Insurers rate high-performance cars towards the upper end of the risk scale. Sportier, larger-engined cars are safe enough when driven within their limits, but there's always the temptation to push your luck...
Insurance ratings reflect this: the humble Ford Focus 1.4 CL is in Insurance Group 4 (IG 4); the 145-mph Focus RS - a family hatchback on steroids - is up at IG 16. Rule of thumb: the more powerful the engine, the greater the risk and the higher the IG.
Younger drivers like cars that look 'hot' but they can't afford huge insurance premiums. Fortunately, manufacturers have produced 'warm' models that have the visual appeal of sports models, are fun to drive, but fall into affordable insurance groups. Here's a round-up of some popular choices:
| HOT |
IG |
vs |
WARM |
IG |
| Citroen Saxo 1.6 16v VTS |
14 |
|
Citroen Saxo 1.6 16v VTR |
7 |
| Fiat Punto 1.8 HGT |
10 |
|
Fiat Punto 1.2 Sporting |
7 |
| Ford Puma 1.7i Ford Racing |
15 |
|
Ford Puma 1.4i |
9 |
| Ford Focus 2.0 ST170 |
15 |
|
Ford Focus 2.0 Zetec ESP |
8 |
| Honda Civic 2.0 VTEC Type-R |
17 |
|
Honda Civic 1.6 VTEC SE Sport |
6 |
| Renault Clio 2.0 Renaultsport 172 |
16 |
|
Renault Clio 1.6 Dynamique |
10 |
| SEAT Ibiza 1.8 20V-T Cupra |
15 |
|
SEAT Ibiza 1.6 Sport |
7 |
| Vauxhall Astra 2.2 SRi |
13 |
|
Vauxhall Astra 1.6 Sport |
6 |
| Vauxhall Vectra 2.6 GSi |
16 |
|
Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 SRi 120 |
11 |
| VW Golf 2.8 V6 4-MOTION |
17 |
|
VW Golf 2.0 GTi |
10 |
|
