When learning to drive, choosing the right car to learn in, is a very important decision. With so many options available, this can be difficult for learners drivers and their parents/guardians to know where to begin or what they cars they should be looking at.
In this blog, we will explore the most popular cars for learner drivers, using our own primary data. We analysed 77,431 policies to bring you a data-backed list of the ten most popular cars for learner drivers*. Alongside this, we will cover the key features that make a car suitable for learning to drive and the common features that appear among the most popular models.
*as of July 31st 2025
Before diving into the list of the current most popular cars for learning to drive, it is helpful to understand what makes a car well-suited for learners. While brand and looks are important to some, learner drivers should prioritise practicality, safety, and affordability.
Here are five key features to consider when choosing the best cars for learners:
1. Compact Size
Smaller cars are generally easier to manage, park, and manoeuvre. This can be ideal for building confidence during the initial stages of learning how to drive.
2. Low Insurance Group
Cars in lower insurance groups can sometimes come with more affordable premiums, which is especially important for young or inexperienced drivers.
3. Affordable Running Costs
Fuel efficiency and low maintenance costs can be essential for budget-conscious learners and their families.
4. Light Steering and Good Visibility
A car with responsive steering and clear all-round visibility can help inexperienced drivers stay in control and feel more comfortable behind the wheel.
5. Manual Gearbox Option
While automatic cars are gaining popularity, choosing a manual model gives learners more flexibility long-term as it means they can drive both a manual and/or an automatic. If someone was to learn to drive in an automatic and get an automatic licence, they are only able to drive automatic vehicles. Despite being easier to for learning to drive, there is no evidence to suggest that you are more likely to pass your test in an automatic vehicle. A report from The Guardian found that just 43% of automatic drivers passed their test in 2023-24, as opposed to 48% of all drivers (including manual and automatic).
The following list is based on primary data from Collingwood Insurance, compiled from our live learner driver insurance policies as of the 31st of July, 2025. These models represent the top ten most popular cars for learners, based on real-world usage from 77,431 of UK-based learner drivers.
Coming in at tenth place is the Vauxhall Astra, with 1,488 live policies, making up 2% of live Collingwood learner driver policies.
The Vauxhall Astra is a slightly larger car than some of the others listed, often chosen by learners who want to get used to driving something closer in size to the vehicles they might own later. It offers good stability on motorways, clear visibility, and straightforward controls. With plenty available on the second-hand market and relatively affordable insurance, the Astra is a solid all-rounder that’s popular with learners across the UK.
The Toyota Aygo is our ninth most popular vehicle for learning to drive, with 1,635 live policies, making up over 2% of all live learner policies.
The Toyota Aygo is a popular city car known for its excellent fuel economy and compact design. Learners appreciate its easy handling and responsive steering, especially in urban environments where tight parking and frequent stops are common. Its low running costs and reliability also make it a smart choice for families looking to minimise expenses during the learning process.
The third Ford model on our list is the Ford KA, which sits in eighth place. As of the 31st of July, this model was our eighth most popular vehicle for learners with 1,748 live policies, making up over 2% of live learner driver policies.
The Ford KA has been a long-time favourite among new drivers thanks to its small size and simplicity. It’s one of the easiest cars to manoeuvre, making it a confidence-boosting choice for nervous learners. Affordable to buy and insure, the KA is often seen as a no-fuss option that prioritises practicality and affordability over extras.
In seventh place, we have the Volkswagen Golf, with 2,015 live learner policies, making up just over 2.5% of live policies.
Like the Polo, the Volkswagen Golf brings a premium edge, but in a larger package. It’s a great option for learners who want a car that feels steady and secure at higher speeds while still being manageable in everyday driving. The Golf’s reputation for quality and durability makes it attractive to both learners and parents looking for a longer-term investment.
The Ford Focus is our sixth most popular car for learner driver policies, with 2,046 learners using this model as their vehicle of choice for learning to drive with a Collingwood Insurance learner driver policy. This makes up just under 3% of our live learner driver policies.
For learners who want a slightly bigger car without sacrificing control, the Ford Focus is a popular option. It offers more space and a sturdier feel on the road, while still being easy to handle thanks to precise steering and excellent visibility. Its reliability and affordable second-hand prices make it appealing to families who want a car that learners can continue using even after passing their test.
At number five, the Renault Clio is our fifth most popular car for learner drivers with 2,399 live policies, making up over 3% of learner driver vehicles with Collingwood Insurance.
