Cheapest family cars to insure 2023

Ah, the Golf. If ever a car has become synonymous with a particular type of car, the Volkswagen is it. The German has become the benchmark for quality, refinement and practicality, as well as offering wallet-appeasing running costs.

Despite more competition than ever, the latest eighth generation model still remains top of the class thanks to a great mix of sharp looks, plenty of standard kit and digital tech on tap. That's not forgetting the array of safety kit on every Golf model. If you're on a budget, take a look at a Golf in Life trim with a punchy little 1.0-litre turbocharged engine. 

This 110PS three-cylinder unit is pretty economical as well and is the cheapest Volkswagen Golf to insure, falling into insurance group 14. If that's still a bit too high, take a look at the previous generation Golf that this model replaces. Still one of the best family cars going and it's possible to get group 10 insurance if you opt for the 1.6-litre TDI engine. Fuel economy of 70mpg and 103g/km CO2 emissions also help keep spending under tight control.

• Best hatchbacks

If a family hatchback isn't for you, then how about Skoda's Kamiq? This compact SUV crossover brings with it a slightly higher driving position, while also being both practical and good looking.

Let's start with practicality first and there's plenty of room in the cabin for a family of four, with lots of space upfront and a reasonable amount in the back. It's a shame there isn't a sliding rear bench like we've seen on the Volkswagen T-Cross, but there's still a good amount of space in the boot at 400 litres. Fold the rear seats down and that increases to a very respectable 139 -litres of space

If you're looking for a slightly more engaging drive, check out the Ford Puma or SEAT Arona, but on the whole the Skoda Kamiq is a solid drive. As for engines, while we'd avoid it for town driving, the 1.6-litre TDI delivers the best fuel economy, but to enjoy really low insurance premiums you'll want to go for the cheapest 95PS 1.0-litre engine that drops into insurance group 9. 

• Best small SUVs

There’s an instant and easy likeability to the SEAT Leon, with it sharing many of its mechanicals with the latest Volkswagen Golf (and Skoda Octavia for that matter). The Leon though comes with a bit more latin flair, with sportier styling and nifty handling. 

While the pick of the engines is the punchy 1.5-litre petrol, that does push premiums up, so if you want to take the pressure off the bank balance, take a look at the 1.0-litre TSI unit that produces 110PS and can average 52.3mpg. It may seem on the small side but its turbocharged nature means it's got lots of character and is pretty spritely around town.

Opt for the entry-level SE trim (that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and it'll be in group 11 insurance, but plump for the slightly snazzier FR or SE Dynamic spec and it'll fall in group 12. 

• Best used cars

We couldn't have a list for the best cheap family cars to insure without including the Skoda Octavia Estate. The latest, fourth generation model shares the same platform and range of engines as both the Volkswagen Golf and SEAT Leon, but it's the size of the boot that will be the biggest draw for many. Capable of carrying an impressive 640 litres of luggage, it embarrasses bigger cars for space.

Passengers aren't short-changed either, with the cabin now a bit more upmarket and good enough to rival its pricier Golf counterpart, while there's plenty for space for the family (and dog). 

The 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine is probably the pick of the bunch with 150PS, but if you're happy to take things at a slightly slower pace, then the 1.0-litre TSI engine is the one to go for. Not only does it deliver a decent 53mpg but it's also in insurance group 11. 

• Best estate cars

We make no apologies for plumping for the Tourer estate version of the Hyundai i30 as the perfect fit for families. It comes with a massive 602-litre boot (not quite up to the Skoda Octavia's huge boot granted) in normal guise which is more than enough to cope with the kids’ bags, bikes and boots. Drop the rear seats and that extends to a large 1650 litres. Perfect for trips to IKEA and runs to the local tip. 

There's a good dollop of safety tech on tap as well, with lane guidance systems will give your steering wheel a gentle nudge should you stray from your lane without indicating. 

