Car insurance price comparison: SUVs vs sedans
As SUVs have become more eco-friendly, comfortable, and safe, they've emerged as a popular alternative to sedans. If you're weighing costs and benefits in the SUV vs. sedan debate, it's worth diving into the numbers to see which vehicle will cost more to purchase and to insure.
Which is cheaper to buy and insure: SUV vs. sedan
- Is it cheaper to buy a SUV or a sedan?
- Is it cheaper to insure a SUV or a sedan?
- Final thoughts: Which is the best option for you?
Is it cheaper to buy an SUV or Sedan?
While prices may vary by model, it’s more than $5,000 cheaper on average to buy a sedan than to purchase an SUV. Between the most expensive sedan (Nissan Altima) and the most expensive SUV (Ford Explorer), there’s a difference of more than $8,000.
Sedan vs. SUV list prices
| Sedan list values | SUV list values |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Cruze - $17,995 | Honda CR-V - $24,450 |
| Honda Accord - $23,720 | Chevrolet Equinox - $23,800 |
| Ford Fusion - $23,170 | Subaru Forester - $24,295 |
| Honda Civic - $19,550 | Toyota RAV4 - $25,650 |
| Honda Civic - $19,550 | Nissan Rogue - $25,020 |
| Toyota Camry - $24,095 | Ford Explorer - $32,765 |
| Nissan Altima - $24,100 | Jeep Grand Cherokee - $32,045 |
If you’re looking for an SUV on a budget, consider the Chevy Equinox or the Subaru Forester. These vehicles' average list value of $24,047 is $2,307 more than the average sedan price, but approximately $2,800 less than that of the typical SUV.
Is it cheaper to insure an SUV or a sedan?
While the average cost of an SUV far surpasses that of a sedan, car insurance costs may also differ substantially. Although rates will depend on your car insurance company and model, SUVs are typically $314 per year cheaper to insure than sedans.
Average car insurance premiums for sedans and SUVs
| Average annual insurance cost: sedans | Average annual insurance cost: SUVs |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Cruze - $1,604 | Honda CR-V - $1,509 |
| Honda Accord - $1,624 | Chevrolet Equinox - $1,496 |
| Honda Odyssey - $1,633 | Subaru Forester - $1,588 |
| Nissan Altima - $1,744 | Toyota RAV4 - $1,556 |
| Honda Civic - $1,801 | Nissan Rogue - $1,546 |
| Toyota Camry - $1,692 | Ford Explorer - $1,569 |
| Toyota Corolla - $1,724 | Jeep Cherokee - $1,579 |
If you're car-shopping on a budget, the Chevrolet Equinox (list price $23,800) is the cheapest option, with an average annual premium of $1,496. For a standard 6-month policy, you'd pay $748, or $124 per month with a payment plan. The Chevy Cruze (list price $17,995) is the cheapest option among sedans, setting you just over $1,600 per year or $802 for a standard 6-month policy.
Final thoughts: sedans or SUVs
Although finding cheap car insurance will be important once you've settled on a model, the list price should be your first concern when choosing between SUVs and sedans. If you’re looking for more information on top SUVs and sedans, including rates from actual car insurance companies, see our articles below. Already found the car of your dreams? Enter your zip code below to see which car insurance company offers you the best quote.
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.