Most/Least Expensive Automobiles to Insure in 2012 -- Slideshow

#1 Least Expensive to Insure

Toyota Sienna LE

Cost to insure: $1,111

The 2012 Toyota Sienna LE is the auto-insurance bargain of the year, according to Insure.com. The vehicle ranked second in 2011, behind the Chrysler Town & Country LX.

#2 Least Expensive to Insure

Toyota Sienna 4 Cyl. 

Cost to insure: $1,114 

"Minivans have always had a strong showing in our 'least expensive' rankings," Amy Danise, editorial director of Insure.com says in a statement. "They regularly prove to be safe, economical vehicles."

#3 Least Expensive to Insure

Jeep Patriot Sport

Cost to insure: $1,116

A variety of factors can push a vehicle's car insurance quote higher or lower, including the frequency of crashes for that model, the cost of repairs, the cost to insurers when a vehicle is declared a total loss and the cost of bodily injury claims, Insure.com says.

#1 Most Expensive to Insure

Audi R8 Spyder Quattro Convertible  

Cost to insure: $3,384

Audi makes a strong entrance onto the "most expensive to insure" list, which was primarily dominated last year by Mercedes and Porsche.

The 2012 Audi R8 Spyder Quattro, a two-seat V10 convertible, has jumped to the top of the rankings as the most expensive vehicle to insure. In 2011 the car topping the list was the Mercedes SL65 AMB, also a two-door convertible, Insure.com says.

#2 Most Expensive to Insure

Mercedes CL600 BI-T Coupe 

Cost to insure: : $3,307

Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to provide the auto-insurance rates for more than 900 car models from six large carriers (Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm) in 10 ZIP codes per state.

#3 Most Expensive to Insure

Mercedes S600 BI-T 

Cost to insure: $2,948

The rankings were based on average car insurance rates for a representative driver. For the sample driver used in the study, it would cost $2,273 more per year to insure the Audi sports car than it would to insure the Sienna minivan, Insure.com says.

A list of Insure.com's top-20 most and least expensive automobiles to insure follows.

Least expensive:

1. Toyota Sienna LE: $1,111
2. Toyota Sienna 4 cyl: $1,114
3. Jeep Patriot Sport: $1,116
4. Jeep Compass Sport: $1,118
5. GMC Sierra K1500 Regular Cab: $1,121
6. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab: $1,125
7. Dodge Grand Caravan SXT: $1,129
8. Ford Escape XLS: $1,137
9. Toyota Sienna 6 cyl: $1,139
10. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab: $1,143
11. Dodge Journey SXT: $1,143
12. Honda Odyssey LX: $1,146
13. Kia Sportage: $1,151
14. Hyundai Santa Fe GLS: $1,152
15. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport: $1,154
16. Nissan Frontier S King Cab: $1,162
17. Nissan Frontier SV King Cab: $1,163
18. Hyundai Tucson GL: $1,166
19. Ford Escape XLT: $1,167
20. GMC Canyon: $1,167

Most expensive:

1. Audi R8 Spyder Quattro Convertible: $3,384
2. Mercedes CL600 BI-T Coupe: $3,307
3. Mercedes S600 BI-T: $2,948
4. Audi R8 4.2 Quattro Coupe: $2,903
5. Porsche Panamera Turbo: $2,738
6. BMW 750i Hybrid: $2,701
7. Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible: $2,674
8. Porsche 911 Turbo S Convertible: $2,674
9. Mercedes CL65 AMG Coupe: $2,669 
10. BMW 750Li Hybrid: $2,641
11. Mercedes SL63 AMG Convertible: $2,615
12. Mercedes CL63 AMG Coupe: $2,613
13. Jaguar XKR Supercharged Convertible: $2,585
14. Mercedes S63 AMG: $2,542
15. Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe: $2,532
16. Audi A8 L Quattro: $2,513
17. Mercedes SL550 Convertible: $2,458
18. Nissan GT-R Coupe Turbo: $2,457
19. BMW 750XI: $2,446
20. BMW 750i: $2,430