Top 10 cheapest cars to insure

What are the cheapest cars to insure?

We’ve all got different priorities when choosing a new car: the boot space, the kit, even the colour. But most of us want to make sure we’re getting good value.

You might have benchmarked a good price and haggled hard at the dealer for a discount or some freebies, but don’t forget to think about the ongoing costs of your new car too.

When you’re doing your research, make sure you check the costs of:

• Car tax
• Fuel costs
• Car insurance

The best way to find out how much your car insurance will cost is to get some quotes – you can do that using the make and model, even if you don’t know the number plate yet.

But to get you started, we’ve crunched the numbers to find out the cheapest cars to insure for everyone, as well as for the under 25s, who typically pay the most for their car insurance.^[1] Now you can weigh that up alongside the buying price and other costs.^[2]

And we’ve even looked at the most expensive cars to insure, to help you avoid a costly mistake if you’re looking for something a bit cheaper to run.

GoCompare's top 10 cheapest cars to insure

To find some small cars on our list probably isn’t a huge surprise. But perhaps you weren’t expecting to see some sporty roadsters making an appearance too.

More expensive models like these are often owned by older drivers with a good no-claims bonus. This shows that drivers’ personal circumstances are just as important as the car when it comes to insurers pricing your premiums.

#1 Mazda MX-5

Launched more than 30 years ago, the Mazda MX-5 is one of the most popular sports cars of all time. And it definitely holds its own on price and quality when held up to its rivals.

This classic, sporty roadster is more affordable and cheaper to run than most sports cars. And its lower insurance cost may also be down to additional safety features, including roll bars, stability control and front and side airbags. It’s rated as the safest roadster by Euro NCAP and it also does well when it comes to resisting break-ins and theft.

Generally favoured by a more mature, experienced driver, this helps to push down the average insurance price. And what it lacks in boot and passenger space, it makes up for with reliability and a brilliantly fun driving experience.

#2 Toyota IQ

Pulling neatly into second place is the Toyota iQ. While it’s almost the same size as a Smart car, it comes with an ingenious 3+1 seating configuration - making it one of the smallest four-seat cars ever made.

As a city car, its running costs are low and despite its dinky size it manages to squeeze in nine airbags. This may be one of the reasons why it was given a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it was launched in 2009.

Although Toyota discontinued the iQ in 2014, as used cars they still hold their value. So, along with their low insurance grouping and road tax, the iQ could be a good bet if you’re looking for an affordable runaround.

#3 Porsche Boxster

Although it might seem unlikely, a Porsche Boxster is one of the cars that’s cheapest to insure. However, this is far more likely to do with the drivers than the car itself.

This iconic roadster is lightweight, compact and aerodynamic (and comes with all the kudos you’d expect to get from owning a Porsche). So, naturally, Boxster owners tend to treat them with care - a factor which helps when it comes to insurers calculating the premiums.

Not surprisingly the Boxster also has a heftier price tag than our other two front runners. But at least the cheaper insurance costs might help with any shortfall if you’re looking to buy one.

#4 Fiat Panda

First launched in 1980, the Fiat Panda is known for its boxy shape and its longevity. And it’s a fairly cheap option if you’ll mostly be city driving.

The Panda Pop is the entry-level model and the latest Panda version is powered by a mild-hybrid engine to help reduce emissions and improve fuel economy.

Its running costs are pretty low and it’s a great all-rounder with a decent amount of space for a small car. As well as falling into the lower end of insurance groups, they’re also pretty affordable when it comes to servicing as there’s no shortage of Panda parts available.

#5 Smart ForTwo

Another dinky model featuring in our top five is the Smart ForTwo. This option does exactly what it says on the tin - it’s a two-seater car by Smart, ideal for city commuting.

You can choose from a hard or soft top option. And if you want extra performance and a more sporty feel, the Brabus badged option will take you up to 107bhp. There’s also an electric model if you’re keen to go green.

Not surprisingly, given its tiny size, the FourTwo has a low insurance group to match. So, if only the smallest of cars will do (and you won’t ever need a backseat), look no further.

#6 Saab 9-3

Like all Saab cars, you can only buy used 9-3 models - the final ones were made in 2014 before the Swedish car brand became part of motoring history.

But as a second-hand car, the Saab 9-3 still benefits from being designed for a comfortable, executive lifestyle. And thanks to the array of engines and power outputs available, it can be found in a wide range of insurance groups.

