Insurance premiums swing on more than a car’s price tag; safety ratings, theft rates, and repair costs all factor into what a policy actually costs. A handful of models consistently land on the affordable side of that equation year after year. These 10 cars are the ones insurers charge the least to cover in 2026.
1. Subaru Outback: Strong safety scores keep premiums low
The Subaru Outback consistently earns top marks in crash testing from independent safety organizations, a factor insurers weigh heavily when setting premiums. Its standard all-wheel drive and driver-assistance technology also reduce the likelihood of accidents in the first place, which further trims the cost of coverage.
Because the wagon-based crossover is rarely targeted by thieves and carries modest repair costs relative to its size, insurers tend to treat it favorably compared with flashier SUVs. Full specifications for the current model are available at Car and Driver’s Outback page, which details its safety-focused engineering.
2. Honda CR-V: A cheap-to-insure family favorite with low theft risk
The Honda CR-V’s blend of strong safety ratings and modest performance specifications keeps it firmly in the low-risk category that insurers reward with lower premiums. Its popularity among families also means claims data on the model is extensive, giving insurers confidence in predicting its real-world risk.
Low theft rates compared with more frequently stolen SUVs further help keep comprehensive coverage affordable. Fuel economy figures and specifications for the current generation are listed at the EPA’s official ratings page, which reflects the CR-V’s overall reputation as a low-drama daily driver.
3. Jeep Wrangler: Modest repair costs help hold insurance down
The Jeep Wrangler’s simple body-on-frame construction and widely available replacement parts keep collision repair costs more predictable than many modern unibody SUVs, a factor that helps offset its higher rollover risk in insurer calculations. Its removable doors and top are also inexpensive to replace compared with fixed glass panels on other vehicles.
Because the Wrangler has been produced with only incremental changes for decades, insurers have extensive claims history to draw on when setting rates. A full model overview is available at Car and Driver’s Wrangler page, which outlines its enduring mechanical simplicity.
4. Ford Escape: An affordable compact SUV cheap to cover
The Ford Escape’s mainstream positioning and modest performance figures keep it well within the range insurers consider low risk, and its compact footprint helps limit the severity of typical collision claims. Its widespread availability of parts also keeps repair estimates from ballooning after a minor accident.
Strong standard safety technology across recent model years has further nudged premiums downward for the crossover. Details on the current Escape’s specifications and equipment are available at Car and Driver’s Escape page, which highlights the safety features that help hold coverage costs down.
5. Subaru Forester: Top crash ratings translate to low premiums
The Subaru Forester routinely earns top safety ratings from independent testing organizations, reflecting a boxy shape that prioritizes visibility and crash structure over styling flourishes. Its standard all-wheel drive and driver-assistance suite also help it avoid the kinds of accidents that drive up an insurer’s loss ratio on a model.
Because the Forester rarely appears among frequently stolen vehicles, comprehensive coverage tends to stay reasonable alongside cheap liability rates. A full specification breakdown is available at Car and Driver’s Forester page, which documents its consistent safety credentials across generations.
6. Honda Odyssey: Minivan buyers get some of the lowest rates around
The Honda Odyssey benefits from the minivan segment’s broader reputation for cautious, family-oriented drivers, a demographic insurers statistically associate with fewer at-fault claims. Its size and weight also offer occupants strong protection in a crash, which factors favorably into how insurers price a policy.
Because minivans rarely rank among frequently stolen vehicle types, comprehensive premiums for the Odyssey tend to run well below those of comparably priced SUVs. Full details on the current model are available at Car and Driver’s Odyssey page, which outlines the safety equipment behind its favorable rates.
7. Mazda CX-5: Solid safety and low theft rates trim the bill
The Mazda CX-5 pairs strong crash-test results with a low profile among vehicles targeted by thieves, a combination that keeps both liability and comprehensive premiums in check. Its mainstream compact-crossover positioning also means insurers have ample claims data to price the model accurately.
Owners report few of the mechanical surprises that can push up rates through frequent claims history over time. A full overview of the current CX-5 lineup is available at Car and Driver’s CX-5 page, which details the safety technology fitted across trim levels.
8. Toyota RAV4: Cheap parts and strong safety keep coverage low
The Toyota RAV4’s massive sales volume gives insurers an enormous claims history to draw on, which tends to produce more accurately priced, often lower premiums than for less common models. Its strong safety ratings and widely available, inexpensive parts further support favorable rates.
Because the RAV4 rarely tops theft-rate lists despite its popularity, comprehensive coverage also stays reasonable for most drivers. Specifications for the current model are listed at Car and Driver’s RAV4 page, which reflects the crossover’s broad reputation for low-risk ownership.
9. Hyundai Tucson: An inexpensive crossover to insure and repair
The Hyundai Tucson combines a long factory warranty with modest repair costs, a pairing that keeps insurers comfortable pricing policies competitively. Its comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features on recent model years also helps reduce the frequency of at-fault claims that would otherwise push premiums higher.
Because the Tucson shares many components with other Hyundai and Kia models, parts remain affordable, keeping collision claims from spiraling in cost. A full specification rundown is available at Car and Driver’s Tucson page, which outlines its value-focused engineering.
10. Subaru Crosstrek: A small AWD wagon with low insurance costs
The Subaru Crosstrek’s compact size and standard all-wheel drive give it a safety profile insurers view favorably relative to sportier compacts of similar price. Its high ground clearance and driver-assistance technology also help it avoid the kinds of accidents that drive up loss ratios for less capable small cars.
Because the Crosstrek rarely draws thieves’ attention compared with more sought-after vehicles, comprehensive premiums remain modest. Background on the current generation is detailed at the model’s Wikipedia entry, which outlines the platform’s broadly favorable safety record.
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