10 of the cheapest cars to insure

What are the cheapest cars to insure?

TL;DR: What are 10 of the cheapest cars to insure?

City cars like the Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto start from group 1, while superminis like the SEAT Ibiza and Renault Clio offer competitive insurance groups without compromising on what you actually get.

If you want an SUV, the Kia Stonic, SEAT Arona and Ford Puma all make it onto the list.

Bear in mind that trim and engine choice matters — the same car can span a wide range of groups depending on the spec you go for.

10 of the cheapest cars to insure

Car insurance. Everyone needs it, nobody loves paying for it.

But here's the thing, the car you choose makes more of a difference to your premium than you might think. Pick something in a lower insurance group and you could be saving yourself a fair bit every year, without settling for something you don't actually want to drive.

We've pulled together ten of the cheapest cars to insure right now.

Your quote will still depend on things like your age, where you live, and your driving history — but starting in the right place never hurts.

*We are a broker and not an insurance company or lender. We can't offer you a quote on your insurance, but we do always recommend you shop around for the best prices

Hyundai i10

Group 1-10

The Hyundai i10 is one of the last true city cars still standing, with the likes of the Volkswagen Up and Ford Ka being put out to pasture. But the i10? Very much alive. And it’s still one of the cheapest cars you can insure.

It has different models and trims that vary from insurance group 1-10.

But despite being a genuinely tiny car, it punches well above its weight.

The cabin is surprisingly roomy for something this small, there's a 252-litre boot, and standard kit includes an eight-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, and a reversing camera.

It's easy to drive too — light steering, a slick manual gearbox, and a turning circle that makes parking in tight spots feel like cheating.

Worth knowing though, the automated manual gearbox takes a slow and steady 18.4 seconds to reach 62mph. Stick with the manual and you'll be much happier.

Kia Picanto

Group 1-11

If the i10 is the sensible choice, the Kia Picanto is its slightly sportier-looking cousin — and it's just as easy on the insurance.

It has different models and trims that vary from insurance group 1–11.

Unlike some city cars that make you feel like you've simply just settled, the Picanto doesn't feel like a compromise. The latest generation is good-looking, surprisingly roomy inside, and comes with an eight-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, reversing camera, and rear parking sensors as standard across the range.

It's good to drive too; light, agile, and fun on back roads. Just don't expect to win any drag races. The 1.0-litre engine does 0–62mph in around 15 seconds, so overtaking on the motorway requires a bit of forward planning.

On the plus side, Kia backs every Picanto with a seven-year, 100, 000-mile warranty, which is hard to argue with really.

Volkswagen Polo

Group 1-17

Nearly 50 years on sale and the Volkswagen Polo is still one of the best small cars you can get your hands on. It also has a wider insurance group range than most people expect.

It has different models and trims that vary from insurance group 1–17.

The entry-level Life with the 1.0-litre 80PS engine sits at the lower end. That's the one to go for if keeping insurance costs down is the priority. Step up through the range and the groups climb, so it's worth considering which trim and engine you truly need.

What you get for your money is a premium-feeling small car: High-quality interior, composed ride, and enough space to comfortably fit four adults without anyone drawing the short straw.

The 351-litre boot is decent too, and the Polo holds its own on a motorway in a way that makes you question whether a Golf is really worth the pennies.

It’s worth knowing though that the non-turbo 1.0-litre takes 15.6 seconds to reach 62mph. The 94bhp TSI version is a much more relaxed drive, but this makes it sit in a higher insurance group.

ŠKODA Fabia

Group 1-14

The ŠKODA Fabia has been quietly getting on with being one of the best value superminis on the market for over 20 years — and it remains one of the cheaper cars to insure too.

It has different models and trims that vary from insurance group 1–14.

The entry-level 1.0 MPI SE Edition sits at the lower end of that range, and while it won't win any races (0–62mph takes 15.7 seconds ), it's perfectly happy pottering around town and keeping insurance costs in check.

If you want more performance, the TSI engines are a much better all-round drive, though they do sit in higher groups.

What makes the Fabia genuinely stand out on this list is the practicality. The boot comes in at 380 litres — that’s bigger than the VW Polo and the SEAT Ibiza — and the cabin is surprisingly spacious for a supermini.

It also earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2021, which is more than some of its competitors can say.

ŠKODA's warranty is three years and 60,000 miles. Not as reassuring as Kia's seven-year cover, but still solid enough for most leases.

Dacia Sandero

Group 3-19

The cheapest new car you can buy in the UK — and the insurance isn't going to sting you either.

The Dacia Sandero has different models and trims that vary from insurance group 3–19.

The boot is a genuinely impressive 410 litres: bigger than the ŠKODA Fabia, bigger than the Renault Clio, bigger than most things in this class really.

The cabin is spacious too, with enough room for four adults to travel in reasonable comfort. And the latest version has improved considerably on the rather spartan interior of older models.

But the base Essential trim doesn't come with a touchscreen; you get a smartphone cradle and a dedicated app instead. Step up to Expression and you get a proper 10-inch screen, which is worth the small extra outlay.

