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These cheap and easy to drive cars are perfect for new drivers

18 Jul 2019|55,495 views

The choice of a first car is important, it should be easy to drive as well as cheap to run. Here are some cars which we feel are perfect for new drivers.

In reality, nobody drives perfectly right after getting their driving license. It takes years of experience for most to hone their driving skills. As a new driver looking to purchase a car, chances are that you have just stepped into the society. Thus, your budget, like your driving skills, are unsurprisingly lacking. As such, it is important to find a car that is not only cheap to purchase, but also cheap to upkeep while being easy and forgiving to drive. Here are some cars that we have picked that are perfect for new drivers!

How did we make the decision?

1. Depreciation

Being a new driver, you might not want to be spending too much for your first car, hence we rounded up the cars that has an annual depreciation of less than $8,000 (that's about as cheap as a new car can get!). A low depreciation also means that there will be minimal losses should you decide to switch up to something faster or bigger once you get the hang of driving.

2. Manoeuvrability

The biggest fear as a new driver largely stems from situations where you have to manoeuvre the car through tight spaces, such as parking, making a u-turn or simply driving through a really narrow road. Hence, we are recommending small hatchbacks and small to medium sized sedans. The cars recommended also feature a turning radius below 5,500mm (5.5m) which is well within two lanes' width (6.4m).

3. Fuel consumption

Petrol is expensive in Singapore, that is why in a bid to save money, these cars that we recommend all has fuel consumption that is lower than average. Additionally these cars also have a small engine capacity of 1.6-litre and below, keeping road tax to a minimum - more savings!

Honda City 1.5 V (A)

As the Honda City is used at Singapore Safety Driving Center for learners, it clearly is one of the easier car to drive!

Price: $78,999

Annual depreciation: $7,100

Annual road tax: $684

Dimensions (L x W x H): (4,442 x 1,694 x 1,477)mm

Turning radius: 5,300mm

Fuel Consumption: 16.9km/L

Honda Jazz 1.3 (A)

Like the Honda City, the Jazz is also used at various driving schools here, with its petite size it's simply perfect!

Price: $69,999

Annual depreciation: $6,700

Annual road tax: $578

Dimensions (L x W x H): (3,999 x 1,694 x 1,668)mm

Turning radius: 5,300mm

Fuel Consumption: 19.2km/L

Kia Cerato 1.6 L (A)

The Cerato is a favourite in Singapore - it is an aptly priced family sedan with smart looks to go with

Price: $75,999

Annual depreciation: $7,000

Annual road tax: $738

Dimensions (L x W x H): (4,640 x 1,800 x 1,450)mm

Turning radius: 5,300

Fuel Consumption: 15.1km/L

Kia Stonic 1.0T EX (A)

With a small but powerful 1.0-litre turbocharged engine, the small but peppy Stonic is an excellent choice for new drivers

Price: $77,999

Annual depreciation: $7,400

Annual road tax: $392

Dimensions (L x W x H): (4,140 x 1,760 x 1,485)mm

Turning radius: 5,200mm

Fuel Consumption: 18.5km/L

Mazda2 Hatchback 1.5 Standard [Leather Package] (A)

Yet another favourite car for driving instructors, the Mazda2 Hatchback not only has a small footprint, it also has an excellent turning radius of merely 4.7m

Price: $78,888

Annual depreciation: $7,200

Annual road tax: $682

Dimensions (L x W x H): (4,060 x 1,697 x 1,495)mm

Turning radius: 4,700mm

Fuel Consumption: 19.6km/L

Mazda2 Sedan 1.5 Standard Plus [Leather Package] (A)

Do you love all that the Mazda2 Hatchback has to offer, but prefer a sedan body style? Lucky for you, this is just that

Price: $84,888

Annual depreciation: $7,800

Annual road tax: $682

Dimensions (L x W x H): (4,320 x 1,695 x 1,470)mm

Turning radius: 4,700mm

Fuel Consumption: 18.8km/L

Mitsubishi Attrage 1.2 CVT Modern (A)

Not only is the Attrage incredible value for money, it also has a compact footprint which makes it easy to drive