As well as space and safety tech, the Hyundai impresses on other final frontiers such as the way it flows along any type of road. With the 1.6-litre turbodiesel, not only is insurance low, fuel consumption comes in at a combined 74mpg and emissions at 99g/km

• Best used estate cars

Not only can you have the reliable dependability of the Toyota Auris with low-cost insurance, but it also means you can have the best-selling hybrid version as well. Toyota is a hybrid pioneer and has got ahead of a lot of the competition in this area. 

That means 78.5mpg average fuel economy and 82g/km CO2 emissions to further push down the cost of ownership. Depending on the trim-level, a Toyota Auris with 1.8-litre VVTi hybrid power unit starts in insurance group 7. 

Admittedly, the Auris Hybrid is not going to tickle your driving bone as it takes a leisurely rather than athletic approach to its driving. It's nice and comfortable and perfect if you're looking for something to get you to places without any fuss or drama. Still, it’s put together with care and fastidious attention to detail, and the cabin is comfortable and offers a family plenty of space.

• Best small hybrid cars

The Vauxhall Astra is the ideal family car for anyone who just wants to get on with their life without concerning themselves with cutting edge design or dynamics. That’s not to damn the Astra as it’s good to drive and its dash is laid out in a clear, uncluttered manner.

Compared to some rivals like the Honda Civic and Ford Focus, the styling is a little forgettable. Get past that and the interior is much more satisfying, with a minimalist layout and large infotainment screen positioned high up. It also drives well too, with a pleasingly smooth ride.

In fact, the Vauxhall’s easy-going nature is its biggest asset as it just works whether you need to commute long distances, tackle the school run or just want affordable insurance. Opt for the excellent 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine that gives 64.2mpg and 102g/km CO2 emissions and you'll be in a moderately low insurance group 11. 

• Family cars with large boots

The Dacia Duster is an incredibly versatile and cheap crossover SUV. Dacia, if you haven't come across them before, is a Romanian manufacturer that's now owned by Renault. The Duster puts practicality above everything else, with plenty of room inside - there's just about enough space for three adults in the rear, while the boot is bigger than a Volkswagen Golf.

What's the catch? Well, you can see where costs have been cut, with the Duster very light on standard equipment (the entry-level Access model doesn't come with a radio for example). The sweet spot is a mid-range model that comes with the essentials, but doesn't push the price up too much. 

An Access model is in insurance group 9, but is probably best avoided because of its rustic spec, so look out for one in Essential trim with a TCe 90 petrol engine and you should fall into the same insurance group.   

• Cheapest 4x4s

The Hyundai i40 Tourer is a good quality car at a good price. It's not going to set pulses racing, but if you're looking for a large family with group 12 insurance. 

The cabin quality is excellent, with some pleasing soft-touch plastics employed, while the i40 Tourer continues to deliver strong value thanks to a healthy amount of equipment included. There's a good infotainment system, but you'll want to look at the SE Nav model for a full colour touchscreen interface.

Boot space is pretty good at 553 litres, but it's far from class-leading, though there are some nice touches like the luggage organiser to stop bags and suitcases moving around.  The i40 Tourer launched with just one engine - a 1.7-litre turbodiesel with three power variants. The lowest 115PS option offers the lowest insurance premiums and offers up 67mpg.

• Best MPG cars

If you've got this far and are still looking for the cheapest family car to insure, then this is probably it. It's not the best option by any stretch of the imagination, but if you're looking for a no-frills family wagon that's cheap to buy, cheap to run and cheap to insure, then look no further than the mighty Dacia Logan MCV.

It's not going to win any prizes in the looks department, with a forgettable boxy exterior design, while it doesn't get much better inside. 

The materials used aren't great (with lots of it borrowed from old Renaults), while it's pretty light on standard features as well. Just like the Duster a little further up, avoid the entry-level Access spec, but find one in Essential, Ambiance or Ambiance Prime trim and you can enjoy very low premiums if you opt for the 1.2-litre petrol engine.

• Cheapest estate cars