The best cars for learners in the UK
Take a look at our top picks for the best cars for learners and why we love them
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Learning to drive is one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking things that many of us will go through. It’s a coming-of-age event that marks a point of independence.
The best cars for learners are usually small and efficient, but you’ll also want them to be safe and reliable. Depending on your budget, you might even want to opt for an electric vehicle as your first car.
We’ve put together a list of the best cars for learners in the UK, and what makes them so impressive.
Best car for learner drivers
What makes the best used car for learner drivers
When buying your first car, you’ll need to consider exactly what you’re using it for and what features would give you the most benefit.
As you can learn to drive from 17 years old in the UK, a small car with some safety kit and driver aids like parking sensors will be more than enough for most young motorists.
The best cars for new drivers don’t have to be flashy and decked out – sometimes less is more when you’re learning to drive.
Not all learner drivers are the same, so the best used car for some learners might need to be larger and have room for a child seat in the back. Searching for Isofix car seat points and a high Euro NCAP rating is ideal in this case.
You might also want to consider an automatic car, especially if you’ve been taking your driving lessons in one.
It's also worth remembering that car insurance for learners can be more expensive. It’s a good idea to weigh this up and get some quotes before making a purchase.
Best used car for learner drivers
Buying a used car is a great option for a learner driver. They’re usually cheaper than buying brand-new, so they're perfect for seeing what you enjoy in a car and what you feel comfortable driving.
It’s also not uncommon to bump and scrape a car when you're learning, and it can be less heartbreaking to scuff a cheaper used car than it would be to damage something shiny and new.
Volkswagen up!
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The Volkswagen up! Is one of the best used cars for learner drivers, thanks to its smaller size and how easy it is to drive. It’s also usually cheap to insure, even for new drivers.
The VW up! Is built on the same platform as the Skoda Citigo and the SEAT Mii – all of which are great options for new drivers. It also means they’re reliable and easy to work on when it comes to maintenance.
Hyundai i10
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The Hyundai i10 is another great car for new drivers. It’s a modern hatchback that’s a great alternative to the Vauxhall Corsa and Kia Picanto.
There are five seats and a 252-litre boot, and you can fold the rear seats if you need extra loading space.
Skoda Fabia
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If you want something that feels slightly bigger and that doesn't scream ‘this is my first car’, the Skoda Fabia is a handsome alternative.
It can be really cheap to insure and can achieve up to 56mpg, so it’s ideal for keeping costs low.
There are loads of handy features as well, like an ice scraper in the fuel flap that will make new driver life much easier.
Best small car for learners
A lot of learners will feel most comfortable in a small car, especially when it comes to manoeuvring around car parks and tight urban areas.
Smart ForTwo
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One of the smallest cars on the market is the quirky Smart ForTwo. With just two seats and a 260-litre boot, it’s ideal if you don’t plan on ferrying around your mates and their stuff.
Plus, it can be cheap to insure and is plenty economical on fuel, getting up to 48.7mpg. There’s also the Smart EQ ForTwo if you want to switch to electric motoring.
Fiat 500
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One of the best small cars for new drivers is the Fiat 500 – and it’s a seriously popular pick. It has more space than the ForTwo and a gorgeous interior – and it's cheap to run.
You can also cut back on fuel costs entirely by choosing the electric Fiat 500e model. This one gets a quirky style upgrade and a gorgeous rose gold colour that it’s hard to say no to.
Renault Clio
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For a classic pick, the Renault Clio is a superb small car that learner drivers will love.
The interior gets kit like a 10-inch instrument cluster and a seven-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It also gets a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, so you’ll feel secure on the roads.
Best automatic car for learners
Some new drivers choose an automatic car as their first to dodge the extra hassle of changing gears, and some learners pass their test with a purely automatic licence.
They can be ideal for those motorists who are just getting used to the road. Some of the best automatic cars for learners can also be electric – making them perfect for saving on fuel.
Peugeot 108
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The compact Peugeot 108 city car is one of the best automatic cars for new drivers, thanks to its ease of driving and low running costs.
You’ll be grateful for the automatic ‘2-Tronic’ gearbox when driving around urban areas and crawling through traffic.
The steering is light as well, so it’s no hassle to get on the road.
Renault Zoe
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If you’re a new driver with the future in mind, you might be tempted by an electric car like the Renault Zoe that gets an auto gearbox as standard.
It’s a five-door hatchback that can travel up to 200 miles on a single charge, so would work great for a work or school commute.
You’ll be able to recharge at home using a standard wall box charger in around eight and a half hours, and its suave interior makes it something you’ll be excited to pick up your friends in.
Nissan Juke
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We know that not all new drivers want something small to nip about in. If you’re a learner with a family or just need lots of extra space, the Nissan Juke is an SUV with plenty of space.
There’s a 422-litre boot at the rear and a spacious interior that easily fits car seats. It’s also simple to load the boot as well, thanks to its low boot opening.
Choose the hybrid model for making savings on fuel costs, achieving up to 56.5mpg.
How to get the best car insurance for learners?
Insurance is often much more expensive for learner drivers and newly-passed drivers, no matter the car you choose.
Insurers see new drivers as high-risk and expect them to need to make a claim, so this can bump the price up.
Some cars are usually cheaper to insure, but a lot of the cost is influenced by yourself as the driver. There are a few things you can consider:
Choose a car in a lower insurance group
Choose a lower annual mileage and drive less – this reduces the risk of being in an accident
Pick a higher excess amount if you can cover the cost
Add a named driver with more experience to your insurance
Have a black box fitted to your car.