If you’ve just passed your test and you’re looking for a new car to get yourself on the road for the first time, then you’re in luck: this is an enormously competitive part of the market, and there’s no shortage of manufacturers looking to cater to your requirements. Let’s assess some of the more noteworthy candidates.
Kia Picanto
Kia’s Picanto combines excellent handling with respectable performance and economy. The boot is surprisingly capacious, particularly for a car of this size, and if you opt for the higher-spec trim you’ll get a very nice infotainment system. That said, it’s a little on the noisy side.
Skoda Fabia
Since the manufacturer’s purchase by Volkswagen, it’s gone from strength to strength. The Fabia typifies the change, combining a range of features with smart connectivity. If you have the funds to spare, it’s worth opting for the more elaborate SE trim over the standard S one. More recent iterations bring a slightly tweaked interior and look. If you’re looking to cover the cost of running the Fabia in the long-term, then it’s worth looking into a warranty from ALA.
Hyundai i10
There’s a great deal to like about the i10. It’s whisper-quiet and comes with five seats, making it a great choice for those starting families. Another point in its favour is an abundance of safety features and a full-featured infotainment system. You might find it a little on the pricey side, especially for a first buy, but the package as a whole rivals far more expensive cars.
Volkswagen Up
This dainty little city car condenses all of the engineering found in Volkswagen’s more prestigious models, and incorporates them into a small, affordable package. The interior in particular stands apart from the more cheap-looking rivals at this price bracket: it’s plush and spacious, and enough to inspire the envy of your mates. It’s also cheap to run. With that said, it’s not all good news: the gearshift is a little bit on the loose side, and it’s a little bit boring, aesthetically.
Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta has been among the most popular cars in the world for about as long as any of us can remember, and for good reason. Super-sleek modern looks and a terrific drive make this a worthy addition to any shortlist – though it lacks an automatic emergency brake. The ubiquity of the Fiesta means that you’ve probably already decided whether you like the look of it.
