Choosing the Right First Car: Expert Advice for New Drivers

Picking the right first car is important. That’s why we’ve teamed up with a car-buying expert to help first-time drivers make safer, smarter choices when it comes to getting behind the wheel. 

“Fiesta, Corsa, or Yaris”: The Best Cars for First-Time Drivers

“Ultimately, new drivers need something easy to control, confidence-boosting, and familiar,” says Daryl, a former car salesperson with over 20 years of experience working for brands like Ford, Lexus, Toyota, Renault, and Mazda.

One of his top picks? The Toyota Yaris - a model that strikes a strong balance between practicality, safety, and ease of use. And it’s not just a great car for everyday driving, it’s also a solid choice for the driving test itself.

In collaboration with the experts at Carmoola, Daryl and the team have revealed the best cars for new drivers, based on cost to buy, fuelling running fees, and the future saleability of the vehicle.

“The ideal car for a driving test strikes a balance: it should be compact enough to handle manoeuvres like parallel parking and three-point turns with ease, but not so small that it feels unstable or overly twitchy on the road,” says Daryl.

He also highlights the key features these vehicles typically share:

• Light steering for easy handling
• Good visibility for spotting hazards and reading road signs
• Predictable braking and acceleration
• Enough size to provide a feeling of safety without making parking stressful

A Smart Financial Choice Too

Beyond drivability, there’s also a strong financial case for choosing a Toyota. According to our recent Depreciation Index, Toyota ranked among the top five brands for holding their value, with their cars retaining an impressive 71.1% of their original value after three years. This combined with one of the lowest annual fees for fueling,  makes the Yaris not only a safe and sensible choice, but also a smart investment for first-time buyers.

The Cars First-Time Drivers Should Avoid

Not all cars are created equal,  especially for learners. According to Daryl, some vehicles simply aren’t suited to new drivers.

“New drivers should steer clear of cars that are expensive to insure, difficult to handle, or come with a reputation for being high-performance. These vehicles often increase the risk of accidents and can lead to unnecessarily high running costs.”

He advises avoiding:

• Sporty trims or turbocharged engines
• Small cars that lack stability
• Models with poor visibility or tight interiors

That means sporty cars, high-performance trims, or anything that feels too fast or too flashy should be avoided, especially when they drive up insurance costs for inexperienced drivers.

Are Red Cars Really Riskier?

When it comes to choosing a colour, however, Daryl notes that visibility and safety should be considered, especially for new drivers.

“Car colour can play a subtle but important role in safety. For visibility, lighter and more neutral tones like white, silver, and light grey tend to stand out better in low light or bad weather.”

In fact, a study by an Australian University comparing crash risks by colour found that white cars posed the lowest risk, while black and blue had the highest.

Is a Small Car the Right Choice for Nervous Drivers?

While compact cars are often seen as convenient, Daryl warns that some models may actually be too small to offer proper protection in a serious collision.

“Small cars are great for parking and city driving, but their very short frame and low weight can be a disadvantage in a crash with a larger vehicle.”

For nervous new drivers, that can make things worse. A car that feels insubstantial or fragile on the road can add to anxiety, rather than reduce it.

Instead, Daryl recommends sticking to a small-to-medium hatchback, something that feels solid, has strong safety ratings, and doesn’t feel like it’ll be pushed around in traffic.

Final Thoughts

Choosing your first car isn’t just about price or style; it’s about safety, confidence, and ease of driving. Whether it’s the Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta, or Vauxhall Corsa, the best cars for first-time drivers are those that offer stability, visibility, and peace of mind that you can resell it in the future. Ultimately, the most important thing is feeling comfortable and in control behind the wheel.