BMW car insurance: Cheapest models to insure

The key fob tells the world you drive a BMW when you plop it down in the café with friends. But little do they know you have a seven-seat MPV parked outside, and it’s front-wheel drive.

All of that might go against the traditional BMW grain, but it means you can take the whole family plus luggage in the usual BMW refinement and comfort. It's even good to drive; BMW managed to make an MPV that actually handles well thanks to a platform that's shared with MINI.

The 216d won't set the world on fire but it’s smooth, quiet and hauls this people carrier along easily. Stick with this model and your premiums will be considerably lower than for other versions. The Gran Tourer isn't made new any more, but a used example is even better value.

The 2 Series Active Tourer  is probably one of the most underrated BMWs in the range. On paper this may look about as exciting as dental surgery – it's a family MPV designed primarily for ferrying kids to and from school. But it's also very good to drive. Like, surprisingly good. 

The Active Tourer is the five-seat version (you need the Gran Tourer for seven seats), although we're unsure why this sits in a higher insurance group of 13 compared to 10. It won't break the bank, but given both have the same 216d engine and do the same job, it's a little baffling.

That low-insurance 216d model is hardly a ball of fire – we much prefer the 216i – but you can't argue with fuel economy of more than 65mpg. The good news is that going for an automatic or a Sport version won't affect the insurance rating. 

The latest BMW 1 Series is fun to drive, has a fantastic interior and, perhaps surprisingly for a BMW, undercuts many rivals on price. Cheap insurance is merely icing on the financial cake, and at group 26 it's not crazy expensive, although it jumps up ten whole groups compared to the previous version that was on sale new until 2024.

The good news is that the 120 model has is a great little engine – despite the name it's actually a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder unit that has plenty of get up and go and an eager nature. It's also very good on fuel with more than 53mpg on the official tests.

Choosing a small BMW doesn't mean having to sacrifice style, as the last-generation 2 Series proves. This is a two-door that just looks right from whichever angle you see it. Its sleek, low-slung styling has all the right sporting overtones, yet inside there’s a good deal more room front and back than its predecessor.

If you go for the 218d Coupe, it comes with a group 20 insurance rating, which is markedly lower than most others in the line-up. True, it’s not as swift as some of those alternatives, but the 218d is essentially the same engine as the 220d just with a bit less power, so you won't feel like you're missing out too much...

Prices for BMW 2 Series are remaining strong on the used market so like the 1 Series, this is a car you know will hold its value well. If you want the soft top version, the 2 Series Convertible starts at group 22 (and it's also one of the best convertibles as well).

It may be well over a decade since the BMW i3 was first introduced, at a time when electric cars were a bit of a novelty, but the fact it still looks futuristic now – three years after its production ceased – is a testament to its cutting edge design both inside and out. BMW improved and tweaked the i3 over its lifetime with the later versions able to cover up to 220 miles on a single charge. 

If you're looking at early used models you'll find that the range is a more modest 100 miles, but if you only have a short commute or don't cover that many miles, the i3 is an ideal fit.

While electric cars are generally more expensive to insure than conventional petrol and diesel cars, that's not the case with the i3, which starts at group 21.

To get the cheapest to insure BMW X1 you have to avoid the latest model and any four-wheel-drive xDrive models and go for the entry level sDrive 18i model. Luckily, choosing an M Sport trim with its sportier looks won't change that rating.

But even sticking with the entry-level SE means you won't be lacking in equipment or appeal. For starters, the 18i engine has lively performance and along with the X1's nimble handling, means you’re never hindered by its high-riding stance.

Although a smidgen shorter than its predecessor, this X1 is taller and wider to free up plenty of cabin space and there’s a generous 505-litre boot to cope with family and shopping demands. 

Can you have it all in a single car? The 4 Series Gran Coupe 420i M Sport certainly does it best to provide that thanks to stylish coupe looks and an insurance ranking that undercut its arch-rival, the Audi A5.

The latest 4 Series has higher insurance ratings than its predecessor, but group 29 is still not bad for this type of car.

There’s plenty more to like about this 4 Series, too. It's barely any less practical than a 3 Series but better-looking, and it's great to drive. You also get a well-appointed cabin with enough space for four and a decent boot. 

If ever a car was more closely associated with its brand values, we’d like to see it. The 3 Series sums up BMW perfectly – agile, intuitive to drive and crisply styled. In Touring estate form, it’s even better in our view as you get all of the plusses with the added bonus of a 495-litre boot that’s simple to expand when you need extra space.

And the good news here is that both the 3 Series saloon and 3 Series Touring sit in the same group 25 for insurance. The catch here is that you have to forego that 340i and instead stick with a sensible 318i in SE or SE Pro trim.

Still, it's certainly not the poor relation here, there's no such thing as a 'basic' 3 series model and the 318i is more than quick enough, making for an ideal long distance car. 

The latest BMW X3 is so good, it almost makes the BMW X5 redundant – spacious, incredibly refined and as good to drive as you'd expect from a BMW. The last-generation X3 is an ideal family SUV with that extra bit of class. Unlike the smaller X1, all BMW X3 models come with xDrive four-wheel drive for that extra reassurance and while you may have to do without one of the wonderful six-cylinder engines if you want the cheapest insurance, the xDrive 20 petrol model is smooth yet has plenty of power.

The xLine and MSport models are the cheapest to insure. if you want the diesel-powered 20d engine (which would be our choice if you're covering big distances), the equivalent trim levels only go up by a single insurance group.

The BMW 5 Series is a cracker of a car, one that serves up supreme comfort and cabin space blended with driving attributes that leave you in no doubt it’s been honed to perfection. 

It's no surprise this has earlier versions were some of the most popular cars of recent years, offering everything from diesel economy to hybrid power and performance, too. Of course, you may have to go for something less powerful to save on insurance, so the 520i is the one to choose if you want to save money on insurance, coming in at group 35.