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Best first cars 2024

There’s a lot to think about when choosing your first car – make it easier with our top picks for new drivers!

Erin Baker

Words by: Erin Baker

Catherine King

Additional words by: Catherine King

Published on 5 January 2024 | 0 min read

Freedom! You've passed your test and are keen to get going (or your child has, and you're keen for them to never get behind the wheel of your car again). But you need a set of wheels to call your own. Where to start? Here are a few suggestions that are small enough to drive and park confidently, won't break the bank on a monthly finance deal and should help keep that insurance premium relatively manageable. Word to the wise for well-meaning parents on that score as well - don't be tempted insure your offspring’s car in your own name. It's called fronting and is illegal.

Citroën Ami

Too young to drive a car but desperate to get your first set of wheels? How about a Citroën Ami? This is technically not a car, but a quadricycle and can be driven from the age of 16 if you have a full AM moped licence. All electric but limited to 28mph, the Ami will not be breaking any land speed records, however its charm is undeniable. If you mostly find yourself zipping around town, this is a brilliant alternative to a scooter with the luxury of a roof and doors.
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Volkswagen Polo

A treat for a first-time driver, with Volkswagen levels of refinement when it comes to smooth driving and solid build quality, plus a sleek design. You'll be spoiling your first-time driver, but if your budget can swallow it, why not? A user-friendly touchscreen and smart fabric interior complete this highly desirable, sophisticated package.
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Dacia Sandero

Ok, so maybe a Dacia Sandero doesn’t sound like the coolest car in the world, but it’s a great option if you want as much car as you can get for your money. It’s bigger than most superminis, but costs the same price as a city car. So, if space and practicality are as important as low insurance costs, it’s the one for you. The cheapest version will be a bit too basic for most, but if you can afford it, go for the next trim up to get yourself a better level of equipment. The Sandero scored four stars in Euro NCAP crash tests.

Hyundai i10

Don’t worry about the 1.0-litre engine in the Hyundai i10 being too small, because it’s the best one in the range. This is also an enjoyable little car to drive, with a smooth and comfy ride. It’s surprisingly spacious and practical, and everything inside feels solid and hard-wearing. It comes with a five-year warranty, too, and scored a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Vauxhall Corsa

The Corsa has been a first car staple for over 40 years and is now more refined than ever. You can have one in either petrol or all-electric form and the latest styling with Vauxhall’s black ‘vizor’ grille gives it a RoboCop look that we rather like. If you are after something that is even more distinctive, the closely related Peugeot 208 is also worth considering.
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Fiat 500

La dolce vita in a chic little city package. You won't get much smaller when it comes to parking, and it's oh-so-pretty inside, which means many first-time drivers have their hearts set on one, and who can blame them? Dinky, cheeky and pretty, with cool buttons and a fun interior. Tiny petrol engine, or go fully electric with the 500e if you have the budget.
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Toyota Aygo X

Great reliability and tiny wheelbase for ease of parking, although we know one teenager who still managed to reverse straight into a massive yellow skip in her Aygo X recently. Styling cues like jolly two-tone paint schemes make this a popular choice. Also helped by the fact it sips petrol, something we’ve really appreciated in our long-term test with one. Hard seats, but very decent finance pricing.
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Renault Clio

Like Vauxhall, Renault has a long history of creating appealing superminis perfect for new drivers. Recently updated with sharp styling and more mod cons the Clio still retains the cheeky charm it had when it was launched in the 1990s. It is currently available with either a cheaper petrol engine or a more expensive hybrid option. However, if you are keen for your first car to be an EV, Renault will soon be bringing us an all-electric Renault 5 to replace the outgoing Zoe. This reinvention is sure to score highly on the cool first car scale if you are willing to wait for it to arrive.
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Skoda Fabia

Skoda has a habit of naming its cars after applicable adjectives and the Fabia is indeed fab. Smart from both a looks and a practicality perspective, the Fabia is cheaper than the Polo and offers great value for money. It also benefits from the nifty features you only get with a Skoda, like the ice-scraper behind the fuel filler cap. This will come in handy during your first winter on the road.
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Kia Picanto

The seven-year warranty says all you need to know about the confidence Kia has in its products, making reliability one less thing to worry about as a new driver. The Picanto is a great little car from Kia, and the low insurance group should help keep costs down. The entry-level cars are rather basic compared to some of the others on this list so you might want to move a couple of steps up the range if having features like CarPlay and Android Auto matter to you.
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