FOSTER CITY, Calif. -

Insure.com, a resource for consumer insurance information and data, came out with a list that shows dealers and shoppers alike which 2012 vehicles are the least and most expensive to ensure.

This year’s insurance bargain comes from a Japanese nameplate, with the Toyota Sienna LE stealing the No. 1 spot.

On the other hand, the 2012 Audi R8 Spyder Quattro, a two-seat V10 convertible, has “gunned” its way to the top of the rankings as the most expensive vehicle to insure,” officials noted.

Historically, Mercedes and Porsche has dominated the rankings of the most expensive to ensure, according to the list.

“Insure.com’s annual list of national average auto insurance premiums provides drivers with a view of how more than 900 models compare with one another when it comes to the cost of insurance coverage,” the company explained.

And just what factors can push a vehicle’s car insurance quote up or down?

These include 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, the company noted.

And some vehicle segments fall into the least expensive rankings on a regular basis.

Commenting on this trend, Amy Danise, editorial director of Insure.com, noted, “Minivans have always had a strong showing in our ‘least expensive’ rankings.

“They regularly prove to be safe, economical vehicles. And, notably, we’re seeing pickup trucks back on the ‘least expensive’ list after an absence last year,” she continued.

The rankings were based on average car insurance rates for a representative driver, officials further explained. 

And to put the numbers in perspective, 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.

See Insure.com’s annual list that highlights  the most and least expensive 2012 vehicles to insure below:

The least expensive 2012 vehicles to insure per year, according to Insure.com, are:

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
 
The most expensive 2012 vehicles to insure per year, according to Insure.com, are:

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