As a first-time driver you want to ensure your first car meets a number of criteria that can help you feel comfortable and safe behind the wheel. But it’s also not a secret that price often plays a decisive role when it comes to actually buying your first car. So, the majority of new drivers, especially those who don’t have a hefty bank account, put a lot of time and effort into comparing the available cars’ tech specs, fuel consumption, physical characteristics, and prices, of course.
We’ve decided to make this tedious task easier for you. Below are our best picks for the first-time drivers who want to get decent quality for reasonable money.
The Fiat Panda
The Fiat Panda may not be your first choice, but it has a lot to offer. With five doors and sliding rear seats, there’s plenty of space for your mates in it. It also has great visibility and is hugely beneficial to you as a new driver. And while it’s a little tool, it doesn’t compromise on handling and will be able to cruise comfortably at 70 miles per hour on the motorway. However, its boxy design leaves it prone to being buffeted by wind at high speed.
The Toyota Yaris
The Yaris is undoubtedly the most reliable car on today’s list with a top fuel economy and safety record to match. The rear seats inside, much like the Panda, provide more legroom and boot spaces needed. Its sporty shape also helps its handling. However, it’s not much of a motorway cruiser and may leave you wishing for more in terms of speed. If this is a case, use a PCP car finance soft search to learn if you can apply for a loan and get a more powerful vehicle that will quench your thirst for speed.
The Suzuki Swift
The Swift packs a lot for its quite moderate price. If you grab a 1.5-litre variable valve timing engine, you’ll experience one of the fastest cars in the mid-range price segment. With superb light handling, while not pushing your insurance premiums too high. The Suzuki Swift is pretty compact but not tiny. It can surely accommodate five passengers. And there are also handy variable trim levers to suit your individual needs. Some models boast keyless entry and heated mirrors – the features normally reserved for luxury cars.
The Vauxhall Corsa
The Vauxhall Corsa can rightly be considered the Jack of all trades among inexpensive cars with enough space for five, top crash ratings, economical engines, and one of the biggest boots on our list. Though the Corsa’s engine isn’t as powerful as those of the previously mentioned makes, it can still afford decent performance and speeds. But be wary of pick-up models that feature bigger engines and come with higher insurance costs thanks to their appeal toward boy races. Also, expect to pay more for the features like A/C and seat height adjustment.
If you’re planning on getting the Vauxhall Corsa, it’s imperative you perform an insurance check before you purchase.
The Ford KA
The Ford KA is one of the newest models on this list. With its spunky style and distinctive brand, it’s a bare-bones approach to driving, which won’t wow anyone but at the same time allow you to save a good deal on your purchase. Though it’s not the best choice for motorway driving, it can definitely do the trick if you’re looking for a small-sized city vehicle that arguably looks better than its Hyundai i10 counterpart.
The Ford Fiesta
It’s not a secret that Fiesta is one of the most popular cars in the UK thanks to its vast array of trim levels for all budgets and excellent driving performance, which won it the title of the hatchback king of the last decade. With the decent sized boot, top-of-the-line economical engines, and loads of them on the market, you’ll have absolutely no problem finding the right fit for you.
The Nissan Note
The note is your best bet if you’re going to carry around your family or friends on the regular. Unlike other popular hatchbacks, rear space is brilliant in this model and competes with the likes of the full Focus and the Vauxhall Astra. If you can get past its looks, you’ll be driving one of the most practical and affordable cars available on the UK market. But do keep in mind to look towards higher trim levels for features such as A/C.
The Mini Cooper Hatch
Iconic in every way with its funky interior, the Mini Cooper stands out. Even on the entry sec bolstered by being low to the ground, the Hatch boasts an incredibly reactive steering six-speed gearbox and go-kart-like drive. However, its petite size means it has limited carrying capacity in the boot and in the back, which is even smaller than the Ford KA. It’s really not the car for driving your party gang but absolutely worth the look.
Note that all the cars on today’s list have low insurance, can be found below 70,000 miles, are safe to drive and cheap to maintain, which makes them ideal choices for first-time drivers.
