If you’re a new driver, however, the average cost will be considerably more expensive, and it’s why a car’s insurance group should be a major consideration when you’re deciding on a new car as a recently passed driver.
Insurance groups range from 1 to 50, with the lower the number theoretically meaning lower premiums. Let’s take a look at some of the cheapest cars to insure for new drivers.
Volkswagen Up!
One of the most popular first cars of recent years has been the Volkswagen Up!, and for good reason as it’s one of the cheapest cars to insure around. With all versions featuring small 1.0-litre petrol engines, all models (with the exception of the fairly rare turbocharged models and GTI) will sit in some of the lowest insurance groups around. Selected versions even sit in the lowest group of 1.
The Up! is available with three or five doors, while there’s a special clip in the dashboard to mount your smartphone to use for navigation. Bluetooth is standard on most versions, and this VW’s small size but deceptively roomy interior makes it a great choice for new drivers.
Seat Ibiza
The Seat Ibiza is another model that’s become a popular choice for new drivers owing to its youthful looks and generous equipment levels. It’s great value for money and undercuts the mechanically-similar Volkswagen Polo for price.
We’d recommend the latest generation of Ibiza, launched in 2017, and choose it with the naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre petrol engine. It’s not the quickest, but helps to make it much cheaper to insure, with a group of just 2.
PEUGEOT 108
Peugeot’s 108 is the more stylish sibling to the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1, and as a result, it’s become a hit with new drivers looking for something that’s cool and interesting. Though sitting in a slightly higher insurance group (it starts from six), it should still be fairly low to insure compared to other models.
With its dinky 1.0-litre petrol engines, the 108 is also very cheap to run and ideal for those wanting to keep their running costs down. If you’re looking for something a little more fun, Peugeot also offers the 108 with an electric canvas roof to give it the feel of a convertible.
Skoda Fabia
If you’re looking for a first car that has a bit more of a grown-up feel, it’s worth looking at the Skoda Fabia. It has a slightly more sensible stance than others on this list, but there are advantages to that as the Fabia is refined and comfortable to drive, and has a good reputation for reliability as well.
It’s roomy by small car standards, and great value if you’re looking at secondhand cars. Look for a naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre petrol engine model, which sits in a low insurance group of 2.
Hyundai i10
Hyundai’s i10 is a car designed for the city first and foremost but punches well above its weight for a car of this size in terms of interior space and driving dynamics. We’d recommend a last-generation i10, sold between 2014 and 2020.
These are very well-priced on the used market, and have a good reputation for their dependability. Hyundai offers a choice of 1.0- or 1.2-litre petrol engines, and it’s the former you should choose where the lowest premiums are concerned, as these start from insurance group 2.
