10 best cheapest cars to insure in 2022

March 21, 2022 by

Insurance is one of the biggest annual motoring costs for most people, so it makes sense to reduce that cost by going for a small car that’s cheap cover. But what are the best cars on sale that come with cheap insurance? Read on to find out. 

All cars are placed in an insurance group between one and 50, with one being the cheapest and 50 being the most expensive. Things that can affect a car’s insurance group include value, desirability, performance and safety.

Below is our top pick of cars which are cheap to insure:

  1. Volkswagen Polo
  2. Hyundai i10
  3. Volkswagen Up
  4. Kia Picanto
  5. Dacia Sandero
  6. Ford Fiesta
  7. Seat Ibiza
  8. Renault Clio
  9. Skoda Fabia
  10. Kia Rio

1. Volkswagen Polo

Insurance group: 1-12 (Excluding GTI)

You get a lot of car for your Group 1 insurance rating these days. The Volkswagen Polo is comfortable and classy, and has an interior filled with soft, squidgy materials that give it a big-car feel. Every VW Polo comes with a slick touchscreen entertainment system, too.

The only fly in the ointment is that the only engines that qualify for Group 1 insurance are the lower-powered 1.0-litre ones, which are a touch lethargic. It’ll be fine if all your driving is done around town, however if you plan to venture out onto the motorway then we’d suggest swallowing the extra cost and going for a higher-powered model.

2. Hyundai i10

Insurance group: 3-10

The Hyundai i10 is a funky-looking hatchback that’s filled with standard equipment, including air-conditioning and electric windows. You don’t have to go too far up the range to get a touchscreen infotainment system either. It’s roomy enough (just) for four adults, and the boot is big enough for a weekly supermarket trip.

Small dimensions and light controls make the i10 right at home nipping around town, and parking is a cinch. You’ll need to work the 67hp engine hard to keep up with traffic, however, and these are the models which fall into the lowest insurance group.

3. Volkswagen Up

Insurance group: 1-10 (Excluding GTI)

The Volkswagen Up is like a sports star who has been around for ages yet is still at the top of their game. The interior has a simple appearance but is actually full of standard kit, such as DAB radio, bluetooth and air-conditioning.

The boxy shape means there’s plenty of space for four full-size adults to be comfortable, and of course, it’s a VW so the interior quality is impressive for such an affordable car. The 60hp engine needs to be revved hard to keep up with traffic, though.

4. Kia Picanto

Insurance group: 1-11

The Kia Picanto is a great city car with funky styling options and great standard equipment, as long as you avoid the entry level version. Mid spec cars get alloy wheels, bluetooth and air conditioning. Step up a bit higher and you can also have an easy-to-use touchscreen infotainment system.

The 1.0-litre engine is fine in town but it can feel strained at motorway speeds and the noise in the cabin can be intrusive. You can get it with a 100hp turbocharged unit but these will cost more to insure. All models come with a reassuring seven-year warranty.

5. Dacia Sandero

Insurance group: 3-12

The Dacia Sandero is the cheapest new car you can buy right now, and it’s proof that cheap certainly doesn’t mean nasty. You get plenty of standard equipment, including bluetooth and air conditioning. A touchscreen infotainment system can also be specified.

There’s only one engine on offer – a 1.0-litre turbocharged unit. It’s peppy enough for around town and the odd motorway stint, and it’ll be economical as well.

6. Ford Fiesta

Insurance group: 2-20 (Excluding ST)

There’s a good reason that the Ford Fiesta has always been amongst the best-selling cars in the UK, it’s a great all-rounder. It combines the sort of high-tech features you usually find on cars from classes above with genuine small-car nippiness and economy. It’s just a shame that it isn’t quite as roomy as some rivals.

The 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine is a peach, and contributes to the Fiesta being a truly fun car to drive and it’s economical too. You’ll have to pay extra to insure it however, as only the 1.1-litre units fall into the lower groups. It’s worth splashing the extra cash if you can though because the 1.0-litre engine is the best of the range.

7. Seat Ibiza

Insurance group: 2-19

The SEAT Ibiza feels like a pretty decent-size car considering some models fall into group two. It’s spacious enough for four adults and there’s a practical 355-litre boot behind. However, the stylish exterior is not replicated inside, where it’s all a bit dowdy.

All models get a colour touchscreen infotainment system as standard, along with alloy wheels and a leather steering wheel. The 1.0-litre engine develops just 80hp, so you may be better off going for the turbocharged unit instead if you plan to do a lot of motorway journeys.

8. Renault Clio

Insurance group: 3-16 (Excluding RS)

Sit inside the Renault Clio and you’ll find it hard to believe that it can be classified in Group 3 for insurance. The dashboard is smart and minimalist, and the materials all feel classy and well screwed together.

There’s easily enough space for you and a front-seat passenger to be comfy, but anyone tall who you consign to the rear will be less happy with the space on offer.

The standard 1.0-litre turbocharged engine is perfectly adequate for day-to-day duties in town and on faster roads, and standard equipment is generous as well. It’s not quite as comfortable or as fun to drive as some alternatives, and rear visibility is limited.

9. Skoda Fabia

Insurance group: 2-13

The Skoda Fabia offers great value for money and is a good alternative to the Volkswagen Polo. It offers all the same equipment and engines as the Polo, for a lower price. The interior is a nice place to sit, albeit not quite as well built as the Polo, and it’s comfortable to travel in.

The entry level 1.0-litre engine feels a little lethargic, so if you plan on using the Fabia on motorways you’ll be better off with the higher powered versions. All models are economical though, so no matter which one you choose it’ll be easy on the wallet.

10. Kia Rio

Insurance group: 2-10

The Kia Rio is affordable to buy but doesn’t feel like a cheap product inside. Equipment is generous across the range, with all cars getting bluetooth and air conditioning. Mid-spec cars and bove come with a touchscreen infotainment system as standard, too.

It’s a shame that the Rio isn’t particularly comfortable over bumps and it’s not quite as fun to drive as some other superminis. The engine range is impressive though – whether you drive mainly in town or on faster roads, you’ll find one to suit your needs and they’re all fairly economical.

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