20 cheapest cars to insure in 2024 from £500-a-year Seat Ibiza to £600 family-size Peugeot

11/18/2024 10:46 AM

A GROUP of car experts have revealed their 20 picks for the cheapest motors to insure in 2024.

With car insurance premiums on the rise, it's more important than ever for new drivers to find vehicles they can afford.

Thankfully, the boffins at WhatCar? have identified the best options for drivers looking for vehicles in the cheapest insurance groups, ranging from the Seat Ibiza supermini to small SUVs.

Seat Ibiza – insurance group 11 (£545.50)

The evergreen Ibiza is one of the most iconic small cars released over the last 30 years, and is renowned for its good looks and affordability.

The current Ibiza boasts the model's famous sharp handling and a surprisingly gutsy 1.0-litre engine, and it's also pretty roomy inside with a 355-litre boot.

In terms of insurance, the Ibiza falls into a low insurance group, specifically group 11 or 12 depending on the version, which means insurers consider it to be less risky and cheaper to cover.

The cost to repair the Ibiza is relatively low, while it's equipped with a range of safety features including advanced driver assistance systems.

There's also a host of good security features that help prevent theft and vandalism, further reducing insurance premiums.

Toyota Aygo X – insurance group 6A (£549.64)

Another supermini in a low insurance group thanks to low repair costs and strong safety features, the Toyota Aygo X is particularly frugal with its 1.0-litre engine that can achieve around 58.9mpg.

Toyota even offers a 10-year warranty, providing long-term peace of mind.

Kia Picanto – insurance group 3E (£554.79)

One of the smallest around, the Kia Picanto is great for urban environments with a 1.0-litre engine that offers decent fuel economy at around 54.3mpg.

Well-equipped, even in the base trim, the Picanto boasts affordable maintenance and all the essential safety features, contributing to lower insurance premiums.

Hyundai i10 – insurance group 6E (£562.67)

The Hyundai i10 is almost a copy and paste of sister brand Kia's Picanto, and like its fellow Korean supermini it finds itself in a particularly low insurance group.

Surprisingly comfortable, with remarkably roomy seats and a quiet interior, it’s pleasant enough to drive for longer journeys.

Like the Picanto, it's cheap to run thanks to its efficient engine and affordable maintenance.

Dacia Sandero – insurance group 12 (£578.19)

Britain's cheapest new car at just £13,795, the Sandero certainly offers a lot of car for the money.

It has lots of space inside, with a roomy front and a 328-litre boot, and is a comfortable ride.

Perhaps best of all, it can run on liquefied petroleum gas, which is cheaper than regular petrol, meaning it offers flexibility at the pumps.

Volkswagen Polo – insurance group 9E (£597.97)

As you'd expect from a VW, the Polo is great to drive with comfortable handling and responsive steering – making it very much a smaller, cheaper version of the Golf.

Naturally featuring a high build quality with good interior materials and a stylish finish, the Polo offers a premium feel.

For those low insurance costs, pick up the 1.0 TSI with its balance of performance and fuel economy.

Hyundai i30 – insurance group 10 (£610.25)

The small, 1.0-litre engines aren't just for the superminis these days, with many family-friendly small SUVs and larger family cars boasting the fuel-efficient, low cost motor, too.

That includes the Hyundai i30, which comes turbocharged with a mild hybrid engine – making it particularly strong.

Comfortable to drive with lots of space inside, the i30 comes with a range of great features, especially on its higher trim versions.

Fiat 500 – insurance group 10 (£610.88)

The world famous Fiat 500 are celebrating 17 years on the road, with the city car's main selling point still its cute looks and cult status.

Sadly, Fiat are looking to end production of the petrol-powered 500, although it will still be available to buy from showrooms heading into the new year, with more focus put on the electric 500E.

The decision to retire the model comes as Fiat prepares for next year's launch of the new-shape 500 Ibrida.

While not as practical, or cheap to insure, as the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto, the Italian-made supermini remains an enduring choice for cost-conscious drivers.

Peugeot 2008 – insurance group 12 (£612.92)

The large Peugeot 2008, with its punchy 1.2-litre PureTech engine – borrowed from the Peugeot 208 hatchback – has plenty of power for its size.

Comfortable inside while being slightly less agile than its hatchback counterparts, the 2008 comes with a quality entry-level trim with a decent amount of kit, including automatic air conditioning, rain-sensing wipers and cruise control.

