Best New Cars for First-Time Drivers

If you’re reading this then chances are you’ve recently passed your driving test and you’re looking for that all-important new car.

If that’s the case, then first of all, congratulations to you! Secondly, if you’re indeed looking for your first car, then you’ve come to the right place at Vertu.

Buying your first car might seem daunting but it can also be very rewarding… after all, they say you never forget your first car, so you’ll certainly want one you can remember fondly.

First-time buyers typically seek cars that won’t be intimidating to drive, are cheap to fuel and insure, and will be reliable. Oh, and funky, it should be funky too.

If you need inspiration, allow us at Vertu to guide you towards that perfect first love.

Toyota Aygo X

With its trendy looks, fun customisation options and penny-pinching running costs, the Toyota Aygo X has always had the credentials to be the ideal car for first-time drivers… and a recent major update only serves to increase its appeal.

The revised styling retains the Aygo X’s visual impact, while the interior’s body-coloured flourishes and curvy dashboard keep things funky on the inside too.

However, while you may come for the looks, it is underneath the surface where the Aygo X really impresses with its new self-charging Hybrid powertrain delivering fuel economy of nearly 80mpg and low emissions figures.

Better yet, the Aygo X is cheap to insure, while it gets the benefit of reliably proven Toyota mechanicals.

Vauxhall Corsa

In the absence of the discontinued (and much missed) Ford Fiesta, the Vauxhall Corsa assumes the baton as the surviving model line trusted by hundreds of thousands of first-time drivers for decades.

It has certainly come a long way since the nameplate bowed in the 90s but the Corsa has always retained its youthful playfulness even as later generations became more grown up.

The Corsa of 2026 remains one of the most attractive small hatchbacks on the market, while its interior has a classy look and feel to it. It’s also well-kitted out thanks to its wide choice of trims, plus it will seat five comfortably.

There is even breadth in is powertrains, with petrol, mild-hybrid and even pure electric options to choose from.

SEAT Ibiza

As the sultry Spanish cousin to the decidedly sensible Volkswagen Polo, the SEAT Ibiza offers up a tempting blend of substance and style.

With SEAT being the nominated ‘sporty’ arm of the Volkswagen Group, the Ibiza is a mix of sharp and smooth in its design, an impression emphasised by a recent facelift that introduced a revised front-end and new colour choices.

Inside, the well-built interior has a premium feel that belies its competitive pricing, while its logically laid out and spacious too.

On the road, the Ibiza inspires confidence behind the wheel, whether you’re threading through city streets or stretching out on a country road.

Dacia Sandero Stepway

If affordability is at the top of your first car wish list, then the Dacia Sandero really takes some beating.

Indeed, you get a lot of car for your money with the Sandero, so if you’re likely to be driving with passengers on a regular basis, the spacious interior is a particular highlight over other models in its price bracket.

To really stand out from the crowd, however, it is worth upgrading to the Dacia Sandero Stepway, which gains chunkier bodywork to give it an appealing SUV-style façade.

The Stepway upgrades aren’t confined to the exterior either with fabric upholstery on the dashboard and a flash of copper detailing on the air vents, while kit includes a reversing camera, keyless entry and an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Citroen C3

From the AX to the Saxo to the C3, it won’t be hard to find someone that had a Citroen as their first car.

Indeed, Citroen certainly knows a thing or two when it comes to small, great value hatchbacks brimming with Gallic flair… and the new Citroen C3 is no exception.

For its latest generation – introduced in 2024 – the C3 has adopted a boxier, more utilitarian look that serves as being both distinctive to look at and creating a very spacious interior.

With keen pricing, generous equipment levels and a full house of powertrains – petrol, hybrid and pure electric – the latest C3 is another small car triumph from Citroen.

MG3

There is a good argument to make that the MG3 – pound-for-pound - is quite possibly the best value car on sale right now.

Already one of the UK’s cheapest new cars, what sets the MG3 apart from other sub-£20,000 cars is its size, specification and engine range is superior to those around it.

Available with a petrol engine or as a hybrid, while both are frugal, the latter’s 65mpg offers a lot of cost-saving appeal, while it’s frisky yet refined to drive too.

Inside, the MG3 gets a contemporary, minimalist interior that is brimming with standard kit, including a built-in satellite navigation system, a 10.25-inch touchscreen and reversing camera.

Volkswagen Taigo

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to affordable Volkswagens with models like the Polo, T-Cross and the Taigo all offering budget-friendly appeal.

Here we’re highlighting the Volkswagen Taigo, which is a bit larger than both of its stablemates but is priced competitively against them all the same.

With its coupe-SUV looks and raised ride height, the Taigo looks trendy but feels mature, while the interior – with its signature Volkswagen build quality – gives the impression it has been built to last.

There is enough space for five people, while the 440-litre boot will carry all of their luggage too.

Hyundai INSTER

If you really want to save on your running costs, nothing is more cost-effective than an electric car.

Better yet, there has been a recent influx of quality small electric cars that are not only eco-friendly but are fashionably chic too.

Take the Hyundai INSTER, for example. Its contemporary boxy design will turn plenty of heads wherever you go, while from behind the wheel you’ll enjoy a light, airy cabin that offers more space than its external dimensions might have you believe.

The star of the piece, however, is its electric powertrain, which comes in a choice of 42kWh or 49kWh batteries and offers up to 229-miles of range.