Hatchback

If you want a new car but would rather not spend much, Dacia is a great place to start your search.

This budget brand builds some of Britain’s cheapest new cars, including the Sandero hatchback. And don’t think cheap automatically means corners have been cut, because the Sandero has been commended at the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards on numerous occasions.

Other Dacia models include the&nbsp;higher-riding Sandero Stepway, seven-seat Jogger, and rugged Duster SUV. And while these cost slightly more than the Sandero, they’re still priced aggressively enough that they’re really only competing directly with used cars.

Dacia manages this by borrowing mechanicals and technology from its owner, Renault, to minimise development costs.

DACIA

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

RENAULT

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

CLIO

CORSA

SANDERO

YARIS

best-first-cars-for-new-drivers-in-2024

best-first-cars-for-new-drivers-2024

Buying your first car is an exciting experience, and the good news is that there are some excellent new cars out there to choose from.

This doesn't mean that finding the right car is an easy process, though. The list of options can be lengthy, and there are a lot of things that could make a difference in how much it will cost to own.

Crucially, a first car has to be cheap to insure.&nbsp; This is why small cars are often the ideal fit; they don't need a big engine, so are generally cheaper to buy, run and insure than larger models. Of course, there are many other factors to consider, including safety, practicality and fuel economy.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

Best first cars for new drivers 2024

Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.

So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.

Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.

MAZDA

Version&nbsp;1.5 e-Skyactiv G MHEV Centre-Line&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£19,515 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£18,599 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£222

The Mazda 2 is a very easy car to get along with, and that's&nbsp;helped by its user-friendly interior and comfortable driving position.

We especially like the fact that there's a good range of adjustment with the driver's&nbsp;seat and steering wheel, and the fact that it&nbsp;comes with&nbsp;height adjustment as standard (so even tall drivers can find a comfy position).

The infotainment system is also very easy to use. The 8.0in&nbsp;touchscreen responds well to inputs, and you also get a&nbsp;rotary controller between the front seats to&nbsp;control it. This makes it far&nbsp;less distracting to use&nbsp;while driving than touchscreen-only systems.

In key areas such as&nbsp;ride comfort, performance and practicality, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a>,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a>&nbsp;are better options. However, the&nbsp;2 is still worthy of your consideration if you're looking for a well equipped alternative.&nbsp;

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/2/hatchback/review/n95">Mazda 2 review</a>

10: Mazda 2

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Frugal economy from mild-hybrid engines</li>
	<li>Infotainment system is easy to use</li>
	<li>Even entry-level trim is well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Poor refinement</li>
	<li>Small boot</li>
	<li>Gutless performance from all but the range–topping engine</li>
</ul>

Version&nbsp;1.2 Turbo GS&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£22,905 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£19,481 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£227

For many, the Vauxhall Corsa is the go-to first car because it has a wide range of engines and trims to choose from, plus it has a big boot.&nbsp;

Our favourite engine is the&nbsp;mid-range 1.2-litre petrol engine with 99bhp. It's the same engine that you get in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n30">Peugeot 208</a>, which means&nbsp;it's a strong performer; that's evident by its&nbsp;0-62mph time of&nbsp;9.9sec.

GS trim is also a good option; it comes with&nbsp;17in alloy wheels, climate control, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, sportier styling and sports seats.

It's worth noting that the&nbsp;208 has a nicer interior than the Corsa,&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a>&nbsp;is more spacious inside. Those cars are also more affordable to buy,&nbsp;although the Corsa does have competitive PCP finance rates.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa/hatchback/review/n33">Vauxhall Corsa review</a>

9: Vauxhall Corsa

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
	<li>Decent boot</li>
	<li>Efficient engines</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Fiddly infotainment system</li>
	<li>Below-par safety rating</li>
	<li>Poor resale values</li>
</ul>

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

PICANTO

Version&nbsp;1.0 3&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£15,950 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£14,978 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£184

Like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a>, the Kia Picanto is a very cheap car to insure.

This makes&nbsp;it&nbsp;a great&nbsp;buy if you're looking for a car that's cheap to own. That's helped by its tiny 66bhp 1.0-litre engine, which averaged a reasonable 46.8mpg on our hilly real-world test route. As you might expect from a car with so little&nbsp;horsepower, though, it isn't very&nbsp;quick; we managed a 0-60mph dash in 14.9sec at our private test track.

More positively, the Picanto has a smart interior,&nbsp;tidy handling and a generous equipment list with our favourite 3 trim. It comes with&nbsp;electrically adjustable door mirrors,&nbsp;a leather-trimmed steering wheel, rear parking sensors and an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto review</a>

8: Kia Picanto

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Really tidy handling</li>
	<li>Frugal 1.0 MPi petrol engine</li>
	<li>Excellent infotainment and equipment on 3 trim</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>1.0 MPi petrol engine isn't very quick</li>
	<li>Firm(ish) low-speed ride</li>
	<li>A Dacia Sandero is much roomier</li>
</ul>

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

Version&nbsp;1.2 PureTech Active&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£20,400 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£16,986 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£169

The Peugeot 208 is the most comfortable car on this list, and it's actually very well priced – especially with our Target Price discount factored in.

What's more, it also has a&nbsp;smart interior for the money; the design is striking and the materials are mostly very plush. Some drivers may not like&nbsp;the 'i-Cockpit' driving position, though,&nbsp;so&nbsp;we'd recommend test driving one before you buy.

The 99bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine&nbsp;is our recommended engine for the 208; it's&nbsp;gutsy and&nbsp;ideal for propelling you along A-roads and motorways. It's&nbsp;actually&nbsp;more&nbsp;lively&nbsp;than the equivalent engine in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen&nbsp;Polo</a>.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n30">Peugeot 208 review</a>

7: Peugeot 208

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Very comfortable for a small car</li>
	<li>Smart and high-quality interior</li>
	<li>Punchy and frugal 1.2 Puretech 100 petrol engine</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Steering wheel design can cause issues</li>
	<li>So-so infotainment system</li>
	<li>Not much fun to drive</li>
</ul>

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

POLO

Version&nbsp;1.0 TSI Life&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£21,905 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£20,708 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£221

If you're&nbsp;considering a first car, it's likely that the Volkswagen Polo will have already crossed your mind. And these days, it offers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">VW Golf</a>&nbsp;levels of sophistication at a much lower price.