Seat Arona – insurance group 13E (£631.80)

The ultra-roomy Arona will surprise many with its turbocharged 1.0-litre engine – which gives the small SUV plenty of oomph while keeping things affordable at 50.4mpg.

It's also another example of a lot of car for the money, with the entry-level SE trim including 17-inch alloys, cruise control, air conditioning, a contrasting roof colour and metallic paint.

Kia Stonic – insurance group 9 (£642.80)

While the Sportage takes all the plaudits, money-conscious motorists might fancy Kia's Stonic instead with its two 1.0-litre petrol engine options.

With one boasting 99bhp and the other 118bhp, the less powerful is obviously more affordable to insure, but it’s also slower to accelerate.

Agile and enjoyable to drive, especially in urban settings, the Stonic is also well-equipped even in the base trim, with a smart and well-designed interior.

Skoda Kamiq – insurance group 11 (£648.04)

Rising above the Seat Arona and Volkswagen T-Cross (and cheaper to insure than the T-Cross), the Kamiq stands out in the small SUV class with its bigger body, classier interior, and overall comfort.

Cheap enough to run too, with 50mpg from its 1.0 TSI 95 petrol engine, with the 115bhp version giving it a decent turn of speed.

Skoda Fabia – insurance group 4 (£652.84)

The long-running Fabia model remains a great choice for urban driving on a budget, with its entry-level 1.0 MPi the cheapest version to insure.

Inside, drivers will get a roomy car that’s certainly more comfortable than many of its rivals, while the SE Comfort trim is enough for the likes of alloy wheels, LED headlights, air conditioning and various infotainment features.

Skoda Scala – insurance group 13 (£674.82)

Completing a hat-trick of affordable Skodas is the Scala, which along with the Fabia and Kamiq, has recently included a range of new additions.

These upgrades have added £1,900 worth of value, but the prices remain at only £150 more than the cars original price, depending on each trim structure.

With the Scala, motorists can marvel at its particularly amazing rear seat space and large boot – making it big on practicality.

Volkswagen Taigo – insurance group 13 (£678.94)

Combining the good looks of a coupe with the practicality of an SUV, the VW Taigo is a pleasure to punt around with its entry-level 1.0 TSI 95 engine and light, sports car-like steering.

But inside, it offers lots of space and a comfortable ride, while a host of features come as standard – including all the infotainment kit you could need.

Renault Clio – insurance group 10 (£694.59)

The latest Renault Clio is everything drivers have come to love from the historic model – compact without being cramped, fun to drive, and comfortable inside.

The 1.0 TCe 90 engine is the cheapest option, perfect for dashing around town on a budget while keeping insurance costs low.

Vauxhall Corsa – insurance group 19 (£698.17)

Much like the Clio, the Corsa is a name drivers can trust, with the ever-present hatchback both well equipped and spacious inside with a pretty decently sized boot.

One of the most popular 'first-time' cars, it's little surprise to see it as a cheap-to-insure motor, although it's pricier than the Seat Ibiza and VW Polo, which both have beaten the Vauxhall on fun-factor and space, respectively.

Seat Leon – insurance group 11 (£701.61)

It's never easy to rival the VW Golf or the Ford Focus, but the Seat Leon quietly does this well as an all-rounder that's great to drive and well equipped.

It's also remarkably cheap to run thanks to its small petrol engines, with the 1.0 TSI combining good speed with fuel efficiency at 52mpg.

Renault Captur – insurance group 11 (£716.03)

One of the UK's most popular and affordable small SUVs, the Renault Captur comes in cheaper than the likes of the Ford Puma, Skoda Kamiq and VW T-Cross, while also being incredibly well equipped – it even comes with sliding rear seats to balance boot space and legroom.

Its low purchase price, impressively low insurance premiums and great fuel economy makes it nearly the most perfect entry-level car on the market.

Dacia Duster – insurance group 19 (£726.92)

As with all Dacias, the Duster is cheap to buy and run while its quality is fair and capable.

A true 4×4 at heart, the Duster is comfortable off road – with Sun Motors supremo Rob Gill describing it as "chiselled, tough and cool, inside and out" in his review earlier this year.

The 2024 iteration includes a 1.2-litre petrol version, badged 130 TCe, that’s turbocharged to still give it plenty of oomph, while the 1.6 hybrid and a 100 Bi-Fuel model that can run on LPG – a great option for penny-punchers at the pumps.