Cheapest SUVs to insure 2024
Go big without boosting the cost of insurance with the cheapest SUVs to insure
We're all looking to save money where we can manage to, and the cost of running a car is one place where it is possible to make to substantial savings if you know where to look.
Whether it's the price of the car itself, or the size of your monthly payments during your PCP finance deal, or the amount of money you spend keeping the thing on the road, the possibilities to reduce those costs are numerous. If money was the only variable you cared about you'd go for something like a used Vauxhall Corsa, which is cheap to acquire in the first instance, but then also cheap to run in terms of insurance, tax and fuel.
But if you're in need of something a little more spacious such as a high-riding SUV, things get more expensive in terms of purchase price but also running costs - including the cost of insurance. But it's not all bad news, there are still some cheap SUVs for sale, and you can find plenty of them here on BuyaCar. The six models we've picked out here should also prove to be relatively cheap to insure.
We’ve sourced quotes for two representative drivers per vehicle: a 25-year old and a 40-year old. Both live in Surrey and have clean licences - costs will of course vary if you don't quite fit into those brackets. It's important to note that the cheapest car will not necessarily be the cheapest to insure, because it may lack some of the safety kit found in more expensive versions, it won't always sit in the lowest insurance group.
There aren't just savings to be made on insurance here either. With BuyaCar you could find some excellent value deals on these great used SUVs, with cheap deals on cash prices and monthly finance.
1. SsangYong Tivoli
Best cheap compact SUV to insure for a long warranty
Our pick SsangYong Tivoli 1.6 SE
Insurance group 16
Typical insurance premiums M25 £568; M40 £359 per year
Used deals from £11,300
Monthly finance from £233.53*
You may not be familiar with SsangYong but it’s been around for some years specialising in large, tough and no-nonsense SUVs and people carriers. The Tivoli is its first foray into the compact SUV market and it’s pretty impressive.
The car rides and handles well, and the interior and boot are among the roomiest and largest in the class. Unfortunately, the petrol engine that powers this cheapest version lacks the oomph of smaller, turbocharged rivals. It’s not especially economical, either. The Tivoli claws back ground with a five-year warranty, or a seven-year warranty for newer cars.
The Tivoli is another example of the most basic version sitting in a higher insurance group than its more expensive but better-equipped sibling. For example, EX, the next trim in the range, costs several thousands of pounds more (new new) but because it brings autonomous emergency braking and forward collision warning, sits three insurance groups lower in group 13, making it £423 to insure.
2. Nissan Juke
Best cheap compact SUV to insure for standing out
Our pick Nissan Juke 1.6 Visia
Insurance group 8
Typical insurance premiums M25 £498; M40 £350 per year
Used deals from £6,499
Monthly finance from £154.59*
The Nissan Juke pioneered the crossover concept when it was launched in 2010, and it remained massively popular right up until it was replaced by a new version in 2019. Its popularity has been put down to its happy medium between a high SUV-like driving position, and compact, hatchback-like size. A mix that makes for super easy driving.
If you're looking for the cheapest version to insure, your choice of engine is restricted to a 1.6-litre diesel, but the level of tech onboard is good. Visia trim includes the likes of air-conditioning, alloy wheels, electric windows and some decent safety kit.
Despite its higher price, it costs a 25-year old the same to insure as the Dacia Duster, and a 40-year old even less.
3. Renault Captur
Best cheap compact SUV to insure for a large boot
Our pick Renault Captur 0.9 TCe 90 Play
Insurance group 8
Typical insurance premiums M25 £539; M40 £387 per year
Used deals from £7,100
Monthly finance from £146.91*
The Renault Captur is based on the Renault Clio but its larger, taller shape gives it a more rugged look. Crucially, it’s roomier than the Clio, too, while the boot is a generous 455 litres, making it one of the biggest you’ll find in a compact SUV. The petrol turbocharged engine is economical but not exactly quick.
It may be the lowest spec but our featured Play trim has air-conditioning and alloy wheels. Not only these, but the roof is a contrasting colour to the body. The sting in the tail is a high insurance premium, at least for our 25-year-old driver.
4. Suzuki Vitara
Best cheap family SUV to insure for driving pleasure
Our pick Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ4
Insurance group 12
Typical insurance premiums M25 £542; M40 £334 per year
Used deals from £10,995
Monthly finance from £182.80*
The Suzuki Vitara is among the cheapest family-sized SUVs. That said, the cheapest version featured here is still a whopping £6,000 more expensive than the Dacia Duster.
Fortunately, your money buys a more sophisticated and better-equipped vehicle, that’s also lighter on fuel. And while it may be more expensive than the Duster, the Vitara is actually cheaper to insure.
The Vitara is not the most stylish-looking family SUV and it’s boot is on the small side but it is tough and good to drive. There are four-wheel-drive versions to choose from, too.
5. Seat Ateca
Best cheap family SUV to insure for all-round competence
Our pick Seat Ateca 1.0 TSI S
Insurance group 8
Typical insurance premiums M25 £475; M40 £329 per year
Used deals from £11,490
Monthly finance from £178.95*
The Seat Ateca is a thoroughly modern, family-sized SUV that’s roomy, good to drive and cheap to run. All this quality comes at a highish price, although it still manages to undercut established players including the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Kadjar. Not only that but its insurance rating begins at a low group eight, where similar rivals are well into double figures.
And although it may be the lowest specification, our featured S trim does at least have air-conditioning, alloy wheels, a touchscreen media system and an electric parking brake that’s perfect for hill starts.
6. Kia Sportage
Best cheap family SUV to insure for a long warranty
Our pick Kia Sportage 1.6 GDi '1'
Insurance group 12
Typical insurance premiums M25 £557; M40 £395 per year
Used deals from £8,999
Monthly finance from £164.32*
The Kia Sportage is the car that made the world wake up to Kia. In its fourth generation, the Sportage is a thoroughly well developed, stylish and practical family SUV. All this and, of course, it comes with Kia’s unbeatable seven-year warranty.
Our featured '1' trim (Kia’s trim names are nothing if not straightforward) brings lots of kit to the party including air-conditioning, alloy wheels, a digital radio and fog lights. It’s all reflected in the price.
With economy in the mid-40s at best, the Sportage’s petrol engine is beginning to look uncompetitive. On the other hand, it’s interesting to note that while the car’s insurance group rating begins at 12, our featured model is no more expensive to insure than the cheaper Suzuki Vitara and Seat Ateca, at least for a 25-year old.