Family car recommendations for new nervous driver

[december2020]

A bit of context, I'm foreign and have my drivers license but due to moving around and living in big cities with stellar public transport, haven't driven for over a decade.

Roads are bigger where I'm from and we drive on the other side of the road so everything feels really daunting.

However, I'm getting refresher lessons as I also have a younger DC and thinking longer term for school runs, hobbies and days out. So once confident enough, considering getting a car to keep practicing in - ideally automatic (mock me all you want, I'd rather be on the road with an automatic and feel more confident than not at all).

My question is are there any car recommendations that are easy to manoeuvre and turn, smaller external dimensions (easy to park etc.) but still roomy inside and would fit 1-2 car seats easily.
I am short, so if it lets the driver sit a bit higher up, that would be a massive plus too.

Or is this a mythical car that doesn't exist?

Honda Jazz, small, but very very room, good visibility, flat back to make reverse parking easier, good size boot, higher up than most hatchbacks and a small turning circle.

Toyota Yaris cross - hybrid and very roomy inside but not massive!

I've had three Ford Fiestas spanning over 30 years (and one Ford Focus). I can't fault the car for ease of parking, turning circle, zippyness etc. But it does depend on the hobby and if pushchairs are involved. The Fiesta has less boot space than it used to due more safety features. The Focus was very roomy bootwise so that might be better long term.

Skoda Kamiq. The smallest of the Skoda SUVs, but still enough interior and boor space.

Thank you so much - I'm going to check these out it!!

Go electric. Vw id3 is perfect . All electric are automatic, and the id3 is like the old vw golf for size.

I agree with you about getting an automatic, there is less to think about and so you can concentrate more on the road.
I think a VW polo is great, that was my first car when I started driving, I also had two children and obviously being a new driver was a little nervous.
VW are very reliable cars to drive and their customer service is excellent.
I always get mine on PCP so I can change them every three years, but obviously that's personal choice.