The Puma has proven to be a more than adequate replacement for the now-discontinued Fiesta, which itself was a very popular car for learner drivers. The Puma offers a raised-up seating position which many can find confidence-inspiring while its light controls and easy steering make this a very simple car to get along with.
You’ll find some models sitting within handily-low insurance group 11, too, while the small-capacity engines under the bonnet of the Puma should prove efficient and inexpensive to run, too. Plus, if you’re an instructor offering automatic-only lessons then the Puma is also available with a smooth-shifting auto ‘box.
The Corsa is a much-loved model among those who have learnt to drive. It’s an easy car to get along with for the first time, with a light clutch and simple steering making this a hassle-free way of learning the ropes. Plus, because of its popularity, spare parts are plentiful and it shouldn’t cost the earth in terms of routine servicing and repairs.
You can get this generation of Corsa with a variety of engine options, too, and there are even some ultra-efficient diesels available that could provide some savings in terms of fuel. But with good visibility and a relatively compact design, the Corsa’s strengths really lie in how simple and easy it is to lean in.
If you want a car that feels solid despite being quite small, then the Polo is the car for you. It’s got all of the telltale Volkswagen features such as good interior materials and a sound build quality, but it’s also nippy and easy to drive. Learners should be able to appreciate the smooth-shifting manual gearbox and the easy-to-use clutch that can help make those first few miles on the road a little easier.
Available in a variety of colours and specifications, the Polo is a common sight among the learner driver set but there’s a good reason for that as it feels reliable and trustworthy. Plus, when you’re driving from A to B without a leaner sitting beside you, it remains an excellent day-to-day car.
If you’re looking for something with a bit of ‘wow’ factor then the A-Class is well worth checking out. It’s the entry point to the entire Mercedes range but has benefitted from lots of trickle-down technology from some of the brand’s more expensive vehicles. For example, some of the latest A-Class cars get a full wraparound infotainment display which looks and feels impressive.
While the manual gearbox on the A-Class isn’t the nicest to use, it’s still more than up to the task of teaching. However, for automatic-only students then the auto gearbox in the A-Class is one of the best and helps to make this hatchback to feel even more upmarket. Rearward visibility is a little tight given the car’s sloping roofline, mind you, but it does come with a suite of parking cameras which will no doubt help – though drivers will still need to perform regular checks and not rely on this technology alone.
The Honda Jazz is a popular choice for those who value reliability above all else and it’s a key reason why it could prove to be the ideal driving instructor’s car. The Jazz is well known for its robust build quality and while it might not have the snazzy design or features of others on this list, it really delivers when it comes to ease-of-use.
When well-maintained, the Jazz is one of those cars which will go on and on. Repairs are relatively inexpensive and, because of its smaller wheels, kerbed alloys shouldn’t be a too common occurrence – though we can’t make any promises on that front. When you’re not using it to teach learner drivers, the Jazz’s surprisingly spacious cabin makes it an ideal runabout on a daily basis, too.
The Yaris has proven to be a hit with learner drivers over the years. Being a Toyota it’s a great option for instructors who want a car which won’t let you down as this little car’s reliability record is one of the best. Plus, it’ll prove inexpensive to run with low rates of tax and reasonable insurance too. There’s even a hybrid version available if you want even lower running costs.
Thanks to its small dimensions it’s a great confidence-boosting learner car and with its light steering, the Yaris is ideal for learning how to park and position. This third-generation car is also a common sight on the used market, so you should be able to find one which fits your budget. You won’t pay too much for common repairs, either, or replacing consumable parts such as tyres and brakes.
With its excellent build quality and ‘big car’ feeling, the Fabia is an excellent all-rounder. In typical Skoda fashion, you’ll find lots of good, hard-wearing materials throughout the Fabia’s interior while its refined driving character makes this relatively compact model feel a little larger and more well-rounded from behind the wheel.
For learners, the Fabia’s solid controls will undoubtedly help promote more confidence while the range of engines on this car is easy to get the best from. While the low-speed ride can be a little firm on some versions, opt for a smaller-wheeled Fabia to avoid the worst of this. All engine choices available with the Fabia are impressively frugal, too, while insurance shouldn’t be too sky-high either.
If you’re thinking of operating an electric instructor car then the Mini Electric could be bang-on for you. Naturally, it doesn’t have a manual gearbox – so you’ll only be able to teach automatic-only learners – but above and beyond that this remains a great-to-drive and very exciting option.
Officially, Mini says that you could get up to 145 miles from a full charge of this car’s batteries, but expect that to drop during daily driving and a considerable amount more when things get chilly outside. As a result, it may not fit the bill if you have to travel a reasonable distance to get to students. However, if they are nearby then the Mini Electric’s range should prove to be just right and it’s all delivered in the same good-looking and well-built way as you’d find from one of the brand’s combustion-engined cars.
The Clio is a car which has played a massive impact on the motoring world and, in particular, has provided transport for lots of learner drivers who are making their way onto the roads for the first time. It has been a hit with instructors, too, and it’s why the Clio remains a great option for those who are teaching others how to drive.
The Clio’s strengths lie in its light controls which feel natural and easy to use while its square dimensions make it easier to judge where the car’s corners are – a must-have feature for those who are trying to nail their parking. While the manual gearshift of the Clio can feel a little vague compared with rivals, the Clio’s comfortable suspension and light steering make up for this. Plus, it shouldn’t prove too costly to run thanks to a range of efficient engines that are available with the Clio.
We round things off with the Aygo X. While the Yaris may be a big player for Toyota in this segment, the Aygo X doubles down on compactness with this very small city car being a good option for instructors who don’t want to use an overly-large car.
It’s got a peppy engine and you can even get it with a convertible-style roof. But thanks to its dinky proportions, the Aygo X will prove incredibly easy to park and could be a good way of boosting confidence in those who don’t feel all that happy about driving a big car to begin with. It may be quite loud at speed, but around town, the Aygo X is very much at home and would be great for more city-based instructors as a result.
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