Indeed, the Polo is&nbsp;smart inside, comfortable and practical, plus it's very&nbsp;good to drive. We think the 94bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine is best option for it; it's the same engine that you get in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a>, and it&nbsp;pulls strongly from low revs thanks to its&nbsp;turbocharger.

The Polo&nbsp;is a bit more expensive than its Seat and Skoda siblings, but it does come with a long list of standard kit. Our recommended Life trim, for instance, comes with&nbsp;air conditioning, automatic windscreen wipers,&nbsp;power-folding door mirrors and an&nbsp;8.0in touchscreen infotainment system. All versions come with a&nbsp;wide range of safety kit, too.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo review</a>

6: Volkswagen Polo

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good to drive</li>
	<li>Generous interior space</li>
	<li>Attractive PCP finance deals</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Ford Fiesta is more fun to drive</li>
	<li>Gutless entry-level petrol</li>
	<li>Standard safety kit could be better</li>
</ul>

Version&nbsp;1.0 TCe Bi-Fuel Expression&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£14,795 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£14,551 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£168

The Dacia Sandero is one of the cheapest new cars you can buy, but that doesn't mean it comes with a long list of compromises.

In fact, the Sandero is a strong offering in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a>&nbsp;class; it's practical, with plenty of&nbsp;space in the back seats and boot, plus the ride is pretty comfortable. The entry-level engine (the TCe 100 Bi-Fuel) can also run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as well as petrol to help lower your&nbsp;running costs.

Even though there's a more affordable Essential trim, we think it's worth stepping up to&nbsp;Expression; it comes with&nbsp;rear parking sensors, automatic lights and&nbsp;wipers&nbsp;and a touchscreen infotainment system as standard.

When it comes to safety, the Sandero is less impressive; it only scored two stars when it was safety tested by&nbsp;Euro NCAP&nbsp;in 2020. For that reason, we can't place it any higher up this list.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero review</a>

5: Dacia Sandero

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Amazingly good value</li>
	<li>Lots of space for passengers and luggage</li>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Poor safety rating compared with rivals</li>
	<li>There are more entertaining small cars to drive</li>
	<li>Some other small cars are quieter</li>
</ul>

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

Temporary taxonomy to unlink review until CAP taxonomy is updated

Version&nbsp;1.2 Premium&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£17,520 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£16,652 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£219

Despite being very small, the Hyundai i10 is a&nbsp;practical&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a>. It has enough room&nbsp;in the back seats&nbsp;for two adults to sit comfortably (especially those of a taller nature thanks to its boxy shape). Plus, up&nbsp;front,&nbsp;there's plenty of space and adjustment in the seat for the driver to get comfortable.

However, it's not just&nbsp;practicality where the i10 excels, because it's very cheap&nbsp;to buy and run. Okay, it's not&nbsp;as cheap to buy&nbsp;as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero</a>, but it does at least come&nbsp;with an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system (with Bluetooth) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>&nbsp;as standard.

The best bit? The i10 is in&nbsp;insurance group 2E, which makes it the cheapest car on this list to insure. However, bear in mind that the i10 only&nbsp;has a&nbsp;three-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10 review</a>

4: Hyundai i10

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Comfortable and quiet to drive</li>
	<li>Five seats and decent rear space</li>
	<li>Good amount of kit as standard</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Three-star Euro NCAP safety rating</li>
	<li>Non-turbocharged 1.0-litre engine is a bit lacklustre</li>
	<li>Slow automatic gearbox</li>
</ul>

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

IBIZA

Version&nbsp;1.0 TSI 95 SE&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£19,715 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£17,486 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£219

Looking for a first car that's fun to drive but cheap to run? Then the Seat Ibiza will be your best option.

It's one of the most sophisticated cars in its class to drive; the steering is well weighted and precise, and the suspension&nbsp;irons out imperfections nicely. That's without mentioning the handling, because the Ibiza is a hoot to&nbsp;drive down a twisty road.

Our recommended engine is the mid-level 1.0-litre petrol engine; it&nbsp;has 94bhp (and is turbocharged) so it pulls more eagerly&nbsp;than the wheezy entry-level engine,&nbsp;and&nbsp;it whisks the Ibiza up to speed reasonably&nbsp;quickly. It should also average more than&nbsp;50mpg in&nbsp;real-world driving.&nbsp;

In terms of trim levels, we'd recommend going for the SE trim if you're a first-time driver. The suspension is more supple than the firmer set-up in our favourite FR trim, plus&nbsp;it's slightly more affordable.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza review</a>

3: Seat Ibiza

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Great to drive</li>
	<li>Roomy by class standards</li>
	<li>Strong TSI petrol engines</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Lots of road noise</li>
	<li>Resale values could be better</li>
	<li>Firm ride in FR versions</li>
</ul>

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

FABIA

Version&nbsp;1.0 TSI SE Comfort&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£19,720 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£19,013 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£200

Skodas are renowned for their value and practicality, and that's no exception with the Fabia.

It's one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">best small cars</a>&nbsp;if you want to carry passengers. It's very small, and yet it has a surprising&nbsp;amount of space in the back seats; three adults will sit more comfortably than in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a>. The boot is also one of the biggest of any small car – so much so that it's bigger than what you'll find in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Ford Focus</a>.

For the best value, we think it's best to stick to the entry-level SE Comfort trim. It's not as cheap or well equipped as the Clio in Techno trim, but it still gives you alloy wheels, LED headlights and&nbsp;air conditioning as standard.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia review</a>

2: Skoda Fabia

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Huge boot</li>
	<li>Roomy interior with clever features</li>
	<li>Fairly supple ride</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Interior is hardly plush</li>
	<li>Not as practical as the Honda Jazz</li>
	<li>Bug-prone infotainment system</li>
</ul>

Version&nbsp;1.0 TCe 90 Techno&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£19,195 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£18,192 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£195

The Renault Clio is a fantastic all-rounder, and it's long list of&nbsp;abilities makes it a great car for new drivers.

