Written by: VehiclesInformation Editorial Team · Fact-checked against: state insurance department rules and 2026 rate data (our methodology) · Last reviewed: October 2026
The cheapest cars to insure in 2026 are minivans, small SUVs and compact pickups. Models such as the Honda Odyssey, Subaru Forester, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30 and Ford Maverick usually cost about $160 to $172 a month for full coverage, below the $175 U.S. average. Sports, luxury and many electric cars cost the most.
Check insurance for any car type with our car insurance calculator.
15 cheapest cars to insure (estimated)
| # | Model | Type | Est. full coverage (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honda Odyssey | Minivan | $160–$165 |
| 2 | Toyota Sienna | Minivan | $162–$168 |
| 3 | Subaru Forester | Small SUV | $160–$168 |
| 4 | Honda HR-V | Small SUV | $160–$168 |
| 5 | Mazda CX-30 | Small SUV | $162–$170 |
| 6 | Subaru Outback | Wagon/SUV | $162–$170 |
| 7 | Honda CR-V | Small SUV | $165–$172 |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | Small SUV | $165–$175 |
| 9 | Hyundai Kona | Small SUV | $165–$172 |
| 10 | Ford Maverick | Compact pickup | $165–$172 |
| 11 | Toyota Tacoma | Mid-size pickup | $168–$175 |
| 12 | Kia Telluride | Mid-size SUV | $168–$178 |
| 13 | Toyota Highlander | Mid-size SUV | $168–$178 |
| 14 | Honda Civic | Compact car | $170–$180 |
| 15 | Toyota Camry | Mid-size sedan | $170–$180 |
Estimates for a 40-year-old driver with a clean record and a $500 deductible, U.S. average, based on vehicle class. Your price depends on your state, age, record and trim.
What makes a car cheap to insure
- Safety: good crash ratings and automatic emergency braking cut injury claims.
- Repair costs: common, affordable parts keep collision claims small.
- Power: modest engines mean fewer high-speed crashes.
- Theft: models with low theft rates cost less to cover.
- Who buys them: family cars are driven more carefully on average.
Cars that cost the most to insure
High-performance sports cars, luxury sedans and SUVs, and many electric cars cost the most because of high repair costs, expensive sensors and batteries, and higher theft or crash rates. Some popular models with high theft rates can also cost more than you would expect.
Upcoming cars that should be cheap to insure
Family SUVs and minivans like the 2027 Toyota RAV4, 2027 Honda HR-V and 2027 Toyota Sienna should stay among the cheaper vehicles to insure. Sports models like the 2027 Toyota Supra and Toyota Celica will cost much more.
Cheapest cars to insure for teens and young drivers
For drivers under 25, the cheapest choices are usually a used mid-size sedan or small SUV with top safety ratings and a modest engine, such as a Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Toyota Camry or Honda Civic (non-Si). Avoid turbocharged or V8 models. See car insurance for a 16-year-old.
Cheapest cars to insure by type
| Type | Usually cheapest to insure |
|---|---|
| Minivan | Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna |
| Small SUV | Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Honda HR-V |
| 3-row SUV | Kia Telluride, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot |
| Pickup | Ford Maverick, Toyota Tacoma |
| Sedan | Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Subaru Legacy |
| Electric | Chevrolet Equinox EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5 |
Full lists: cheapest SUVs and EV insurance costs.
Check insurance before you buy
- Pick two or three models you like.
- Get an estimate for each body type with our calculator.
- Ask your insurer for quotes using each car’s VIN before you sign.
- Compare total cost: payment + insurance + fuel.
New vs. used: which is cheaper to insure?
A used car is almost always cheaper to insure because collision and comprehensive are based on the car’s value. A 2016 Honda HR-V, for example, averages about $1,490 a year to insure versus about $2,090 for a 2025 model. New cars do earn some new-car and safety discounts, which narrows the gap a little.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest type of car to insure?
Minivans, followed by compact pickups and small SUVs.
Are electric cars more expensive to insure?
Usually yes, by about 10% to 20%, because repairs and batteries cost more.
Is a used car cheaper to insure?
Yes, mainly because collision and comprehensive cost less as the car’s value falls.
Does car color affect insurance?
No. Color is not used to set prices.
About our numbers
Prices on this page are estimates for U.S. drivers, built from 2025–2026 published rate studies (including Insurify, CarInsurance.com, The Zebra and state insurance department rules) and our own pricing model. Percentages for age, tickets, accidents, DUI, credit and vehicle type are our model estimates, not quotes. Your insurer, ZIP code and history will change your price. Read how we estimate car insurance costs.
This is general information, not insurance or legal advice.
VehiclesInformation Editorial Team
The VehiclesInformation Editorial Team researches and writes our car and car insurance guides for U.S. drivers. Insurance figures are checked against state insurance department rules and published 2026 rate studies, and pages are updated when laws or rates change. Read how we estimate car insurance costs.
