The best first cars for new drivers 2025 – driven, rated and ranked

Best for: overall

The Hyundai i10 leads the increasingly endangered city car sector, a corner of the market that many brands are hastily retreating from. 

Yet that doesn’t mean the compact Korean machine gets the nod by default, because even with greater competition it’d be a top pick.

A big part of the car’s appeal are its grown-up driving dynamics that combine the expected small car agility with surprising refinement and a decently controlled ride. 

The entry-level 1.0-litre three pot sounds keen but is a little sluggish, so we’d recommend the bigger 1.2-litre that offers far more muscle but offers similar 50mpg running and still falls into insurance group 5. 

Whichever one you choose, the five-speed manual rivals some serious sportscars for wrist-flick shifting precision.

Inside, the Hyundai has just about enough space for four, while the interior looks classy, is well-finished and packed with kit – all cars get air-con, electric windows, alloy wheels and Apple CarPlay. Best of all, prices start around £17,000.