Top 10 Cars for New Drivers in 2025
Ideal cars for new drivers need to combine practicality, safety and ease of manoeuvrability alongside being affordable to run and insure. In this article, we will go through some of the positives and negatives of the best cars for new drivers in 2024 to help you make your choice.
Good Cars For New Drivers in 2025
The Mazda 3 is a first car that you wouldn't feel embarrassed to be seen in, and it's well
known for its modern and stylish design and good range of technology features. It
boasts sporty handling, a comfortable drive, and it has scored well in safety tests, which
is reassuring for new drivers. The Mazda 3 also has mild hybrid assistance, which
makes it fuel efficient, and it falls in the 13 to 25 insurance groups, so it will be
averagely priced to insure.
Another sporty-looking first car is the Subaru Impreza. It benefits from All-Wheel Drive
(AWD), which is standard on all models and provides better traction in difficult weather
conditions. The AWD combined with Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology means
that the Subaru Impreza scores well in safety tests which will be reassuring for new
drivers. However, as they are seen as a sporty car that is popular for young male
drivers especially, the insurance costs can be very high compared to other less powerful
alternatives.
The Volkswagen Jetta can be a good option for first-time drivers as it offers good fuel
efficiency, a spacious interior and a solid build quality. The style and design will appeal
to young drivers who want a classy, understated car combined with a comfortable ride.
Affordable Cars for New Drivers in 2025
The Ford Fiesta is top of the list for affordable first cars as it has a compact size that is
easy to manoeuvre and park, it is fuel efficient and fun to drive. If you are tall, however,
it can feel cramped and there is limited space for passengers or luggage.
The Chevrolet Spark is another good option if you are on a tight budget as it also has
excellent fuel economy to help with new driver costs. It is also inexpensive to insure
because of its low value and small engine. While the Chevrolet Spark does meet safety
standards, its small size may make some drivers feel vulnerable and the small engine
size means that the vehicle can struggle on motorways.
The Hyundai Elantra is another popular choice for first-time drivers as it offers more
features for the price compared to some of its competitors. The Elantra has a good
range of safety features and technology features, and recent models have an
eye-catching design. Some drivers, however, are still concerned by the reliability of
Hyundai when compared to other makes and models.
Reliable Cars for New Drivers
in 2025
The Honda Civic is a safe and reliable car for new drivers, and Honda has a great
reputation for building cars that need minimal maintenance. While the Honda Civic is
not the cheapest car out there, it holds its value, has lower maintenance costs, and is
very fuel efficient.
The Nissan Sentra is another reliable first car, and all models come with a good set of
safety features. They are comfortable to drive, fuel-efficient, and they have a more
spacious interior than other small cars.
Finally, the Kia Forte can be a good option for first-time drivers as it offers good value
for money, good reliability ratings and a spacious interior. However, some drivers have
reported that the Kia Forte has quite a firm ride, and the interior quality is not as good as
it could be.