Price: $61,999

Annual depreciation: $5,900

Annual road tax: $506

Dimensions (L x W x H): (4,245 x 1,670 x 1,515)mm

Turning radius: 4,800mm

Fuel Consumption: 20.4km/L

Mitsubishi Space Star 1.2 (A)

The Space Star is the hatchback version of the Attrage and being even smaller than the latter, it also features an even smaller turning radius

Price: $63,999

Annual depreciation: $6,100

Annual road tax: $506

Dimensions (L x W x H): (3,795 x 1,665 x 1,510)mm

Turning radius: 4,600mm

Fuel Consumption: 21.2km/L

Nissan Note 1.2 (A)

With a 1.2-litre engine that sips on petrol, the Nissan Note is a smart choice for new drivers

Price: $71,300

Annual Depreciation: $6,900

Annual road tax: $508

Dimensions (L x W x H): (4,100 x 1,695 x 1,525)mm

Turning radius: 5,200mm

Fuel Consumption: 20km/L

Perodua Myvi 1.3X (A)

If you ever travelled to Malaysia, you will know that the Myvi is the choice of people from all walks of life, from beginner drivers to car enthusiasts alike

Price: $66,800

Annual depreciation: $6,100

Annual road tax: $584

Dimensions (L x W x H): (3,895 x 1,735 x 1,515)mm

Turning radius: 4,800mm

Fuel Consumption: 21.1km/L

SEAT Ibiza 1.0 EcoTSI DSG Style (A)

The Seat Ibiza features a 1.0-litre engine that ensures a low road tax - its low fuel consumption will also add to your savings!

Price: $80,900

Annual depreciation: $7,200

Annual road tax: $392

Dimensions (L x W x H): (4,059 x 1,780 x1,444)mm

Turning radius: 5,300mm

Fuel Consumption: 21.2km/L

Seat Toledo 1.4 TSI DSG Style

While the Seat Toledo isn't monstrous in size, it offers plenty of space for the occupants

Price: $79,999

Annual depreciation: $7,500

Annual road tax: $624

Dimensions (L x W x H): (4,589 x 1,705 x 1,488)mm

Turning radius: 5,100mm

Fuel Consumption: 20.4km/L

Suzuki Swift 1.0 Standard (A)

While the 1.0 Swift isn't a sizzling hot hatch, it panders to your budgetry needs with a low road tax

Price: $73,900

Annual depreciation: $6,700

Annual road tax: $392

Dimensions (L x W x H): (3,840 x 1,735 x 1,495)mm

Turning radius: 4,800mm

Fuel Consumption: 17.5km/L

Toyota Vios 1.5 E Grade (A)

Toyota Vios, do we even need to explain why it's on the list? Here's a hint, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre loves them

Price: $78,988

Annual depreciation: $7,200

Annual road tax: $682

Dimensions (L x W x H): (4,425 x 1,730 x 1,475)mm

Turning radius: 5,100mm

Fuel Consumption: 17.2km/L

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The choice of a first car is important, it should be easy to drive as well as cheap to run. Here are some cars which we feel are perfect for new drivers.

As the Honda City is used at Singapore Safety Driving Center for learners, it clearly is one of the easier car to drive!

Price: $78,999

Annual depreciation: $7,100

Annual road tax: $684

Dimensions (L x W x H): (4,442 x 1,694 x 1,477)mm

Turning radius: 5,300mm

Fuel Consumption: 16.9km/L

Honda Jazz 1.3 (A)

Like the Honda City, the Jazz is also used at various driving schools here, with its petite size it's simply perfect!

Price: $69,999

Annual depreciation: $6,700

Annual road tax: $578

Dimensions (L x W x H): (3,999 x 1,694 x 1,668)mm

Turning radius: 5,300mm

Fuel Consumption: 19.2km/L

Kia Cerato 1.6 L (A)

The Cerato is a favourite in Singapore - it is an aptly priced family sedan with smart looks to go with

Price: $75,999

Annual depreciation: $7,000

Annual road tax: $738

Dimensions (L x W x H): (4,640 x 1,800 x 1,450)mm

Turning radius:

5,300

Fuel Consumption: 15.1km/L

Kia Stonic 1.0T EX (A)