The Toyota Aygo has been crowned the best car for first-time drivers, a new study reveals. A survey of 1,000 motorists who passed their test in the past three years pinpointed what they look for in their first set of wheels.
For 30% of those surveyed, affordability is key, with 65% not willing to fork out more than £8,000 for their initial vehicle. Insurance costs are also a major consideration for 27%, while 24% focus on the mileage and fuel efficiency.
With these factors in mind, CarGurus has put together the First-Time Buyer Guide, offering advice and information suitable for various budgets.
The Toyota Aygo consistently scored high across the board in the areas deemed most important by the survey, making it the top pick for newbies behind the wheel.
CarGurus' Chris Knapman commented: "While no car ticked every single requirement set out by respondents to our survey, the Toyota Aygo is the model that comes closest.
"Built between 2014 and 2021, the second-generation Aygo is affordable to buy and run, roomy enough to carry four people, and should prove to be extremely reliable if properly maintained.
"To complement this recommendation, we have created a comprehensive first-car buying guide which blends our survey results with expert advice, and also contains details of nine other recommended models to consider."
The majority who are seeking low-costs and unwilling to spend more than £8,000 with 57% desiring an automatic vehicle can opt for a six year old automatic petrol-engine Aygo that fits the bill.
The 1.0-litre petrol-engined Aygo yielding 71bhp manages a competitive fuel efficiency of 64mpg when complimented with the X-Shift automatic gearbox, ensuring affordable fuel costs.
Existing insurance groups for an Aygo of this specification are between six to nine, indicating that premiums, although slightly above their preferred budget, are within realistic means for many novices back on the roads approximately £1,500.
New motorists on average would be open to annually insuring their vehicles for up to a maximum of £1,100 and aim to clock at least 70 miles per week in the car. A significant 22% of respondents identified reliability as critical - where Aygo truly outperforms due to its "historic reliability".
The Japanese manufacturer is highly acclaimed for creating some of the most dependable cars in the market, consistently securing positive reviews in consumer satisfaction polls.
Aspects such as MOT history (19%), service records (18%), and the car's age (18%) were also salient factors amongst those surveyed.
When it comes to the preferred body style and size, new drivers are leaning towards SUVs (21%) and hatchbacks (20%). They also tend to favour cars that can accommodate four (37%) to five (52%) passengers.
In terms of additional features, new drivers are keen on having Bluetooth connectivity (45%), parking sensors (44%), and parking cameras (41%).
The research further revealed that new drivers are most likely to choose a petrol car (46%), with electric (19%), diesel (19%), and hybrid (16%) following behind.
Ideally, they're looking for a vehicle that's about five years old, with 48% interested in a second-hand car and 43% in the market for a brand-new one, leaving 10% still undecided.
Conducted via OnePoll, the study identified the top five most coveted car brands as Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, and Ford.
Chris Knapman from CarGurus commented: "While none can quite match the Aygo, there is still a selection of models both petrol and electric that make for great first-time buys based on the criteria identified in our data."
Other models that stood out in CarGurus' top 10 list include the Peugeot 108/Citroen C1 (2014-2021), which share the same mechanics as the Aygo but ranked second due to the lack of eligibility for Toyota's extended warranty.
The Kia Picanto (2011-2016) and Hyundai i10 (2014-2019) were also highly recommended for their economical running costs and reasonable purchase prices.
According to automotive research and shopping experts, the four-speed automatic gearbox used in the Picanto and i10 is one of the superior systems available in a car of this size.
For those specifically looking to kickstart their driving journey with an electric vehicle (EV), the Renault Zoe (2013-2019) and Kia Soul EV Mk1 (2014-2019) come highly recommended as two of the best-value used EVs on the market.
The top car for first-time car buyers, based on the needs of new drivers, is the Toyota Aygo (2014-2021).
The runners up, in no particular order, are:.
- Peugeot 108/Citroen C1 (2014-2021).
- Kia Picanto (2011-2016).
- Hyundai i10 (2014-2019).
- Nissan Micra (2017-2022).
- Volkswagen up! (2012-2023).
- Ford Fiesta (2008-2017).
- Renault Clio (2013-2018).
- Renault Zoe (2013-2019) - electric.
- Kia Soul EV Mk1 (2015-2019) - electric