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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The analysis used a consistent base profile for the insured driver: a 30-year-old single male 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 year-end sales, according to Goodcarbadcar.net’s automakers’ data. Some rate data may vary slightly throughout report based on rounding.
