Best Cars for First-Time Buyers in the UAE

The UAE’s car market caters to almost every budget and segment, right from entry-level hatchbacks to the most premium luxury cars. If you are in the market for your first car, the choices are so many that it is easy to get overwhelmed. While buying your first car is a personal milestone and a huge step towards personal mobility, getting a car home involves some basic research. This is necessary to get the best possible deal that is affordable, suitable, and also fulfils all your needs.

As you are moving closer to car ownership, first determine your budget, the type of usage, and who the primary user is. Once you have a satisfactory answer to these questions, then decide which segment of car you want, be it a hatchback, sedan, or SUV, and lastly, the brand. Once you have everything, then make a probable list and study each car in your list.

If you are looking for the most affordable in the market right now, then we are here to help you in your buying journey. We list the top 7 most inexpensive cars that any first-time buyer should explore before making a final decision. These are proven, well-established, and ideal cars for anyone who is new to owning one. Read on to learn everything you need to know about these cars.

Top 7 Best Cars for First-Time Buyers in UAE

1. Kia Pegas - AED 53,550

The Kia Pegas is a subcompact sedan available at one of the most affordable prices in the market right now. The price ranges between AED 53,550 and 55,400 based on the variant you choose. What makes the Pegas worth considering are several aspects; the first, of course, is price, followed by the fact that it has been around for a while, earning the trust of Emirati buyers. The Korean brand offers this sedan with reliable build quality, a long warranty, and also decent equipment with practical features. This compact sedan measures around 4,300 mm with modern styling featuring the signature tiger-nose grille and a youthful appearance.

The cabin gets comfortable seating for five, and the cockpit has a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, and air conditioning. The 1.4-litre engine gets 95 hp, promising excellent mileage of 16 km/l fuel economy. The sedan also has reasonable safety, including four airbags, ABS with EBD, and stability control.

2. Mitsubishi Attrage - AED 49,900

The Mitsubishi Attrage is another highly affordable option in the budget segment. This subcompact sedan starts at the exceptionally low price of AED 49,900 (with some variants historically dipping lower on offers), which makes it quite attractive. Despite the lower price point, the Attrage is a sedan with reliability and decent performance. It is about 4.3 metres long, which makes it suitable for city commutes, and it has a reasonably comfortable cabin with useful features. The cockpit has all the practical features, like a 7-inch touchscreen, air conditioning, and a spacious 450-litre boot, which is sufficient for everyday needs.

The powertrain comprises a 1.2-litre engine with figures of 78 hp and a mileage promise of nearly 20 km/l, making it quite pocket-friendly to drive. The Attrage has among the lowest running costs in the UAE. Standard safety includes dual airbags, ABS, and stability control.

3. Suzuki Swift - AED 52,000

The Suzuki Swift is another promising hatchback in the affordable segment if you want style, performance, and practicality at the right price. Highly proven and now in its third generation, the Swift has been highly popular among first-time buyers.

Available in multiple variants, the Swift price ranges between AED 51,900 and 60,900. It is an attractive hatchback with a sporty design, perfect for city use. Despite its compact size, it fits four adults comfortably, and the 265-litre boot expands with folded seats. Features include a 7-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity. Its powertrain is legendary, with the 1.2-litre engine producing 82 hp and promising high mileage of 20 km/l. The safety is pretty standard with dual airbags, ABS, and stability control.

4. Nissan Magnite - AED 59,900

If you’re looking at a crossover, which is basically a combination of SUV stance and sedan comfort, then Nissan offers you the Magnite, which has become a popular choice of many first-time buyers. The Magnite received a facelift in 2025 and got some key updates, including features, comfort, and tech.

Starting at AED 59,900, this Japanese crossover measures 3,994 mm long with 200 mm ground clearance, and so you get SUV-like performance on bad roads. The exterior gets a bold V-motion grille, and LED headlamps give it modern appeal.

You get a big surprise in the cabin; despite being a compact car, it has good space that even families will like. The cabin is equipped with some cool features, such as an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, and automatic climate control. The 336-litre boot expands to 690 litres with the seats folded.

The powertrain is a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine that produces 99 hp and 152 Nm, maintaining 17.3 km/l fuel economy. Safety includes six airbags, vehicle dynamics control, and an around-view monitor.

5. Nissan Sunny - AED 61,500

Another Nissan model you can consider is the Sunny, because it is not only an affordable compact sedan but also among the most popular overall cars in the UAE. The Sunny starts at AED 61,500 and is an excellent choice for families or even professionals.

There is a lot that makes the car popular; first is the length, around 4.4 metres, the perfect size for the city and highway. The exterior is decent, with LED headlamps and refined styling, though it needs some refreshments as far as the exterior is concerned. The cabin has zero-gravity front seats that reduce fatigue, spacious rear legroom, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The reliable 1.6-litre engine produces 118 hp with a smooth CVT transmission, achieving 15.4 km/l fuel economy. Safety is taken care of by six airbags, ABS with EBD, automatic emergency braking, and tyre pressure monitoring.

6. Toyota Yaris - AED 64,900

Another affordable but popular car in the UAE is the Yaris, a compact sedan that has a lot of promise. This highly regarded sedan starts at AED 64,900 and is known for its reliability and performance across buyers. While it may appear to be slightly pricier, that extra premium is worth it for the several benefits it offers. The sedan measures 4,425 mm in length and features a conservative modern design with LED headlights. The interior features quality materials, a 7-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, automatic climate control, and comfortable seating for five.

The proven 1.5-litre engine produces 107 hp with refined CVT transmission, averaging 16 km/l fuel economy. Safety is comprehensive: six airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, and Toyota Safety Sense. The standout advantage is resale value; Toyotas hold their value better than many competitors.

7. Hyundai Accent - AED 65,999

For first-time buyers, Hyundai offers one solid but affordable option in the compact sedan Accent, which is not just reliable but also practical and highly well-equipped. This Korean-quality sedan starts at AED 65,999 and is one perfect option if you’re willing to spend a little extra.

The Accent is known for its mature styling that also includes Hyundai's cascading grille and LED daytime running lights. The cabin is also spacious, comfortable, and highly convenient, especially for families. It has an 8-inch touchscreen and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, along with automatic climate control and a big 480-litre boot for your everyday needs.

You get a powerful 1.6-litre engine which is known to be refined and smooth to drive. The sedan promises a superior mileage of nearly 15 km/l, which is noteworthy. Your safety is taken care of by six airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, and hill-start assist. Furthermore, Hyundai's comprehensive warranty ensures a hassle-free ownership experience. 

Conclusion

As first-time buyers, there is a lot to choose from across a wide variety of choices. And, as we are almost at the end of the year 2025, there is a high chance you can secure an attractive deal from brands. But before you head to your favourite brand’s showroom, you should consider all the factors and do some basic research. Knowing your facts and having all the product information is handy when dealing with sales and brand representatives. Always consider not just the upfront price but also the running cost and resale value.