With 90bhp and a 0-62mph acceleration time of 12.3sec, the entry-level 1.0-litre&nbsp;petrol engine provides decent&nbsp;performance, and it's relatively low power output places&nbsp;it in a low insurance group. Students and parents alike will also be pleased to hear that running costs should&nbsp;also be low, as proved by its official average&nbsp;fuel economy figure of 57.6mpg.

When you combine&nbsp;the entry-level&nbsp;1.0-litre engine with Techno trim, the Clio also undercuts many&nbsp;of its rivals on price. And yet,&nbsp;it still comes with&nbsp;luxuries such as&nbsp;a wireless phone-charging pad, automatic LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.&nbsp;

That's without mentioning the long list of standard&nbsp;safety equipment; all Clios&nbsp;come with&nbsp;automatic emergency braking (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">AEB</a>), traffic-sign recognition and lane-keep assist&nbsp;for&nbsp;extra&nbsp;peace of mind.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio review</a>

1: Renault Clio

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Smart interior is packed with equipment</li>
	<li>Good ride and handling balance</li>
	<li>Practical boot</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Tight for taller adults in the rear seats</li>
	<li>Slightly firm low-speed ride</li>
	<li>High boot loading lip</li>
</ul>

<hr />
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Best first cars for new drivers in 2024

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

Small

best-first-car-options-for-new-drivers-2024

first-cars-for-new-drivers

Skoda

Fabia

Seat

Ibiza

Hyundai

Dacia

Sandero

Volkswagen

Polo

Peugeot

Picanto

Vauxhall

Corsa

Mazda

Version&nbsp;1.0 TCe 90 Techno&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£19,195 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£18,192 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£195

The Renault Clio is a fantastic all-rounder, and it's long list of&nbsp;abilities makes it the best 1st car for new drivers.

With 90bhp and a 0-62mph acceleration time of 12.3sec, the entry-level 1.0-litre&nbsp;petrol engine provides decent&nbsp;performance, and it's relatively low power output places&nbsp;it in a low insurance group. Students and parents alike will also be pleased to hear that running costs should&nbsp;also be low, as proved by its official average&nbsp;fuel economy figure of 57.6mpg.

When you combine&nbsp;the entry-level&nbsp;1.0-litre engine with Techno trim, the Clio also undercuts many&nbsp;of its rivals on price. And yet,&nbsp;it still comes with&nbsp;luxuries such as&nbsp;a wireless phone-charging pad, automatic LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.&nbsp;

That's without mentioning the long list of standard&nbsp;safety equipment; all Clios&nbsp;come with&nbsp;automatic emergency braking (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">AEB</a>), traffic-sign recognition and lane-keep assist&nbsp;for&nbsp;extra&nbsp;peace of mind.

Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio review</a>

Renault Clio

Version&nbsp;1.0 TSI SE Comfort&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£19,720 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£19,013 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£200

Skodas are renowned for their value and practicality, and that's no exception with the Fabia.

It's one of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">best small cars</a> if you want to carry passengers. It's very small, and yet it has a surprising&nbsp;amount of space in the back seats; three adults will sit more comfortably than in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a>. The boot is also one of the biggest of any small car – so much so that it's bigger than what you'll find in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Ford Focus</a>.

For the best value, we think it's best to stick to the entry-level SE Comfort trim. It's not as cheap or well equipped as the Clio in Techno trim, but it still gives you alloy wheels, LED headlights and&nbsp;air conditioning as standard.

Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia review</a>

Skoda Fabia

Version&nbsp;1.0 TSI 95 SE&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£19,715 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£17,486 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£219

Looking for a 1st car that's fun to drive but cheap to run? Then the Seat Ibiza will be your best option.

It's one of the most sophisticated cars in its class to drive; the steering is well weighted and precise, and the suspension&nbsp;irons out imperfections nicely. That's without mentioning the handling, because the Ibiza is a hoot to&nbsp;drive down a twisty road.

Our recommended engine is the mid-level 1.0-litre petrol engine; it&nbsp;has 94bhp (and is turbocharged) so it pulls more eagerly&nbsp;than the wheezy entry-level engine,&nbsp;and&nbsp;it whisks the Ibiza up to speed reasonably&nbsp;quickly. It should also average more than&nbsp;50mpg in&nbsp;real-world driving.&nbsp;

In terms of trim levels, we'd recommend going for the SE trim if you're a first-time driver. The suspension is more supple than the firmer set-up in our favourite FR trim, plus&nbsp;it's slightly more affordable.

Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza review</a>

Seat Ibiza

Version&nbsp;1.2 Premium&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£17,520 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£16,652 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£219

Despite being very small, the Hyundai i10 is a&nbsp;practical <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a>. It has enough room&nbsp;in the back seats&nbsp;for two adults to sit comfortably (especially those of a taller nature thanks to its boxy shape). Plus, up&nbsp;front,&nbsp;there's plenty of space and adjustment in the seat for the driver to get comfortable.

However, it's not just&nbsp;practicality where the i10 excels, because it's very cheap&nbsp;to buy and run. Okay, it's not&nbsp;as cheap to buy&nbsp;as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero</a>, but it does at least come&nbsp;with an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system (with Bluetooth) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>&nbsp;as standard.

The best bit? The i10 is in&nbsp;insurance group 2E, which makes it the cheapest car on this list to insure. However, bear in mind that the i10 only&nbsp;has a&nbsp;three-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10 review</a>

Hyundai i10

Version&nbsp;1.0 TCe Bi-Fuel Expression&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£14,795 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£14,551 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£168

The Dacia Sandero is one of the cheapest new cars you can buy, but that doesn't mean it comes with a long list of compromises.

In fact, the Sandero is a strong offering in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a> class; it's practical, with plenty of&nbsp;space in the back seats and boot, plus the ride is pretty comfortable. The entry-level engine (the TCe 100 Bi-Fuel) can also run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as well as petrol to help lower your&nbsp;running costs.

