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30th January 2021 
6 min read 
They say, no matter how many cars you own in your lifetime, you never forget your first. But choosing the car that all other cars will forever fall in the shadow of can be a tricky business.
So, to help, we’ve put together a guide of some of the most practical, cost-effective and good looking cars out there for first-time drivers.
Ford Fiesta
It’s hard to beat the Ford Fiesta as a first-time car. It’s great to drive, comfortable, practical and its generous fuel economy means its gentle on your budget, too.
With a wide model range, plenty of engines and trim levels to choose from, it’s built to a high standard with lots of standard tech and safety equipment.
Plus, it can be incredibly cheap to insure, too – starting in insurance group 2.
Lease deals on the Ford Fiesta start at just £151 monthly.
Engine: Petrol, diesel
Power: 73-197bhp
Top speed: 104 mph
Fuel economy: 50-81mpg
Insurance group: 2-16
CO2 emissions: 112-158g/km
Read the full Ford Fiesta review here.
Hyundai i10
The Hyundai i10 a great car for first-time drivers. Its compact nature makes it easy to drive, great to park and ideal for those on a smaller budget, coming in insurance group 1 or 2.
The supermini comes with plenty of tech, including a 7-inch touchscreen with sat-nav to help you get around in your first days of driving and beyond.
It’s roomy, practical and cheap to run. And it looks pretty sharp, too.
Lease deals on an Approved Used Hyundai i10 start at £133 a month.
Engine: Petrol
Power: 65-99bhp
Top speed: 106mph
Fuel economy: 63-65mpg
Insurance group: 1-10
CO2 emissions: 119-130g/km
Kia Picanto
The Kia Picanto may be small, but it’s packed full of features, comfort and performance.
This little car is cheap to buy or lease, but even as standard comes with a touchscreen infotainment display, smartphone mirroring and rear camera.
The solidly-built Picanto is cheap to run and the ideal city car for the first-time driver.
You can lease a Kia Picanto from just £144 a month.
Engine: Petrol
Power: 65-99bhp
Top speed: 100mph
Fuel economy: 49-67mpg
Insurance group: 3-10
CO2 emissions: 117-151g/km
Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo has long been a favourite with first-time buyers. It’s a little bigger and more spacious than its rivals and offers a more comfortable drive.
With a five-star safety rating, the Polo comes with a decent tech suite too, including Bluetooth interface, air conditioning and an 8-inch infotainment system.
With exceptional reliability and fuel efficiency, it’s a great first-time choice.
Lease deals on the Volkswagen Polo start at just £180.43 a month.
Engine: Petrol, diesel
Power: 79-200bhp
Top speed:150mph
Fuel economy: 49-77mpg
Insurance group: 3-10
CO2 emissions: 124-159g/km
Read as we put the Volkswagen Polo up against the Ford Fiesta here.
Renault Clio
The Renault Clio has been providing incredibly safe, cheap and reliable motoring for first-time drivers for many years.
This stunning car drives well, with a well-designed interior that’s packed with the latest features and technology.
Its five-star safety rating and brilliantly low running costs make it a complete package for first-time drivers.
There’s also now a hybrid version – the Clio E-Tech – which promises refined, economical driving.
Lease deals on the Renault Clio start from £145 a month.
Engine: Petrol, diesel, hybrid
Power: 67bhp
Top speed:124mph
Fuel economy: 64-138mpg
Insurance group: 3-10
CO2 emissions: 109-130g/km
Peugeot 208
The Peugeot is one of the best-looking cars available right now, and very cost-effective to boot.
On-board technology is a good win too, with a 7-inch touchscreen and smartphone connectivity coming as standard.
Affordable to insure and economical to run, it’s a good all-rounder and a fun first-drive car.
You can now also get the Peugeot with an all-electric powertrain, bringing the cost of running down even more – as well as your carbon footprint.
Lease deals on the Peugeot 208 start from £126 a month.
Engine: Petrol, diesel, electric
Power: 73-134bhp
Top speed:102mph
Fuel economy: 66-275mpg
Insurance group: 12-25
CO2 emissions: 0-132g/km
Vauxhall Corsa
The Vauxhall Corsa continues to be a popular first car for young drivers because it’s small, responsive and easy to handle.
Looking good from the outside, there’s a great user-friendly interior and, although it’s a compact car, it’s surprisingly spacious.
Available in a range of engine sizes – including all-electric – the Corsa is incredibly economical to drive and to insure; making it a perfect all-round first car.
You can get hold of a Vauxhall Corsa from just £118 a month.
Engine: Petrol, diesel, electric
Power: 73-134bhp
Top speed:104mph
Fuel economy: 68-162mpg
Insurance group: 3-30
CO2 emissions: 0-134g/km
Read our in-depth review of the all-electric Vauxhall Corsa-e here.
Seat Ibiza
Sharp looks, smooth driving, good value – the Seat Ibiza is everything you want in a car.
And while it’s small and not incredibly expensive, that doesn’t mean it’s basic. A streamlined cabin with a market-leading multimedia system helps set the tone for the rest of the vehicle.
If you’re looking for something sportier but still wanting low insurance premiums, move further up the trim levels and find 17” alloys, sports suspension and dual-zone climate control.
You can lease a Seat Ibiza from just £122 a month.
Engine: Petrol, diesel,
Power: 79-113bhp
Top speed:142mph
Fuel economy: 61-76mpg
Insurance group: 3-10
CO2 emissions: 121-141g/km
Toyota Aygo
Great design? Yes. Good fuel economy? Absolutely. Affordable? Very much so.
The Toyota Aygo is a fun car to look at and to drive. You can personalise it in loads of different ways to make it unique to you, too.
With sharp steering and smooth handling, it’s a great first-time car to drive and park. However, if you’re looking for a lot of storage room, it’s probably not the car for you.
But if you want something with low running costs and small insurance premiums, the Aygo is definitely one to consider.
You can lease a Toyota Aygo from £115 per month.
Engine: Petrol
Power: 71bhp
Top speed: 95mph
Fuel economy: 71-73mpg
Insurance group: 5-9
CO2 emissions: 113-118g/km
