SUVs and trucks have become a popular ride of choice among Canadians, comprising about three-quarters of the nation’s overall new vehicle sales based on the latest StatCan figures.
SUVs, in particular, account for more than half of the entire market share, thanks to a host of advanced safety features, lower repair costs, and cheaper coverage. But while insurance premiums are relatively inexpensive for this vehicle type, it doesn’t mean that there’s no way for drivers to boost their savings further.
If you’re in search of a vehicle that suits your growing family’s needs, then this guide can prove useful. In this article, Insurance Business ranks the cheapest SUVs to insure to help you in your purchase decision. We will also list the cheapest trucks to insure and explain the different factors that impact insurance pricing. Read on and take your pick from our rankings.
Before we go into the details of why certain SUVs have less expensive premiums compared to others, we will first give you a summary of the 10 cheapest SUVs to insure in the country. The table below is arranged from lowest to highest average yearly and monthly premiums based on data gathered by ThinkInsure.
Rank |
Model |
Yearly premiums |
Monthly premiums |
1 |
Ford Escape |
$1,853 |
$154 |
2 |
Jeep Wrangler |
$1,968 |
$164 |
3 |
Dodge Journey |
$2,065 |
$172 |
4 |
Honda CR-V |
$2,195 |
$183 |
5 |
Toyota RAV4 |
$2,372 |
$198 |
6 |
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport |
$2,463 |
$205 |
7 |
Chevrolet Equinox |
$2,559 |
$213 |
8 |
Nissan Rogue |
$2,644 |
$220 |
9 |
Jeep Cherokee |
$2,667 |
$222 |
10 |
Mazda CX-5 |
$2,723 |
$227 |
SUVs tend to be cheaper to insure than most vehicle types – including sedans – primarily because of their higher safety ratings and parts that are readily available. These are the top 10 SUV models with the least expensive premiums.
Average premiums: $1,853 per year
The Ford Escape is the cheapest SUV to insure in our rankings, thanks to a host of advanced safety features. Recent models of the vehicle come with automatic emergency braking, pre-collision assistance, and blind spot monitoring. These features help drive down insurance rates. It also helps that the Ford Escape uses a low horsepower engine, which decreases the risk of accidents.
The perfect getaway is here, no packing needed. Introducing the new 2023 Ford Escape® aka The Getaway Car. pic.twitter.com/Nrc2EkloxF
— Ford Motor Company (@Ford) October 25, 2022
Average premiums: $1,968 per year
If you want an off-roading vehicle that doesn’t come with expensive premiums, then the Jeep Wrangler can be an excellent choice. It comes with safety features that insurance companies like in an SUV such as backup cameras and rollover prevention. Wranglers are also relatively cheap to repair. But one of the biggest factors that lowers premiums is that more motorists now use the Wrangler for everyday driving and less for off-roading adventures, resulting in fewer claims.
Average premiums: $2,065 per year
The Dodge Journey comes with an affordable manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), which is among the main reasons why it has one of the lowest premiums in our rankings. The crossover SUV also has low theft rates, posing less risk to insurers.
2020 Dodge Journey loses trims and colors, adds equipment: https://t.co/1aYMdTVLIZ pic.twitter.com/ZsS8MtfdWy
— Autoblog (@therealautoblog) September 14, 2019
Average premiums: $2,195 per year
Honda CR-V’s low horsepower engine makes it less prone to collisions, which auto insurers like. Most models also incorporate advanced security systems, deterring would-be thieves. Another major factor that makes the CR-V one of the cheapest SUVs to insure is its lower repair and maintenance costs.
Average premiums: $2,372 per year
Anti-lock brake system, blind spot monitor, smart stop technology, and vehicle stability control – these are just a few of the advanced safety features included in recent Toyota RAV4 models. These safety features lower the premiums you need to pay considerably. In addition, the RAV4 is relatively inexpensive to maintain and repair, pushing down rates further.
Average premiums: $2,463 per year
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport consistently gets high marks in various safety and crash test ratings, allowing you to save on car insurance premiums. Among its notable safety features are electronic stability and traction controls, and brake assist and lane departure warning systems. The Santa Fe Sport also has among the lowest base MSRP on our list, making it a good choice for budget-conscious motorists.
