The 10 Cheapest Sedans to Insure

Car insurance rates are like airline ticket prices, but with far less transparency  — they're based on a range of variables that include driving record, driver age, miles driven, location, coverage limits, and type of vehicle. In compiling this list of cheapest sedans to insure, we looked first at the most popular compact, midsize, and fullsize vehicles, selecting the top trim levels to maximize on standard safety equipment. Then we focused on vehicles awarded with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) coveted Top Safety Pick+ award.

We used esurance.com’s online rate quote system to run the numbers on a 35-year old woman with an excellent record against dozens of vehicles in order to create a list of the 10 least expensive sedans to insure.

The 2016 Honda Accord isn’t just one of the best-selling cars in America, it’s also one of the safest sedans and among the least expensive to insure.

The IIHS gives the Accord a Good rating for front small and moderate overlap, side, and roof strength, along with head restraints and seats. Front crash prevention is rated Superior with optional equipment. Headlights are rated Acceptable in certain trims. Child seat anchor latches are rated Acceptable.

Standard Safety Equipment: Vehicle Stability Assist, Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Brake Distribution, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Brake Assist, Rearview Camera
Available Safety Equipment: Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Lane Keep Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Honda Lane Watch

Honda Accord Starting MSRP: $22,205

The Subaru Legacy is the only vehicle on the list of cheapest sedans to insure that features all-wheel drive as standard equipment.

The IIHS gives the Legacy a Good rating for front small and moderate overlap, side, and roof strength, along with head restraints and seats. Front crash prevention is rated Superior with optional equipment. Headlights are rated Acceptable.

Standard Safety Equipment: Vehicle Dynamics Control, Anti-Lock Braking System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Brake Assist, Rearview Camera, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Available Safety Equipment: Adaptive Cruise Control, PCB, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist System

Subaru Legacy Starting MSRP: $21,745

The full-size Chevy Impala has won acclaim for its roomy cabin, smooth ride, and solid handling. It’s a thoroughly modern, yet quintessential Big American Sedan.

Standard Safety Equipment: Anti-Lock Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Electronic Stability Control, Blind Spot Mirrors, Rear Park Assist, Rearview Camera
Optional Safety Equipment: Adaptive Cruise Control

Chevrolet Impala Starting MSRP: $27,095

The luxurious Volvo S80 has the highest starting MSRP on the list of sedans that are least expensive to insure. The S80’s ABS system features hydraulic brake assist, optimized hydraulic brakes, ready alert brakes, and fading brake support.

Standard Safety Equipment: Anti-Lock Braking System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, DSTC, Blind Spot Mirrors
Available Safety Equipment: Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Alert Control, Distance Alert, Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake, Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake

Volvo S80 Starting MSRP: $43,450

The Chevrolet Cruze has been thoroughly revised for 2016 and is the most affordably priced vehicle on the list of cheapest sedans to insure. A 5-door Cruze hatchback will debut in the 2017 model year.

Standard Safety Equipment: Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Available Safety Equipment: Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Forward Collision Warning, Distance Alert, Blind Spot Mirrors with Lane Change Alert

Chevrolet Cruze Starting MSRP: $16,620

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat is one of the roomiest midsize sedans and is offered with a responsive turbocharged gasoline engine.

The IIHS gives the Volkswagen Passat a Good rating for front small and moderate overlap, side, and roof strength, along with head restraints and seats. Front crash prevention is rated Advanced with optional equipment. Headlights are rated Poor. Child Seat Anchor Latches (ease of use) are rated Good.

Standard Safety Equipment: Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control, Electronic Brake Distribution, Hydraulic Brake Assist, Automatic Post-Collision Braking, Rearview Camera
Available Safety Equipment: Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Mirrors, Park Assist

Volkswagen Passat Starting MSRP: $22,440

Although Chrysler has announced plans to wind down production of the 200, it offers solid value and is one of the most affordable IIHS Top Safety Pick+ models. All-wheel drive is available in the 200S and 200C.

The IIHS gives the Chrysler 200 a Good rating for front small and moderate overlap, side, and roof strength, along with head restraints and seats. Front crash prevention is rated Superior with optional equipment. Headlights and Child Seat Anchor Latches (ease of use) are rated Marginal.

Standard Safety Equipment: Electronic Stability Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Rearview Camera 
Available Safety Equipment: Adaptive Cruise Control (with stop and go), Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist

Chrysler 200 Starting MSRP: $21,995

The Chevrolet Malibu has been thoroughly revised for 2016 and is available with standard and hybrid drivetrains. It features attractive styling and can be equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto infotaiment systems.

Standard Safety Equipment: Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control, Forward Collision Warning, Rearview Camera, StabiliTrak
Available Safety Equipment: Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Pedestrian Detection, Semi-Automatic Parking, Low Speed Automatic Braking, Blind Spot Detection

Chevrolet Malibu Starting MSRP: $21,625

The Volkswagen Jetta is the second least expensive vehicle on the list of cheapest sedans to insure and the least expensive IIHS Top Safety Pick+. It’s available with gasoline and hybrid drivetrains.

The IIHS gives the Volkswagen Jetta a Good rating for front small and moderate overlap, side, and roof strength, along with head restraints and seats. Front crash prevention is rated Advanced with optional equipment. Headlights are rated Acceptable. Child Seat Anchor Latches (ease of use) are rated Marginal.

Standard Safety Equipment: Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control, Electronic Brake Distribution, Hydraulic Brake Assist, Automatic Post-Collision Braking
Available Safety Equipment: Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Mirrors, Park Assist

Volkswagen Jetta Starting MSRP: $17,680

The CLA-Class Coupe is the most affordable Mercedes-Benz offered in America and was a surprise on the list of least expensive sedans to insure. While referred to as a Coupe, the CLA-Class has 4 doors.

Standard Safety Equipment: Anti-Lock Braking System, Lane Keep Assist System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist
Available Safety Equipment: Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist System, Blind Spot Mirrors, Active Parking Assist, Rearview Camera

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Coupe Starting MSRP: $32,050

There’s a variety of ways to lower your rates overall, other than choosing a less-costly vehicle to insure. Have you taken a defensive driving class or been claim-free for 5 years? Both of these will lower your rates. Esurance offers additional discounts for online shoppers, PayPal account holders, homeowners, Switch and Save, and insureds that pay in full.

Anti-theft devices are a great way to reduce your comprehensive insurance costs. An alarm, disabling device, ignition or starter cutoff, window VIN etching, or vehicle recovery system (such as Lojack or OnStar) should result in a lower insurance rate.