Shoppers looking to bracket the C-Max will want to look at the Kia Sportage, which has front-hinged doors, and the Mazda5, which has the sliding doors.

WSJ: 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid Review: A Fine Car Falls Way Short on MPG | Rumble Seat by Dan Neil

Other models on the least expensive to insure list include the Jeep Patriot and Compass, Ford Escape, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tuscon and Santa Fe crossover SUVs and the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and Canyon and Nissan Frontier pickup trucks.

FORBES: The Cheapest Cars To Insure

Many crossover models - such as Nissan's Qashqai, Kia's Sportage, or even Range Rover's Evoque - were offered as two-wheel-drive versions, rather than simply with more expensive 4x4 capabilities.

BBC: Business