What are the cheapest cars to insure in 2026? I was shocked to discover that the cheap new car I bought caused my insurance to go way up. It turns out that my make gets stolen much more often and is also relatively expensive to repair.

If you are shopping for a new or used car, the sticker price is only part of the cost.

Insurance can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year to the cost of owning a vehicle. In some cases, the difference in insurance cost between two similar vehicles can exceed the difference in monthly car payments.

That is why it is worth thinking about insurance before you buy the car, not after.

The cheapest cars to insure are usually practical vehicles with strong safety records, moderate repair costs, lower theft rates, and less horsepower. Family-oriented SUVs, sedans, and minivans often cost less to insure than sports cars, luxury vehicles, and high-performance models.

Quick Answer: What Are the Cheapest Cars to Insure?

The cheapest cars to insure are usually safe, practical vehicles like compact SUVs, midsize sedans, and minivans. Models such as the Subaru Outback, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Honda Odyssey, Mazda CX-5, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord are often good candidates for lower insurance costs.

That does not mean they will be cheapest for every driver. Your age, driving record, ZIP code, credit-based insurance score where allowed, coverage limits, deductible, and insurer can matter as much as the vehicle itself.

Vehicle Type	Often Cheaper to Insure Because…
Compact SUVs	Practical, safe, common parts, family-oriented drivers
Midsize sedans	Moderate repair costs and broad parts availability
Minivans	Lower-risk use patterns and family-driver demographics
Small crossovers	Good safety features without sports-car claim severity

Why Some Cars Are Cheaper to Insure

Insurance companies price vehicles based on risk. The car itself is only one part of the premium, but it can make a meaningful difference.

Some of the biggest vehicle-related factors include:

• Repair costs: Cheaper and more available parts usually mean lower claims.
• Safety ratings: Vehicles with better crash protection may reduce injury claims.
• Theft rates: Frequently stolen vehicles can cost more to insure.
• Horsepower and speed: Faster cars tend to have more accidents and larger claims.
• Claim history: If a model is often involved in expensive claims, rates rise.
• Driver demographics: Some cars are statistically driven by higher-risk drivers.
• Technology and sensors: Advanced safety systems can help avoid crashes, but they can also make repairs more expensive.

This is why a modest crossover may cost far less to insure than a sports sedan, even if the purchase prices are similar.

Cheapest Cars to Insure in 2026

Exact premiums vary by driver and insurer, but these vehicles are often good places to start when looking for lower insurance costs.

Vehicle	Type	Why It May Be Affordable to Insure
Subaru Outback	Wagon / crossover	Practical use, strong safety reputation, family-oriented buyers
Honda CR-V	Compact SUV	Popular, safe, and moderate repair costs
Subaru Forester	Compact SUV	Strong safety profile and practical ownership use
Toyota RAV4	Compact SUV	Reliable, common parts, mainstream ownership profile
Honda Odyssey	Minivan	Family-focused and often lower-risk driving patterns
Mazda CX-5	Compact SUV	Strong safety features and moderate claims profile
Ford Escape	Compact SUV	Mainstream parts and moderate repair costs
Toyota Camry	Midsize sedan	Reliable, common, and relatively easy to repair
Honda Accord	Midsize sedan	Strong safety reputation and broad parts availability
Subaru Crosstrek	Small crossover	Practical, lower-performance profile, strong safety appeal

Use this list as a starting point, not a guarantee. The only way to know what a specific car will cost for you is to compare quotes before buying.

Cheapest SUVs to Insure

Compact and midsize SUVs are often among the cheaper vehicles to insure because they are practical, widely owned, and commonly equipped with safety features.

Affordable SUV candidates often include:

• Honda CR-V
• Toyota RAV4
• Subaru Forester
• Mazda CX-5
• Subaru Crosstrek
• Ford Escape

The key is to avoid assuming that all SUVs are cheap to insure. Large luxury SUVs, high-performance SUVs, and models with expensive parts can cost much more.

Cheapest Sedans to Insure

Sedans can still be affordable to insure, especially if they are safe, common, and not performance-oriented.

Good candidates often include:

• Toyota Camry
• Honda Accord
• Subaru Legacy
• Hyundai Sonata
• Toyota Corolla
• Honda Civic, depending on trim and driver profile

Trim matters. A base or mainstream sedan may be reasonable to insure, while a sporty trim with more horsepower can change the equation.

Cheapest Minivans to Insure

Minivans can be surprisingly affordable to insure because they are usually driven as family vehicles and are less associated with aggressive driving.

Examples include:

• Honda Odyssey
• Toyota Sienna
• Chrysler Pacifica
• Kia Carnival

They may not be exciting, but insurance companies are not in the excitement business. Practical can be cheaper.

