Looking to buy a new car that won’t drain your wallet with sky-high insurance premiums?
Mercury Insurance, an insurance carrier based in California, recently dropped its 10th annual list of the most affordable vehicles to insure, and the 2025-2026 lineup might surprise you.
Mercury initially examined sedans and subcompact crossovers that were available at car dealerships in 2025, crunching the numbers on repair costs, safety records and claims on similar vehicles.
The winners share several money-saving characteristics. Most are compact, fuel-efficient vehicles with solid safety credentials and reasonable repair costs.
Hyundai Motor Group dominates with three entries (including Kias), while Nissan claims two spots with its budget-friendly models.
Here’s Mercury’s complete ranking of the most affordable sedans and subcompact crossovers to insure:
- Volkswagen Golf R
- Acura Integra
- Mazda 3
- Kia K4
- Nissan Versa
- Volvo S90
- Hyundai Venue
- MINI Cooper
- Kia K5
- Nissan Kicks
Chong Gao, director of product management research and development for Mercury Insurance, says in a summary of the findings:
“The list of vehicles this year is one of the most diverse ever, ranging from entry-level premium cars like the Acura Integra to more affordable options like the Nissan Kicks and Kia K4. Many of these vehicles are smaller and more fuel efficient, which serve as great options for consumers on a tighter budget.”
Separately, Mercury also ranked SUVs and trucks based on insurance costs.
The top-ranked SUVs are:
- Hyundai Sante Fe
- Honda Pilot
- Chevrolet Blazer
- Kia Sportage
- Honda Passport
- Ford Escape
- Kia Soul
- Honda HR-V
- Honda CR-V
- Kia Sorento
The top trucks are:
- Chevrolet Colorado LT
- Chevrolet Silverado C3500
- Ford Maverick/Ford Ranger
- Hyundai Santa Cruz SE
- Toyota Tundra CrewMax
- Ford F150
- Toyota Tacoma
- Ford F350 Super Duty
- Dodge 1500/RAM Truck 1500
- GMC Canyon
Car insurance prices have outpaced inflation in recent years. Federal data shows that as of June, the annual inflation rate for auto insurance was 6.1% — more than double the overall inflation rate of 2.7%.
But just as you would shop around for the most affordable car that suits your needs, you can shop around for car insurance. This doesn’t have to mean sitting on the phone with insurance agents, though. Free online tools like that of FinanceBuzz will collect quotes for you. Just answer a few questions and pick the best car insurance quote for your situation.
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