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-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

<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

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

confessions-of-a-driving-instructor

<h2>Part 3: the job</h2><h3>What car do you teach in?</h3>It’s a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiest</a>a 1.5 TDCi diesel. Over the years, I’ve had four, plus four <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa/hatchback/review/n33">Vauxhall Corsas</a>. Like all of them, my current Fiesta is reliable, easy to drive and economical.Flashier cars like the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a1/hatchback/review/n5">Audi A1</a> are becoming popular with driving schools, but I think it’s a fad and they’re just doing it to attract attention. I prefer to teach people in the sort of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-first-cars-for-new-drivers-2019/n17012">first</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-first-cars-for-new-drivers-2019/n17012"> car</a> they’re likely to drive after they’ve passed their test.<hr /><h3>What car do you drive when you aren't teaching?</h3>Not a Fiesta, but it is a diesel: a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/discovery/4x4/review/n17342">Land Rover Discovery</a> 2.5 TDI. I'm a keen fisherman and it’s perfect for all my fishing equipment.

<hr /><h3>What do you enjoy about your job?</h3>I love teaching and helping someone with no experience achieve a high standard. So, in driving terms, that’s taking someone who has never driven a car and taking them to beyond the pass standard. It’s much easier to teach someone with no experience than a person who has a little and thinks they know it all.The part I don't enjoy is when someone fails their test. You beat yourself up, asking yourself what you could have done differently to help them through it. I take it quite personally.<hr /><h3>Who are easier to teach: women or men?</h3>Women tend to be more nervous behind the wheel, but they listen more closely and aren't embarrassed to ask questions.Most men will have experience of their mates’ cars; they might even have had a turn at the wheel. They arrive at their first lesson much more confident than women. As a result, however, they don't listen so well and tend to rush off. It means they miss the important details that examiners are watching for, so they can take longer to teach to pass standard.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><hr /><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/confessions-of-a-driving-instructor/n18934">&lt; Previous</a> | <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">Next: Save money on your next car with What Car?</a></h2>Page 3 of 3

Confessions of a driving instructor

New drivers

<h2>What we're looking for</h2><ul><li>Outstanding value for money</li> <li>Ultra-low running costs</li> <li>As few compromises as possible, whether inside or on the road</li> <li>Easy to drive</li> <li>Long and comprehensive warranty</li></ul>

Value car

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.

new driver

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2 Hybrid

AYGO X

COOPER

FABIA

HATCHBACK

IBIZA

JAZZ

PANDA

PICANTO

POLO

SANDERO STEPWAY

SWIFT

The 500 Hybrid hatchback’s 185-litre boot is smaller than the Picanto’s and i10’s load bays (at 255 litres and 252 litres respectively). However, because it's relatively deep and wide, we managed to fit&nbsp;three <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-cars-with-the-biggest-boots/n18791">carry-on suitcases</a> under the parcel shelf – the same number of bags we squeezed into its closest rivals.&nbsp;

You can’t have an adjustable boot floor, so with the rear bench folded down, the seats don't sit flush with the floor and instead sit at a slight angle above it. That places a pronounced step in the extended load area.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/convertibles/n17007">cabriolet</a> version's boot is even smaller at just 185 litres. There’s not much load-lugging versatility either, with a narrow opening that will frustrate. You have to crouch down to see into the boot properly, and loading bulky items is awkward.

<h2 dir="ltr">“The boot is small but because of its shape&nbsp;I found it easy enough&nbsp;to slot in three carry-on suitcases.”&nbsp;– <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a></h2>

Visually, the plastics and fabrics used in the 500 Hybrid’s interior suit its retro image. The face of even the cheapest model’s dashboard is finished the same colour as the outside of the car – a feature that really livens things up. The result is an interior that’s a real contrast to the drab dashboards of some <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a>.

You won’t find any soft-touch plastics&nbsp;though, and overall build quality isn’t quite on a par with a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a> but the 500 Hybrid’s interior doesn’t feel at all cheap or shoddily assembled.

<h2>“The 500 doesn't use the plushest materials&nbsp;but I love its colourful dashboard and cute, Sixties-inspired design details, such as the chrome door handles and lozenge-shaped physical buttons.”&nbsp;– <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a></h2>

There’s no height-adjustable driver’s seat in the 500 Hybrid in&nbsp;entry-level Pop trim. Fiat says you do get one with range-topping Top trim, but in reality the lever on the side of your chair merely changes the angle of its base, not how high it sits.

The driving position is further compromised by a steering wheel that adjusts for height but not reach. In fairness, though, the same is true of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>.

Still, at least the 500 Hybrid’s heater controls are easy to use. The gearlever is conveniently high up on the dashboard, where it’s within easy reach.

