Buying a used car can help you save money, but the purchase price is only one part of the real cost. Insurance, fuel, repairs, maintenance, and registration all affect what you pay every month.
That is why it helps to shop for a used car with total ownership costs in mind.
Some vehicles are cheaper to buy but expensive to insure because they have higher repair costs, higher theft risk, powerful engines, or expensive parts. Other vehicles are practical, reliable, easy to repair, and often more affordable to cover.
If you are looking for the cheapest used cars to insure, this guide breaks down practical options that can help you lower used car insurance costs and keep monthly ownership more manageable.
Quick Answer: What Are the Cheapest Used Cars to Insure?
The cheapest used cars to insure are usually practical vehicles with good safety features, lower repair costs, and everyday driving appeal.
Good used cars to compare include:
For the lowest monthly ownership costs, start with the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic if you want a simple commuter car.
Choose the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 if you want SUV space with strong long-term value.
Choose the Subaru Forester or Subaru Outback if you want standard all-wheel drive.
Choose the Honda Odyssey if you need more seating and family-friendly flexibility.
Actual used car insurance costs depend on your location, driving record, coverage level, deductible, and the exact vehicle you choose. Still, these models are strong starting points when comparing the lowest insurance cars.
Cheapest Used Cars to Insure Comparison
1. Toyota Corolla: Best Low-Cost Used Car for Daily Driving
The Toyota Corolla is one of the safest choices for shoppers who want a used car that is simple, reliable, and affordable to own. It is efficient, easy to drive, and widely available on the used market.
The Corolla is a strong option for drivers compared to the cheapest cars to insure because it is practical rather than performance-focused. It is commonly used for commuting, school, errands, and everyday driving. Parts are easy to find, repairs are usually straightforward, and the car has a strong reputation for long-term dependability.
For shoppers who want lower used car insurance costs, the Corolla makes sense because it avoids many of the expensive ownership factors connected to luxury vehicles, sports cars, and large SUVs.
Choose the Toyota Corolla if you want a dependable daily driver that can help keep monthly ownership costs under control.
Why it makes sense: Reliability, fuel economy, low running costs, and practical insurance-friendly appeal.
Before you buy: Compare mileage, trim, service records, accident history, and tire condition before choosing the cheapest listing.
2. Honda Civic: A Compact Car With Strong Everyday Value
The Honda Civic is another excellent choice for drivers who want a practical used car with manageable ownership costs. It is efficient, reliable, and available in many model years, trims, and price ranges.
For shoppers comparing the cheapest cars to insure, the Civic can be a strong option when you choose a standard sedan or hatchback trim. Sportier versions may be more expensive to buy and insure, so trim selection matters.
The Civic also offers a more enjoyable driving experience than many basic compact cars while remaining practical for daily use. It works well for commuters, students, first-time buyers, and small households.
Why it helps lower costs: The Civic offers strong fuel economy, broad used-market availability, and dependable daily driving.
Check before buying: Compare trims carefully. Avoid paying extra for performance-focused versions if your main goal is lower used car insurance.
3. Toyota Camry: A Comfortable Sedan That Still Makes Financial Sense
The Toyota Camry is a smart choice if you want more room than a compact sedan but do not need an SUV. It is comfortable, dependable, and well-suited for commuting, highway driving, and family use.
A used Camry can help keep ownership costs reasonable because it avoids many of the expenses connected to luxury vehicles, high-powered engines, and large SUVs. It is widely available, easy to service, and known for lasting a long time with proper maintenance.
The Camry is especially useful for shoppers who want comfort and space but still want to stay focused on affordability.
Why it helps lower costs: The Camry gives you midsize comfort with the dependability and practicality Toyota is known for.
Check before buying: Four-cylinder models are usually the better choice if fuel economy and lower insurance costs are priorities.
4. Honda CR-V: A Practical SUV With Manageable Monthly Costs
The Honda CR-V is one of the best used compact SUVs for shoppers who want space without moving into a larger, more expensive vehicle. It is roomy, comfortable, efficient for its class, and known for dependable ownership.
