Vauxhall Corsa
A consistently popular model since its release, the Vauxhall Corsa is a common choice for a lot of young drivers.
It’s cheap to buy and has low insurance and running costs. You’ll have to part with more cash for the better tech, but the most basic models have everything you need for a no-frills run-around.
Whichever trim and engine you opt for, Corsas are usually easy to drive and manoeuvre. The downside? They’re not the most reliable and only have a four star NCAP safety rating. Don’t let this put you off the supermini, but rivals (the Ford Fiesta or SEAT Ibiza) do fare better in many areas.
Ford Fiesta
A great all-rounder that’s fun to drive. The Ford Fiesta is the UK’s most popular car – so there’ll no doubt be plenty on the market when you’re looking to buy.
The Fiesta is renowned for its value for money; it’s affordable to buy, run, and insure – though it’s not the cheapest in class. But you’ll be getting a practical, safe, and reliable run-around.
And with great standard specification lists, you won’t need to stretch to the top models to get the best deal.
Hyundai i10
A front-runner in the city car class, the Hyundai i10 is a great option for younger drivers looking for an affordable run-around.
The i10 has a nippy, fuel-efficient engine – it won’t cost you too much to keep it running. Insurance costs are usually pretty low, too. And even the most basic model comes equipped with a decent amount of kit.
The car is small and easy to manoeuvre, but is still spacious and comfortable inside – a couple of friends can easily fit in the back.
Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo, and Peugeot 108
Struggling to separate these three city cars? They’re almost identical. And that’s because they’re based on the same design.
All three offer great value for your cash. They’re cheap to buy, run, and insure. They’re safe, easy to drive, and well-equipped – although not the most exciting to drive.
The Toyota Aygo can have a better reliability record than the C1 or the 108 – but this shouldn’t necessarily put you off them. Your choice here will be, pretty much, down to your taste in the individual styling.
SEAT Ibiza
The SEAT Ibiza: a bit like a VW Polo, but cheaper. Granted, it’s not quite as refined and doesn’t quite match the build quality. But for a young driver, it offers everything you’d probably need.
It’s reasonably priced and cheap to run. You’d likely find a car with more affordable insurance, but you’d have to move into the city car class for that. The Ibiza has a good list of standard kit and a sleek, sporty design. Plus, it’s got a five star NCAP safety rating and a decent reliability record.
Renault Clio
The Renault Clio is another great all-rounder, and a good bet for your money. It’s not the cheapest in class to buy. But thanks to cheap insurance and low running costs, it’s still a popular choice for younger drivers.
The Clio has a strong safety rating and is easy to drive and manoeuvre. That said, you may find the reliability rating and build quality fall short of your expectations. If this puts you off, have a look at the Ford Fiesta instead.
Volkswagen Polo
If you’re after a premium badge, the VW Polo is worth looking at. You can be confident in the Polo’s safety, reliability, and build quality – even if it is one of the pricier options.
The basic models don’t have much tech; you’ll have to part with even more of your money for the top-end spec list. However, insurance costs are usually low and Polo’s are fairly cheap to run.
Still – if you’re conscious of the cost, the Ford Fiesta or SEAT Ibiza might be a better bet. They don’t quite match up to the Polo, but are probably better value for money.
Skoda Citigo, SEAT Mii, and Volkswagen up!
Here’s another three that are, more or less, the same car. They’re all built in the same Volkswagen factory, with the same technology.
All three are cheap to buy, run, and insure. And being classic city cars, they’re easy to drive and they manoeuvre well.
The main difference between them? Price. The Skoda Citigo is typically the cheapest option overall – so price-conscious buyers might be best putting their money here. However, the VW up! offers more options in kit and style. So if you’re more specific about what you want, the up! could be a better choice for you.
Our top picks:
- For initial cost: Skoda Citigo
- For total value for money: Ford Fiesta
- For style: SEAT Ibiza