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

This lower-powered electric motor is best suited to town and city roads. With 94bhp and a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds, there’s enough pep at low speeds, but it will start to struggle getting up to motorway speed limits.

http://example.com

70kW

70kw

OUR PICK

The more powerful motor of the two is the better all-rounder, with 117bhp and a slightly quicker 0-62mph time of 9.0sec. You’ll mostly notice the difference at higher speeds, where it feels more comfortable than the lower-powered 70kW motor.

87kW

87kw

The cheapest trim – called 500 – is our favourite because you get all the kit you really need. We’re talking 15in alloy wheels, a panoramic roof, <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>, manual air-conditioning and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">touchscreen infotainment</a>.

The top trim – appropriately called Top – is worth considering if you want a few more luxuries. It gets 16in alloy wheels, automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, a digital instrument cluster and a chrome exhaust tip.

Of course, whichever trim you settle on, there's also a myriad of personalisation options to make your 500 Hybrid stand out from the crowd, with a huge palette of paint colours and a big selection of alloy wheel designs.

The Fiat 500&nbsp;Hybrid is a bit like an old episode of Doctor Who: while it holds plenty of appeal, we've become used to seeing a newer reincarnation on our roads/screens.

And while there's no missing the family resemblance between the 500 Hybrid&nbsp;and the newer and whizzier&nbsp;all-electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500e</a>, they're very different cars.

This <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild-hybrid</a> version has remained relatively unchanged for a while now, so&nbsp;has it been&nbsp;left behind? And how does it stack up against similar-sized alternatives, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a>?

Read on to find out how we rate the Fiat 500 Hybrid – and the 500C <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/convertibles/n17007">cabriolet</a> version – against the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">best small cars</a>...

Although the Fiat 500 Hybrid's&nbsp;front seats are mounted fairly high up, you’re only likely to have issues with head room if you’re very tall. Likewise, the seats slide back far enough to just about accommodate long-legged drivers.

Somewhat less impressive is the cramped pedal area&nbsp;and the lack of a proper footrest –&nbsp;an omission that’s particularly annoying on longer motorway journeys. It's also easy to bash your left knee on the bulbous centre console.

Storage is in rather short supply:&nbsp;the glovebox&nbsp;is very small&nbsp;and the door bins are even smaller. At least there are two good-sized cupholders below the gearlever.

You won’t be surprised to learn that the 500 Hybrid is most at home on crowded urban streets, thanks to its small dimensions and light steering, which can be made even lighter by pressing a City&nbsp;button on the dashboard.

However, when you break away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the model&nbsp;fails to sparkle. The body leans when you go round a corner with any gusto, and the steering doesn’t weight up very much, so you feel somewhat disconnected from what the front wheels are up to.

Compared with, say, a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>, the 500 Hybrid is completely outclassed when it comes to handling – particularly on faster roads.

All 500 Hybrids get a 7.0in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment touchscreen</a> positioned conveniently high up on the dashboard making it easier to use on the move. However, its angle gives it a nasty habit of reflecting sunlight and the screen itself is not exactly high-definition, so it can be tricky to see on bright days.

The icons on the screen are rather small and it doesn’t respond to inputs particularly quickly. However, you do at least get <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> so&nbsp;you can use your phone’s applications instead of the car’s built-in software.

The Fiat 500 Hybrid's name might lead you to think it's a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hybrid-cars/n17013">full hybrid car</a>&nbsp;but that's not the case: it's a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild hybrid</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;can’t travel on electric power alone.

It just has a tiny electric motor and battery to help the petrol engine in certain situations. For example, if you engage the clutch while coasting to a halt, the stop/start function will cut in before you reach a standstill&nbsp;– improving fuel economy in the process.

What it doesn’t do, though, is make the 500 Hybrid's 69bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine any more zippy. Sure, there’s enough thrust to make progress in hectic city traffic, but if you need a meaningful burst of pace, you won't get it – even if you work the standard six-speed <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/which-cars-come-with-a-manual-gearbox/n26678">manual gearbox</a>&nbsp;hard.

This is not a car that sits particularly comfortably in fast-flowing motorway traffic. That said, the same is&nbsp;true for the glacially slow <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a>. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> gets a peppy turbocharged option (which was available in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>&nbsp;but has been&nbsp;discontinued) and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero 1.0 TCe 90</a> is punchier still.

If you want more performance in a 500 Hybrid-like body, take a look at a feisty <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hot-hatches/n17005">hot-hatch</a>&nbsp;called&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/abarth/595/hatchback/review/n17259">Abarth 595</a>&nbsp;or the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">fully electric&nbsp;Fiat 500</a>.

