Managing the household budget often feels like a game of whack-a-mole, especially when it comes to the rising costs of car ownership.
For years, the narrative has been one of relentless inflation, with drivers watching their renewal notices with a sense of dread. However, the tide is finally turning for certain segments of the market.
While the national average for full-coverage premiums hasn’t plummeted for everyone, recent data suggests that the make and model sitting in your driveway now play a more dramatic role in your monthly expenses than ever before.
To understand these shifts, we look to a recent analysis by Insurify, an insurance comparison platform. Their researchers examined millions of car insurance quotes to identify how premiums are evolving for the most popular vehicles on the road. By comparing data from 2024 to 2025, they uncovered a market that is finally beginning to cool — but more so for those driving the right cars.
The methodology behind these findings is robust. Insurify’s data scientists analyzed their proprietary database of real-time quotes, focusing on drivers between the ages of 20 and 70 with clean driving records.
By isolating these variables, they were able to determine how much of a rate change was due to the vehicle’s risk profile rather than the driver’s behavior. This allowed them to see exactly how much manufacturers were influencing the bottom line.
The most surprising finding is how far certain brands have fallen. While the average national premium for full insurance coverage dropped by 6% in 2025, some manufacturers saw much steeper declines.
Kia led the pack with a 9% drop, followed closely by Ford and Jeep (each with an 8% drop), Honda and Chevrolet (each 7%) and Hyundai and Toyota (each 6%). On the other end of the spectrum, Tesla stood alone as the only major make for which costs actually increased, rising by 2%.
When looking at the specific car models that benefited most from this trend, five emerged as the clear winners for budget-conscious drivers. These vehicles saw the largest declines in full-coverage insurance costs in 2025:
- Kia Forte: -12%
- Ford F-150: -11%
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: -10%
- Ford Explorer: -10%
- Toyota Corolla: -9%
This downward trend is a welcome relief, especially for Kia owners who faced significant surcharges in previous years due to theft concerns. The data suggests that as security updates have rolled out, insurers are finally recalibrating the risk for these models. It’s a sign that shopping for a new policy could yield substantial savings for those driving these high-volume vehicles.
However, the news isn’t universally good. Technology and repair complexity continue to drive costs higher for some. Specifically, two models from the world’s most famous EV maker saw premiums move in the wrong direction:
- Tesla Model S: +9%
- Tesla Model X: +7%
High repair costs and a shortage of specialized technicians often mean that even minor accidents for these vehicles result in massive claims. For drivers looking to keep their fixed costs low in 2026, the choice of vehicle is becoming just as important as the choice of insurance carrier.
If you are in the market for a new car — no matter the model — make sure to also shop around for car insurance. This is especially important considering that Insurify projects rate will rise another 1% nationally in 2026.
Fortunately, it takes all of two minutes to use this insurance shopping tool — and it could save you hundreds.
Just answer a few questions, enter your ZIP, email, and phone, and you’ll see if you qualify for a lower rate. Most drivers find cheaper coverage with the same protection. Don’t overpay – compare your rate now.