What cars are in car insurance group 16?

The Association of British Insurers assigns all vehicles a rating from 1-50 based on factors including value and performance.

Cars in higher groups have higher premiums, and vehicles in lower groups are more likely to be eligible for cheap car insurance, so knowing which group your vehicle falls into can help keep you on budget.

This guide explores models in insurance group 16, detailing which vehicles belong in this bracket, what characteristics lead to this rating and who this group might suit best.

What cars are in insurance group 16?

Car insurance group 16 is home to a range of mainstream family and executive cars, including the following:

Volkswagen Polo (select models)
Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Honda Insight
Toyota Prius
Mazda 6
Hyundai ix35
Audi A3 (select models)

Modern safety features such as airbags, parking sensors and auto emergency braking come standard on most models in this group. Many also boast desirable interior trims and technology options, plus efficient petrol, diesel or hybrid engines. They’re not the most prestigious vehicles, so group 16 cars carry relatively moderate price tags.

What factors determine which cars fall into insurance group 16?

Factor	Description
Engine size	Group 16 cars typically have medium-sized petrol engines between 1.6 and 2.0 litres. Larger engines increase insurance costs, so these cars will have higher premiums than those in lower groups.
Repair costs	These vehicles have more complex construction and technology compared to lower groups, which means slightly higher repair bills and premiums.
Safety features	Most group 16 models have decent safety kits, including multiple airbags, ABS and occasional extras, such as a lane departure warning system. Insurers tend to offer lower premiums to cars with upgraded safety features.
Performance	Group 16 includes modestly powered models. Extra speed translates to higher premiums, so these cars are cheaper to insure than sports cars and other high-performance vehicles.
Threat of theft	Mid-size family cars hold more appeal for thieves than smaller city cars. Some group 16 models, such as the Volkswagen Golf, have been heavily targeted in recent years.
Driver profile	While group 16 attracts some younger drivers, it’s dominated by customers aged 30-50. Insurers see this as a lower-risk group than teenagers and inexperienced drivers.

Who are group 16 cars most suitable for?

Group 16 cars may be attractive for:

Families: spacious interiors and decent boot space make group 16 models such as the Volkswagen Golf perfect for families
Company car drivers: tax-friendly CO2 emissions and competitive P11D values make group 16 suitable for fleets and business users
Downsizers: those trading down from expensive cars will appreciate the reduced running costs and considerable amount of space
High-mileage drivers: cars in group 16 are more motorway-friendly and provide added comfort over basic city cars

Which car insurance group am I in?

You can find your car’s insurance group by entering its make, model and registration year into a free car insurance group checker.

Your insurer can also confirm the exact group your car falls into. Knowing your insurance group assists you in comparing premium quotes since higher groups typically bring more expensive premiums.

It’s important to note that insurance groups are continually reassessed and can change over time. For instance, the Volkswagen Golf moved from insurance group 15 to group 16 in 2022 based on updated risk factors. You should always verify your car’s current group when renewing your policy to get precise quotes.

In summary, group 16 cars offer a good middle ground for drivers wanting more space and performance than cars in lower groups, without the high running costs of premium models.