Cheapest Cars for Teen Drivers to Insure

Teen drivers are expensive to insure no matter what they drive. But choosing the right vehicle can help reduce the damage.

Cars for teen drivers should prioritize:

• strong safety ratings
• lower horsepower
• lower theft rates
• reasonable repair costs
• common parts availability

Vehicles often considered reasonable for teen drivers include the Subaru Outback, Honda CR-V, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, and Subaru Forester.

If your premium already jumped, see our guide on why car insurance goes up after adding a teen driver.

Cars That Are Usually Expensive to Insure

Some vehicles cost far more to insure because they are expensive to repair, more likely to be stolen, or more likely to be involved in costly claims.

Examples include:

• sports cars like the Chevrolet Corvette or Ford Mustang GT
• luxury cars from brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi
• high-performance EVs
• large luxury SUVs
• vehicles with high theft rates
• rare vehicles with expensive parts

Even if these vehicles have safety features, expensive repairs and higher claim severity can drive premiums up.

Electric Vehicles and Insurance Costs

Electric vehicles can sometimes cost more to insure because battery repairs, specialized parts, and limited repair networks can make claims expensive.

That does not mean every EV is expensive to insure. Some may still be competitive depending on safety features, driver profile, insurer, and local repair availability.

Before buying an EV, get insurance quotes for the exact model and trim. A small difference in purchase price can be overwhelmed by a large difference in insurance cost.

Why Trim Level Matters

Two cars with the same model name can have very different insurance costs.

A base model may be relatively cheap to insure. A turbocharged, high-performance, luxury, or limited-edition trim may not be.

Before buying, compare quotes for the exact trim, not just the model family.

How to Check Insurance Cost Before Buying a Car

This is the step many buyers skip.

Before buying a car, get insurance quotes for at least two or three vehicles you are considering. Use the same driver, address, coverage limits, deductible, and insurer when comparing.

Ask for quotes on:

• the exact year, make, model, and trim
• your expected annual mileage
• the coverage level you actually plan to carry
• both new and used options if you are undecided

If one vehicle costs $40 more per month to insure, that is $480 per year. Over five years, that is $2,400. That can change the real cost of ownership.

How to Lower Insurance Costs on Any Car

Even if you already own an expensive-to-insure vehicle, there are ways to reduce the premium.

• raise your deductible if you can afford the risk
• bundle home and auto insurance
• shop multiple insurers
• ask about low-mileage discounts
• ask about safe-driver discounts
• remove unnecessary coverage on older cars
• improve your credit score where allowed
• review whether full coverage still makes sense

If you are already asking why your car insurance is so high, start there.

You can also read our guide on how to lower car insurance.

If your current rate no longer makes sense, call (855) 467-0338 to compare auto insurance options.

Should You Buy a Cheaper Car to Save on Insurance?

Sometimes.

If two vehicles are otherwise similar, the one with lower insurance costs may be the better financial choice. But you should not choose a car based on insurance alone.

Look at the full ownership cost:

• purchase price
• insurance
• fuel or charging cost
• maintenance
• repairs
• depreciation
• financing cost

A vehicle that is cheap to insure but expensive to repair may not be the bargain it appears to be.

Before You Buy, Compare the Real Cost

The cheapest cars to insure are usually practical, safe, and relatively inexpensive to repair. Small SUVs, family sedans, and minivans often have lower insurance premiums than sports cars, luxury models, and high-performance vehicles.

But the real answer depends on your driver profile and the exact vehicle.

Before buying, compare both the purchase price and insurance cost. The best deal is not always the car with the lowest sticker price. It is the car that makes sense after insurance, repairs, and ownership costs are included.

Related Auto Insurance Guides

• Why Is My Car Insurance So High?
• How to Lower Car Insurance
• Why Did My Car Insurance Go Up After Adding a Teen Driver?
• How to Reduce Car Insurance After an Accident
• Why Is Full Coverage Auto Insurance So Expensive?

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cheapest Cars to Insure

What is the cheapest car to insure?

There is no single cheapest car for every driver, but practical vehicles like the Subaru Outback, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord are often good candidates for lower insurance costs.

Are SUVs cheaper to insure?

Many compact SUVs are relatively affordable to insure, especially practical models with strong safety records and moderate repair costs. Luxury SUVs and high-performance SUVs can be much more expensive.

Are sports cars expensive to insure?

Yes. Sports cars are usually more expensive to insure because they tend to have higher horsepower, higher claim severity, and more expensive repairs.

Are electric cars more expensive to insure?

Some electric cars are more expensive to insure because battery repairs, specialized parts, and limited repair networks can increase claim costs. Rates vary by model and insurer.

Should I get insurance quotes before buying a car?

Yes. Insurance costs vary widely by vehicle, trim, driver, and insurer. Comparing quotes before buying can help you avoid an expensive surprise after the purchase.