By The Acclaim Team on 12th January 2021 in News
As a first-time driver with little experience behind the wheel, your car insurance is likely to be very costly for the first year. For this reason, we do advise you to carry out insurance quotes before purchasing a vehicle, as your insurance premium will highly depend on your car value, model, age and location.
Above anything else, you need to choose your first car carefully. It can really help to know some of the most suitable first cars which many UK drivers choose after passing their test, which is why when you pass with Acclaim Driving, we are able to provide you a good deal on the car you took your lessons in if you’d like to purchase the same car.
It can also be a good idea to thoroughly do your research on vehicle makes and models as your first car needs to be reliable, easy to drive and affordable to insure and tax. A top tip to lessen the costs is to use insurance comparison websites (including GoCompare, MoneySuperMarket, Confused.com and Compare The Market) or to phone up insurance providers directly, as they may be able to offer a great deal.
What is the cheapest car to insure for a first-time driver? Here are just a few of our recommended vehicles!
Citroen C3
A generous-sized boot, quirky styling and most of all, low running costs. The Citroen C3 is a superb car for a first-time driver, so there’s no surprise that this is one of the number one cars for instructors to teach their students in, and is arguably the most comfortable first car to drive in.
The C3 should be the automatic choice for buyers wanting a funky-looking small car at a good price, with soft suspension, a quiet cabin and Apple CarPlay / Android Auto. Maintaining the Citroen C3 is extremely cost-effective with low insurance costs and low repair costs.
Ford Fiesta
As Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta makes the perfect first car. It’s fun to drive and provides great safety features, including a seatbelt reminder and cruise control along with precise steering and weighted grip.
Sophisticated and packed with some of the best features, the Fiesta is the ideal motor to give you the confidence you need after passing your driving test! With its spacious boot and size, the Fiesta is a great long-term car for newly-passed drivers.
Thanks to an innovation called MyKey, it’s a car that parents can confidently entrust to a younger family member. MyKey helps to reinforce better driving habits through seat belt warnings, speeding warnings, speed limits and radio volume limits.
Vauxhall Corsa
The Vauxhall Corsa is an affordable and practical small hatchback and is a great choice for those in the market for a small hatchback. With a recent, fresh facelift version it is a modern and quirky alternative to other brands available.
The Corsa has all of the creature comforts that you could need, including cruise control, GPS and reversing sensors, along with a solid choice of engine variants (diesel, electric and petrol).
With just over 300 litres of boot space, Isofix mounts in the rear and a reasonable average of 51.8mpg, you will have plenty of practicality available to suit everyday trips and long journeys.
Peugeot 208
Superb fuel economy, great performance and the option to go electric, the Peugeot 208 is a fantastic choice and is a real stand-out car if you’re looking for a sensible and attractive hatchback
With the option to have petrol, diesel and even in electric form, the 208 offers superb flexibility to suit all preferences. Some optional extras include navigation, front/rear parking sensors and a reverse camera, although if you decide to buy brand new, the extras will cost you a significant amount.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, then the Peugeot 108 and Peugeot 207 are also fantastic choices for first-time drivers.
Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo is another household name known for its stylish looks, reliability and affordability. As a small car, parking and manoeuvring is made easy - a feature that’ll be loved by new drivers!
While the Polo isn’t as attractive as some other models, it won’t let you down and is bound to excel in almost every other department. Thanks to its spacious cabin, plush materials and heaps of technology, the Volkswagen Polo has an impressive ability to hold on to its value.
A broad selection of engines is offered, although the 1.0-litres are more likely to appeal to those buying their first car.
Volkswagen UP
Sensible and practical, the Volkswagen Up! is the ideal first car. Not only are they incredibly affordable to run, but they are also stylish and fun to drive. While it does have a smart interior and an impressive build quality, the Up! is on the small side and does lack boot space while only having four seats.
If you’re looking for a fresh and enjoyable ride with all of the tech, then the Volkswagen Up! should be at the top of your list.
Kia Picanto
With sporty looks, great handling and a sophisticated appearance, the Kia Picanto comes with five doors as standard and also provides space and practicality.
Electric windows, USB connectivity, automatic lights, touchscreen sat-nav and an impressive infotainment system are just a handful of the features that make the Picanto a well-loved option.
The Kia Picanto is arguably one of the best small cars as it’s cheap to run and even comes with a seven-year warranty - an attractive feature loved by many Kia owners! As well as its reliable warranty, the Picanto also offers superb fuel economy and a low insurance group rating.
SEAT Ibiza
Described by many as the Spanish cousin of the Volkswagen Polo, the SEAT Ibiza truly delivers a fantastic driving experience - so there’s no surprise that the Ibiza is one of the best-selling vehicles in the UK.
With a variety of engine options, the 1.2 is a fantastic choice for first-time drivers that provides an affordable insurance group and low vehicle tax rates.
It’s reliable, affordable and extremely stylish which is why it’s known as one of the best small cars on the market. Despite being small in size, the Seat Ibiza is spacious inside and has a variety of refined engines available.
The Seat Ibiza, unlike other cars, can seriously hold its value making it an excellent long-term car choice which delivers much bigger savings over time and when you plan to eventually move on to another car.
Hyundai i10
The Hyundai i10 is a solid performer known for its clean, comfortable and modern feel. It’s a great car for building confidence and with its safe handling and reliability, the i10 makes for a well suited to younger drivers.
With a variety of engines to choose from, the smaller engines (for example, 1.2 litres) offer cheaper insurance and road tax.
Safe Driving With Acclaim Driving
Best of all, as an Acclaim Driving student, you’ll be able to benefit from exclusive discounts on the Citroen C3, Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 208 and Volkswagen Polo, as well as any other cars in our fleet - including the car you have been learning in.
Gaining your driver’s licence after passing the DVSA test can give an incredible sense of freedom after all of the hard work and days and nights of research has finally paid off!
If you have recently passed your driving test, you may be interested in having advanced driving lessons to help you become a safer driver on the road by improving your driving skills.
Give us a call to discuss any questions you have or if you want to check availability on a date that suits you.
