The best (and cheapest) cars to insure in Canada

This article has been updated from a previous version initially published on September 21, 2020.

When it comes to choosing a new car, safety should be a top priority. That’s why, since 2006, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recognizes vehicles that offer the best safety features and occupant protection with their annual Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards.

For 2024, the IIHS has evaluated crashworthiness and advanced safety technology to help consumers make informed decisions. Not only can these vehicles keep you safe on the road, their safety features may score you a cheaper rate on car insurance.

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, here are the 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winners and insights on which models may help you stay safe on the road while saving on insurance costs.

The IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winners for 2024

The IIHS evaluates vehicles based on two key factors:

• Crashworthiness, or how well a car protects its occupants during a collision, and
• Crash avoidance and mitigation, which looks at the safety technologies designed to prevent accidents or reduce their severity.

To earn a Top Safety Pick+ award, vehicles must have good or acceptable ratings in multiple safety tests, including headlight performance and pedestrian crash prevention.

Here’s the top safety picks by category.

Top safety picks for small to midsize cars

For a little more style, here are the luxury car selections.

If you are keen on buying a larger vehicle, check out these top safety picks for SUVs.

Top safety picks for small to midsize SUVs

These SUVs are safe and luxurious.

Top safety picks for midsize and large luxury SUVs

Read more: Can a vehicle’s safety features get you cheaper car insurance?

The safest and most cost-effective vehicles to insure

If safety is a concern for you, look for vehicles that excel in crash tests and come equipped with advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Also, larger, heavier vehicles typically offer better protection compared to smaller, lighter ones.

On the cost-effective side, vehicles that are cheaper to repair and have low theft rates typically have lower insurance premiums.

Compact SUVs, sedans, and some mid-sized trucks often strike a good balance between safety and affordability in terms of insurance.  Compact SUVs are also the most popular vehicle size in Canada.

This category includes models like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, which consistently rank among the best-selling vehicles in the country.

Insurance cost comparison

Here’s a list of the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winners ranked from most affordable to least affordable based on their annual insurance costs*.

Read more: Why your new car's headlights cost $6,500 more than your old car's headlights

The Top Safety Pick+ vehicles with the cheapest car insurance

Here’s a top 10 list of the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winners ranked from most affordable to least affordable based on their monthly insurance costs*.

Note: Insurance rates vary depending on factors such as location, driving habits, and coverage choices.

Which cars are the cheapest to insure?

Small SUVs like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 are the most affordable options for annual insurance costs, offering practical and budget-friendly coverage under $3,000 per year. In contrast, luxury vehicles such as the Genesis G90 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class have significantly higher premiums, exceeding $5,000 annually, due to their expensive repairs and advanced features.

Overall, small SUVs hit the sweet spot between affordability and functionality, while luxury and large cars tend to have higher insurance expenses.

How are auto insurance rates determined?

Safety features aren’t the only variable affecting your rate. Insurers also consider the following factors when calculating premiums:

• Your driving record: Tickets, accidents, or claims can raise premiums.
• Age and location: Younger drivers and those living in urban areas often pay higher rates.
• Vehicle use: The more you drive, the greater the risk, impacting your rates.
• Repair costs: Models that are expensive to repair after collisions come with pricier policies.

Compact SUVs, like the Subaru Forester, are often cheaper to insure because they cost less to repair, have high safety ratings, and aren’t high on thieves' target lists.

So, before you go ahead and buy a new ride, it’s important to compare car insurance quotes first. Every person is different, so even if your neighbour drives the same vehicle as you, you may end up with a significantly different rate. Compare and save on car insurance before making your final purchase decision.

Read next: These are the top five factors that influence your auto insurance rate