Best cars & vans

Hyundai i10 - best first cars for new drivers

The Hyundai i10 has become a solid performer in the supermini segment safe handling, plenty of kit and reliability

Hyundai i10 Play - front

It's not the most stylish city car around, but the Hyundai i10 is a reliable and surprisingly roomy all-rounder that will help build confidence in new drivers. Like the closely related Kia Picanto, there are 1.0- and 1.2-litre petrol engines on offer with either 66bhp or 86bhp, and like the Picanto we'd recommend the smaller engine here, because it has more than enough performance. The cheaper 1.0-litre is also more fuel efficient, returning 50.4mpg compared to the 1.2’s 46.3mpg. 

The entry-level ‘S’ sits in insurance group 2 which should help save young drivers from paying hefty insurance premiums. If you're a new driver, then you'll need to build confidence, especially on motorways. And the i10 really helps, because it doesn't feel out of its depth at higher speeds. There's just enough power to keep pace with other traffic, but more importantly the car's wide track means it feels stable where some small cars will feel wobbly.

And just like the Picanto, you get plenty of kit for your money, too. There are electric windows, air-conditioning and a decent stereo with MP3 connectivity and Bluetooth, while top-spec cars offer a 7-inch touchscreen with sat-nav to help you find your way. Mid-spec PLAY models and up receive Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard and the i10 does all this for a competitive price, while Hyundai's standard five-year warranty brings added peace of mind.

Top 10 best first cars for new drivers 2021

  1. Volkswagen up!/Skoda Citigo/SEAT Mii
  2. Kia Picanto
  3. Ford Fiesta
  4. SEAT Ibiza
  5. Hyundai i10
  6. Volkswagen Polo
  7. Toyota Aygo/Peugeot 108/Citroen C1
  8. Skoda Fabia
  9. Dacia Sandero
  10. Vauxhall Corsa

Recommended

Best car leasing deals 2023
Best car leasing deals - header
Best cars & vans

Best car leasing deals 2023

If you’re looking for a cheaper way to get behind the wheel of a new car, then leasing could be for you – here are some great leasing deals available …
5 Oct 2023
Top 10 best small cars to buy 2023
Best small cars - header image
Best cars & vans

Top 10 best small cars to buy 2023

Small cars come in all kinds of shapes, if not sizes. Here we highlight the best new small cars on sale
12 Sep 2023
Top 10 best first cars for new drivers 2023
Best first cars - header image
Best cars & vans

Top 10 best first cars for new drivers 2023

A new car for first time drivers should be cheap, easy to drive and safe. Here are the 10 best first cars
23 Aug 2023
Top 10 cheapest cars to buy 2023
Cheapest cars - header image
Best cars & vans

Top 10 cheapest cars to buy 2023

In need of a new car bargain? These are the cheapest cars on sale in the UK right now
15 Aug 2023

Most Popular

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023
‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’
Opinion - Fiat Scudo
Opinion

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’

With some huge savings to be had, Mike Rutherford thinks a van could be the perfect vehicle
3 Dec 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023