Read the full Skoda Fabia review
The Skoda Fabia is an incredibly well-rounded small car that makes a sound choice for those just starting out. The base 1.0-litre non-turbo MPI engine is by no means fast but it puts the Fabia in insurance group 4, handy for younger drivers without a no-claims bonus. It’s only available in the lowest trim level which comes with the basics but a reasonably long options list that’s worth plundering.
Those with deeper pockets might want to consider the SE L for the additional luxury while there’s also a sporty-looking Monte Carlo version that’s available with a 1.5-litre 150hp engine to give junior hot hatch pace. Whichever version you pick, expect to find easy to swallow monthly finance payments with a deposit that’s not too painful.
You’ll also find plenty of room inside for your friends and family plus a generously proportioned boot for the class. Everything is well screwed together and it feels a little plusher than some rivals such as the Fiesta and Corsa. It’s easy and rather pleasant to drive, with a good balance between comfort and handling and decent performance if you’ve got a turbocharged TSI engine. Yes, it is a little sober to look at, but some flashy alloy wheels and loud paint from the options list do help a great deal.
Based on a 43year old Male the Skoda Fabia would cost £493.34 to insure
*Insurance quotes are from mustard.co.uk in September 2022 and are based on a 43-year-old, employed married male living in Stowmarket with 9 years NCD and no claims or convictions. Insurance quotes will vary depending on individual circumstances.
RUNNERS UP
Read the full Renault Clio review
Due to the sheer all-round abilities of the Fabia and the dropping of the Clio’s entry-level engine, this little Renault slips from the top spot it occupied last year. Yes, the turbocharged TCe feels much more muscular, but it also pushes the insurance group into the teens. Even then it doesn’t have the legs of the Fabia or as pleasant a gearbox.
What it does have is style and bags of it. Inside and out it’s easy to fall for the distinctive looks while higher trim levels feel plusher than the majority of rivals. Renault are also one of the few manufacturers still offering 0% APR finance, although the short 24 month duration they prefer requires a hefty deposit to keep monthly figures around the £200 mark.
Read the full Fiat 500 Electric review
It’ll be an inevitability in a few years anyway, so why not make your first car an electric car? It’s not the expensive option you might think it is, with cars like the Fiat 500e Action offering low monthly payments with an easy to swallow deposit. Insurance is in line with turbocharged versions of the Fabia and Clio, so while it isn’t the cheapest it’s by no means extortionate.
Okay, the real-world range of 100 miles or less won’t suit everybody, but for a little more cash you can get one that does nearer 200. Whichever version you pick, it’s great to drive with strong acceleration, keen handling and a decent ride, not something that can be said of the petrol-powered 500 that soldiers on in Hybrid guise.
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