Cheapest cars to insure for new drivers 2022
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The delight of passing your driving test is soon tempered by the fact you have to pay new driver rates of car insurance. And that means forking out a small fortune.
Insurance companies charge some of the highest rates to new drivers, as they’re judged to be high-risk motorists more likely to be involved in an accident.
Many new drivers think this most unfair, but the statistics used to calculate car insurance premiums sadly suggest otherwise. Even if you are a safe and skilled new driver, others let the side down for you.
It’s therefore important for new drivers to pick the cheapest cars to insure, if they want to keep their premiums in-check. Factors determining car insurance include engine power, cost of repair and the fitment of safety-assist features. Anything, in short, to help reduce the risk of an accident.
Our guide highlights 10 cars that are certain to keep insurance prices low as new drivers build up their all-important no claims bonus. Most are small cars that are cheap to buy as well as run.
Cheapest cars to insure for new drivers
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Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo is a great choice for new drivers looking for the cheapest cars to insure. The 1.0-litre 80hp models are rated group 1 for car insurance, the lowest-possible insurance band. The Polo also has a good array of active safety features, such as autonomous emergency braking, which helps further reduce premiums. Parents will be reassured by the Polo’s excellent Euro NCAP crash-test score, and the fact it is such an easy and secure car to drive shouldn’t pose any challenges to new motorists keen to build up their experience on the roads.
Volkswagen Up
The Volkswagen Up is the smaller city car-sized alternative to the Polo supermini. It’s even easier to park, thanks to its shorter overall length, but clever packaging means it’s still roomy inside – the five-door body shell has good space even for adults in the rear seats, although the Polo does offer a bigger boot. Autonomous emergency braking is standard, and the Up’s 1.0-litre engines fall into group 1 for car insurance, helping keep annual premiums under control for new drivers. The Up is a reliable and robust car that should prove cheap to repair if new drivers do get into any car-park scrapes.
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Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a deserved favourite car for new drivers. It is regularly Britain’s best-selling new car, which means there is a huge amount of support and experience out there, helping keep repair costs low. This is factored into car insurance premiums – as is the just-enough performance of variants such as the 1.1-litre Ti-VCT. This engine falls into group 2 for car insurance, with other more powerful versions also being sensibly-priced. The familiar Fiesta is an easy car to drive – and a fun one – while the latest versions have electronic safety aids that support new drivers if the road gets slippery, or they need to make a sudden manoeuvre.
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Renault Clio
It was popular with Nicole and Papa, and it’s another popular car with new drivers. The Renault Clio with the SCe 65 engine will be the cheapest to insure, as it has the lowest insurance group rating. Renault’s sensible approach to safety and security means all Clios should allow cost-effective cover, though, and the fact that driving a Clio is so easy and straightforward will give new drivers confidence. Few cars feel more at home in the city. Meanwhile, parents can take comfort in Renault’s strong crash credentials, backed up by a good performance in the Euro NCAP safety tests.
Hyundai i10
The compact Hyundai i10 is a popular city car that new drivers will be drawn to, courtesy of its stylish lines and youthful detailing. Being a compact car, it’s very easy to drive, and a breeze to park, while its small engines mean it benefits from low insurance groups. The affordable i10 is generally very well equipped, with all-important safety tech coming as standard. Like all Hyundais, it also comes with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, so it should be more than capable of shrugging off any wear and tear that comes from new drivers honing their motoring craft.
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Skoda Fabia
The latest Skoda Fabia is an extremely practical small car. The friends of new drivers will be amazed at how much space there is in the back seats, and the boot is enormous – as big as that of the larger Volkswagen Golf, in fact. All this comes with the potential for affordable car insurance, too. The entry-level 1.0 MPI 80 engine has a group 3 insurance rating, even in stylish Colour Edition trim. This means the Fabia’s long-running tradition of being a cheap car to insure will continue, enhancing its reputation for offering great all-round value for money.
MG 3
The colourful MG 3 boasts extremely competitive insurance ratings. The VTI-Tech engine starts from group 4 insurance, which means new drivers won’t have to pay through the nose to get on the road. It’s an affordable car to buy as well, and comes with a good level of standard equipment. MG even offers a seven-year warranty, bolstering the car’s long-lasting credentials. A five-door supermini similar in size to a Fiesta, the MG 3 is practical enough to grow with new drivers as they gain experience on the road. It’s better to drive than you might expect, too, although the cabin is a bit low-rent and it could be more refined.
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Nissan Micra
The Nissan Micra has long been a highly-rated car for new drivers. Previous generations were simple to drive, cheap to repair and cost-effective to insure, a trend that has continued with this latest, more sophisticated model. It’s the most dynamic-looking Micra ever, with sharp lines and flowing curves, and it feels grown up inside. It is available with the same infotainment system as larger Nissans, and even a premium-grade Bose stereo. Pick an entry-level petrol engine and insurance starts from the lowest possible group 1, making this one of the very cheapest cars to insure.
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SEAT Ibiza
The SEAT Ibiza is another supermini that often finds favour with new motorists. The sporty appearance and youthful approach of Spanish brand SEAT gives it one of the youngest ownership profiles across Europe. It’s certainly easy to see why the Ibiza is popular with new drivers: 1.0 MPI petrol engines have car insurance starting from a lowly group 2, while even the hot hatch-like FR Sport model falls into group 4. The latest Ibiza is packed with connected technology and is an engaging car to drive, while also offering a good array of standard safety systems.
Dacia Sandero
The Dacia Sandero is an immediate winner here, courtesy of being one of the cheapest new cars on sale in the UK. If you’re a new driver and don’t want to spend a fortune, it’s a great choice. The most affordable 1.0 SCe version has a group 3 insurance rating, and the well-equipped Essential, which features air conditioning and other goodies, still only falls into group 4. It’s a good-to-drive brand new car, with lots of space and five-door practicality, all for the price of a secondhand Corsa or Clio. It’s not hard to see why the Sandero is so popular.
How can new drivers cut the cost of car insurance?
In the first instance, new drivers can cut the cost of their car insurance by choosing a vehicle with a low power output. Car insurers penalise more powerful cars particularly strongly for new drivers, so it’s best to keep engine power as low as possible. It’s also worth sticking to a popular make of car, which should be cheaper to repair. Driving a smaller and more affordable city car or supermini, rather than a larger and more luxurious vehicle, will also help.
Why is car insurance so high for new drivers?
Car insurers use statistics and previous accident data to build up their risk profiles. These all point to new drivers being among the highest-risk motorists, which is why car insurance is so expensive for them. Factors include age, whether you’re male or female, where you live and, of course, what type of car you drive. It is an unfortunate fact of life that car insurance will cost more for new drivers than more experienced motorists.
What is telematics car insurance?
Many new drivers are switching to telematics car insurance. This involves fitting a ‘black box’ that monitors where and when they’re driving. It records factors such as speed, acceleration, braking and other parameters. The idea is to encourage safe and steady driving, and penalise new drivers who drive more dangerously. Black box car insurance is therefore cheaper than normal car insurance, for those who don’t mind being tracked all the time.
