – or rather, its latest variation – still looks fresh, modern and sophisticated. People who have just got their driving licence will love the fact that the vehicle comes with a 5-year warranty, though the Clio is rather safe and very easy to drive (so you likely won’t get into trouble anytime soon). The size of its boot is almost 400 l – that’s more than enough for the most practical drivers. Some variations also come with an infotainment touchscreen, wireless charging, and other new features.

Used Renault ClioFrom £3,000

15. Toyota Yaris

Model: Toyota Yaris
Years of manufacture: 1999-present
Price from (used): ~£2,500
Body type: Hatchback
Level of safety: 86%
Annual maintenance cost: £333
Boot capacity: 286 litres
Fuel consumption: 8.0 l/km
Horsepower: 100 ps
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 11.0 seconds
Top speed: 165 km/h
Road tax: £145 a year
Gearbox type: Manual or automatic
Emissions: 86 g/km

Coming with a 5-year warranty, Toyota Yaris is guaranteed to be a very reliable car and one of the best first cars you can buy. Today’s kids are becoming more and more worried about climate change and eco-credentials, which is very admirable, and we’re happy that the Yaris has reduced its CO2 emissions down to 86 g/km. Surely, an electric car produces no emissions at all, but at least the Yaris won’t need to be plugged in every day.

Used Toyota YarisFrom £2,500

Summary

Although buying a first car is one of the most exciting experiences ever, it’s still a challenge. And it is crucial to choose the best car – whether it’s new or not – that provides enough safety for you and your passengers. Other things that must be taken into account are the overall condition of the car (if it’s a second-hand one), as well as mileage, fuel consumption, and all the costs that come with the vehicle.

Of course, it’s better to ask experienced drivers for advice, but hopefully, our list of the 15 best cars for first-time drivers has given you an idea of what kind of car you’re interested in.

Best First Car: Top 15 for Young Drivers (2022) | Carplus (2024)