The cheapest 4x4s to insure in the UK
Compare some of the cheapest 4x4s to insure to find a low-cost adventure car right here
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By Tia Harrison-North
Last updated: 10 February 2025
Finding the cheapest 4x4 to insure is a good shout if you like to head off the beaten path but don’t want to fork out on running costs.
For those of us who live out in the sticks or need to attempt a wet, muddy field for afterschool football practice – a 4x4 can be ideal.
What isn’t ideal for everyone is the high insurance costs that can sometimes come with high-power, chunky SUVs built for tough terrain.
Insurance costs are based on the driver (things like your driving history and annual mileage) as well as insurance groups or Vehicle Risk Ratings – depending on the age of your car.
Vehicle Risk Ratings were introduced in August 2024, so newer models are judged on these rather than the older insurance group system.
We’ve found the middle ground between capable 4x4s and cheap insurance to show you what you can get without breaking the bank.
Here are some of our top picks for the cheapest 4x4s to insure in the UK.
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What 4x4s are the cheapest to insure?
Suzuki Jimny
Kia Sportage AWD
Suzuki Vitara ALLGRIP
Jeep Renegade
Dacia Duster
Nissan Qashqai
Honda CR-V
The cheapest to insure 4x4s
To keep things nice and simple, here are the cheapest 4x4s to insure from before August 2024 that use the insurance groups (one to 50) that most of us are familiar with.
Suzuki Jimny
 "Suzuki Jimny front three quarters")
Insurance groups 13 to 14 (4WD models from 2018 to 2020)
I’ll tell you a secret – the Suzuki Jimny is this writer’s favourite car. It’s a truly iconic SUV that skips the bulk that comes with many off-roaders but is still plenty capable.
Choose a SZ4 model to get the cheapest car insurance in group 13, while the SZ5 models are still cheap but just slightly higher in group 14.
It might look like a car for a Barbie, but few things can keep up with the Jimny off-road. It's light and nimble enough to skip over the tough stuff, and you get driving tech like hill descent control and limited-slip differential to give you the best possible grip on all terrain.
Kia Sportage AWD
 "Kia Sportage front three quarters")
Insurance group 19 to 27 (AWD models from 2022 onward)
School-run parents rejoice – the Kia Sportage (a family favourite) can be a genuinely grippy pick without high insurance costs.
Technically, the Sportage is all-wheel drive (AWD) and not a 4x4. AWD cars are front- or rear-wheel drive most of the time, and power goes to all four wheels when the computer decides it's necessary.
4x4, also called four-wheel drive (4WD), is a part-time set-up that can be engaged when you need some extra grip and sends equal power to all four wheels.
This means the Sportage is more suited for offering a stable drive on wet roads and waterlogged fields rather than absolutely thrashing it off-road. It’s a very nice middle ground without going full Land Rover.
Suzuki Vitara ALLGRIP
 "Suzuki Vitara front three quarters")
Insurance group 12 to 23 (4WD models from 2015 to 2024)
The Suzuki Vitara ALLGRIP is one of the cheapest 4x4s to insure in the UK. It’s a bit of a step up in terms of size and more comfy in town than the Jimny, but it still has that rugged Suzuki practicality.
In insurance group 16, we’re fans of the 1.5 Hybrid Ultra ALLGRIP that’s cheap to insure but also offers some fuel savings with up to 50.4mpg. The hybrids are a little more expensive to buy though.
The ALLGRIP tech makes it fun to drive and it handles with confidence, so you won’t struggle on those tricky country roads.
Jeep Renegade
 "Jeep Renegade exterior")
Insurance groups 14 to 19 (4WD models from 2015 to 2024)
Another quirky option, the Jeep Renegade is a cheap 4x4 to insure that’s also a lot of fun to live with.
Like most options on this list, not all Renegades are four-wheel drive, so you’ll need to do your research.
For example, the limited-edition 2.0 Multijet Night Eagle 4WD model sits in insurance group 14, making it one of the cheapest options to insure. And it comes with special styling over the standard car.
Don't worry though, the non-limited 2.0 Multijet Longitude 4WD is also in group 14 and is slightly cheaper since it's more common.
It’s a smooth and comfortable drive even on testing terrain, and that Longitude model can achieve up to 55mpg.
Dacia Duster
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Insurance groups nine to 21 (4WD models from 2018 to 2024)
The Dacia Duster constantly finds itself on the top of all types of lists – whether that’s the best SUV, the best cheap car, or UK top-sellers.
This time, we’re awarding it a badge for the cheapest 4x4 cars to insure. Our motoring editor, Sam Sheehan, road-tested a four-wheel drive Dacia model and was a big fan.
He said: “To help you off the beaten track, there are a few different driving modes to pick from: sand, snow, auto, eco and the off-road mode we used when driving through a quarry."
The Essential SCe 115 4x4 model sits in insurance group nine and will be among the cheapest to insure.
Nissan Qashqai
 "Nissan Qashqai driving")
Insurance groups 15 to 22 (4WD models from 2021 to 2024)
The Nissan Qashqai is another staple on UK roads and is easily one of the cheapest 4x4s to insure.
The 1.3 DiG-T 158 4WD model can sit in insurance group 15, making it one of the best places to start for cheap 4x4s to insure.
Cheap to insure doesn’t mean boring to drive, as the Qashqai is a comfortable motor that doesn’t get stressed on testing terrain. It feels solidly planted and irons out the road with cushy suspension.
It’s not bad on fuel either, with that 1.3 DiG-T 158 4WD model getting up to 42.2mpg.
Honda CR-V
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Insurance groups 22 to 25 (AWD models from 2018 to 2024)
If you fancy a classic compact SUV, the Honda CR-V can be very reasonable on insurance costs and isn’t too fuel hungry.
It’s ideal for family life and there are AWD models on the market for some extra grip. It’s another one that Sam has road-tested, and he was a fan of how well-built it is and the smooth-riding suspension.
The SE i-MMD Hybrid AWD sits in insurance group 22 – that's the lowest of the AWD models from this era.
What's the cheapest 4x4 to tax and insure?
Road tax is another cost you’ll need to consider in the UK, and it’s especially nice when low insurance costs come hand-in-hand with low tax as well.
The Suzuki Jimny is a good one for low tax. Models from 2018 to 2020 will typically cost £190 per year to tax.
The Dacia Duster is another good pick, with matching road tax with the Jimny at £190 per year.
Another one at £190 per year is the Jeep Renegade, though these can be trickier to find on the used market.
What affects 4x4 insurance prices?
We mentioned earlier that there are two main things that impact car insurance costs – personal factors and the car itself.
You’ll want to pick a 4x4 in a low insurance group or with a low Vehicle Risk Rating to keep costs low. Typically, cars with lower ratings have:
Less power and smaller engines
Lots of safety features
Low repair costs
Lower value overall
Personal factors that can influence car insurance costs include:
Your driving history – have you had to claim on your insurance before?
Your age and experience – newer drivers and young drives usually find insurance is higher
Annual mileage – a higher predicted annual mileage can make you seem a higher risk
Where you park overnight – parking on the road or in a high-crime area can mean higher insurance
You can learn more in our guide on how to get cheap car insurance.
Discover used 4x4 cars for sale
That’s not all of the used 4x4s with cheap insurance that you’ll find on the market, but they’re some of our favourites.
Take a look at our full range of used four-wheel drive cars to see even more options that suit your needs.
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