Insure.com has determined the 10 vehicles that are the least expensive to insure, including minivans, sport-utility vehicles and a "smart" car.

The independent consumer insurance website looked at insurance rates for more than 1,500 vehicles from six major companies in every state. They compared costs using the same driver behind the wheel—a 40-year-old single male driver with a good record.

“Insurance rates are all about claims, how many and how big,” said Penny Gusner, consumer analyst at Insure.com. “Cars that are cheapest to insure typically are easy to repair or have fewer claims or both.”

Also, car insurance rates vary widely by state, according to the organization. For example a Chevrolet Traverse LT, two-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicle would cost the same driver $2,290 to insure in Michigan and just $766 in Maine. Its national average was $1,282.

The following 10 vehicles are listed in descending order with No. 1 having the lowest average annual premium.

10.
Ford Escape S 2WD
$1,190 average annual premium

9.
Smart FORTWO Pure
$1,186 average annual premium

8.
Ford Edge SE 2WD
$1,176 average annual premium

7.
Subaru Outback 2.5i (tie with No. 8)
$1,176 average annual premium

6.
Jeep Compass Sport 2WD
$1,164 average annual premium

5.
Honda Odyssey LX
$1,163 average annual premium

4.
Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus
$1,162 average annual premium

3.
Honda CR-V LX 4WD
$1,160 average annual premium

2.
Jeep Patriot Sport 2WD
$1,136 average annual premium

1.
Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD
$1,134 average annual premium