The CR-V can be one of the cheapest used cars to insure among SUV shoppers because it is family-focused and practical. It is not a performance SUV, and it has broad parts availability, which can help with repair and ownership costs.
Inside, the CR-V offers useful cargo space, comfortable seating, simple controls, and good visibility. It is a good match for small families, commuters, students, and drivers who want one vehicle that can handle daily life and weekend plans.
Why it helps lower costs: The CR-V offers SUV space, strong reliability, and everyday practicality without unnecessary complexity.
Check before buying: CR-Vs are popular, so prices can stay higher than expected. Compare mileage, trim, accident history, and service records before buying.
5. Toyota RAV4: A Reliable SUV for Long-Term Ownership
The Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular compact SUVs on the used market. It is practical, reliable, easy to drive, and useful for many types of shoppers.
For drivers looking at the lowest insurance cars, the RAV4 can be a strong choice because it is built for everyday use. It has good cargo space, available all-wheel drive, strong resale value, and a reputation for long-term dependability.
The RAV4 works well for commuters, small families, college students, retirees, and anyone who wants a used SUV that feels like a safe long-term decision.
Why it helps lower costs: The RAV4 balances reliability, resale value, cargo space, and everyday comfort.
Check before buying: Used RAV4 prices can stay high. Compare similar listings carefully so you do not overpay for mileage, trim, or condition.
6. Subaru Forester: Standard AWD Without Luxury SUV Pricing
The Subaru Forester is a practical compact SUV with standard all-wheel drive, strong visibility, and a roomy interior. It is especially useful for drivers who deal with rain, snow, gravel roads, or changing weather.
The Forester is worth considering if you want one of the lowest insurance cars with all-wheel drive. It is practical, safety-focused, and useful for commuting, outdoor plans, pets, and small families.
It also has a tall roofline and large windows, which make it feel open and easy to drive. For many shoppers, it offers a strong mix of usefulness and confidence.
Why it helps lower costs: The Forester gives you AWD confidence and SUV practicality without moving into a luxury or high-powered vehicle.
Check before buying: Look closely at maintenance records, tires, brakes, suspension, and drivetrain service.
7. Subaru Outback: More Space With Standard All-Wheel Drive
The Subaru Outback is a good fit if you want more room than a sedan but do not want a large SUV. It combines wagon-like practicality with SUV-like flexibility, making it useful for families, commuters, pet owners, and outdoor drivers.
The Outback is often a practical option for used car insurance shoppers because it is safety-focused, not performance-focused, and commonly used for everyday driving. It also comes standard with all-wheel drive, which adds confidence in difficult weather.
A used Outback can be especially helpful if you regularly carry gear, luggage, pets, or family members.
Why it helps lower costs: The Outback gives you cargo room, standard AWD, and everyday usability in a practical package.
Check before buying: Higher-mileage Outback models can still be good purchases, but service history is very important.
8. Mazda CX-5: A More Refined Compact SUV Option
The Mazda CX-5 is a strong choice if you want a compact SUV that feels more polished than the average used crossover. It has a stylish design, a comfortable interior, and a more enjoyable driving feel than many competitors.
The CX-5 can still fit into a lower-cost ownership plan because it is a mainstream compact SUV, not a luxury SUV. It gives shoppers a premium feel without automatically bringing luxury-brand repair or insurance costs.
It may not have the most cargo space in the class, but it is a strong option for commuters and small families who care about comfort and style.
Why it helps lower costs: The CX-5 gives you a refined driving experience while staying practical for daily use.
Check before buying: Compare trims carefully. Touring and Grand Touring models often offer a strong mix of features and value.
9. Hyundai Tucson: A Budget-Friendly Compact SUV
The Hyundai Tucson is a practical used SUV for shoppers who want comfort, value, and simple daily usability. It is easy to drive, easy to park, and often priced competitively on the used market.
For shoppers comparing the cheapest used cars to insure, the Tucson is worth a look because it offers SUV usefulness without moving into a large, luxurious, or high-powered category.
Depending on the year and trim, you may find features like touchscreen controls, smartphone connectivity, heated seats, blind-spot monitoring, and available all-wheel drive.
