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By Ava Lynch Info icon
Updated September 22, 2023
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Ava Lynch

Senior Analyst

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

Ava joined The Zebra as a writer and licensed insurance agent in 2016. She now works as a senior analyst, providing insights and data analysis as one…

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Kristine Lee

Manager, Content and Data

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

Kristine is a licensed insurance agent who joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer. Before joining The Zebra, she was a…

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How much is insurance for a coupe vs. a sedan?

 

Sedans and coupes are often grouped together as "compact" vehicles. But depending on the make and model, you could see considerable differences in the up-front list price and the annual cost of insurance. We analyzed insurance rates for coupes and sedans — see the data below and choose the best option for you.

Which is cheaper: sedan or coupe?
  1. Is it cheaper to buy a coupe or sedan?
  2. Is it cheaper to insure a coupe or sedan?
  3. Final thoughts: which is the best option for you?

 

Is car insurance cheaper for a coupe or sedan?

 

Car insurance is generally more affordable for drivers of the most popular sedans versus the top coupes. High-dollar cars such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A5 sit well above the median cost-to-insure, while even higher-end sedans such as the Chrysler 300 are relatively cheap to insure. 

 

Average insurance rates: coupes and sedans

Sedan - monthly insurance rate Coupe - monthly insurance rate
Chevrolet Sonic - $137 Mazda MX-5 Miata - $136
Honda Civic - $143 Honda Civic Coupe - $143
Chevrolet Impala - $144 Chevy Camaro - $157
Toyota Camry - $144 Ford Mustang - $168
Mazda Mazda6 - $149 Nissan 370Z - $191
Ford Fusion - $156 Mercedes-Benz C-Class - $191
Chrysler 300 - $157 Audi A5 - $204
Dodge Charger - $190 Dodge Challenger - $209

 

If an affordable sedan is what you're seeking, consider the Chevrolet Sonic. It's among the cheapest cars to insure and carries a reasonable sub-$17,000 MSRP. While the Dodge Challenger sat near the middle of the pack in terms of cost-to-own, it's fairly expensive to insure, with an average monthly insurance rate of $209.

 

 

Is it cheaper to buy a coupe or sedan?

 

On average, it is cheaper to buy a sedan than to purchase a coupe. An expensive coupe such as the Audi A5 will set you back more than $44,000, while sedans like the Toyota Camry or Chevy Sonic cost less than $25,000. The average purchase price of coupes is pulled upward by the luxury sports cars that comprise the higher-end of the two-door spectrum: vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class come at premium prices.

 

Coupe vs. sedan cost comparison — most popular models

Sedan - MSRP Coupe - MSRP
Chevrolet Sonic - $16,720 Honda Civic Coupe - $20,250
Honda Civic - $21,250 Chevy Camaro - $25,000
Ford Fusion - $23,750 Mazda MX-5 Miata - $26,850
Mazda Mazda6 - $24,475 Ford Mustang - $27,155
Toyota Camry - $24,970 Dodge Challenger - $28,095
Dodge Charger - $29,995 Nissan 370Z - $30,090
Chrysler 300 - $30,750 Mercedes-Benz C-Class - $41,600
Chevrolet Impala - $31,620 Audi A5 - $44,200

*Popularity ratings and pricing details via Kelley Blue Book.

Many factors contribute to these differences in list value. If you're strongly considering a coupe, but want to save money, consider the Honda Civic Coupe. This vehicle — over $9,000 less than the group average — will set you back just more than $20,000 to own. The Civic Coupe is also relatively cheap to insure.

 

 

The differences between coupes and sedans

 

It’s important to consider not only the list price for your desired vehicle but also the ongoing cost of ownership. While the cost of ownership calculations include maintenance and inspections, it also includes your cost-to-insure. Unless you live in New Hampshire, you’re required by law to insure your vehicle. If you're getting close to purchasing a new coupe or sedan, enter your ZIP code below to view insurance rates for your favorite model.

 

Compare insurance rates online today.

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About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
  • The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
  • The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.