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?
- Is it cheaper to buy an SUV or Minivan?
- Is it cheaper to insure an SUV or Minivan?
- 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 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.