Why it helps lower costs: The Tucson offers useful features, compact SUV practicality, and approachable used prices.
Check before buying: Compare model years and trims carefully. Some versions offer much better value than others.
10. Kia Sportage: Useful Features at a Reasonable Price
The Kia Sportage can be a smart option if you want a compact SUV with modern features but do not want to pay top used-SUV prices. It is comfortable, practical, and often a good value compared with some more expensive rivals.
Depending on the model year and trim, a used Sportage may include smartphone connectivity, touchscreen controls, heated seats, driver-assistance features, and available all-wheel drive.
It can also be a good fit when comparing the cheapest cars to insure because it is a practical compact SUV rather than a luxury or performance vehicle.
Why it helps lower costs: The Sportage offers comfort, features, and SUV usability without stretching the budget too far.
Check before buying: Check whether any factory warranty coverage remains, especially on newer used models.
11. Ford Escape: A Common SUV That Is Easy to Compare
The Ford Escape is a compact SUV that is easy to find on the used market. That availability can be helpful because it gives shoppers more chances to compare price, mileage, trim, and condition.
The Escape offers practical space, available all-wheel drive, and a comfortable driving experience. Depending on the trim, you may find features like heated seats, upgraded infotainment, driver-assistance technology, and improved interior materials.
For shoppers looking at the lowest insurance cars, the Escape can make sense because it is a mainstream compact SUV with plenty of used inventory.
Why it helps lower costs: The Escape can offer affordable SUV practicality and strong used-market availability.
Check before buying: Engine choice, trim level, and service history matter. Compare several listings before deciding.
12. Nissan Rogue: A Comfortable SUV for Everyday Use
The Nissan Rogue is a compact SUV designed for comfort and practical daily driving. It works well for commuting, errands, school drop-offs, and basic family needs.
The Rogue can be a useful option when comparing used car insurance costs because it is a mainstream compact SUV, not a luxury or performance model. It is also widely available, which makes it easier to compare prices and features.
A used Rogue may appeal to drivers who want a comfortable ride, useful cargo space, and a relaxed driving experience.
Why it helps lower costs: The Rogue offers comfort, practicality, and compact SUV space in an easy-to-drive package.
Check before buying: Review transmission history and maintenance records carefully before making a decision.
13. Chevrolet Equinox: A Lower-Priced Used SUV Option
The Chevrolet Equinox is worth considering if affordability is one of your top priorities. It is often easier to find at lower used prices than some Toyota, Honda, or Subaru competitors.
The Equinox offers comfortable seating, straightforward controls, and enough room for everyday driving. It may not have the same resale strength as a RAV4 or CR-V, but that can help used buyers find a lower purchase price.
Since total ownership cost includes more than insurance, the lower purchase price can make the Equinox attractive for budget-focused shoppers.
Why it helps lower costs: The Equinox gives shoppers practical SUV space and often lower used prices.
Check before buying: Review maintenance records, accident history, ownership history, and overall condition carefully.
14. Honda Odyssey: A Family Vehicle That Avoids Large SUV Costs
The Honda Odyssey is a practical minivan for families that need more seating and cargo flexibility. It has sliding doors, comfortable seating, flexible interior space, and a smooth driving experience.
For families comparing the cheapest cars to insure, a minivan can sometimes be a smarter choice than a large SUV. Minivans are generally designed for family use, not performance, and they can offer excellent space without moving into a high-cost SUV category.
A used Odyssey works well for car seats, school routines, road trips, sports gear, groceries, and larger households.
Why it helps lower costs: The Odyssey gives families space and comfort without requiring a large three-row SUV.
Check before buying: Inspect sliding doors, brakes, tires, interior wear, and service records.
15. Volkswagen Jetta: An Efficient Sedan With a Refined Feel
The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact sedan that can work well for drivers who want fuel economy, comfort, and a more refined feel than some basic economy cars.
The Jetta is practical for commuting, parking, errands, and highway driving. It can be one of the cheapest cars to insure when compared with larger, faster, or more expensive vehicles, especially if you choose a practical trim.