Even though there's a more affordable Essential trim, we think it's worth stepping up to&nbsp;Expression; it comes with&nbsp;rear parking sensors, automatic lights and&nbsp;wipers&nbsp;and a touchscreen infotainment system as standard.

When it comes to safety, the Sandero is less impressive; it only scored two stars when it was safety tested by&nbsp;Euro NCAP&nbsp;in 2020. For that reason, we can't place it any higher up this list.

Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero review</a>

Dacia Sandero

Version&nbsp;1.0 TSI Life&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£21,905 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£20,708 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£221

If you're&nbsp;considering a first car, it's likely that the Volkswagen Polo will have already crossed your mind. And these days, it offers <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">VW Golf</a> levels of sophistication at a much lower price.

Indeed, the Polo is&nbsp;smart inside, comfortable and practical, plus it's very&nbsp;good to drive. We think the 94bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine is best option for it; it's the same engine that you get in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a>, and it&nbsp;pulls strongly from low revs thanks to its&nbsp;turbocharger.

The Polo&nbsp;is a bit more expensive than its Seat and Skoda siblings, but it does come with a long list of standard kit. Our recommended Life trim, for instance, comes with&nbsp;air conditioning, automatic windscreen wipers,&nbsp;power-folding door mirrors and an&nbsp;8.0in touchscreen infotainment system. All versions come with a&nbsp;wide range of safety kit, too.

Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo review</a>

Volkswagen Polo

Version&nbsp;1.2 PureTech Active&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£20,400 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£16,986 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£169

The Peugeot 208 is the most comfortable car on this list, and it's actually very well priced – especially with our Target Price discount factored in.

What's more, it also has a&nbsp;smart interior for the money; the design is striking and the materials are mostly very plush. Some drivers may not like&nbsp;the 'i-Cockpit' driving position, though,&nbsp;so&nbsp;we'd recommend test driving one before you buy.

The 99bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine&nbsp;is our recommended engine for the 208; it's&nbsp;gutsy and&nbsp;ideal for propelling you along A-roads and motorways. It's&nbsp;actually&nbsp;more&nbsp;lively&nbsp;than the equivalent engine in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen&nbsp;Polo</a>.

Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n30">Peugeot 208 review</a>

Peugeot 208

Version&nbsp;1.0 3&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£15,950 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£14,978 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£184

Like the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a>, the Kia Picanto is a very cheap car to insure.

This makes&nbsp;it&nbsp;a great&nbsp;buy if you're looking for a car that's cheap to own. That's helped by its tiny 66bhp 1.0-litre engine, which averaged a reasonable 46.8mpg on our hilly real-world test route. As you might expect from a car with so little&nbsp;horsepower, though, it isn't very&nbsp;quick; we managed a 0-60mph dash in 14.9sec at our private test track.

More positively, the Picanto has a smart interior,&nbsp;tidy handling and a generous equipment list with our favourite 3 trim. It comes with&nbsp;electrically adjustable door mirrors,&nbsp;a leather-trimmed steering wheel, rear parking sensors and an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system.

Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto review</a>

Kia Picanto

Version&nbsp;1.2 Turbo GS&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£22,905 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£19,481 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£227

For many, the Vauxhall Corsa is the go-to first car because it has a wide range of engines and trims to choose from, plus it has a big boot.&nbsp;

Our favourite engine is the&nbsp;mid-range 1.2-litre petrol engine with 99bhp. It's the same engine that you get in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n30">Peugeot 208</a>, which means&nbsp;it's a strong performer; that's evident by its&nbsp;0-62mph time of&nbsp;9.9sec.

GS trim is also a good option; it comes with&nbsp;17in alloy wheels, climate control, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, sportier styling and sports seats.

It's worth noting that the&nbsp;208 has a nicer interior than the Corsa,&nbsp;and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> is more spacious inside. Those cars are also more affordable to buy,&nbsp;although the Corsa does have competitive PCP finance rates.

Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa/hatchback/review/n33">Vauxhall Corsa review</a>

Vauxhall Corsa

Version&nbsp;1.5 e-Skyactiv G MHEV Centre-Line&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£19,515 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£18,599 |&nbsp;Target PCP&nbsp;£222

The Mazda 2 is a very easy car to get along with, and that's&nbsp;helped by its user-friendly interior and comfortable driving position.

We especially like the fact that there's a good range of adjustment with the driver's&nbsp;seat and steering wheel, and the fact that it&nbsp;comes with&nbsp;height adjustment as standard (so even tall drivers can find a comfy position).

The infotainment system is also very easy to use. The 8.0in&nbsp;touchscreen responds well to inputs, and you also get a&nbsp;rotary controller between the front seats to&nbsp;control it. This makes it far&nbsp;less distracting to use&nbsp;while driving than touchscreen-only systems.

In key areas such as&nbsp;ride comfort, performance and practicality, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a>,&nbsp; <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a>&nbsp;are better options. However, the&nbsp;2 is still worthy of your consideration if you're looking for a well equipped alternative.&nbsp;

Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/2/hatchback/review/n95">Mazda 2 review</a>

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Mazda 2

Buying your first car is an exciting experience, and the good news is that there are some excellent new cars out there to choose from.This doesn't mean that finding the best 1st car is an easy process, though. The list of options can be lengthy, and there are a lot of things that could make a difference in how much it will cost to own.Crucially, a good 1st car has to be cheap to insure. Drivers with little or no experience behind the wheel are much more likely to be involved in an accident than older motorists, many of which have driven more miles. This is why small cars are often the ideal fit; they don't need a big engine, so are generally cheaper to buy, run and insure than larger models, such as <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-cars/n16996">family cars</a>.

Of course, there are many other factors to consider when finding the best 1st car, including safety, practicality and fuel economy. That's why our team of road testers have come up with the list below after testing the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">best small cars</a>. As such, we think the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a> is the best 1st car for new drivers. To find out why we rate it so highly and which version we think you should buy, you can read on below. However, if the Clio doesn't suit your needs, there are plenty of other options on this list that could fit the bill. And if any of the other 1st cars here do catch your attention, you can read our full reviews to find out more, or you can click on the deals links to potentially save thousands on a brand new model.

