The Top 10 Least and Most Expensive Cars to Insure

What makes a car cheap or expensive to insure? It all comes down to what insurers call “loss history,” which is the total amount of money that an insurance company will have to pay out in the advent of a totaled vehicle.

It’s not surprising then to see more affordable family haulers on the least-expensive-to-insure list and, conversely, expensive SUVs, luxury cars and sports cars on the most-expensive rankings.

However, that’s not the whole story. According to InsWeb, an online insurance comparison provider, a model’s loss behavior doesn’t only have to do with how much it cost to repair a given model. It also has to do with the likelihood that the given model will be involved in an accident. InsWeb says model loss formulations factor in the history of past individuals who’ve driven the given model and have been involved in accidents. Again, it’s not surprising that cars like the Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac Escalade are more prone to accidents due to their owners.

This does explain, however, why inexpensive subcompacts such as the Chevrolet Aveo or Nissan Versa aren’t on the least-expensive-to-insure list. Cheaper economy cars tend to be purchased by young drivers, who statistically are involved in more accidents thus increasing loss history.

Continue reading below to find out the top 10 least and most expensive cars to insure. 

Recall Alert: 2010 Acura ZDX

Honda has issued a recall of about 1,850 Acura ZDX vehicles from the 2010 model year, according to the automaker.

The recall is to inspect the dashboard surface material, which may prevent the passenger-side airbag from deploying during an accident. There have been no reported incidents of this, but a manufacturing quality check found that some vehicles don’t have the proper laser-cut scoring on the underside of the material. Without this scoring, the airbag might not deploy.

After the inspection, the dealer will replace the dashboard if it doesn’t have this scoring.

Keep in mind this affects only a small number of ZDX vehicles. Owners of the affected models will be notified by mail later this month, but ZDX owners can also call 800-382-2238 or go to Acura’s recall page here.

Cars.com Compares Luxury Crossovers

Luxury crossovers have gained popularity, and as more models hit the market, it becomes harder to know which ones are the standouts. In this Cars.comparison, editors Mike Hanley, Kelsey Mays and Joe Wiesenfelder put three popular models side by side: the 2010 Acura ZDX, 2010 Audi Q5 and 2010 Lexus RX 350.

Cars.comparison: Luxury Crossovers

Cars.com Podcast: 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2010 Acura ZDX, 2010 Dodge Challenger

Are you experiencing Hyundai Sonata overload yet? We apologize; please skip the first few minutes of this week’s podcast because editors Joe Wiesenfelder, David Thomas and Mike Hanley discuss the all-new Sonata and how it fared during our recent test.

After that is over, you can learn more about the new Acura ZDX and how the Dodge Challenger is holding up in its third model year.

You can download the podcast via iTunes here or listen in your browser by hitting the play button below.

Cars.com Podcast #46

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Acura ZDX

The Acura ZDX tries to catch the eye of car buyers with an aggressive and unique design — one that sacrifices interior room and puts it in a strange niche compared with its competitors. Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder wonders if this trade-off will lure intrigued shoppers but thinks that styling risks aside, the ZDX could make for a solid choice. Read his full review to find out why.

2010 Acura ZDX Review

2010 Acura ZDX Video

The first thing Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder notices about the 2010 Acura ZDX is that you should probably watch your head when getting into the backseat. Because of its unique design, the ZDX ends up with some unwelcome cargo limitations, which Wiesenfelder points out. However, when he gets up to the interior surrounding the driver, his attitude toward the ZDX becomes more favorable. Watch this video to find out why.

2010 Acura ZDX On Sale Dec. 15

If you’ve been anxiously awaiting the all-new crossover from Acura, your wait now has an end date. The ZDX will go on sale Dec. 15; it will start at $45,495, plus an $810 destination charge.

There are three trim levels -- the base ZDX, ZDX with Technology Package (yes, that’s the trim level’s name) and the ZDX with Advance Package. All ZDX models come with standard leather, all-wheel drive and what Acura claims is the world’s longest panoramic glass roof.

Keep reading for descriptions and pricing of the other trim levels.

First Look: 2010 Acura ZDX, On Sale This Winter

Acura’s new ZDX crossover will go on sale this winter, the automaker announced today. It also unveiled the first images of the production version, seen in the photos above and below.

The styling of the production version is almost identical to the prototype we saw at April’s New York auto show. However, we’re not sure why Acura made the door panel gaps so pronounced, even extending them across the top of the vehicle. It makes it look a bit like a jigsaw puzzle. 

The ZDX will feature a 300-hp V-6 and Acura’s new six-speed automatic transmission, as well as standard all-wheel drive. Nineteen-inch wheels are also standard; as the company points out, they’re the largest in the Acura lineup.

We also get a glimpse of the interior, which looks very similar to the redesigned TL sedan in terms of scalloped dashboard. The ZDX seats five, unlike the BMW X6, which forgoes a fifth seat in the rear for a cargo compartment.

Speaking of cargo, the ZDX offers up some surprises because it doesn’t pack a normal SUV silhouette. The side panels in the cargo area can be removed so longer items like golf bags can fit across.

Acura says the ZDX will go on sale this winter and will be priced between the $40,990 MDX SUV and the $46,830 RL sedan.

Acura Builds One for Baby Boomers With New ZDX

One of the more intriguing models to debut at the 2009 New York auto show was the Acura ZDX. Part hatchback, part crossover and part sporty car, the five-seat ZDX hits dealerships in fall 2009. Acura says it's designed for the growing Baby Boomer population, which is projected to stand at around 80 million in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The ZDX features important crossover attributes like a high seating position in a distinctively styled package, said John Watts, Acura senior manager of product planning. Whereas the automaker's seven-seat MDX crossover is geared for families, Watts said the ZDX is aimed at empty-nesters.

Acura ZDX Video

Acura’s ZDX prototype is a sporty SUV that favors an engaging driving experience over raw utility. In this Cars.com video, Kelsey Mays highlights what to expect from the sporty ZDX, which has a purpose similar to those of competition like the BMW X6 and Infiniti FX.