The 9-3 has a reputation for solid build quality and being able to travel well over 200,000 miles before giving up the ghost.

And with increasingly fewer 9-3s available, most are owned by enthusiasts - which is likely to keep insurance costs lower.

#7 Mercedes SLK

With the Mercedes SLK, another roadster joins the ranks in our cheapest to insure list.

First released in 1996, developments in this model over time have seen better driving dynamics and more efficient engines. Newer versions also come with a host of gadgetry, including the option of a Magic Sky Control roof.

But although it sits towards the higher end of insurance groups, the premiums are likely to be cheaper based on the typical owner.

The SLK is designed for exceptional comfort. Then throw in Mercedes’ quality and it’s not surprising that you’d want to take care of it.

#8 Citroen Xsara

A small hatchback for everyday driving, the Citroën Xsara is a basic-level practical choice when it comes to hitting the road.

Last made in 2004, you’re likely to find a real second-hand bargain - even for ones at low mileage. Plus, the Xsara is generally cheap to service and repair.

Throw in lower insurance premiums and this could also be a good option if you’re looking for a competitively cheap to run first-car.

#9 Suzuki Jimny

The only 4x4 in our top ten list, the small but mighty Suzuki Jimny has plenty of character and is built for the most rugged of terrain.

For a small car, it’s definitely ready for adventure - although it’s definitely one that puts off-road exploring above on-road comfort.

Lightweight, with a robust build, the Jimny’s running and servicing costs are relatively low. And its low market price is also likely to help towards its lower insurance costs.

#10 Suzuki Alto

You’ll also find Suzuki filling tenth place in our cheapest cars to insure list too. As a budget small car, the Suzuki Alto is cheap to buy and cost effective to own.

Its running costs are pretty low, plus the Alto’s engine is also low on CO2 emissions - so you won’t need to pay much road tax either.

Suzuki has an excellent reputation for reliability, so you should be in safe hands. And the Alto is cheap to insure, but it’s definitely more of a no-frills option compared to some of the roadsters on this list.

What are the cheapest cars to insure for young drivers?

The fact that sports cars from Mazda, Mercedes and Porsche make it onto our overall list emphasises what a difference age and experience can make to insurance costs.

So we’ve crunched the numbers separately for the under-25s to find out which cars could give them the cheapest premiums.

And it's no surprise that this list is full of modest one-litre engine hatchbacks.

#1 PEUGEOT 107

Fun to drive and cheap to run, the Peugeot 107 fills our number one spot for low cost insurance if you’re a young driver.

Production stopped in 2014, so it’s now only available as a used car. But it’s a cheap and cheerful option for first-time drivers. And you can find top-spec models for pretty reasonable prices.

#2 CITREON C1

The Citroen C1 is a popular choice for new drivers. This little car combines nippy handling with low running costs, so it’s ideal for city driving.

Plus, it’s generally cheap to buy and low cost to insure. Production ended in 2022, so it’s a good time to grab a used C1 bargain.

#3 VOLKSWAGEN UP!

The Up! isn’t the cheapest option here to buy outright, but it’s ideal for young drivers. You get Volkswagon build and driving quality along with great city car running costs. Then throw in a lower insurance price and it’s a definite contender for drivers under 25.

If you’ve got more to spend, you can go turbocharged with the Up GTI. And if you want really low running costs, look into the cheerfully named electric version, the e-Up!

#4 FORD KA

Around for more than 25 years, the Ford Ka is all about value. As well as its cute looks, it offers decent-sized car space for a low cost price tag. Plus, it has great fuel economy.

Replaced with the Ka+ in 2016, this three-door hatchback has been a popular choice with young drivers for a long time. And whichever model of Ka you get, you’ll generally find it a more affordable option to insure.

#5 HYUNDAI I10

The Hyndai i10 is a fun little SUV that’s great value for money and one of the cheapest new cars to buy in the UK. It offers great fuel economy and low running costs, and Hyundai has a pretty good track record for reliability too.

While it’s the most expensive car on our shortlist, the insurance is more affordable. And the i10 comes with some fancy tech features - including an eight-inch control touchscreen in most versions. So if you can’t fork out for an electric city car, this might be the next best thing.

What are the most expensive cars to insure?

Want to know which cars will potentially have the highest insurance bill?

Unsurprisingly the list is dominated by large, fast and powerful vehicles:

All images: Newspress