Best first car options for new drivers 2024

first cars for new drivers

how-to-buy-your-first-car

Citigo

Nobody ever forgets their first car, so it pays to pick a good one. Whether you're a parent looking to choose a safe car for a newly qualified driver, or you’ve just passed your test and want to make your budget go as far as possible, What Car? can help.As well as giving you tips for finding a safe and affordable first car, and advice on how to keep running costs such as insurance under control, we'll give you our recommendations for the best first cars to buy.<h3>Should I buy new or used?</h3>

Cars start to lose value as soon as they leave the showroom, and after three years on the road a second-hand car is typically worth 30-40% of the original price. So it's wise to let someone else take that financial hit and buy a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">used car</a>.There are benefits to buying new, though, such as the reassurance of the manufacturer's warranty, which will cover the cost of any faults that might arise in the first few years.Unless you have enough funds to buy a car outright, there’s also the cost of finance to consider. This is when a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/">new car</a>, purchased on a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-finance-explained/n1108">competitive finance deal</a>, can be less expensive than it first seems.<h3>Can a new car make an affordable first buy?</h3>

Twenty years ago, you needed a trust fund or generous parents to afford a brand new first car, but low-rate finance schemes with modest monthly payments have brought new cars within the reach of more young drivers.The most attractive deals for new drivers are usually <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/personal-contract-purchase-pcp-explained-car-finance-guide/n19714">personal contract purchase (PCP) deals</a>. These offer low monthly payments because they leave a large chunk of the car’s value until the end of the deal. Buyers can make the final payment to own the car, or hand it back with nothing more to pay. Alternatively, if the value of the car at the end of the term is greater than the final payment, the difference can be used as a deposit to start a new deal.Special offers with low interest rates and manufacturer deposit contributions mean that if you're shopping for a city car, monthly bills of less than £100 aren’t uncommon after an initial deposit.<h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/how-to-buy-your-first-car-insurance/n1188">Next: How to save money on insurance &gt;</a></h2>Page 1 of 3

How to buy your first car

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Clever interior space </li> <li>Quiet and comfortable ride </li> <li>Good visibility </li> <li>Plenty of safety tech </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>Outstanding value for money</li></ul>

City cars are all about diminutive size and manoeuvrability because they invariably spend most of their time on our increasingly crowded urban streets.

They do need to be big enough for a couple of adults, with back seats that’ll suffice for occasional use by people – or as a dumping ground for a couple of large shopping bags – but they must also be small enough to nip in and out of traffic, and squeeze into tight parking spaces.

Out-and-out acceleration isn’t crucial, but there must be enough oomph in the lower gears to scoot into gaps that appear in the traffic. Running costs should be low, too.

Fortunately there’s never been a better line-up of city cars on offer. Kia's Picanto mixes a neat, functional interior with tidy handling and a surprisingly big boot, while the Skoda Citigo and Suzuki Celerio are cheaper and even more frugal.

City

how-to-buy-your-first-car-insurance

Ford

Fiesta

Fiat

It’s not just the cost of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-finance/">financing a car</a> that young drivers and their parents have to worry about; insurance can be crushingly expensive. Car insurance premiums are currently at their highest level for two years, and Confused.com found that premiums increased by £32 (6%) year-on-year in the second quarter of 2022, to reach an average of £554.However, drivers can save money by shopping around for the best value cover, and by buying cover up to four weeks before it's needed. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/how-to-save-money-on-your-car-insurance/n1117">What Car? research</a> revealed that a 20-year-old male driver could save £750 on cover for a 2021 Skoda Fabia 1.0 SE by deferring the start date of the policy for four weeks. Any premium will be based on all sorts of variables, including the driver’s age, driving experience, postcode and so on. Clearly, there’s not a lot a teenager can do about their age and number of years on the road, but they can do something about the car they drive.Cars are given an insurance grouping of 1-50. Thatcham Research decides which car fits into which group, taking into account a car’s performance, price, safety, security and the cost of repairing. The lower the insurance group number, the lower the insurance premium should be.

Other ways to reduce premiums include limited-mileage policies. However, it’s important to be realistic when setting a mileage limit, because there are likely to be extra fees if it’s exceeded and your cover could be invalid if you exceed it but don't tell the insurer.Setting a high excess (the amount the driver has to contribute to repairs in the event of a claim) is another option, but be sure the amount isn’t more than you’ll be able to afford if you have to pay out.Another means of chipping away at the annual premium is to insure a second, responsible driver (say, a parent or an older sibling). Just be sure that it’s someone who will actually drive the car. And don’t be tempted to make a parent the main driver on a policy if the car is really the child's; this is known as ‘fronting’ and is considered insurance fraud.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/is-a-black-box-car-insurance-policy-for-you/n1170">Telematics or 'black box' insurance</a> can also reduce a young driver’s premium. With these policies, the car is fitted with a black box to monitor when and how it is driven. Stick to the speed limit and drive smoothly and the cost of cover will come down after a while. But drive badly and your premium could rise. There are negatives, though, because some policies include night or mileage limits, and if you drive aggressively you could see your premiums rise beyond your initial quote.<h3>How about all-in-one car and finance deals?</h3>

One way to get on top of buying a new car and insuring it in one go is to opt for a PCP scheme that also includes the cost of insurance in a single monthly payment.Peugeot offers one called <a href="http://www.offers.peugeot.co.uk/just-add-fuel?&amp;gclid=CKalkfvwoM8CFasp0wod2AsEhg&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">Just Add Fuel</a>. It’s available to drivers aged from 18 to 20 with less than two years' no claims discount. The only stipulation is that they have a telematics box fitted to monitor how the car is driven and report back to the insurer. As the name implies, the scheme not only covers the cost of insurance but also routine bills such as servicing.

