Top 10 Cars for New Drivers in 2025

By Julia Freeman

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.

Find Your Tyres

Share with your friends...

About the author

Article Author Photo
By Julia Freeman
Julia is Head of Brand Marketing for Micheldever Group and loves engaging with customers and the business as a whole to deliver their automotive needs.
View authorArrow right
Five tips to get the most out of tyres
Vehicles may be made up of a large number of parts, but as the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, tyres are one of the most important. Good tyre maintenance and care is essential to guarantee the safety and comfort of your drive.
Find out moreChevron
Does driving speed affect a car's tyre longevity
People expect racing tyres to wear out faster than everyday driving tyres due to the extreme forces placed upon them by hard accelerating, braking and sharp cornering combined with little to no tread depth. However, it may come as a surprise to some that your driving speed can affect the tyre life on your own vehicle too.
Find out moreChevron
What should your tyre pressure be?
Heavily laden cars, or vehicles that are towing, should have a little extra air pressure in their tyres to maintain the tyre’s profile and contact area with the road.
Find out moreChevron