If you’re not getting insure on these, you’re likely not getting insured on anything…
Cheap car insurance is hard to come by unless you’re approaching pension age, with a flawless driving record and an underpowered car of choice. For those of us living in the so-called ‘real world’, with places to be, people to see and no chance of a final salary pension, we’re contemplating the sale of another kidney to afford this year’s car insurance renewal.
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Insurance is a funny old world where the groups are numbered one to 50. One is the cheapest. If you’re wondering about 50…that’s the special reserve for those top-of-the-range premium models made from the dreams and starlight of the fortunate few.
Without further ado (and dwelling on all the things Santa didn’t bring us for Christmas), here’s the only list you’ll need if facing a cost-of-living showdown with your other half. These new represent your best chance of affordable insurance*.
*For those of you for whom speed is a non-negotiable toinsure, we’ve chucked in the cheapest of the fastest, too. Nb., these may price you out. Manage your dreams sensibly, kids.
VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.0 S (GROUP 1)
Facelifted a couple of years back, the VW Polo carries plenty of styling cues from its bigger and hugely popular sibling, the VW Golf.
With its smaller dimensions and gutsy 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines, it’s got verve. Add an interior that’s both comfy and practical and the Polo’s well-packaged. What’s more, if you opt for a lower trim spec, you avoid the weird and unintuitive design abomination that is the climate control’s touch button panel.
Sure, it’s a bit too sensible and lacking in Ford Fiesta sparkle. Yet, low fuel economy and Group 1 insurance categorisation means the Polo more than makes up for these minor drawbacks.
KIA PICANTO 1.0 ‘1’ (GROUP 1)
vamped in 2011, the Kia Picanto is a suitably stylish city motor with a seven-year warranty. The Picanto’s peppy 1.0-litre engine in entry-level ‘1’ trim won’t break the bank when it comes to sorting out the insurance, either. Not least because this pretty city car gets electric front windows, a USB port, DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity as standard.
Though you’ll have to pony up to the 3-spec trim for Apple Carplay and Android Auto integration, the Picanto has plenty of practical pockets and enough space for frequent solo journeys, with the occasional squeeze of four whole humans (for a limited time only).
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VOLKSWAGEN ‘TAKE’ UP 1.0 60PS (GROUP 1)
There’s a lot to like about the VW Up. It’s surprisingly refined on the motorway and deceptively roomy. The tech in the cabin is intuitive and the quality of this cleverly packaged build is impressive.
To qualify for Group 1 insurance, you’ll have to opt for the questionably insure titled Take Up! Ok, so the 1.0-litre engine with an output of 60bhp is not winning any races. Yet, that engine’s likeable rasp – at odds with the Up’s sensible character – gives, at the very least, the illusion of beef. Avoid the jerky automatic ‘box and enjoy the cheap running costs all the way to the bank.
HYUNDAI I10 1.0 MPI AMT (GROUP 1)
It’s fair to say the old Hyundai i10 wasn’t the most exciting car insure on the road. Hyundai somehow shifted more than a million of them since 2007 without anyone really noticing, including most of the customers who actually bought one.
The new i10 is much less amnesia-inducing. Not fast, mind – at least not with the insurer-pleasing one-litre engine – and not exactly exciting to drive. But it’s refined enough on the move, comes with more kit than you’d expect from an entry-level city car, and of course gets Hyundai’s five-year warranty.
FORD FIESTA TREND 1.1-LITRE TI-VCT (GROUP 5)
When it comes to a serious supermini with definitive insure style, road presence and pleasing performance, the Ford Fiesta always makes the shortlist – albeit not for much longer. That 1.1-litre three cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost might not be the gregarious ST hot hatch we know and love, but this less powerful pick will put you in the pink when it comes to insurance.
Ford’s reputation for being cheap to insure is partly based around its cars being cheap to repair. And the fact that all trim levels come with a responsive eight-inch centre display, air-con and Carplay and Android integration seals the deal for us.
NISSAN MICRA 1.0 VISIA (GROUP 1)
Another fairly recent improver, the old was once described as ‘a machine purchased for the one-way drive to Dignitas’. Fortunately, the new one is much better. For the most insurable Micra, you’ll need to go for the non-turbo 69bhp 1.0-litre engine. While it doesn’t have quite as much power as the Fiesta, it sits very neatly into the cheapest insurance group 1.
Its sporty looks, chuckable handling and plethora of interior tech enable budget-savvy buyers to turn a blind eye to the Micra’s cramped rear seats and lack of air-con. Instead, they can wax lyrical about their environmental do-gooding, with CO2 output of a mere 103g/km.
SKODA FABIA HATCHBACK (GROUP 2)
Buying into a isn’t the worst decision you could make if keeping an eagle eye on your motoring budget. The Fabia is the smallest Skoda in the range and embodies the reputable competence expected from a VW Group product.
The entry-level ‘S’-trimmed Fabia is a refined drive with a punchy turbocharged 1.0-litre engine. Its brisk pace off the lights or at roundabouts is coupled with reasonable comfort. What’s more, Skoda is unique in the mass-car market for providing a suite of quirky extras, like the umbrella in the door and the ice-scraper stored on the fuel cap door.
VW UP GTI (GROUP 17)
It wouldn’t be very TG of us to just list a tonne of city cars which bumble effortlessly around urban streets and struggle hideously on motorways. For those drivers with a bit more budget and an uncompromising need for something fast, the loveable tops our trio of the cheapest and fastest three cars to insure.
The five-door 1.0-litre TSI pushes a respectable 113bhp; a proportionately perfect pocket rocket, achieving 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds. It falls into Group 17, so undoubtedly there are other cars that are cheaper to insure, but, at this price point, the Up GTI has few, if any, rivals.
