The Best Used First Cars for New Drivers

The Ford Fiesta is the obvious choice for first-time drivers after a car that’ll prove inexpensive to run but great to drive. Given the Fiesta’s immense popularity it’s a common sight on the used market and as a result there’s plenty of variety to choose from, ensuring that you can find one which will fit your budget.

The Fiesta’s range of small-capacity engines provide peppy performance without bringing insurance premium-busting power and with good steering and well-weighted controls, it’s a great way to start your journey out on the open road. You can even get it in sporty ST Line trim with bigger wheels and a redesigned body – but expect your insurance costs to rise ever so slightly with this model.

If it’s reliability you’re after, then look no further than the Kia Picanto. Kia, of course, has built up a superb ability to make cars that don’t cause their owners headaches, and the Picanto is an extension of this. In truth, the Picanto has been a go-to car for first-time drivers for many years, but this latest generation car brings a few more creature comforts into the mix without it becoming too complicated. The Kia’s ease of use is also core to its appeal, with light controls and nimble handling making this an excellent option for new drivers.

The Picanto also comes with Kia’s excellent seven-year warranty, which is transferable between owners. That means you could easily net yourself some cover on a used model, taking away some potential costs that might arise. It’s a win-win!

The Volkswagen Up! is what you’d call a true all-rounder. Particularly for new drivers. It ticks plenty of boxes; with small, frugal engines it’s cheap to run and insure, while its compact exterior belies how practical it is inside. The boxy design means it’s a great option for taller drivers and passengers, too – there’s loads of headroom inside. As you might expect from a Volkswagen, build quality inside the Up! is great with plenty of high-end materials used throughout. It’s all exceptionally well put together, too, and everything feels nicely ‘solid’.

The Up! is superb fun to drive, too, but it’s also user-friendly thanks to ergonomically placed controls that are placed right where you need them. Though there might be some temptation to go for the performance GTI version, we’d lean towards the more ‘regular’ Up! models to get the lowest possible running costs.

We absolutely love the Hyundai i10 here at Motors. Why? Well, as well as this little city car’s great reputation for being rock-solid mechanically, we appreciate the i10’s solid build quality and well-appointed cabin. It’s great for new drivers, too, thanks to its low-powered but frugal engine that will ensure insurance premiums aren’t sky-high.

This second-generation model has a more modern look than the car it replaces, while its refinement is a true strong point. This is a car that feels like a far larger model in terms of composure; it’s quiet, even on the motorway, and this turns it into a multi-task vehicle that can handle anything you throw at it. The rear doors also open nice and wide, so getting little ones in and out of the car shouldn’t prove too tricky.

The Toyota Aygo feels like a car designed specifically for new drivers. It’s cheap to run in terms of fuel and tax, while replacements for normal consumables like tyres and brake pads are inexpensive as well. Plus, with its dinky proportions it’s dead-easy to park and the steering is light and responsive too.

But the Aygo also has some clever functions up its sleeve. For instance, the rear section is just a single piece of glass, making it easy to lift and access the boot. And while some of the plastics inside might feel a touch low-rent, it means they’re hard-wearing and will still look good after many years. While the engines for the Aygo might not be the most potent, they’ve got a characterful sound to them which gives this little Toyota quite a bit of character.

Skoda’s Fabia is the kind of car that you’d want for all occasions. It’s a little larger than the other cars we’ve looked at on this list so far, so if you’re often carrying more people or maybe need to take more luggage with you then it could be a better choice. You can even get it as a compact estate if you’d like a little more room, too.

You’ve got a very spacious interior in the Fabia, too, which feels much larger than the exterior dimensions of this Skoda would lead you to believe. Plus, the Fabia feels particularly composed on the motorway so it’s a much better at long-distance journeys than you might expect too. Low-capacity engines make the Fabia a usefully value-focused option, too, and even when the car is fully loaded these setups have more than enough power to get the Fabia up to speed in a swift enough fashion.

Just because it’s your first car doesn’t mean you only need to choose between petrol or diesel – the electric avenue is open to you too. One of the cheapest and easiest ways to get behind the wheel of an EV is with the Renault Zoe, which was one of the earliest mass-market battery-powered models available.

Because it first went on sale in 2013, there are loads of examples to choose from on the used market for a variety of budget-friendly prices. Though early models with smaller batteries might have a range of around 130 miles, this is still more than enough for average commutes. Charge at home and you could get some impressive savings compared with a petrol or diesel model, too.

Style has always been at the very heart of the Fiat 500’s appeal ever since this reinvention of the iconic classic first arrived. Available in all manner of colours, the 500 is a great option for drivers who like to stand out but it’s all backed up by a likeable driving experience and an equally stylish interior.

The cabin has the look of a true classic but brought pleasantly up to date. We like the bakelite-style plastics while the big, chunky controls for the heating and ventilation makes them easy to use on the move. Sure, some of the plastics might be a little bit scratchy in places, but the 500’s ergonomics are mostly sound – though some drivers might find that they’re sitting a little too high in this Fiat to be comfortable. For new drivers, the light controls, compact size and decent visibility will all play to the 500’s strengths while this Fiat’s look will no doubt go down a treat with the fashion-conscious crowd.

The Yaris is a car which put an emphasis on efficiency. Unlike many older examples, a large number of Yaris models are available with a hybrid engine which can seriously cut into driving expenses while the exterior design of this third-generation car still looks fresh today with plenty of cool aspects.

Because of the popularity of the Yaris there are loads to choose from in the used market so you’re set to get a deal. Earlier models can be found with a diesel engine but it doesn’t fit the character of the Yaris and it’ll be more costly to run so unless you fancy a diesel it’s best avoided. The light steering in the Yaris makes it feel nimble in town while a surprising amount of space inside means your friends can come along for the ride in comfort too.

If you’re after some seriously zero-frills motoring, then the Dacia Sandero should be high up your list of considerations. While it might not be kitted out with loads of high-end luxuries, what the Sandero does provide is an inexpensive way of getting from A to B – and if you’re on a budget, then this could prove appealing indeed.

It’s powered by a range of frugal engines, too, and replacement parts are inexpensive should you have a slow-speed prang. It’s spacious, too, with decent levels of headroom and a relatively large boot. For those weekend adventures, the Sandero could prove to be the ideal companion.