Best Small Cars for Students

Having a car as a student or new driver is a sure fire to make you the most popular person in your house share.

You can travel out further to the do the big shop, head to the coast or countryside for a post-exam weekend trip, or just easily nip down the motorway to mum and dad’s when you need a roast dinner.

But there’s a lot to consider when you’re buying a new car as a student; money is tight, and so are the parking spaces. 

Here are our top recommendations of new cars for students. They’re compact, cheap to run, and are in low insurance groups - so you won’t need to waste your valuable pub money at the dealership or the pump.

Renault Clio

(From Insurance Group 3)

The Clio is a fab all-rounder and a solid choice for students or a first car. Its agile handling and balanced suspension make it a good companion for residential roads and parallel parking, but it’ll also keep you comfortable on those occasional long cross-country trips.

Most trims sit in a moderately low insurance group, and the petrol variant can get you a solid 53 mpg. It’s currently the cheapest car on this list, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from its sporty exterior. If aesthetics is a priority, why not opt for the sunny Valencia Orange?

The entry-level Evolution trim is more than sufficient for student drivers, but if you can stretch to the upgraded Techno, you can enjoy some additional handy parking assistance features and fancy design tweaks. 

Kia Picanto

(From Insurance Group 2)

One of the biggest draws to any Kia model is the manufacturer’s competitive seven year warranty (meaning any defects in materials or workmanship are covered by Kia for the first seven years, or until the vehicle has done over 100,000).

This warranty belongs to the car, rather than the driver, so will be transferred regardless of whether you buy a new or a used Kia Picanto.

If you’re looking for a car that will carry you through Uni and into graduate life, the warranty on a Kia Picanto will no doubt be a big consideration.

Even the entry-level Pure trim comes packed with handy tech like reversing cameras and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. 

It’s a dinky package, but there are no corners cut on the Picanto.

Hyundai i10

(From Insurance Group 1)

The cheapest insurance group on this list, and one of the dinkiest cars. Coming in at just over 3.6m in length, this compact city can squeeze in the tiniest of spots.

Nevertheless, if you still want to stand out you can choose from the vibrantly-named “Dragon Red”, “Lucid Lime”, “Meta Blue” and “Mangrove Green” - though you can still opt for a classic black, white, or grey if you fancy it.

If you’re planning on just keeping a car for term time, you’ll be happy to hear the Hyundai i10 won Carmoola’s Most Depreciation-Proof Car, so you’re likely to get a good chunk of your money back when you come to sell or part-exchange it.

MINI Cooper

(From Insurance Group 21)

The most expensive on this list, but surely the most iconic? A proper British legend, the MINI Cooper is a fabulous and fashionable cars for students who are happy to pay a bit more for style and substance.

To get maximum mileage from the MINI, you can drive it in MINI Experience Green mode, so quick trips around town won’t put too much pressure on the fuel consumption.

Fancy a driving disco? MINI Experience Vivid transforms the cabin lighting and matches it to the vibe of your music.

Or try the aptly names MINI Experience Go-Kart, which turns up the fun using stiffer driving feel and pedal sensitivity. 

Add together the fun extras, easy to drive, a 200 litre boot - the MINI is a fab car for students.

SEAT Ibiza

(From Insurance Group 2)

The SEAT Ibiza is one of the most popular cars for student and young drivers, so there’s plenty of them about on the new and used market.

It has great visibility as well as light, smooth controls. Pair these with front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, hill hold assist, and crash-prevention systems - you’ve got a car that is quite lovely to drive.

Toyota Aygo X

(From Insurance Group 5)

The Toyota Aygo X is a brilliant choice for students who want a car that’s affordable, easy to live with, and genuinely fun to drive. 

Its excellent fuel efficiency and low running costs suit tight budgets, and the compact size and great manoeuvrability make city driving and parking around campus a breeze. 

Despite its small footprint, the Aygo X is practical and comfortable enough for everyday life, with space for friends, shopping, or weekend trips home.

Add in its bold, customisable styling, strong safety features, and Toyota’s well-known reliability, and you’ve got a stress-free first car that fits student life perfectly.