Small trucks and minivans may not top anyone’s dream-car list, but if you’re budget-conscious, they could save you hundreds of dollars a year on insurance. Many reasonably priced, well-built vehicles won’t demand sky-high premiums — and the models below don’t sacrifice style or functionality to earn that advantage.
Disclaimer: Rates below are illustrative benchmarks; your actual premium depends on your driving record, location, age, and coverage choices. Always compare quotes from multiple insurers before purchasing a policy.
Which Cars Are the Cheapest to Insure?
One common misconception is that cheaper cars automatically carry lower insurance premiums — but that’s not the case. Insurers price risk based on factors like theft likelihood, repair costs, and accident history, not just sticker price.
Here’s a general snapshot of vehicle types and representative annual rates for a driver with a clean record:
| Car type | Cheapest model (example) | Approximate yearly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Small SUV | Honda CR-V | ~$2,346 |
| Minivan | Chrysler Pacifica | ~$2,416 |
| Standard pickup truck | Ford F-150 | ~$2,471 |
| Small pickup truck | Chevrolet Colorado | ~$2,562 |
| Subcompact car | Ford Fiesta | ~$2,621 |
| Station wagon | Honda Fit | ~$2,720 |
| Compact car | Chevrolet Cruze | ~$2,841 |
| Standard SUV | Chevrolet Tahoe | ~$2,888 |
| Large sedan | Chevrolet Impala | ~$3,001 |
| Midsize sedan | Toyota Camry | ~$3,036 |
Notice the pattern: “family” vehicles dominate the lower end. Insurers view them as lower-risk because they’re statistically involved in fewer high-speed accidents and are less frequently targeted by thieves.
Small SUVs and minivans cost the least to insure
Top Models With Low Insurance Premiums
1. Subaru Outback
The Outback tops wagon rankings for low premiums largely because of its strong safety credentials — standard all-wheel drive, solid crash-test scores, and a design that skews toward cautious, practical drivers. It offers plenty of cargo space and genuine off-road capability without the horsepower that triggers higher risk classifications.
2. Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler’s turbocharged four-cylinder and available hybrid powertrain give it strong off-road credentials. Its relatively modest top speed and rugged (but not luxury) repair costs keep premiums reasonable despite its adventure-ready profile.
3. Honda CR-V
This compact crossover earns top marks in IIHS and NHTSA crash tests — front, side, and rollover simulations alike — which translates directly into lower insurer risk assessments. Its popularity also means replacement parts are widely available and affordable.
4. Subaru Forester
Anti-lock brakes, front and side airbags, overhead airbags, and electronic stability control come standard. That complete safety suite reassures insurers, keeping premiums on the lower end for a compact SUV.
5. Ford Escape
Pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a lane-keeping system make the Escape one of the better-equipped safety-tech vehicles in its segment. Fewer accidents mean lower risk classifications.
6. Ford F-150
Multiple powertrain options — including a hybrid — and extensive driver-assist features make the F-150 a workhorse that’s statistically safer than its size suggests. Three cab configurations and a large owner base keep parts costs manageable.
7. Chevrolet Equinox
Chevy designed the Equinox with driver safety as the priority. A wide range of standard and available active-safety technologies keeps it competitive on both crash ratings and insurance costs.
8. Jeep Cherokee
Automatic ABS modulation, electronic stability control, and comprehensive airbag coverage give insurers confidence. Fewer incidents on record translate to more modest premium pricing.
9. Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma’s combination of off-road capability, a loyal owner community, and Toyota’s reliability reputation keeps it in good standing with insurers. Strong resale value also means lower total-loss payouts, which can factor into rate calculations.
10. Toyota RAV4
One of Toyota’s best-selling vehicles and a perennial safety-rating leader. Its broad popularity keeps repair parts plentiful and pricing competitive, which contributes to lower insurance rates across most rating tiers.
How the Model Affects Your Insurance Rate
Insurers price vehicles based on how “high risk” they are — looking at claims history, reported accidents, theft probability, and repair costs. Even a spotless driving record won’t fully offset a vehicle that’s statistically more likely to be stolen or expensive to repair.
Model-Type Factors
Insurers track claims data by model and set baseline rates accordingly. If a model shows spikes in theft, accidents, or large repair bills, rates go up for all owners of that model. Conversely, models with consistent safety performance attract lower base rates.
Known mechanical issues also play a role: if a model requires expensive or frequent repairs, insurers account for that in their pricing.
Trim Level Factors
Higher trims add technology and larger engines — both of which raise rates. Advanced tech (sensors, cameras, heads-up displays) is expensive to repair after even minor collisions. A bigger engine signals higher performance potential, which insurers treat as higher speed risk.
Insurance providers often group options into trim tiers (LE, SE, XLE, etc.), and your trim level directly influences your quote. See Forbes on how expensive car parts affect premiums for more context.
Cars to Avoid if You Want Lower Premiums
- Sports cars — built for speed, often new models, expensive to repair after accidents. Insurers treat them as high-risk by default.
- Luxury vehicles — repair costs for premium brands are significantly higher. Business Insider has documented how luxury cars can cost drivers far more in insurance than comparable non-luxury models.
- Electric vehicles — higher purchase prices and battery replacement costs mean higher total-loss payouts, which gets baked into premiums.
- High-theft targets — certain expensive models are disproportionately targeted by thieves. If your vehicle appears on high-theft lists, expect elevated premiums regardless of your personal driving history.
Other Factors That Influence Your Rate
Your vehicle is only one input. Insurers weigh:
- Driver profile — age, gender, marital status, and driving history all factor in. A clean record keeps rates lower; multiple violations or claims push them up significantly.
- Location — urban areas with higher theft rates and accident frequency carry higher base rates than rural zones.
- Credit score — in most states, insurers use credit-based insurance scores as a rating factor.
- Coverage level — the more coverage you carry (comprehensive, collision, higher liability limits), the higher your premium.
Bottom Line
Choosing a vehicle with strong safety ratings, modest repair costs, and a low theft profile is one of the few things you can control before you even get a quote. The models listed here tend to land at the lower end of the insurance cost spectrum without forcing you to compromise on utility or reliability. Once you’ve narrowed your list, compare at least three to four quotes — rates for the same vehicle can vary significantly across carriers.