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Ava Lynch

Insurance Analyst

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

Credentials
  • 7+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry
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Renata Balasco

Senior Content Strategist

Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as licensed insurance professional and content strategist.…

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

Minivan vs. SUV car insurance rates


Minivans and SUVs are in close contention for the title of “best family vehicle.” While each gets you comfortably from point A to point B, the vehicles' horsepower and functionality may vary. If the decision between an SUV and a minivan is coming down to cost, use our guide to the cheapest SUVs and minivans to insure and buy.


Which is cheaper to insure: SUV vs. Minivan?
  1. Is it cheaper to buy an SUV or Minivan?
  2. Is it cheaper to insure an SUV or Minivan?
  3. Final thoughts: which is the best option for you?





Is it cheaper to buy an SUV or Minivan?


For the models in our study, buying a minivan costs over $800 more than buying an SUV. In 2019, the cheapest SUV to buy is the Chevy Equinox, whereas the cheapest minivan is the Dodge Grand Caravan. The Equinox is almost $3,000 cheaper than the Grand Caravan!


Minivan and SUV 2019 list prices

Minivan list price SUV list price
Chrysler Pacifica - $26,985 Chevrolet Equinox - $23,800
Honda Odyssey - $30,190 Subaru Forester - $24,295
Kia Sedona - $27,200 Toyota RAV4 - $25,650
Toyota Sienna - $31,415 Ford Explorer - $32,765
Dodge Grand Caravan - $26,790 Jeep Grand Cherokee - $32,045

For the most expensive models of these vehicle types — the Ford Explorer and Toyota Sienna — there’s about $1350 in purchase-price difference. So, if you’re just looking at costs, consider narrowing your search to the Caravan and Equinox.





Is car insurance cheaper for an SUV or minivan?


Although list prices for SUVs and minivans can vary substantially, the difference in car insurance pricing is less pronounced. All insurance rating factors equal, there’s an average annual difference of $79 between these two vehicle types — with SUVs being less expensive to insure. Let’s look at individual models below.


Average insurance premiums for minivans and SUVs

Average Auto Insurance Premium: Minivan Average Auto Insurance Premium: SUV
Chrysler Pacifica - $1,745 Chevrolet Equinox - $1,496
Honda Odyssey - $1,633 Subaru Forester - $1,588
Kia Sedona - $1,618 Toyota RAV4 - $1,556
Toyota Sienna - $1,553 Ford Explorer - $1,569
Dodge Grand Caravan - $1,636 Jeep Grand Cherokee - $1,579

The Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota Sienna offer the most affordable car insurance premiums among minivans and SUVs. Average annual premiums for the Equinox are about $62 less than the group average, while the Sienna costs approximately $84 less to insure per year than similar minivans.





Final thoughts: minivans or SUVs


At the end of the day, a minivan might be better for families that need car seats and an SUV might be better if you want four-wheel drive. But if your choice between a minivan and an SUV is coming down to price, consider the list price before the cost of insurance. While finding cheap car insurance will be very important once you've settled on a model, it shouldn't be a driving force behind your decision between a minivan and an SUV. If you’re still on the fence about which vehicle is right for you and your family, see our additional articles below.


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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 editorial 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.