Monthly payments vary but, based on a low-risk address and a £4290 deposit, Peugeot’s online finance calculator quoted us a monthly payment of £208 for an 18-year-old buying a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n30">Peugeot 208</a> 1.2 Active Premium on a 37-month deal, with an annual mileage limit of 6000 miles.<h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/how-to-buy-your-first-car/n1154">&lt; Previous</a> | <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/how-to-buy-your-first-car-choosing-a-car/n1187">Next: Choosing the best first car &gt; </a></h2>Page 2 of 3

How to buy your first car: insurance

how-to-pass-your-driving-test-first-time

One of the big milestones in your life is passing your driving test. The freedom and independence you gain is an exciting experience, but many learners are a bag of nerves on the day and pick up serious faults because of this. Statistics from the Driver &amp; Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) show that between 2020 and 2021, 50.2% of drivers failed their test.  With the current backlogs due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will still be more than 250,000 learners waiting to book their practical driving tests at the start of 2023, so many learners are hoping to pass for the first time and not ‘waste’ their test opportunity. To lend a hand, we’ve compiled a list of our top tips to hopefully help you walk away with a pass certificate on test day. <hr />1. Practise makes perfect

The Driving &amp; Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) recommends having 45 hours of driving lessons with an instructor, along with 20 hours of practice with a family member or friend. If you do practise outside of lessons, make sure that you have learner driver insurance and that you display L plates on the front and back of the vehicle. The person accompanying you should also be over 21 years of age and have held a driving licence for a minimum of three years. Most instructors also encourage learners to have a lesson before their test. You can use this time to go over things you’re not confident with such as manoeuvres or junctions/roundabouts. Don’t be afraid to ask questions on things you’re unsure of during this time either.<hr />2. Get to know the test route area

Most people book their tests at their nearest test centre, however with the massive backlog in tests, people are willing to travel anywhere in the country. If you do manage to find a test slot, familiarise yourself with the area and ask your instructor to take you on potential test routes during your lessons. This will make you more confident because you will know what to expect and look out for. If you’ve booked at a test centre that you’re not familiar with, some test routes are available to find online, so be sure to have a look. <hr />3. Memorise your show me, tell me questions

During your practical driving test, the examiner will ask you two safety questions, these are known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions. You will be asked one tell me question, which is where you will explain how you would carry out a  safety task. These are typically asked at the start of your test, just before you move off. A question like this might be ‘tell me how you would check if your brakes are working.’ If you do get a tell me question wrong, you receive a minor fault – you’re allowed up to 15 of these. You will also be asked a show me question, this is where you will have to show how to carry out a task safely while driving. For example the examiner may ask something like, ‘when it’s safe to do so, show me how you would wash and clean the front and rear windscreen?’The show me question will take place while driving so it’s easier to pick up serious faults there – you’re not allowed any serious faults to pass. If it’s not safe to show the examiner the answer to their question, then wait; the examiner isn’t expecting you to do everything immediately. It’s better to be safe than rush and pick up a serious fault.  All the show me, tell me questions are available on the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/car-show-me-tell-me-vehicle-safety-questions/car-show-me-tell-me-vehicle-safety-questions">gov.uk</a> website so you can revise these before your test.<hr />4. Don’t rush

Examiners want you to show them you can drive safely without being a hazard on the roads so there’s no need to rush. Take your time and make sure you’re doing things safely. Give yourself plenty of time to think about what you’re doing and always keep your eyes on the road so you can plan for any hazards that could come your way. It’s also not an issue if you go the wrong way on a test route, so if you do end up in a situation where you can’t take a turn or change lanes safely, then just proceed where it is safe to do so, and the examiner will reroute you. And if you stall when moving off, just stay calm and carry on going, stay in control of the car.It’s also better to book your test at a time when the roads are quieter. So try and avoid booking during rush hours – early mornings are usually the best time.<hr />5. Remember your checks

Statistics from the DVLA reveal that the top two reasons for failing every year since 2006 have been the lack of effective observations at junctions and the insufficient use of mirrors. With so much to focus on, it can be an easy thing to miss, which is why it’s all the more important that you slow down and take your time to allow yourself to make those observations. And remember MSM - Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre. Particularly when carrying out manoeuvres or moving off, examiners are looking for effective mirror checks, so make sure to do these often. Some students even find it helpful to talk through what they are doing, this not only helps you but also helps the examiner know your thought process as you drive.<hr />6. Make sure to take all you need You need to take your provisional driving licence and your theory test pass certificate with you to your test. Indeed, if you’re successful you’ll hand in your provisional licence at the centre after your test.You can keep everything in your instructor’s car before the test and grab them when you need them.<hr />7. Be on time It’s not the best impression if you turn up late, so try and get to your test centre at least 10 minutes before your test. This gives you time to stretch your legs and take a short break beforehand. <hr />8. Relax

Try not to overthink too much, if you feel like you may have failed, don’t let it affect the rest of your driving. Many drivers think they have failed and carry on for the remainder of the test worrying about it and letting it affect the rest of their driving. The test lasts for around 40 minutes, so stay focused and try not to be put off by other drivers on the road. <hr />9. Treat it like another driving lesson

Most of the time, learners let the pressure get to them and slip up because they know they’re being observed by an examiner. Try and treat the test like another lesson, drive how you would if you had your instructor or family member in the car. The examiners aren’t there to catch you out, they’re just looking for you to show them you can drive safely. <hr />10. Have a good night’s rest

Make sure you get in a good night’s sleep the day before so you can be attentive and alert to everything happening around you while driving. And if you do fail, learn from it and keep trying. <hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/top-10-best-used-cars-for-learner-drivers/n24075">Read more: Top 10 best used cars for learner drivers &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

One of the big milestones in&nbsp;life is taking – and hopefully passing – your driving test. The freedom and independence you can gain by passing the test&nbsp;is exciting, but many learners are a bag of nerves on the day and are marked down for&nbsp;serious faults because of this.

In fact, statistics from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) show that between 2020 and 2021, 50.2% of learners failed the&nbsp;test.

With the current backlogs due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will still be more than 250,000 people waiting to book their practical driving tests at the start of 2023 – all eager to pass first time.

