When learning to drive, choosing the right car is key. It needs to be affordable, easy to park and safe to drive.
Some learners prefer to go for a small, compact vehicle to start off their motoring career. While others might want to mix it up and go for something that’s a little more adventurous.
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is one of the best cars for learner drivers, thanks to its fun-to-drive character. It also offers a variety of features, including safety technology and a spacious interior.
The Fiesta is available in both sedan and hatchback variants. The sedan provides enough room for five passengers and includes 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space.
Its fuel economy is impressive for its size, too. The base 1.6-liter engine is capable of achieving up to 33 mpg on the highway.
Inside, the Fiesta has a sophisticated infotainment system that can be controlled with voice commands or via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The driver’s seat is comfortable and supportive, while the steering wheel feels responsive and light.
Renault Twingo
Inventively packaged city cars are often ten-a-penny, but the Renault Twingo is an impressive example of Renault putting its money where its mouth is. The front wheels are pushed as close to the corners of the car as possible, which gives the Twingo a very purposeful look and means that it’s easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
The Twingo’s super-tight turning circle and nippy engines make it a great car for getting around town, and it also launches off the line briskly. Its rear-wheel-drive arrangement means that it’s less accomplished on the open road, but it doesn’t lose traction unless you accelerate hard, and its aggressive electronic traction control and stability systems wring the Twingo back into line when it’s cornering.
Renault Clio
Whether you’re learning to drive or just looking for an affordable and fun car, the Renault Clio is the best choice. It’s a compact supermini that offers excellent fuel economy and is also very comfortable to drive.
As well as offering a great driving experience, the Renault Clio has plenty of space to carry passengers and cargo. With a boot capacity of 391 litres, it’s large enough to accommodate a few large suitcases or a child’s pushchair.
The Renault Clio is available with a number of engines to suit all needs, including petrol and diesel options. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrols are lively and smooth, while the 1.5-litre dCi diesels are decent performers too.
Ford B-Max
The Ford B-Max is a great car for learners because it offers a large boot, loads of interior space and a number of features that will help them feel more comfortable on the road. It’s also cheap to run and easy to drive.
One of the B-Max’s standout features is its sliding rear doors, which interlock when closed and eliminate the traditional central B-pillar that usually interrupts access to the rear seat. This makes it incredibly easy to fit child seats and remove awkwardly shaped/sized pieces of luggage.
The Ford B-Max is a five-star Euro NCAP-rated small car that’s great for families. It’s a little expensive to buy new, but there are plenty of used options available too.
Dacia Sandero
The Sandero has become Europe’s best-selling private car since 2017, a success that reflects the brand’s resolve to appeal to customers and showcase its quality. Its modern design, robustness and quality – the hallmarks of the brand – are complemented by smart solutions.
Among its key features, the Sandero comes with a range of safety features such as hill start assist, advanced emergency braking and six airbags. Its 1.0-litre engines are efficient and provide excellent fuel economy.
Inside, the Sandero has a good level of fit-and-finish, but it’s still not quite upmarket like some of its rivals. The dashboard is well thought-out and clear, and there are a number of colour options to choose from, but hard plastics dominate.