Buying a used car has plenty of benefits. Sure, you don't get that new car smell, and you have to cope with the fact that it may have high mileage, but it's these factors that make it affordable. A new vehicle's value depreciates as soon as you leave the dealership and it can cost way less than half its initial price once it's been driven for a few years. What's more, insuring a used, older car is much more affordable than a brand-new or recently purchased vehicle.

So which are the cheapest used cars to insure? Well, it depends on many factors, including your age and driving record. But it also depends on the type of cars, its age, engine displacement, and safety features. While used cars built in 2017 or 2018 can cost as much as $4,000 per year, vehicles that are ten years or older can cost less than $1,000. Here's a list of the cheapest used cars on the market by insurance fees.

Which Used Cars Are the Cheapest to Insure?

2006 Honda Odyssey

More than 10-year-old Honda Odysseys have the cheapest insurance rates nowadays. The third-generation Odyssey was closely related to the old Pilot and was sold with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine only. The mill was rated at 255 horsepower, so you get plenty of oomph as well. This old Odyssey boasts plenty of safety features, including standard side-curtain airbags and electronic stability control, so it's not as dated as the model year suggests. If you're lucky, you might stumble across higher trims fitted with navigation and rear entertainment systems, or power tailgate, pedals, and memory seats. Opt for 2007-model-year minivans, and the insurance jumps mildly to around $940. The 2008 models will set you back around $950 per year.

2006 Honda Odyssey specifications

Read our full review on the 2006 Honda Odyssey.

2006 Chrysler Town & Country

The next vehicle on the list is also a minivan. The iconic Chrysler Town & Country might have been replaced by the Pacifica, but its big popularity means that there are plenty to buy on the used car market. Opt for late fourth-generation models, and you won't have to break the bank for the insurance policy. The fourth-gen minivan also comes with V-6 power, with later models featuring a 3.8-liter unit rated at 215 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. Notable features to look after include the Stow'n Go system with second- and third-row seats that fold completely into under-floor compartments, standard knee airbag, side airbags for all three rows, and Uconnect Bluetooth. The 2007 models are a tad more expensive at around $950 per year.

2006 Chrysler Town & Country specifications

Read our full review on the 2006 Chrysler Town & Country

2006 Dodge Caravan

If you fancy a Dodge instead of a Chrysler, the Caravan is just as affordable to insure. The Caravan had the same 3.3- and 3.8-liter V-6 engines as the Town & Country, but with slightly less power. The 3.8-liter V-6, for instance, delivered similar torque at 245 pound-feet, but "only" 200 horsepower. Dodge also offered a 2.4-liter four-cylinder unit with 150 horses and 165 pound-feet. The Caravan was lower priced and didn't have some of the Town & Country's more premium features. However, it did feature the Stow'n Go seating system and improved safety features. Although not as well equipped as the Town & Country, the 2006 Caravan costs just as much to insure. 2007 models will cost you around $940 a year.

2006 Dodge Caravan specifications

2006 Ford Escape

It's not just minivans that cost less than $1,000 per year to insure. Some SUVs are affordable as well, and the first-generation Ford Escape is one of them. The 2006 Escape is a late first-gen model and benefits from several upgrades introduced with the mid-cycle facelift. The 2.3-liter four-cylinder was replaced by a 2.0-liter unit with 127 pound-feet of torque, while the range-topping 3.0-liter V-6 delivers 200 horses. The V-6 also had new engine mounts for smoother operation with less vibration into the cabin.

2006 Ford Escape specifications

Read our full review on the 2006 Ford Escape

2006 Jeep Wrangler

Another SUV that's cheap to insure is the Jeep Wrangler. But that price is available as long as you buy the SE trim. This version was usually sold with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine as standard. However, Jeep offered the 4.0-liter inline-six as an option in 2006. The four-cylinder generates 150 horsepower, and you'll find it combined with either a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. The 4.0-liter six-cylinder is a bit more powerful at 190 horses and 235 pound-feet of torque, while transmission choices include a six-speed manual only. The Wrangler SE came standard with AM/FM stereo with two speakers and either cassette or CD player, vinyl seats, and a removable rear bench seat.

2006 Jeep Wrangler specifications

Read our full review on the 2006 Jeep Wrangler

Final Thoughts

The first thing that's really obvious is that the cheapest used vehicles to insure are haulers like minivans and SUVs. Based on our research, you can't insure any small car newer than 2005 for less than $1,000 a year. Of course, our list includes just five vehicles, but there are other nameplates that you can insure for a similar amount. The list would include the Saturn Vue, Toyota Sienna, Chevrolet Express, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Patriot, and Honda CR-V from model years 2006 to 2009.