To give you as best a chance as possible, we’ve compiled a list of our top tips for <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/new-drivers">new drivers</a>&nbsp;to help you walk away with a pass certificate on test day.&nbsp;

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile&nbsp;

How to pass your driving test first time

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) recommends having 45 hours of driving lessons with an instructor, along with 20 hours of practice with a family member or friend.&nbsp;

If you do practise outside lessons, make sure you have learner driver insurance and that you display 'L' plates on the front and back of the vehicle. The person accompanying you should be at least 21 years old and have held a driving licence for a minimum of three years.&nbsp;

Most instructors&nbsp;encourage learners to have a lesson just before their test. You can use this time to go over things you’re not confident with, such as low-speed manoeuvres, junctions or roundabouts.&nbsp;Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything&nbsp;you’re unsure about&nbsp;during this time.

1. Practice makes perfect

Learner drivers usually&nbsp;book their tests at their nearest centre, but with the current backlog, some learners are&nbsp;willing to travel anywhere in the country if it means securing a test.

If you do manage to find a test slot, familiarise yourself with the area and ask your instructor to take you on potential test routes during your lessons. This will make you more confident, because you will know what to expect and look out for.&nbsp;

If you’ve booked at a test centre you’re not familiar with, there should be information about test routes available online, so be sure to have a look.&nbsp;

2. Get to know the test route area 

During your practical driving test, the examiner will ask you two safety questions, known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.&nbsp;

You will be asked one 'tell me' question, which is where you will explain how you would carry out a&nbsp;safety task. These are typically asked at the start of your test, just before you move off. For example, the examiner might say: "Tell me how you would check if your brakes are working."

If you do get a 'tell me' question wrong, you receive a minor fault – you’re allowed up to 15 of these over the course of your test.&nbsp;

You will also be asked a 'show me' question, where you will have to show how to carry out a task safely while driving. For example, the examiner might say something like: "When it’s safe to do so, show me how you will wash and clean the front and rear windscreen."

The 'show me' question will take place while you're driving, so it’s easier to pick up serious faults&nbsp;(you’re not allowed any serious faults to pass). If it’s not safe to show the examiner the answer to their question, then wait – the examiner isn’t expecting you to do everything immediately. It’s better to be safe than rush and pick up a serious fault.&nbsp;

All the 'show me, tell me' questions are available <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/car-show-me-tell-me-vehicle-safety-questions/car-show-me-tell-me-vehicle-safety-questions">online here</a>&nbsp;so you can revise them before your test.

3. Memorise your 'show me, tell me' questions 

Examiners want you to show them you can drive safely without being a hazard on the roads, so there’s no need to rush. Take your time and make sure you’re doing things safely.&nbsp;

Give yourself plenty of time to think about what you’re doing and always keep your eyes on the road so you can plan for any hazards that could come your way.&nbsp;

It’s also not an issue if you go the wrong way on a test route, so if you do end up in a situation where you can’t take a turn or change lanes safely, just proceed where it is safe to do so, and the examiner will reroute you. If you stall when moving off, just stay calm and carry on going, staying in control of the car.

It’s also better to book your test at a time when the roads are quieter, so try to avoid rush hours early in the morning or in the late afternoon.

4. Don’t rush 

Statistics from the DVLA reveal that the top two reasons for failing every year since 2006 have been the lack of effective observations at junctions and the insufficient use of mirrors.&nbsp;

With so much to focus on, it can be an easy thing to miss, which is why it’s all the more important that you slow down and take your time to allow yourself to make those observations. And remember MSM – mirror, signal, manoeuvre.&nbsp;

Examiners are looking for effective mirror checks, especially when you're&nbsp;carrying out manoeuvres or moving off, so make sure to do these often.

Some students even find it helpful to talk through what they are doing. This not only helps you but also helps the examiner know your thought process as you drive.

5. Remember your checks 

You need to take your provisional driving licence and your theory test pass certificate with you to your test. Indeed, if you’re successful you’ll hand in your provisional licence at the centre after your test.

You can keep everything in your instructor’s car before the test and grab them when you need them.

 6. Make sure you take everything you need 

It doesn't create the best&nbsp;impression if you turn up late, so try to get to the test centre at least 10 minutes before your slot. This gives you time to stretch your legs and take a short break beforehand.&nbsp;

7. Be on time 

Try not to overthink it. If you feel like you might have failed, don’t let it affect the rest of your driving. Many drivers think they have failed and carry on for the remainder of the test worrying about that, rather than their driving.&nbsp;

The test lasts for around 40 minutes, so stay focused and try not to be put off by other drivers on the road.&nbsp;

 8. Relax 

Some learners let the pressure get to them and slip up because they know they’re being observed by an examiner. Try to treat the test like another lesson, and drive as&nbsp;you would if you had your instructor or family member in the car. The examiners aren’t there to catch you out, they’re just looking for you to show them you can drive safely.&nbsp;

9. Treat it like another driving lesson

Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before the day of the test so you can be attentive and alert to everything happening around you while you're driving. And if you do fail, learn from it and keep trying.&nbsp;

<hr />
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;<a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

<h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/top-10-best-used-cars-for-learner-drivers/n24075">Read more:&nbsp;Top 10 best used cars for learner drivers&nbsp;&gt;&gt;</a></h2>

10. Have a good night’s rest

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The best cars for new drivers, plus our top tips and the latest news

View all the latest new driver guides and find practical advice about becoming a new driver from the What Car? team.

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Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition. In fact, it&nbsp;tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from a tiny EV (the Ami) through to the C3 small hatchback and&nbsp;the large van-based&nbsp;Spacetourer MPV.

Its range of SUVs are all badged Aircross, and like the rest of its range place emphasis on comfort, not speed.

CITROEN

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

MG has a long heritage in the UK, and while these days it is owned by Chinese firm SAIC, it is slowly but surely beefing up its model range.

Kicking things off is the MG 3, a rival for affordable hatchbacks such as the Dacia Sandero and Skoda Fabia. Then there’s the ZS small SUV, which faces off against the likes of the Renault Captur and Seat Arona. And at the top of the range is the GS, which goes up against Dacia’s Duster and the Ssangyong Tivoli.

While any future MG products are likely to be introduced in China before coming to the UK, design work is still undertaken in the UK. MG’s design studio is based at Longbridge, where the brand made its name with models such as the MGB GT.

