Top 5 Safest Cars for New Drivers
For new drivers, confidence on the road comes not only from your skills but also from the car you’re driving. Parents want reassurance. Young drivers want independence without extra risk. The good news? In 2025, car manufacturers are packing small, affordable cars with big-car safety tech — features that used to be luxury add-ons, like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance.
In this guide, we’ll look at five of the safest cars for new drivers. They combine strong crash-test scores, modern safety tech, and affordable running costs — the perfect mix for a first car.
1. Toyota Yaris
Safety rating: 5★ Euro NCAP
Why it’s safe: Comes with Toyota Safety Sense as standard — automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control.
Reliability: Toyota consistently tops reliability surveys.
Why it’s good for new drivers: Affordable insurance group, efficient hybrid options, and low running costs.
2. Volkswagen Polo
Safety rating: 5★ Euro NCAP
Why it’s safe: Excellent crash protection, strong build quality, and driver-assist features like pedestrian detection.
Reliability: Well proven, with good parts availability.
Why it’s good for new drivers: Compact size makes it easy to park, but still feels solid and stable at higher speeds.
3. Hyundai i20
Safety rating: 5★ Euro NCAP
Why it’s safe: Includes lane-keeping assist and driver attention warning as standard.
Reliability: Hyundai offers a long 5-year warranty from new, so even a 3–4-year-old model often has cover left.
Why it’s good for new drivers: Practical, affordable, and low-cost to run, with insurance-friendly engines.
4. Kia Picanto
Safety rating: 4★ Euro NCAP (but excellent city safety)
Why it’s safe: Compact and agile, fitted with stability control and multiple airbags. Ideal for urban driving where young drivers often start out.
Reliability: Backed by Kia’s famous 7-year warranty.
Why it’s good for new drivers: One of the cheapest new-driver cars to insure, and still full of modern features.
5. Ford Fiesta
Safety rating: 5★ Euro NCAP
Why it’s safe: Strong structure, multiple airbags, and widely available with Ford’s safety pack including lane assist.
Reliability: One of the UK’s most popular cars, easy to service and repair.
Why it’s good for new drivers: Fun to drive, affordable to buy used, and easy to find parts and support.
Safety Tech to Look For
When choosing a first car, prioritise models that include these features as standard:
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
Lane-Keeping Assist
Stability Control
Multiple airbags
ISOFIX mounts for younger siblings (parents often care about this!)
Why Subscriptions Make Sense
Even with safer models, buying outright means finding thousands up front and facing depreciation. A subscription service like Step 1 Cars gives access to the same safe, modern hatchbacks with insurance, warranty, and breakdown included — no big deposit, no surprise bills, just one fixed monthly cost.
The Bottom Line
Choosing a first car is about more than independence — it’s about safety, peace of mind, and affordability. The Toyota Yaris, VW Polo, Hyundai i20, Kia Picanto, and Ford Fiesta all strike the right balance. With a subscription, you don’t just get a safe first car — you also protect yourself from the financial risks of ownership.