The 500 Hybrid is strong on image&nbsp;but rivals are more competent and offer better value

Fiat 500 Hybrid

Getting into the back isn’t as easy as in many rivals because the 500 Hybrid has only two doors.

As with many <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a>, there are only two seats in the back, but while two adults will fit, there isn’t as much head or leg room as there is in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>. The rear seats get head restraints as standard.

Again, there's not much storage&nbsp;but all trims have pockets in the front seatbacks.

The 500 Hybrid isn’t too noisy when you're just pottering around town, but if you accelerate hard you’ll soon hear the engine wheezing away like an overly ambitious jogger on their first (and last) run of the year. You'll feel quite a lot of vibration through the pedals&nbsp;too.

Wind and road noise become increasingly noticeable as your speed rises, and, while they never reach irritating levels, the i10 is far more hushed inside.

If you opt for the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/convertibles/n17007">cabriolet</a> version – the 500C Hybrid – be prepared to put up with a substantial amount of wind noise over the fabric roof even when it is closed.

The six-speed manual gearshift is rather notchy, and its vague clutch pedal makes it tricky to drive smoothly in stop-start traffic. The 500 Hybrid is not available with an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/automatic-gearboxes-everything-you-need-to-know/n17022">automatic gearbox</a>.

<h2>“This isn’t the best-handling small car but I found its diminutive dimensions and tiny turning circle (just 9.3 metres) made it a breeze to drive around town.”&nbsp;– <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a></h2>

The 500 Hybrid did not do well in our 2023 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-reliable-cars/n26137">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;– it finished&nbsp;in 15th place out of 18 small car models&nbsp;ranked. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/fiat">Fiat</a> as a brand fared a little better, finishing 15th out of 32 manufacturers.

Like all <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/fiat">Fiat car models</a>, the 500 Hybrid comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty and a further one-year dealer warranty. Mileage is limited to 60,000 during that three-year period.

If you want a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a>&nbsp;with a longer warranty, take a look at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>&nbsp;– its cover lasts for seven years/100,000 miles.

This isn’t the 500 Hybrid's strongest suit. Things are never uncomfortably firm or jarring, but the car never feels particularly settled.

On a typical uneven backstreet you’ll find yourself doing an involuntary impression of a nodding dog. The suspension struggles to cope with potholes and larger intrusions, which occasionally send a shudder through the car's body.

As for the rivals, the Picanto jostles you around a little less on scraggy town roads, but is still rather unsettled on motorways. Really, if you want a city car with a supple ride, you’ll want to take a look at the i10 – it’s easily the most relaxing car in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car class</a>.

The Fiat 500 Hybrid hatchback isn’t as cheap to buy a lot of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a> – most of which have more doors and more standard equipment.

And if you’re hoping the desirability of the 500’s image will result in it holding on to its value better than other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a>, you’ll be slightly disappointed. Over three years, it's predicted to suffer worse from depreciation than an equivalent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/convertibles/n17007">cabriolet</a> version – the 500C – is even more expensive but it’s worth noting that it has no direct rivals. The new <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/convertible/sports/review/n17156">Mini Convertible</a> has yet to be launched and you can’t get any other small cars with a droptop. It is, in effect, in a class of one.

Fuel economy and CO2 emissions don’t stand out against the 500’s rivals, despite its Hybrid&nbsp;badge. See our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500e review</a>&nbsp;to read about the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a> version.

The 500 Hybrid is let down massively by its lack of safety systems, with no sign of automatic emergency braking (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">AEB</a>) – even on the options list.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a>&nbsp;gave the model three stars out of five for overall safety, and that was in 2017, when standards were far less stringent than they are today (the rating has now expired).

<h2 dir="ltr">“If you’re going to get a 500 Hybrid I think it makes sense to&nbsp;keep the price down by opting for the surprisingly well-equipped entry-level model.”&nbsp;– <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a></h2>

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All 500 Hybrids benefit from a practical 50/50 split-folding seatback. It’s easy to use:&nbsp;simply push a button on the top of the backrest, push the seatback forwards and down it folds.

That’s your lot though. The rear seats don’t do anything else clever and there's no option of a height-adjustable front passenger seat on any model.

This model, in partnership with the (Red) charity, replaces Passion and comes with red painted exterior and interior highlights, including a red driver’s seat. There’s also a 10.25in centre touchscreen display with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, cruise control, 16in alloy wheels and climate control.

The cheapest trim is our pick for the 500 Hybrid and gets 15in alloy wheels, a panoramic roof, cruise control, manual air conditioning and a 7in infotainment touchscreen.

This flagship model comes with the most kit, including wireless phone-charging, a panoramic roof, a front centre armrest, 17in alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control and a six-speaker sound system.