Average premiums: $2,559 per year
Readily available parts and affordable repair and maintenance costs make the Chevrolet Equinox one of the cheapest SUVs to insure in Canada. It also helps that models boast a range of safety features, including anti-lock brakes, front and rear park assistance, and an automatic emergency braking system. The Chevy Equinox has one of the lowest theft rates among all featured vehicles in the list, helping keep car insurance costs down.
Tested: 2023 @Chevrolet Equinox makes do with leftovers: https://t.co/otkjFg8Owf pic.twitter.com/7yK8RxH1As
— Car and Driver (@CARandDRIVER) March 26, 2023
Average premiums: $2,644 per year
The Nissan Rogue was recently recognized as the Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its crash test performance, which says a lot about the vehicle’s safety. Its latest model is also fitted with driver assistance systems that can help you avoid a collision. The vehicle’s cheaper maintenance costs not only enable you to save on repair, but these keep your premiums low as well.
Average premiums: $2,667 per year
The Jeep Cherokee scores high in crashworthiness and comes with a range of safety features that lower the cost of coverage. Among its notable safety inclusions are blind spot monitor, brake assist, and electronic stability and traction controls. Although the Jeep Cherokee has good safety ratings, these are not as high as some of the featured SUVs on our list.
Average premiums: $2,723 per year
Like the other SUVs in our rankings, the Mazda CX-5 boasts a host of safety features, including a blind spot monitor, smart braking system, and stability and traction controls. The vehicle’s affordable repair and maintenance costs also contribute to decreased premiums. The CX-5 has among the lowest base MSRP on our list. Despite this, it has one of the longest possible lifespans, offering great value for your money.
2022 Mazda CX-5 Review | An SUV for sporty car lovers: https://t.co/tLjww0K40M pic.twitter.com/THsitp37kI
— Autoblog (@therealautoblog) February 21, 2022
One of the best ways to find a great deal is to shop around and compare quotes. Find out how you can take advantage of this strategy in our guide to car insurance quotes.
The GMC Canyon is the cheapest truck to insure in Canada. The table below shows which other vehicle models made it to our list.
Rank |
Model |
Yearly premiums |
Monthly premiums |
1 |
GMC Canyon |
$1,969 |
$164 |
2 |
Toyota Tacoma |
$1,979 |
$165 |
3 |
Chevrolet Colorado |
$2,161 |
$180 |
4 |
Ram Pickup |
$2,165 |
$180 |
5 |
GMC Sierra |
$2,206 |
$184 |
6 |
Ford F-Series |
$2,268 |
$189 |
7 |
Chevrolet Silverado |
$2,301 |
$191 |
8 |
Nissan Frontier |
$2,361 |
$197 |
9 |
Toyota Tundra |
$2,499 |
$208 |
10 |
Nissan Titan |
$2,583 |
$215 |
Pickup trucks were originally designed as utilitarian vehicles, which explains the lower cost of coverage. But as manufacturers enhance comfort, these vehicles have likewise become a popular ride of choice, especially for drivers drawn to their fuel-efficiency. Here are the 10 cheapest trucks to insure in the country.
Average premiums: $1,969 per year
The cheapest truck to insure in Canada, the GMC Canyon is equipped with a host of advanced safety features that reduces the risk of collisions and lowers insurance costs. Among these are rearview cameras and lane departure and forward collision warning. It also helps that the GMC brand – one of the biggest Canada-based manufacturers – is known for its reliable and durable vehicles.
Weekend get-far-far-away. The GMC Canyon AT4 Concept. #GMCCanyon #AT4 Concept pic.twitter.com/cNXDHVCGwE
— GMC (@GMC) January 26, 2022
Average premiums: $1,979 per year
The Toyota Tacoma is a compact pickup truck known for its off-road capabilities and high payload capacity. But it also comes with affordable repair and maintenance costs that push down insurance premiums. The Tacoma boasts one of the highest safety and crash test ratings among featured vehicles on our list.
Quality never goes out of style #Toyota #Tacoma #4X4 #EverBetterCars pic.twitter.com/2R2CgHmajp
— Toyota Motor Corp. (@ToyotaMotorCorp) February 18, 2020
Average premiums: $2,161 per year
If you’re looking for a reliable truck with a bunch of safety features and not that expensive to insure, then the Chevrolet Colorado may be a good pick. It packs a range of advanced features that can keep you and your passengers safe, including anti-lock brakes, stability controls, and seatbelt pretensioners. Its anti-theft system also helps keep thieves at bay.
