Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on The Zebra.
Car insurance pricing is a complex process: Myriad factors go into your car insurance rates. One of the factors within your control that contributes to auto insurance premiums is the vehicle make and model you choose.
High-performance vehicles, sports cars, electric vehicles and luxury SUVs are among the most expensive cars to insure, based on their high cost-of-replacement and expensive parts. More common, low-MSRP models — like those listed below — are typically less expensive cars to insure.
The Fiat 500X, with an MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) starting at $24,840, is the cheapest car for insurance in the U.S. Its six-month insurance rate is $705 — $118 per month — an annual savings of $46 compared with the national average for car insurance.
As the nation’s leading car insurance search engine, The Zebra has auto insurance rates from every ZIP code in the United States. Using data from our proprietary quote engine, we collected the most affordable cars to insure (see here for detailed methodology).
1. Fiat 500X
The Fiat 500X is 2021’s cheapest car to insure, with an average monthly cost of $118. To find the most savings for this crossover SUV, consider starting your search with Nationwide, which costs $453 per six-month policy. Other affordable options include GEICO ($495) and State Farm ($576).
Average annual premium: $1,410
Insurance as percentage of MSRP: 5.68%
Least expensive insurance company: Nationwide
Most expensive insurance company: CSAA
2. Ford Transit Connect
The only van on our list — yet again — insurance for the Ford Transit Connect runs an average of $730 for a six-month policy or $122 per month. Nationwide and GEICO were the cheapest insurance providers for this make and model, costing $478 and $530, respectively, for a six-month term policy.
Average annual premium: $1,460
Insurance as percentage of MSRP: 5.92%
Least expensive insurance company: Nationwide
Most expensive insurance company: CSAA
3. Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass costs $123 per month to insure, making it the third-cheapest vehicle for insurance. However, it’s the second-cheapest when compared with other crossover SUVs on our list. Nationwide ($469) and GEICO ($527) could be the most budget-friendly options for a six-month policy. State Farm is also worth looking into for Jeep Compass insurance, costing an average of $570 ($95 per month).
Average annual premium: $1,478
Insurance as percentage of MSRP: 6.18%
Least expensive insurance company: Nationwide
Most expensive insurance company: CSAA
4. Ford Escape
Auto insurance costs for the Ford Escape are comparable with the Subaru Outback and GMC Canyon — $741 per six-month policy ($124 per month). Nationwide ($420) and GEICO ($542) were again the cheapest insurance companies for the Ford Escape, but Erie ($550) could also be worth looking into if you live within the company’s coverage area.
Average annual premium: $1,482
Insurance as percentage of MSRP: 5.96%
Least expensive insurance company: Nationwide
Most expensive insurance company: QBE
5. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback has been a top contender for cheap auto insurance year-after-year. On average, this SUV costs $741 per six-month policy to insure. Affordable insurance providers for the Outback include Nationwide ($413) and Country Financial ($452).
Average annual premium: $1,482
Insurance as percentage of MSRP: 5.53%
Least expensive insurance company: Nationwide
Most expensive insurance company: Shelter
6. GMC Canyon
The only pickup truck on our list this year, the GMC Canyon costs $741 per six-month policy to insure — 15% cheaper than the average truck. Nationwide ($390) and Country Financial ($422) were the least expensive insurance companies for the GMC Canyon.
Average annual premium: $1,482
Insurance as percentage of MSRP: 5.61%
Least expensive insurance company: Nationwide
Most expensive insurance company: Shelter
7. Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V may cost a little more, but its insurance costs are on par with the other compact SUVs on our list ($741 for a six-month term policy). Nationwide ($403) was the cheapest car insurance company for this vehicle, costing just $67 per month. Other affordable providers include GEICO ($521) and Country Financial ($590).
Average annual premium: $1,484
Insurance as percentage of MSRP: 5.85%
Least expensive insurance company: Nationwide
Most expensive insurance company: QBE
8. Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester has a midrange MSRP and has the eighth least expensive insurance costs ($743 for a six-month policy or $124 a month). Nationwide ($371), GEICO ($511) and Country Financial ($572) were again the cheapest companies for this compact crossover SUV.
Average annual premium: $1,486
Insurance as percentage of MSRP: 5.99%
Least expensive insurance company: Nationwide
Most expensive insurance company: QBE
9. Mazda CX-3
The most affordable car on our list, the Mazda CX-3 doesn’t cost all that much more than other ranking vehicles to insure. On average, coverage for this crossover SUV runs about $745 for a six-month policy. Consider starting your search with Nationwide or GEICO, which costs about $77-$82 a month. State Farm is more expensive ($106 per month) but still cheaper than the national average for the Mazda CX-3.
Average annual premium: $1,490
Insurance as percentage of MSRP: 7.22%
Least expensive insurance company: Nationwide
Most expensive insurance company: CSAA
10. Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek has the second-cheapest MSRP and costs an average of $753 per six-month policy or $126 per month. If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly rate, consider Nationwide ($477) and GEICO ($531) for a six-month policy. If you live within Erie’s coverage range, this company could also be a comparable, cheap option at $95 per month.
Average annual premium: $1,506
Insurance as percentage of MSRP: 6.77%
Least expensive insurance company: Nationwide
Most expensive insurance company: CSAA
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