Top 10 Cheapest Cars to Insure in 2012

Sami Haj-Assaad
by Sami Haj-Assaad
Those looking to save a few bucks when buying a new car, might want to take a look at this list from Insure.com of the least expensive cars to insure. They may not be the flashiest vehicles around, but we’re sure your bank account will appreciate the frugal cost of insuring these new cars – listed in cost per year.

Pickup trucks are usually used for work, and that’s probably why the Silverado, not to mention a few other pick-up trucks, are so cheap to insure. This model, with the V6 and Extended Ca,b features some good safety features and Chevrolet‘s OnStar vehicle safety service. The extended cab Silverado starts at $26,340, and comes with a 4.3L V6 with a meager 195 horsepower.

Lets face it, with a minivan, you’re driving around a vehicle that’s catered to the family lifestyle. No high-revving, off-the line excitement here. The Toyota Sienna appears three more times in this list, but this is the only V6 model to make it. That 3.5L V6 model pumps out 288 horsepower, but only sets you back $26,300.

Compact Utility vehicles get high marks for safety as well. This Ford Escape, with the four-cylinder engine breaks the top 10 mainly with some help from innovative technology. Take for instance the Ford MyKey system, which can put limits on certain vehicle functions and promote safer driving habits. The Ford Escape is a good bargain at $21,440, and the low insurance rates help. It’s also worth mentioning its 171-horsepower engine, isn’t the weakest engine on this list.
Another popular minivan is the Dodge Grand Caravan. Recently restyled its nowpPowered by a 3.6L V6 that makes a nice 283 horsepower. Not bad for $20,995.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 shares the same safety and power-train as the extended cab, but its shorter cab makes it be known that you’re here for business, and nothing else. It’s a bit cheaper than it’s extended cab cousin, at $22,195, which probably contributes to its lower insurance rates.
The GMC version of the Silverado, the Sienna, is pretty much the same in every way, except the front grill, and the slightly lower price of insurance. It’s also the exact same price, at $22,195, and shares the same 4.3L V6 engine.
The Jeep Compass isn’t a flashy car. It gets the job done with a meager four-cylinder that makes just 158 horsepower. Still at $19,295 its a cheap car, helping it get a nice lower rate of insurance.
The brother of the Jeep Compass is the Patriot. The two cars share the same platform and engines. The Patriot here saves you an extra $2 a year in insurance in comparison to the Compass, and it’s $15,995 price tag is much cheaper than the Compass, so if you’re having trouble deciding between the two, maybe that’ll help sway your vote.
This Toyota Sienna, with the four-cylinder engine, makes it second on our list. Imagine a slower version of the car at the #9 spot and you’ll understand why insurance is so low on this minivan. The four-cylinder Sienna makes 187 horsepower and costs $25,050.

The Toyota Sienna LE takes the podium with a few key safety features that insurers absolutely love, like the engine immobilizer. This helps the Toyota minivan take the one-two punch in the cheapest cars to insure. It uses the same 2.7L engine as the base Sienna, and comes in at $26,145.

Sami Haj-Assaad
Sami Haj-Assaad

Sami has an unquenchable thirst for car knowledge and has been at AutoGuide for the past six years. He has a degree in journalism and media studies from the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto and has won multiple journalism awards from the Automotive Journalist Association of Canada. Sami is also on the jury for the World Car Awards.

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