The Renault Clio has a reputation for being a comfortable and practical supermini, offering a slightly larger feel than cars like the Fiat 500. Its smooth gearbox and stable handling give learners confidence on dual carriageways as well as in town. Affordable to buy and run, the Clio strikes a good balance between size and manageability, which is why it continues to be a top choice among learner drivers.
The Fiat 500 is the fourth most popular car for learner drivers, according to our data. As of the 31st of July, we had 3,717 live policies with the Fiat 500, making up 5% of vehicles that have a learner insurance policy with Collingwood.
Stylish and compact, the Fiat 500 has become a popular choice among younger learners, particularly those living in cities and urban areas. Its small footprint makes it exceptionally easy to park and manoeuvre in tight spaces, while its chic design appeals to image-conscious drivers. Light steering and excellent fuel economy add to its appeal, making the Fiat 500 one of the most popular cars for learning to drive in urban areas.
The Volkswagen Polo is our third most popular car for learner drivers, with 5,465 live policies, making up just over 7% of all learner driver policies with Collingwood.
The Volkswagen Polo offers a slightly more premium feel while still being practical for learners. With its solid build quality and smooth ride, it’s often praised for making new drivers feel secure. The Polo’s refined controls, straightforward dashboard, and availability in both manual and automatic make it a versatile option for learners preparing for their driving test and once they have passed.
In second place is the Vauxhall Corsa, with 7,458 live policies, making up 10% of all learner driver policies with Collingwood.
The Vauxhall Corsa has long been a go-to for first-time drivers. Widely available on the used market, it offers a mix of affordability and practicality. Its compact dimensions and responsive handling can help learners master driving manoeuvres like parallel parking and the three-point turn, making it one of the best cars for learners year after year.
Finally, taking the top spot as the most popular car for learner drivers is the Ford Fiesta, with 8,945 live policies, making up 12% of our learner drivers’ vehicles.
The Ford Fiesta remains one of the UK’s best-selling cars and is often the first choice for learner drivers. Its compact size, light steering, and excellent visibility make it easy to handle during lessons and private practice. Known for its reliability and fuel efficiency, the Fiesta is also affordable to insure and maintain. For many learners, its balance of comfort and control provides the ideal environment to build confidence behind the wheel. In addition to this, its affordability and reputation for reliability make it a standout choice among learners and parents/guardians alike.
A closer look at the list above shows clear trends in what makes a car popular with learner drivers.
1. Compact and Easy to Handle
Most of the models listed are relatively small to medium-sized vehicles, making them ideal for navigating tight streets and performing driving test manoeuvres.
2. Budget-Friendly
Affordability plays a huge role. These cars are not too expensive to buy, run, and insure. These are all key concerns for most learner drivers and their families.
3. Simple Controls
Each of these cars offers straightforward controls such as simple dashboard layouts, clear instrument panels, and easy-to-reach gear shifts. Compared to larger or more complex vehicles with advanced tech or multiple driving modes, these features help learners concentrate on the road and build confidence without unnecessary distractions.
4. Manual Options Available
These models are all available in manual, helping learners prepare for their test, if they are looking for a full license, as opposed to an automatic license.
5. Widely Available in the UK Market
Most of these models listed are normally readily available second-hand [DH1] and are well-known to driving instructors and mechanics, adding an extra layer of trust and accessibility.
If you are looking for the best cars for learner drivers, this guide offers valuable insight backed by real data from our learner driver insurance policies. The models featured here are not only the current most popular cars for learning to drive, but also practical, reliable, and well-suited to help learners gain confidence on the road. At Collingwood Insurance, we understand how important choosing the right car can be for learners, and that is why we analyse our internal data to provide insights like these.
Commonly asked questions about cars for learner drivers
According to Collingwood Insurance data, the Ford Fiesta is currently the most popular car for learner drivers, making up 12% of all Collingwood Learner Driver Policies as of the 31st of July, 2025.
Manual cars offer more flexibility after passing your test, while automatics can be easier to learn in. Manual cars are also a lot more popular with driving instructors. A report by ITV News found that in July 2023, 81% of instructors were teaching in manual cars.
Generally speaking, yes, compact cars can be easier to manoeuvre, park, and handle, all of which are ideal when first learning to drive.
If you wish to practice driving outside of lessons you will need learner driver insurance, which is a policy specifically for those practising in a friend or family member’s car without an approved driving instructor.
Good visibility, low running costs, and compact size all help make a car ideal for learner drivers starting out on the road.
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