Most affordable cars for first time drivers

When you first passed your driving test, the level of excitement for getting your new car is high. It remains high whilst you search around for that perfect first car that is going to give you a sense of real freedom. You no longer have to take public transport or ask your everyone for a lift. You can simply jump in your car and be off.

However, when it comes to actually looking at the logistics of getting a new car for a first time buyer, it becomes tricky as to which car to get. Whilst getting a car on cheap car finance can be the easiest way to get that first car, the decision on which car remains difficult. Here are four suggestions for the most affordable cars for first time buyers.

Skoda Citigo

For first time drivers, who don’t need to drive long distances, there is the choice of the city car. Skoda have one of the best and also most affordable city cars on the market with the Citigo.

For the lowest running costs on a Citigo, you are looking at the 1.0-litre MPI 75 GreenTech SE L model. This model has a 1.0-litre petrol engine throwing out 75 bhp. It hits a top speed of 107 mph and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 13.5 seconds. With regards to running costs, it has a combined fuel economy of 68.9 mpg.

Inside the Citigo cabin, you get the very basic design, that looks great. It is a nice place to sit, with all the controls well set out and easy to use by being in reach of the driver. The dashboard itself feels very robust and strong.

The space in the cabin is great for both front and back passengers, unless of course they are tall six-footers, then the rear seats may be a little cramp. There are a variety of cup holders and storage spaces all around the car. Boot space however comes in at 251-litres with those seats up. If you drop those rear seats, that capacity increases nicely to 959-litres.

Skoda Fabia

If the Citigo is too small for what you need, then check out its bigger sibling, the Skoda Fabia. This hatchback is far more suitable for motorway and country road driving as well as city driving.

The best Skoda Fabia for low running costs is the 1.4 TDI 75 S. It comes with a three-cylinder, 1.4-litre diesel engine that produces 75 bhp. From that power, this model accelerates from 0-60 mph in 13.1 seconds and tops out at 107 mph. When it comes to running costs, the fuel economy equals a combined 78.5 mpg, ensuring you get the most out of your money.

The Fabia’s cabin is well built, with plenty of high quality plastics and comfortable seats. The dashboard like the Citigo is well set out and easy to use, thanks to the conventional, clear marked buttons and knobs.

The Fabia is very spacious inside, thanks to the longer wheelbase, meaning that it is comfortable head and legroom in front and back for six footers. In the supermini class, the Fabia also has one of the biggest boots. It has a capacity of 330-litres with the rear seats up, making it extremely useful when packing for university or long distance travel. If you fold those rear seats down, the space capacity increases to 1,150-litres, making it easy to use when you want to help your friends move.

Volkswagen Up

The VW Up is the greater challenger to the Citigo, being the best city car on the market. You can get a new model for a cheap monthly price on cheap car leasing, making it a very affordable car for first time drivers.

Volkswagen has introduced BlueMotion Tech for the Up to ensure it is more fuel efficient and low running costs. The best model for running costs is the 1.0-litre BlueMotion Tech Move Up, which develops 60 bhp, a top speed of 100 mph and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 14.4 seconds. When it comes to fuel economy, this Up delivers a combined fuel economy of 68.9 mpg. That is exactly the same as the Citigo and they both sell for similar prices, around the £10k mark.

Climb inside the Up and you get an excellent interior for the price you pay. Volkswagen are well known for delivering brilliant interiors for all their cars, regardless of price. The materials inside are high quality and very comfortable. You will be happy being sat inside the Up.

The space for passengers in the Up, you can expect the same as the Citigo. It can easily fit four adults in, however it is a little tight in the back for taller adults. Boot space is out the same as the Citigo at 251-litres.

Ford Fiesta

When it comes to affordable cars, why not consider getting the UK’s most popular car? Ford Fiesta is famous for being a brilliant drive, a comfy ride and low running costs, which explains its popularity.

For the best fuel economy and therefore the lowest running costs for the Fiesta, you will be wanting the 1.5-litre TDCI Style ECOnetic model. Obviously it comes with a 1.5-litre diesel engine that produces 95 bhp. It has one of the fastest 0-60 mph for an economical car doing it in 11.9 seconds. It also tops out at 111 mph. The Ford Fiesta is brilliant for all forms of road motorway driving. With regards to those low running costs, the Fiesta has a combined fuel economy of 88.3 mpg, ensuring that this car delivers on the money you pay for it.

In 2013, the Ford Fiesta got a face-lift, meaning that it has a sharp, sportier design on the outside. However, on the inside you get a well set out design with all the buttons in reach of the driver. It is also one of the best looking dashboard designs in the Supermini class.

The Fiesta, thanks to the comfy seats, brilliant ride and multitude of steering wheel and seat adjustments, has the best seating position in its class to go with the dashboard. There is plenty of space for taller passengers, without worry for tightness.

Jump into the boot and you will find a boot capacity of 290-litres, making it smaller than the Fabia with the rear seats up. When you drop those rear seats, you get an increased capacity of 974-litres, still smaller than the Fabia.

Getting an affordable car

When you have just passed your driving test and are looking for that first car, you want it to be easy and affordable. One of the easiest ways of getting an affordable first car is through car finance for young drivers. The reason for this is that car finance on a monthly budget ends up being an easier and cheaper way to afford a car. It means you can either save money or stretch your budget to get a more expensive car.

Once you have chosen that affordable car, check how affordable the running costs are. Truth is whilst the car might be rather cheap, if the costs to run it are high, then it becomes a false economy and you will likely end up spending more.