It may not have the same low-cost reputation as a Corolla, but it can offer a comfortable cabin and good road manners for the money.
Why it helps lower costs: The Jetta gives sedan shoppers efficiency, comfort, and a more polished driving experience.
Check before buying: Compare maintenance history and repair costs by model year before buying.
How to Compare Used Car Insurance Before Buying
Before you choose a used car, get insurance quotes for the exact vehicles you are considering. This step can help you avoid surprises after purchase.
If possible, use the VIN when requesting quotes. A VIN-based quote can be more accurate because it reflects the specific vehicle, trim, engine, and sometimes safety equipment.
When comparing used car insurance quotes, keep the details consistent. Use the same:
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Coverage limits
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Deductible
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Driver information
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Address
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Annual mileage
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Policy type
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Optional coverage
A quote that looks cheaper is not always better if it gives you less coverage. The goal is to compare fairly and choose a policy that fits your budget while giving you the protection you need.
How to Choose the Right Used Car for Lower Monthly Costs
The cheapest used cars to insure can help reduce your monthly expenses, but insurance is only one part of the ownership picture.
Before buying, compare the full cost of ownership, including:
- Vehicle price
- Insurance premium
- Fuel economy
- Maintenance costs
- Repair history
- Tire costs
- Financing terms
- Registration fees
- Depreciation
- Vehicle condition
A car with a low insurance premium is not automatically the best deal. A poorly maintained vehicle can still become expensive if it needs major repairs soon after purchase.
The smartest choice is a used car that fits your budget today and stays reasonable to own over time.
Which Used Car Should You Choose?
The right used car depends on your driving habits, budget, and space needs.
If you want a low-cost commuter car, start with the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic.
If you want more comfort in a sedan, compare the Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Jetta.
If you want compact SUV practicality, look at the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, and Chevrolet Equinox.
If you want standard all-wheel drive, compare the Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback.
If you need family space, the Honda Odyssey may be more practical than a large SUV.
A helpful rule is to buy the smallest vehicle that comfortably fits your life. Smaller practical vehicles are often easier to park, more fuel-efficient, and more affordable to maintain. But if your family needs more space, a compact SUV, wagon, or minivan may be worth the extra cost.
Final Thoughts: Lower Insurance Can Help Make a Used Car More Affordable
Finding the cheapest used cars to insure is a smart step if you want lower monthly ownership costs. But the best used car is not just the one with the lowest insurance quote.
A smart choice should be affordable to buy, affordable to insure, reliable, practical, and right for your daily life.
Models like the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, Chevrolet Equinox, Honda Odyssey, and Volkswagen Jetta are good places to start.
Before you buy, compare listings, check vehicle history, review service records, inspect the car carefully, and get used car insurance quotes. A little research before purchase can help you avoid higher monthly costs later.
Ready to compare affordable used cars? Visit AxioAuto to browse practical used vehicles and find the right fit for your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the cheapest used cars to insure?
Some of the cheapest used cars to insure include the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, Chevrolet Equinox, Honda Odyssey, and Volkswagen Jetta.
2. Are used cars cheaper to insure than new cars?
Used cars are often cheaper to insure than new cars because they usually have lower replacement values. However, this is not always true. Some used vehicles may still be expensive to insure if they have high repair costs, high theft risk, or expensive parts.
3. What makes a vehicle one of the lowest insurance cars?
A vehicle may be one of the lowest insurance cars if it has strong safety features, lower repair costs, good parts availability, moderate engine power, and a practical ownership profile. Cars used mainly for commuting and family driving are often more insurance-friendly than luxury or performance models.
4. Is a sedan cheaper to insure than an SUV?
A sedan can be cheaper to insure than an SUV, especially if it is a compact or midsize model. However, some compact SUVs are also affordable to insure because they are safe, practical, and widely available. The best approach is to compare quotes for the exact vehicles you are considering.
5. How can I lower used car insurance costs?
You can lower used car insurance costs by comparing quotes, choosing a practical vehicle, maintaining a clean driving record, selecting the right deductible, asking about discounts, avoiding high-powered trims, and reviewing your coverage regularly.