More adventure is just around the bend. Get out there in the brand new 2023 Chevy Colorado! #ChevroletColorado #Chevrolet pic.twitter.com/c6t4M30qg5
— Lynch Ford Chevrolet (@LynchFordChevy) August 9, 2022
Average premiums: $2,165 per year
The main factor that keeps Ram Pickup’s insurance premiums low is its cheap repair and maintenance costs. Most Ram trucks have average safety ratings while some models are prone to theft. Ram pickups’ popularity, however, hinges more on their performance and reliability.
Average premiums: $2,206 per year
Just like the Canyon, the GMC Sierra is known for its dependability and durability. Being a local brand, replacement parts are readily accessible, keeping repair and maintenance costs low. The Sierra also comes with advanced safety features common in GMC models, driving insurance rates down.
Average premiums: $2,268 per year
The Ford F-Series has a reputation for being a reliable work truck as it boasts enough haulage to carry huge loads. These trucks also score high in various safety and crash performance tests, thanks to a range of advanced features. These include autonomous emergency braking, evasive steer and reverse brake assistance, and adaptive cruise control.
The @Ford F-150 Lightning might not need those @Tesla chargers: https://t.co/Y83CqlqKrm pic.twitter.com/n8497Y8JGX
— Car and Driver (@CARandDRIVER) September 19, 2023
Average premiums: $2,301 per year
The Chevrolet Silverado is considered one of the safest pickup trucks because it is packed with advanced safety features. These features have allowed the Silverado to attain near perfect scores in some crashworthiness and collision tests. These are among the reasons why the vehicle is among the cheapest trucks to insure in the country.
2023 Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss Review https://t.co/YUCRfi8CYC pic.twitter.com/mEXXhJ20ja
— TopSpeed.com (@topspeed) April 3, 2023
Average premiums: $2,361 per year
The Frontier is one of Nissan’s pickup truck models on our list, but its lower base MSRP makes it cheaper to insure. It also has all the safety features common in the vehicles featured in our rankings. And while its safety ratings are above average, these are not as high as some of the models on our list. Overall, its safety and crash test performance are among the reasons why insurance costs are relatively cheap.
Average premiums: $2,499 per year
The Toyota Tundra is considered a low-risk vehicle because of its range of safety features. These include anti-lock brakes, stability control, and airbags. Its anti-theft security system also helps prevent theft. The Tundra has excellent safety and crash test ratings, which play a huge role in cutting the cost of coverage.
Check out this stunning 2023 Toyota Tundra Limited!
— Comox Valley Toyota (@comoxvtoyota) September 20, 2023
This beast of a truck combines power, style, and cutting-edge technology. pic.twitter.com/lyJG6hoesJ
Average premiums: $2,583 per year
The more expensive Nissan pickup truck on our list, the Titan scored high in crashworthiness but has a slightly lower crash avoidance and mitigation rating than most vehicles in the rankings. That’s why premiums cost a bit more. Performance-wise, the Nissan Titan is dependable and durable, which are the main reasons for its popularity.
2023 #Nissan Titan PRO-4X Review is NOW LIVE!
— Gold Pony Cars (@TheGoldPony21) January 18, 2023
👉 https://t.co/7p6eBe1A9P pic.twitter.com/sqqe7VRPQM
If you want to get cheaper premiums, one simple way is to purchase coverage online. Find out the pros and cons of online car insurance in this guide.
Apart from the vehicle make and model, insurers consider a range of factors when determining how much coverage costs for your truck and SUV. These include:
If you’re a young driver, it can be difficult to access affordable coverage. But there are still ways to do so. Learn how in our guide to cheap car insurance for young drivers.
If you already own one of the vehicles on our list, there are still several practical ways for you to slash premiums further. These simple strategies are listed in the table below.
You can find more practical tips and suggestions on how you can further reduce the premiums you pay in our guide to cheap car insurance in Canada.
What do you think of the cheapest SUVs to insure on our list? How about the cheapest trucks to insure? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.