10 of the Cheapest Coupes to Insure

2018 Honda Civic Coupe Blue rear ・ Photo by Honda

Generally speaking, the cheapest coupes to insure are going to be a little more expensive to cover than run-of-the-mill sedans and hatchbacks—although they’re also smaller. If that seems odd, keep in mind that rates are based more on the likelihood of an accident than on size, and sporty little coupes can be prone to racking up large repair bills at the hands of over-enthusiastic owners.

One of the few things that can help is to choose an entry-level coupe, which at least won’t be as powerful as the range-toppers. Yet that’s not the same as being dull. Thanks to advances in technology—and horsepower—today’s starter coupes can be plenty of fun to drive. Just look at these relatively low-rate choices from eight different brands.

2018 Chevrolet Camaro

The cheapest coupes to insure from the Bowtie brand are those on its muscle-car roster. More specifically, we’re talking about the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro. Now, as mentioned, the entry-level trim is the way to go if you want to keep down insurance rates, but for the Camaro, that model rocks a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 275 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft of torque.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard, of course, but enthusiasts wouldn’t have it any other way. Also standard is an impressive infotainment system that combines a seven-inch touchscreen, the latest Android Auto/Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and audio streaming, and even a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. To top it all off, the system incorporates a standard rearview camera too.

Photo by General Motors

2018 Ford Mustang

The 2018 Ford Mustang—No. 1 among the cheapest coupes to insure for Blue Oval fans—benefits from a major mid-cycle update. Highlights include a sportier, more streamlined exterior along with standard LED headlights and higher levels of performance. Be aware, however, that the reason behind this performance enhancement has to do with a change in the roster: Ford has dropped the V6 Mustang from the lineup so that the 2018 entry model packs a standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. Regardless, the bottom line is noticeably more standard output than in the Camaro competition, with Mustang drivers enjoying 310 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque. Enjoyable as well in the standard Mustang are a rearview camera and LED sequential rear turn signals.

Photo by Ford

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

Muscle-car fans looking for the cheapest coupes to insure also can check out the 2018 Dodge Challenger. The Challenger takes an old-school approach to entry-level powertrains, relying on a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 instead of a four-cylinder turbo. Still, the car’s 305 horsepower and 268 lb.-ft. of torque match up well against the Camaro, and the Challenger supplies its own notable standard features like LED daytime running lights, LED tail lamps, functional hood vents, 18-inch aluminum wheels and heated mirrors—and all of that’s just on the outside of the car. Inside, the upscale performance seats have premium-cloth surfaces in a sophisticated houndstooth pattern, while the standard infotainment system boasts Android Auto/Apple CarPlay smartphone integration.

Photo by Dodge

2018 Honda Civic Coupe

When it comes to the cheapest coupes to insure, the 2018 Honda Civic Coupe is a different beast from those muscle cars. It’s still fun to drive, but with front-wheel-drive dynamics and a standard 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 158 horsepower and 138 lb.-ft. of torque, it's quite a drop from the muscle-car trio. That said, the Honda has by far the better fuel-economy ratings. The Civic Coupe can post EPA grades of 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined with its standard six-speed manual transmission, for at least a 33 percent lead versus the Mustang and friends. Just don’t expect a similar difference in insurance rates, as according to our friends at Insure.com, costs actually can overlap for all four cars.

Photo by Honda

2017 Toyota 86

Affordable, attractive, and fun-to-drive, the 2017 Toyota 86 has much to offer for enthusiasts on a budget. True, some folks may wish for a little more pop, but in the context of the cheapest coupes to insure, the car’s output ratings are an advantage. Premium power, remember, tends to bring higher insurance premiums. The 86’s 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine is no weakling, either. And not only does that unit deliver up to 205 horsepower, it also features a distinctive boxer-style configuration. In this setup, there are two banks of cylinders lying flat, so it looks like the pistons are punching at each other. The result is a better-balanced car with a lower center of gravity for sharper handling.

Photo by Toyota

2018 Subaru BRZ

If that boxer-style business in the Toyota 86 sounds familiar, it may be because that engine, and the car itself, were designed in partnership with an automaker well-known for flat engines: Subaru. Unsurprisingly, the 2018 Subaru BRZ then shares a lot with its Toyota counterpart, including a place on our list of cheapest coupes to insure. According to the most recent Insure.com data, though, the BRZ is significantly cheaper to cover. Which doesn’t mean sacrificing standard content. Indeed, Subaru’s rear-wheel-drive sports car carries standard equipment such as a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, a 6.2-inch infotainment-system touchscreen, Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and LED headlights.

Photo by Subaru

2017 Volkswagen Beetle

For a more stylish choice, the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle stands out as one of the cheapest coupes to insure. Everything starts with the car’s affordable MSRP, which begins at a mere $19,995. Yet despite that price point, the Beetle does furnish a few handy standard features, like a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and audio streaming, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. This Beetle also can be a blast to drive, since its standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is turbocharged for a peppy 170 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. With that engine and nimble handling, you can have enough fun to bring a smile to your face without bringing extra attention from your insurance company.

Photo by Volkswagen

2018 Chevrolet Corvette

The Bowtie brand’s flagship sports car has long been considered a relative bargain, and it’s worth noting that the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette continues that tradition. The Corvette, in fact, is among the cheapest coupes to insure for today’s customers. True, it may not be inexpensive, but compare the Corvette to the Porsche 911, and you’ll find the Vette’s arch-rival is about 33 percent more expensive to protect (based on recent Insure.com numbers.) But as drivers also will discover once they get behind the wheel, the Corvette kicks asphalt with a standard 455-horsepower V8, and it comes with standard technologies such as an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, and a rearview camera.

Photo by Chevrolet

2017 Honda Accord

The all-new 2018 Honda Accord lineup will no doubt have its high points when it debuts later this year, but customers should know that they won’t include a coupe model. With that in mind, we’ll honor the two-door 2017 Honda Accord (at dealerships now) a final time as part of our salute to the cheapest coupes to insure. For the Accord, a chief factor in its low-cost coverage is a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that serves up an effective, but not expensive, 185 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque. Honda also optimizes performance and affordability with a standard six-speed manual transmission that enables EPA grades as high as 23 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined.

Photo by Honda

2018 Nissan 370Z

The 2018 Nissan 370Z is another top choice among the cheapest coupes to insure, backed by an MSRP of $29,990. Again, that may not appear to be a “cheap” place to begin, yet it is well under the current average automotive transaction price. As for the latest iteration of the iconic Z car, well, it’s certainly not average in terms of performance, since it packs a standard rear-wheel-drive punch with 332 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque from its 3.7-liter engine. A standard six-speed manual transmission and leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel further upgrade the driving experience, and striking LED daytime running lights and taillights are an ideal, and standard, complement to the car’s dramatic exterior design.

Photo by Nissan