MG MOTOR UK

Talk about taking an idea and running with it. The big-selling Mini hatchback is still at the core of the firm’s range, but its cute styling and relatively compact dimensions have been spun off into an estate (the Clubman) and an SUV (the Countryman), as well as a convertible.

Despite its small size, the Mini is a firmly premium product, and the three-door hatchback counts the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo among its key rivals.

The fact that Mini is owned by BMW brings some big advantages –&nbsp;not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s industry-leading iDrive.

MINI

Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.

Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.

SUZUKI

2 Hybrid

AYGO X

COOPER

HATCHBACK

JAZZ

PANDA

SANDERO STEPWAY

SWIFT

The Picanto has one of the more useful boots among <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a>. It's bigger than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a>&nbsp;boot, with more than enough space for a few large shopping bags. We managed to slot in three <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-cars-with-the-biggest-boots/n18791">carry-on suitcases</a> with some space to spare. The Sandero, though, is available for similar money and can fit six cases.

A height-adjustable boot floor comes as standard on everything apart from the cheapest trim level and in its highest position lies flush with the rear seats when they are put down and only leaves a modest loading lip. In that position it also sits above a useful amount of underfloor storage, and putting it in its lowest position to increase the overall capacity is very simple.

As with every other car in its price bracket, the Picanto's interior isn't graced with soft-touch materials that are a great joy to behold. However, the plastics have been textured in such a way that they don't look or feel too cheap.

Everything seems well bolted together, giving the same feeling of solidity that you get from an i10. As with the i10, the buttons and switches also feel nicely damped, but the i10 does have plusher gloss-black plastics that knock it up a notch – for perceived quality at least.

The only real bugbear with the Kia Picanto's driving position is that its steering wheel adjusts for height but not reach. Fortunately, its driving position works well for most people, and it’s very easy for the standard digital driver display to be in plain sight.

The driver’s seat is supportive, despite the lack of lumbar adjustment, and has enough side bolstering to stop you sliding around in corners. The well-aligned pedals and driver’s seat height adjustment make it really comfortable, even on a long trip.

The Picanto's dashboard layout is simple and a doddle to understand, with well-placed buttons that are big enough to spot easily on the move.

OUR PICK

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

The non-turbocharged 66bhp 1.0 MPi is pretty much the default choice. That's because it's available with the majority of trims and with a manual or automatic gearbox. 0-62mph takes just over 15.4sec (or 18.2sec for the auto), which is fine for pottering around town but does feel very sluggish out on the open road.

http://example.com

The only other choice in the Picanto lineup is the 1.2 MPi, which is a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. It’s quicker than the 1.0 MPi, covering 0-62mph in 13.1sec – but that’s still pretty slow and it’s only available in the most expensive trim level.

The Picanto in entry-level 2 trim comes well equipped for a car with such a low list price. It comes with&nbsp;an 8.0in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment touchscreen</a>, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-cruise-control-and-should-you-have-it-on-your-next-car/n26822">cruise control</a>, and alloy wheels.

Going up to GT-Line adds slightly flashier styling, LED headlights, 16in alloys and a height-adjustable boot floor.&nbsp;

Next on the trim ladder is 3, which has the same looks as 2 trim but a decent amount of extra kit including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and keyless entry.

The range-topping model is GT-Line S, which has the same styling as GT-Line but the same level of equipment as 3 while adding upgraded safety tech and a panoramic sunroof. The 2 trim seems like excellent value and is our pick of the line-up. If you want more kit, we’d go for 3 trim and forego the styling upgrades of the GT-Line trims.

The Kia Picanto is something of a rarity, because it's a dinky city-focused small car that runs on petrol at a time when most rivals have gone electric – or gone off sale.

Why? Well, little petrol cars like the Picanto are simply not that profitable to build, and manufacturers would prefer you to spend thousands more on a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-suvs/n17050">small SUV</a> or an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a>. And that's fair enough, but what if you don't want to pay out big bucks, don't need SUV levels of interior and boot space, and are not ready for a car that needs to be plugged in?

Well, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/kia">Kia</a> has shown its not looking to leave this part of the market anytime soon, giving this third-generation Picanto another substantial facelift. It’s still available with two petrol engines paired with a manual or an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/automatic-gearboxes-everything-you-need-to-know/n17022">automatic gearbox</a>&nbsp;but it now gets a fresh look outside, tech upgrades inside and five seats as standard.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_RvHRyIRHbw?si=tVeRZWzfbaOXRJOn" width="560"></iframe>

While competition is becoming scarcer, there are still good alternatives to consider. There's the closely related <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> for a start, plus the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a>.

So&nbsp;how does the 2024 Kia Picanto stack up against the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">best small cars</a>? Read on to find out...

Tall drivers in the Kia Picanto will easily find enough head and leg room to sit comfortably. The<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55"> Dacia Sandero</a> is a much bigger car overall, and the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49"> Hyundai i10</a> is a little wider, but the Picanto doesn’t feel cramped.

There's plenty of storage dotted around, including two cupholders between the front seats that are big enough for the largest of takeaway coffees, plus a tray for your mobile phone, and front door pockets big enough to hold a small water bottle. The centre armrest, meanwhile, opens to reveal an extra cubby.

The Picanto's firm suspension helps it to corner more keenly than most rivals. It's right at home on twisty lanes, displaying the kind of agility and alertness that its nearest rivals can't muster. The Sandero displays more body lean.

The i10 and Aygo X steer slightly more sweetly than the Picanto&nbsp;but that's picking holes. The steering is still excellent at keying you into the grip at the front wheels and it's more accurate than the Sandero's.

Importantly, the steering lightens up at low speeds, which –&nbsp;combined with its tight turning circle –&nbsp;makes the Picanto a doddle to thread through traffic or into tight parking spaces.

The 2024 Picanto has a smart interior and&nbsp;tidy handling but key small SUV rivals are a little better

The 2024 Kia Picanto is a good small car with a smart interior, tidy handling and a very easy to use infotainment system. The Hyundai i10 is a bit more polished in terms of ride and refinement though, and a Dacia Sandero offers more space but costs even less.

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