Back in 2021, it received a two-star Euro NCAP rating, but Dacia has since updated the safety tech across the range. For most buyers though, the Sandero's combination of low list price, low running costs, and generous space makes it a hard car to overlook.

Kia Stonic

Group 8–14

Not every cheap-to-insure car has to be a city car. The Kia Stonic proves that you can have the raised ride height and beefy SUV styling without getting hammered on insurance.

It has different models and trims that vary from insurance group 8–14.

Under the bonnet there's a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with mild-hybrid assistance — enough to get it to 62mph in 10.7 seconds and return over 50mpg.

It's refined on the move too, and reasonably well equipped even in base trim, with an eight- inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, and rear parking sensors all standard.

The ride can feel a little unsettled on rougher roads, and boot space at 352 litres is decent but trails some rivals in the class. But just like the Picanto, Kia backs it with a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. At this end of the market, that’s genuinely hard to beat.

Renault Clio

Group 3-18 (Plus one trim in group 29)

Three-time winner of Auto Express Supermini of the Year, the Renault Clio is one of the best all-rounders in its class, proving insurance doesn’t have to cost the earth for a properly good car.

It has different models and trims that vary from insurance group 3–18. The group 29 outlier is the Clio RS — a performance variant that's a different proposition entirely, and not what most people are shopping for on this list.

The pure-petrol 1.0-litre TCe is the one to go for if cheap insurance is the priority, and it comes with a genuinely impressive 391-litre boot, which is bigger than the VW Golf.

Standard kit across the range includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat-nav, a reversing camera, and automatic emergency braking.

It's good to drive too; with well-weighted steering, a composed ride, and it’s refined enough at motorway speeds to make you forget it's a supermini.

One thing worth knowing is that the E-Tech full hybrid is a better all-round drive and considerably more efficient. But it sits in higher insurance groups and the battery eats into the boot, dropping it to 301 litres.

SEAT Arona

Group 8-20

If you want an SUV on the driveway without the typical insurance bill that usually comes with it, the SEAT Arona is worth a look.

It has different models and trims that vary from insurance group 8–20.

Stick with the entry-level 1.0-litre TSI and you'll keep costs well in check.

It's a capable little engine — refined enough for everyday use and good for over 50mpg — and the Arona wraps it in a genuinely stylish package with a raised ride height, sharp looks, and a five-star Euro NCAP rating from 2022.

Standard kit is generous too, with every Arona coming with cruise control, air conditioning, alloy wheels, and LED daytime running lights,

Step up to SE Technology and you add rear parking sensors, sat-nav, and wireless phone charging.

Rear legroom is a little tight compared to some rivals in the class, and the 1.5-litre TSI jumps to group 18 — so it's worth considering which engine and trim you need.

SEAT Ibiza

Group 2-19

Sharp looks, a sporty feel, and a starting insurance group of 2; the SEAT Ibiza makes a strong case for itself at the affordable end of the supermini market.

It has different models and trims that vary from insurance group 2–19.

It shares its bones with the VW Polo and ŠKODA Fabia, but the Ibiza brings its own flavour — sportier styling, a slightly lower price, and one of the better-looking cabins in the class.

The 355-litre boot is competitive too, plus the Ibiza it earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2022.

The entry-level 1.0-litre TSI SE is the one to go for on the insurance front, returning up to 56.5mpg and sitting at the lower end of the group range. The handling is a highlight too. There’s plenty of front-end grip, very little body roll, and it’s genuinely good fun on a back road without ever feeling unsettled.

There's no hybrid option though, and the Ibiza's three-year, 60,000-mile warranty is fairly standard — well behind the seven-year cover you get with Kia.

Ford Puma

Group 11-18

The Ford Puma has the highest insurance group range on this list, but it earns its place by being genuinely one of the best small SUVs you can buy that still has relatively low insurance premiums.

It has different models and trims that vary from insurance group 11–18.

The base 123bhp 1.0-litre EcoBoost Titanium is the one to go for on insurance, and it's a strong all-rounder: A 456-litre boot that beats most rivals in this list, a well-equipped cabin with a 12-inch touchscreen, and mild-hybrid assistance helping it return over 50mpg.

Where the Puma really stands out though is how it drives.

Built on the retired Fiesta's chassis, it's easily the most fun small SUV on this list. It’s agile, grippy, and genuinely enjoyable on a back road in a way most of its rivals simply aren't.

The automatic gearbox is a bit of a weak point though; stick with the six-speed manual where you can.

Ford's three-year, 60,000-mile warranty is also on the shorter end compared to some on this list, and its four-star Euro NCAP rating from 2022 trails the five-star results of some rivals.

But the Ford Puma makes a strong case for itself.

What's next?

You've got the list — now it's time to find the right lease deal.

Every car on our website displays the insurance group for that specific model and trim, so you can check exactly where yours sits before you commit.

If you want to dig a little deeper into how insurance groups actually work and what goes into them, we've got you covered.