The best first cars for new drivers 2025 - driven, rated and ranked

Best for: flair 

The genius of the Seat Ibiza is that it blends a youthful fit and feel with complete ubiquity. People can drive something that isn’t too staid, all good in the knowledge that there are thousands of models on the used market to choose from. This makes it cheap to buy and among the cheapest cars to insure in the UK.

We often dismiss supermini top trim levels as superfluous but the promise of plentiful kit and a splash of Alcantara might be just what the style doctor ordered.

Matt Saunders, Road test editor

The exterior looks pretty sporty, but up front you will find low-powered engines that provide low running costs. Do a lot of motorway miles? We recommend going for the 1.4-litre diesel. It struggles less at speed than the low bhp petrols and will offer better MPG in this real-world application. Officially, it can get up to 80.7mpg.

Inside, it’s pure Volkswagen Group, in that it’s pretty bland but largely well put together. Plus, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto may be available, depending on which model you go for, giving you simple and instant access to apps such as Google Maps.

Best for: driving fun

The Ford Fiesta was always going to make this list. It doesn't matter which spec, which year or which price you get one for: it’s usually good.

The Ford Fiesta has been one of Autocar’s most recommended new cars of the past two decades.

Matt Saunders, Road test editor

We would go for the latest model though, which went off sale in 2024. There are thousands of cars on the used market at any given moment and prices continue to drop.

For a run-of-the-mill supermini the Ford really shines in the driving department. Its balance of grip, body control and agility make it really fun to drive most of the time. And by far and away the sweetest car to pilot on this list.

There are a few engines on offer for this model. We’d recommend the mild hybrid Ecoboost. It’s still economical (you should see 50mpg in real-world) and insurance friendly, but a 30-70mph time of 8.4secs proves it's no slouch.

Best for: interior quality

Modern design, a huge boot and economical engines are chief of the reasons to buy Renault’s evergreen supermini.

Plush, smooth, mature. A car of substance as well as style.

Matt Saunders, Road test editor

It’s plusher than you might imagine a French hatchback to be too, with everything feeling well put together. The infotainment is bang up-to-date and has the usual Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and it even gets niceties such as cruise control.

There are two engines on offer. The three-cylinder 1.0-litre jobby is quiet, smooth and very economical as long as you make the most out of the six-speed manual ‘box. There’s also a 1.6-litre hybrid, which is both more economical (60mpg versus 50mpg) and quicker. Naturally, the hybrid is more money. But both are great options. 

Best for: style

Could a first car list ever be complete without a Mini? Generations of Brits have grown up with them and this latest version might just be the best yet.

Not only does it lack the option of a manual gearbox but also, unless you choose the questionably-styled Sport cosmetics package, you have no control over the automatic gearbox.

Felix Page, Deputy editor

It’s certainly easy to drive. The steering is accurate and intuitive, really giving you confidence to place the car correctly in tight squeezes. It’s a hoot as well, with the firm suspension making it quite Tiggerish on UK roads - bouncing with boundless energy down the road.

The 1.5-litre three-cylinder Cooper C is the one to go for here. It only comes with an automatic gearbox, which might come as a bit of a shock to some, but it’s the cheapest to insure and run. Over the course of a week we averaged 43.4mpg in one.

Interior-wise it’s the most minimal and modern on this list. Mini has removed all unnecessary trimmings and buttons and it feels spartan - in a good way. The huge circular infotainment screen is great for tech lovers but quick word of warning - Apple CarPlay is displayed as a square inside the circle, meaning you can’t take full advantage of the screen while using it.

Best for: bargain prices

A truly compelling first car choice. It has been the bestselling supermini throughout various countries in Europe, it has a genuinely posh interior and best of all it is great value.

Smaller wheels make the car less firm.

Rachel Burgess, Magazine editor

Equipment levels are hard to fault - all models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - and the quality of materials are a cut above other cars of this price point. Admittedly there are a few rogue bits of cheap plastic if you really look, though.

Like with the Renault Clio, the 208 offers a petrol and hybrid option. The hybrid comes with an automatic gearbox and is more economical and powerful than the regular petrol, but is also more expensive.

Best for: practicality

Not everyone seeking their first car is some worry-free 17-year old. And the T-Cross is perfect if you require that extra bit of space.

The T-Cross has the measured, grown-up aura we expect of a Volkswagen, with fine space and versatility.

Matt Saunders, Road test editor

It sits on the same platform as the VW Polo, which means it inherits that car’s frugal engines that are economical and cheap to insure, but teams it with a larger, taller body that’s a bit more practical.

Passenger space, for both front and rear occupants, is impressive and much more generous than you’d find in a supermini. The seating position is higher and more upright too, giving drivers a clearer view of the road ahead. The back-seat bench slides to boost boot space or rear leg room and there’s a boot floor you can lower or take out - perfect for tall items such as plants.

Best for: zero-emission motoring

A slew of EVs could have graced this list. The Citroen Ami is a wonderful choice if you restrict yourself to cities, as it can only do 30mph. While cars such as the Leapmotor T03 offer great value for money, but perhaps not the design ethos (nor proven reliability) offered by European marques.

There are some really creative design touches in the car that make it a joy to be in.

Mark Tisshaw, Editor

Which brings us to the Fiat Grande Panda Electric. It strikes a fine balance between retro and modernism with its design aping the OG Panda, while maintaining an air of modernity to it with features such as a retractable charging cable.

Officially the Panda will travel 199 miles on a charge. Broadly these figures are unachievable but we were seeing around 185 miles on a mild January day when we tested it in Turin.

If you can charge from home, an EV is a really canny way to save pennies too. If set up with a charging-specific energy provider you could be looking at prices of less than 5.0p per mile, which is about half the price of a petrol-powered equivalent.

Best for: parking

The Aygo X might be the most pragmatic car on this list. It’s a city car, rather than a supermini, which means it’s small, light and can afford to run a tiddly 1.0-litre engine. This means 60mpg and extremely low running costs and insurance groups.

There is something joyful about thrashing a small car with a three-pot and a tight manual gearbox.

Richard Lane, Deputy road test editor

Its reliability record is stellar too. It comes with a 10-year warranty and is made by Toyota, a company that is practically synonymous with dependability. It looks great too. It apes hallmarks of crossover design - slightly increased ride height and large alloy wheels - that make it look grown up. But its tiddly dimensions ensure it’s easy to park.

Downsides? The engine is frugal, but not fast. We clocked 0-62mph in 16.7secs. Which is glacial, even when compared with city cars such as the Hyundai i10.