
Best car for new drivers revealed as budget-friendly classic knocking premium motor off top spot
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The VW Golf has been crowned the best motor for new drivers
Credit: Supplied
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The Golf has been praised for its good value, safety, and stylish look
Credit: Getty
With the
The BMW1 Series also narrowly missed the top spot, but by offering premium quality, plenty of space, a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and low running costs, the Golf has a lot of appeal to
Autotrader's Editorial Director Erin Baker, said: 'The Golf continues to prove its timeless versatility.
'It's the car of voice for new drivers looking for a fun, dependable set of first-time wheels that won't break the budget.'
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The starting price of a new VW Golf is roughly £28,000, however they can be bought second hand for under £5,000.
Beyond the Golf and Audi A1, other cars that have been proven popular among new drivers include the
This year, over 225,000 people voted in the Driver's Choice Awards.
Autotrader explained that each year they ask car owners to share what their car is like to live with to find out what the
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Among the other motors recognised as the best to buy in 2025 were Kia's EV3, which was awarded the prestigious title of New Car of the Year, and the BMW I4, which was crowned Best Car for Families.
Voters elected the Omoda 5 for Best Value Car, the Land Rover Defender 110 took the cake for Most Loved Car, and the Porsche Macan was chosen for the Most Fun Car to Drive.
New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further
In terms of the best brands in the business, Lexus was declared most reliable, Dacia was crowned the best value, and BYD was awarded the most loved.
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The Audi A1 has been knocked off of the top spot
Credit: swanswaygarages.com
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The Golf has been dubbed reliable and very safe for new drivers
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The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
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Toyota Corolla - 697,000 (-11%) 10 Toyota Corolla Credit: Toyota UK Widely recognized as the best-selling car model of all time, the Corolla continues to be shifted all over the world with strong sales in Asia and Europe particularly. Featuring both an ICE and hybrid powertrain, the Corolla remains a favourite due to its reliability, fuel efficiency and recently introduced hybrid options. However, as previously mentioned, its 11% sales drop likely reflects a shift away from traditional saloons and hatchbacks, toward SUVs. 4. Honda CR-V - 854,000 (+1%) 10 Honda CR-V Credit: newspressuk Honda's wildly popular compact SUV is its only entry on the list - but the brand will be buoyed by a small rise in sales numbers in 2024. A hot favourite in the US - which accounted for more than a half of total production in 2024 - it also sells well in Asia and Europe. 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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Letting your dog hang out of car window & other surprising risks that could cost drivers £1,000s in fines this summer
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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
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