The Top Five Most Popular First Cars in the 1990s

1990s motoring seems a lifetime ago... Ready to take a trip down memory lane?

The 1990s: the decade that birthed the first CGI Disney film, Toy Story. An era dominated by pop music sensations like the Spice Girls, and the public finally got a glimpse of the World Wide Web. The ‘90s instigated great change, especially in technology. Just seven years after the first web browser was launched to the public, more than 50% of the Western world had access to the internet.

Despite a slightly economically tumultuous start, with a recession early in the decade. The 1990s springboarded off that into a far more prosperous era. Especially when compared to the multiple debt crises of the 1980s. In fact, the ‘90s kicked off what was to turn out to be the longest growth of economic wealth in history. The ‘90s set in motion a new era of productivity, prosperity and massive technological leaps forwards. Did their cars reflect that?

The cars below are still popular choices for first-time drivers, even today. With the insurance premiums being low, they provide decent fuel economy and repairs are cheap. In a world where monthly finance costs and repair prices are high, second-hand 1990s cars are still great options for first-time drivers. Although they’re recently gaining popularity with nostalgic car enthusiasts, so prices are rising...

Vauxhall Corsa (Corsa B)

By the 1990s, manufacturers had well settled into the idea of the growing competitive market for small cars. The Vauxhall Corsa was a great example of that. The Corsa – Corsa B specifically – was only offered in three door form in the UK, a testament to how successfully small cars were taking over the decade.

The Corsa offered a wealth of engine selections, from 1.2-litre to 1.6-litre petrol engines and a 1.5-litre turbodiesel. An attractive offer for all drivers but particularly first-time drivers. In fact, when the Corsa got a facelift later in the decade, they also introduced a 1.0-litre three-cylinder version: the engine choice of the ‘90s.

Fun facts:

- Four million Corsa B cars were sold worldwide.

- The Corsa B was intentionally designed to be more appealing to women, an effort led by Hideo Kodama.

- The Eco trim was ‘Europe’s most economical car’, along with one of the quietest.

Peugeot 106

A supermini again released initially as just a three-door, with a five-door option added later. The Peugeot 106 was released in two phases and in both variations the engine range catered perfectly to first time drivers. With 1.0-litre and 1.1-litre options in the first phase, the insurance on these cars was peanuts compared to larger engines.

Performance models were brought out with the second phase of 106, such as the Rallye which is now an incredibly collectible car. With fuel cheaper than ever before too, the ‘90s were a happy time for first time drivers.

Fun facts:

- The Peugeot 107 was the successor to the popular tiny supermini.

- In 1995 Peugeot released the 106 Electrique, and was one of the earliest electric vehicles.

- The Citroen Saxo was based on the Peugeot 106 chassis.

Ford Fiesta

The ever-popular Ford Fiesta returns for this decade. Newly designed 1.25-litre and 1.4-litre engines were introduced for more efficient performance. As well as the Zetec range that we're all familiar with these days.

As this was the era where Ford was pushing themselves as the brand for enthusiasts. The steady little Fiesta had a big improvement bump on suspension and body stiffening. This meant that as well as being the practical choice for young drivers, it was also the fun choice. Being able to keep the parents happy and the new drivers gleeful was a boon for the Fiesta.

Fun facts:

- The fourth generation of Fiesta was the first Fiesta offered in South Africa. It was so popular that it went on to win the South Africa Car of the Year Award.

- It was the last generation of Fiesta and the last Ford model to be built at the infamous Dagenham Ford factory before it closed.

- The Zetec S engine Fiestas have a large car enthusiast following and are still growing in popularity.

Volkswagen Golf

With a reputation for both fun and good old Volkswagen reliability, the Golf was a great option for both anxious parents and eager first drivers.

The 1.4-litre entry engine was a perfect choice for a starting point, though it would be more expensive from an insurance point of view. A difference that would be worth the extra cash as a tradeoff for the solid and safe feel that the interior quality gave.

Fun facts:

- The Golf was made available with the so-called Umwelt engine, which means ‘environment’.

- The final popular cabriolet variant of the Golf went out with a bang with a special edition called the ‘Last Edition’.

- There were 250 versions of the Golf called the “CitySTROMer’ which were electric vehicles with a 31-mile range.

Renault Clio

The Renault Clio had a good range of smaller engine sizes, perfect for first-time drivers. The 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre engines particularly. Around the middle of the decade, a 1.1-litre was added to the engine range. Swelling the ranks of the economical tiny-engine equipped superminis that so marked the ‘90s.

There were three facelifts of the Renault Clio, in the ‘90s. Renault was constantly improving the car, keeping up with competitors. Throughout the phases, the Clio remained one of the comfier superminis, in terms of exterior and ride.

Fun facts:

- One of Europe’s best-selling cars from both the 90s and 2000s.

- Named after the lyre-playing muse, Kleio, in Greek mythology.

- The Clio has earned a formidable reputation in both racing and rallying.

Shop new cars at Bristol Street Motors

After that trip into the technologically booming decade of the 1990s. Today’s latest cars are waiting to show you where that technology has progressed to now. Browse our latest offerings on the Bristol Street Motors website. Whether you’re looking for brand new or quality used, we’ll have the car for you.

Bristol Street Motors has been there through all these decades and more. Make the most of 100 years of motoring experience and join us at your local dealership. You can book an appointment or give our friendly sales team a call – they're always happy to answer any of your questions.

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