La Prima

la-prima

Giorgio Armani

giorgio-armani

The Fiat 500 Hybrid certainly has style and image on its side, but plenty of rivals are better to drive and more practical – and cost less to buy as well. That said, the 500C Hybrid does have a certain appeal as it currently stands proud as the only small petrol convertible car on sale.

The 500 Hybrid hatchback is relatively easy to see out of in all directions. Its front screen pillars are relatively slim and because the car is so compact it's easy to judge its extremities when parking.&nbsp;

The view out of the back of the cabriolet version (the 500C Hybrid) is more restrictive because the rear window – which is made of glass and heated – is narrow,&nbsp;so there’s a big blind-spot to the rear three quarters.

If you’re buying the entry-level model, we’d recommend selecting the optional rear parking sensors (Top trim gets them as standard).

What we're looking for:<ul><li>Wind-in-the-hair excitement</li> <li>Roof that’s quick and easy to raise and lower</li> <li>Comfortable seating for four adults</li> <li>Sufficient practicality for everyday use</li> <li>Little wind buffeting</li> <li>Quietness, whether the roof is up or down</li> <li>Minimal shaking and shimmying over bumps</li></ul>

Despite the British weather, UK car buyers are among the biggest enthusiasts for wind-in-your-hair motoring, so convertibles have always been surprisingly popular here. It’s best to be able to react to the fickle climate, though, so a roof that opens (and closes) quickly is every bit as important as good top-down cruising refinement.

There are precious few bespoke drop-tops these days, so your choice of models is generally limited to soft-top versions of existing models. But there are still some fantastic options out there.

Convertible

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Low running costs compared with solely petrol or diesel equivalents</li> <li>Very low official CO2 emissions to benefit company car drivers</li> <li>The same usability as a regular car</li> <li>Smooth transition between electric and engine power</li> <li>Small practicality compromise over conventional models</li></ul>

Not so long ago, hybrids were the preserve of Hollywood stars, environmentally conscious 'early adopters' and the odd&nbsp;minicab driver looking to save a bit of money on fuel.

Since the collapse in demand for diesel, however, they have become&nbsp;much more popular, and it's easy to see why, with&nbsp;low tax bills and&nbsp;impressive MPG figures&nbsp;just a couple of the perks they offer.

There are two types of hybrid: 'self-charging'&nbsp;models, which mix petrol&nbsp;and electric power in an effort to maximise&nbsp;efficiency, and&nbsp;plug-in hybrids that can travel many miles purely on electricity before their engines need to cut in. This category is for the former type of cars.

Hybrid

The i10 has a 252-litre boot, which is only fractionally smaller than the Picanto’s impressive 255-litre load bay. There's enough space for three <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-cars-with-the-biggest-boots/n18791">carry-on suitcases</a> below the parcel shelf, with some room leftover for soft bags.

There's a fairly high drop to negotiate from boot lip down to the floor, although it&nbsp;isn't&nbsp;as big as the one in the Aygo X. It's a pity that no i10 has a height-adjustable boot floor, so you're stuck with a step in the floor of the extended load bay when you fold down the rear seats.

If you need a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-cars-with-the-biggest-boots/n18791">bigger boot</a> and you're on a budget, consider the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero</a> – it can carry five carry-on cases below its parcel shelf.

<h2 dir="ltr">'The amount of room in the back of the i10 is remarkable, but I also found it really easy to get in and out."&nbsp;– <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/steve-huntingford/n1018">Steve Huntingford, Editor</a></h2>

You won’t find any soft-touch plastics in&nbsp;the i10's interior, but it's the same story in the Fiat 500 Hybrid, Kia Picanto and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a>. True, the Picanto's hard plastics are textured in a way that makes them look less shiny and low rent, but the i10 feels well just as well screwed together&nbsp;inside.

The dashboard buttons and dials all feel substantial, too, working with a precision that wouldn’t be out of place in a more expensive small car. Similarly, the soft leather on the steering wheel and gearknob feels good to the touch.

You'll get sportier touches if you go for N Line trim, including red highlights on the air vents and gear knob, but the interior doesn't feel any more upmarket.

<h2 dir="ltr">''I'd like a bit more lumbar support from the driver's seat&nbsp;but it's only really an issue on longer drives."&nbsp;– <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a></h2>

The i10 is a roomy, comfortable&nbsp;and well-priced small car with a good reliability track record

The Hyundai i10 is a very rounded small car, proving practical, good to drive and, in most trims, good value. If you do buy one, we recommend the 1.2-litre petrol engine, rather than the entry-level 1.0-litre, plus the cheapest trim, Advance, which includes plenty of kit.

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