Nissan Micra is STILL the best new first car - and the Hyundai i20 the best used

Nissan Micra is still the best new first car

The Nissan Micra has been named the best new car for first time drivers in the FirstCar Awards, with the Hyundai i20 grabbing the best used car buy.

Last year, FirstCar – which has been advising new drivers on all aspects of getting behind the wheel for the first time for more than a decade – decided the time had come to give out gongs to point new drivers in the right direction.

They didn’t do it by halves, setting the award ceremony at the RAC Club in Pall Mall, and it was the Nissan Micra which took the top gong for best new car for new drivers.

Fast forward to this year (actually, just a bit over nine months) and FirstCar are back at the RAC Club for the 2019 awards, and it’s the Nissan Micra which has taken the title for the second time in a row.

David Motton, FirstCar’s editor, said:

The Nissan Micra is a worthy winner. We’re delighted that Nissan has made big-car safety features like autonomous emergency braking standard on the Micra. What’s more, fuel-efficient engines and low insurance groupings make the Micra affordable to run, even on a tight budget.
The Micra is easy to drive – just what a new driver wants as they build up experience on the roads. What’s more, there’s plenty of scope for drivers to personalise the look and finish of the car, inside and out.
It’s a first car any new driver would be proud to own.

But, sensibly, FirstCar didn’t just look at what’s the best first car for drivers who can afford a new car, but also what’s the best used car buy for first time drivers. And here it was the Hyundai i20 which shone and took the gong.

David Motton said:

The Hyundai i20 makes a great used buy for any new driver. Anyone buying an i20 that’s under five years old will still benefit from the balance of the original warranty. That’s a big plus for first-time buyers looking to avoid any unexpected bills.

FirstCar divvied up a total of 17 awards at the ceremony, with wins for car makers including Renault, Citroen, VW, Audi, Ford and Kia.