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Car insurance costs have surged in recent years, and the vehicle you drive is one of the biggest factors insurers weigh when setting your rate. Some models cost nearly twice as much to insure as others, making the choice of what to buy a financial decision that extends well beyond the sticker price. Cars with strong safety scores and a history of affordable repairs tend to draw lower premiums, while sports cars, luxury vehicles, and theft-prone models typically land at the top of the rate table.
Consumer Reports partnered with Insurify to find which used vehicles carry the lowest nationwide annual premiums. Here are the six they identified.
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Priced from $23,250 to $30,700 for the 2024 model year, the Outback earns a reliability score of 67 out of 100 and an owner satisfaction score of 73 out of 100 in Consumer Reports' member surveys. CR describes it as a raised wagon with standard all-wheel drive that functions as a practical stand-in for a more traditional SUV. Its comfortable ride and functional interior suit both daily commutes and weekend use, CR says.
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The 2024 Subaru Forester is priced from $24,575 to $30,600, with a reliability score of 74 out of 100 and an owner satisfaction score of 75 out of 100. Consumer Reports calls it a smart, well-executed small SUV with a roomy interior, strong fuel economy at 29 mpg, and a comfortable ride. Subaru ranks first among all 31 car brands in CR's overall brand rankings for 2024.
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At $33,000 to $41,500 for the 2024 model year, the Odyssey is the priciest vehicle on this list, though it earns its keep as a minivan. Consumer Reports notes that Honda $HMC made substantial improvements to the current generation's power, fuel economy, ride comfort, and cabin quietness. Its reliability score of 42 out of 100 is below average for the minivan segment, however, and CR cautions that some vehicles on its cheapest-to-insure list carry lower reliability ratings.
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With a reliability score of 86 out of 100, the 2024 Toyota $TM 4Runner leads all 6 vehicles on this list in that category and is priced from $38,150 to $56,875. Consumer Reports recommends the 4Runner and notes its body-on-frame construction is especially suited to off-road use. CR's road test describes the ride as unsettled and the handling as clumsy on-road, but owner satisfaction sits at 78 out of 100.
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Ranging from $19,925 to $26,750, the 2024 Ford $F Escape carries the lowest starting price on this list. Consumer Reports found it agile and solid feeling in road testing but noted several flaws that warrant caution. Its reliability score of 28 out of 100 is well below average, and CR says the hybrid version is the most compelling trim to consider.
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Among compact SUVs, Consumer Reports recommends the 2024 Honda $HMC CR-V, priced from $24,350 to $34,100. CR says the CR-V ranks near the top of the compact SUV segment, with improved ride comfort and easier-to-use controls in the current generation. Reliability scores at 71 out of 100 and owner satisfaction at 65 out of 100, both solid marks for the compact SUV class.
