Best Cars for Low Insurance Costs and Affordability
If you're looking for a car that's safe yet affordable, pay attention to this list.
USAA, an insurance and financial company, has created a list of Best Values in 16 vehicle segments.
USAA focuses on affordability, lifetime costs, depreciation and safety.
Top choices include the 2011 Dodge Charger, Hyundai Sonata and Chevrolet Cruze and Traverse.
Vehicles on USAA's list must also receive the top two scores in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-test ratings, which means a Good or Acceptable rating.
While USAA's methodology is rational, it's important to consider that — as an insurer and financial firm — the company is motivated to suggest vehicles that will keep insurance or financial losses at a minimum.
Below are the insurer's top choices.
| Large sedan | Dodge Charger |  |
| Midsize sedan | Hyundai Sonata |  |
| Small sedan | Chevrolet Cruze |  |
| Large luxury sedan | Hyundai Genesis |  |
| Midsize luxury sedan | Audi A4 |  |
| Large SUV | Chevrolet Traverse |  |
| Midsize SUV | Toyota FJ Cruiser |  |
| Small SUV | Kia Sportage |  |
| Large Luxury SUV | Audi Q7 |  |
| Midsize luxury SUV | Lexus RX 450h |  |
| Large pickup | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid |  |
| Small pickup | Suzuki Equator |  |
| Sports | Ford Mustang |  |
| Coupe | Scion tC |  |
| Wagon | Scion xB |  |
| Minivan | Kia Sedona |  |
My Recommendation for Car Shoppers
TrueCar, Edmunds, and 1-800 Car Show are the quickest way to see the lowest car prices in your area. These sites show you no-haggle prices from dealers closest to you - and the deals are usually really good. This should be the first step you take when negotiating your car price. Follow this up with my checklist to make sure you squeeze out every last bit of savings.California Residents - Important:
There is a new online car buying service called Roadster, available only to California residents, which I highly recommend you try - especially if you hate the stress of haggling with a car salesman. They provide an expert concierge who negotiates the price of the car and delivers it to your home with zero hassle - you never have to interact with a dealership. Here is my in-depth review of Roadster and why I recommend it.- Gregg Fidan
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About: Gregg Fidan
Gregg Fidan + is the founder of RealCarTips. After being ripped off on his first car purchase, he devoted several years to figuring out the best ways to avoid scams and negotiate the best car deals. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject of car buying and taught thousands of car shoppers how to get the best deals.
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