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Buying your first car is an exciting experience. You’ve done all the hard work, passed your test, and now you have the freedom and independence that comes with it. But as exciting as it can be, it’s also important to choose the right car for you and the types of roads you’re likely to be driving.
If you’ve been learning to drive in Birmingham, Manchester, London or any major city for example, then you know that the roads are completely different to a rural area. And so, when buying your first car, you may want to take into consideration:
- Size — so it can fit into small parking spaces
- Comfort — as you may be stuck in some traffic jams
- Budget — it needs to be affordable to buy, but also to maintain and fix
- Versatility — it needs to be easy to drive round the city, but can also weather the storm if you decide to venture out on a road trip or long journey
If this sounds like a daunting task, fear not, as we’ve put together the top city cars for new drivers. Read on to find out who made it onto the list!
Volkswagen up!
This urban vehicle from Volkswagen (VW) is one of the cheapest of its kind, which means its budget-friendly for a first car. And if you’re really cost-conscious, you’ll be glad to know it’s available in a three-door model, as well as a five door. Plus, it’s super comfortable to drive, so can be easily driven round and down city back roads, whilst still be able to cruise the traffic control bumps.
Its size and stability make it perfect to drive in the city, but it won’t be too overwhelmed if you decide to travel further afield, and can manage the motorway. You’ll also don’t have to worry about getting lost, as the latest model features a smart sat-nav system.
When buying your first car, you also have to think about insurance, which can be quite costly as a new driver. In theory, the smaller the engine, the cheaper your insurance. And for this, the VW up! fits the brief, as most of the range comes with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine.
Kia Picanto
This car is a perfect mix of compactness and roominess, so its smaller enough to whizz around the city streets, but with a roomy interior for a comfortable drive. Once again, this hits the mark for insuring a car as a new driver, as it’s relatively low to insure and has low every day running costs, coming with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine.
And with prices starting from just under £11,000 is pretty affordable too. What’s more, if you can find a well-looked after, used version, then the car will still perform well if you continue to maintain it.
Toyota Aygo
This car is super budget-friendly, as it is one of the cheapest models to ensure, but also stylish looking and fun to drive. With a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, it is also cheap to run and has low maintenance costs. It suits the city well, as it has a compact design and, as a bonus for a first-time driver, it’s significantly advanced in vehicle safety.