Is it more expensive to insure a two-door or four-door vehicle?
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.
On average, it is over $7,000 cheaper to buy a sedan than to purchase a coupe. The most expensive coupe — the Audi A5 — will set you back $44,200 versus the Toyota Camry’s $24,295 price tag. 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 BMW 4 Series and Audi A5 come at premium prices.
Coupe vs. sedan cost-of-ownership comparison
| Sedan list value | Coupe list value |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Cruze - $17,995 | Audi A5 - $44,200 |
| Honda Accord - $23,870 | BMW 4 Series - $44,750 |
| Ford Fusion - $23,170 | Dodge Challenger - $28,095 |
| Honda Civic - $19,750 | Chevy Camaro - $25,000 |
| Toyota Corolla - $19,600 | Kia Forte Koup - $17,790 |
| Toyota Camry - $24,295 | Honda Accord Coupe - $23,870 |
| Nissan Altima - $24,100 | Honda Civic Coupe - $19,750 |
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 $19,750 to own. Moreover, it tends to be on the cheaper side to insure.
Although sedans are typically cheaper to purchase than are coupes, insurance is a different story. On average, coupe car insurance is $267 more expensive than sedan insurance.
Average insurance premiums: coupes and sedans
| Average auto insurance premium: sedan | Average auto insurance premium: coupe |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Cruze - $1,536 | Audi A5 - $2,049 |
| Honda Accord - $1,438 | BMW 4 Series - $1,983 |
| Ford Fusion - $1,678 | Dodge Challenger - $2,492 |
| Nissan Altima - $1,577 | Chevy Camaro - $1,657 |
| Honda Civic - $1,646 | Kia Forte Coupe - $1,589 |
| Toyota Camry - $1,549 | Honda Accord Coupe - $1,438 |
| Toyota Corolla - $1,563 | Honda Civic Coupe - $1,646 |
If a sedan is what you're seeking, consider the Chevy Cruze. On average, it’s $33 cheaper to insure per year than the average sedan and has the lowest list price of any of the sedans we surveyed. 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 annual premium of $2,492, the Challenger costs over $600 more than an average coupe and $900 more than the average sedan to insure.
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 or Virginia, 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 chosen model.
The Zebra conducted comprehensive car insurance pricing analysis using its proprietary quote engine, comprising data from insurance rating platforms and public rate filings. The Zebra examined nearly 53 million rates to explore trends for specific auto insurance rating factors across all United States zip codes, averaged by state, including Washington, DC.
Analysis used a consistent base profile for the insured driver: a 30-year-old single male driving a 2013 Honda Accord EX with a good driving history and coverage limits of $50,000 bodily injury liability per person/$100,000 bodily injury liability per accident/$50,000 property damage liability per accident with a $500 deductible for comprehensive and collision.
For coverage level data, optional coverage (that must be rejected in writing) is included where applicable, including uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.
National property and casualty losses information is from the Insurance Information Institute and the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters report.
Vehicle make and model data analysis referenced the most popular vehicles in the U.S. by 2016 year-end sales, according to Goodcarbadcar.net’s automakers’ data. Some rate data may vary slightly throughout report based on rounding.
