Everything’s getting more expensive, and that includes automobiles. Hard to believe, but the average cost of a new vehicle in Canada is around $67,000, and that’s a serious chunk of change. So we’ll try to provide a bit of relief by listing the least-expensive vehicles for 2025 in each segment.
We use the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and for the rock-bottom trim level, which doesn’t include dealer fees, taxes, or freight/delivery – we break that last one out separately. We also don’t include any applicable incentives or rebates. If you notice a different price on the automaker’s website, that’s likely because all those items are factored in. You may have to scroll deep down to find the MSRP.
Our safety ratings are from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS has revised two of its tests, which you’ll see in our ratings. The updated side test better simulates being struck by a large SUV, while the updated front moderate overlap now assesses potential injury to a rear-seat passenger, as well as to those in front.
Cheapest Car in Canada: Nissan Versa, $20,798
Last year’s least-expensive was the Mitsubishi Mirage at two bucks under $17,000, but it’s been discontinued. The Nissan Versa was second last year and wins this time – and the Mirage’s retreat means no vehicle starts below $20,000 for 2025.
The Versa comes in three trims. All use a 1.6L four-cylinder that makes 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque, with an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) which Nissan calls Xtronic, and with front-wheel drive (FWD). A manual transmission available in the U.S. isn’t offered here. The entry S trim includes 15-inch steel wheels, heated mirrors, cloth seats, power locks and windows, cruise control, seven-inch touchscreen, emergency front and rear braking, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlamps, and mandatory rearview camera. You have to move up to at least the SV to get blind-spot monitoring, as well as heated front seats and an eight-inch touchscreen capable of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Canadian MSRP: $20,798 + $1,850 destination charge
- Fuel economy, L/100 km: 7.5 city / 5.9 highway / 6.8 combined
- Comprehensive warranty: 3 years / 60,000 km
- Powertrain warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
- Safety: The 2025 Versa gets 5/5 stars from NHTSA. It received the top “Good” ratings in the IIHS’ original front and side tests, but hasn’t undergone the updated versions.
Alternatives: Next is the Hyundai Elantra, at $22,599 in its entry Essential trim (although you’ll have to add $250 if you want any colour other than white). It carries a 2.0L four-cylinder making 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and that trim includes heated seats and eight-inch screen with smartphone connectivity. Other options are the Toyota Corolla, starting at $23,970; and the Kia K4 at $23,995, a sibling to the Elantra but with more features in its base trim.
Cheapest Crossover in Canada: Hyundai Venue, $21,299
We’re using “crossover” to describe something between a car and a sport utility, although “subcompact SUV” would work too. The Hyundai Venue also took this spot for 2024; its price has risen by $400 since then.
It uses a 1.6L four-cylinder making 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque, with a CVT and FWD. The base Essential trim includes 15-inch wheels, cruise control, eight-inch touchscreen with CarPlay/Android, two USB charging ports, dual-level cargo floor, heated seats, emergency front braking, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlamps. Blind-spot monitoring, pushbutton start, and a heated steering wheel start with the next-step-up Preferred at $23,299.
- Canadian MSRP: $21,299 + $2,000 destination charge
- Fuel economy, L/100 km: 7.9 city / 6.9 highway / 7.5 combined
- Comprehensive warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
- Powertrain warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
- Safety: The 2025 Venue gets 4/5 stars from NHTSA. It received the highest “Good” in tests at IIHS, but hasn’t been crashed in the updated front or side tests.
Alternatives: Next in line is the Nissan Kicks Play at $22,598. Nissan introduced an all-new Kicks for 2025 but continues to build the last-generation one under the Play name and starting at $4,601 less than the new Kicks. Taking third place is the Kia Soul, starting at $23,195.
Cheapest SUV in Canada: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, $29,398
We used crossover to include subcompact SUV, so we’re considering this segment as compact-and-up SUVs. They’re very popular in Canada and several hover around the $30,000 mark, and this year the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross takes it.
It’s powered by a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine, making 152 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, mated to an automatic CVT. All-wheel drive is standard and Mitsubishi called it Super All-Wheel Control, or S-AWC; it not only shifts power from the front to rear wheels as needed, but also side to side as required to help maintain stability. It comes in five trim levels. Our price is for the ES, which includes heated seats, emergency front braking, eight-inch touchscreen with CarPlay/Android, automatic climate control, and mandatory rearview camera.
- Canadian MSRP: $29,398 + $2,050 destination charge
- Fuel economy, L/100 km: 9.6 city / 8.9 highway / 9.3 combined
- Comprehensive warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
- Powertrain warranty: 10 years / 160,000 km
- Safety: NHTSA gives the Eclipse Cross 5 out of 5 stars, but the IIHS is far less generous. While it rated the top “Good” on the original moderate front overlap test, it was “Poor” on the updated version; and “Poor” in the updated side test.
Alternatives: The Subaru Crosstrek rates second this year, starting at $29,495. It receives a few updates and offers a choice of 152-horsepower or 182-hp engines, and of course Subaru’s standard AWD. The Volkswagen Taos, with turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder making 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, starts at $29,795 and completes the trifecta of the only sub-$30,000 models in the segment.
Cheapest Compact Pickup in Canada: Ford Maverick, $34,500
Until someone else introduces a compact truck, the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz will likely stay locked in their one-two positions. Both are four-door and based on SUVs, the Maverick on the underpinnings of the Escape and Bronco Sport, and it feels more truck-like than the Hyundai.
The Maverick comes with a 2.0L turbocharged “EcoBoost” engine making 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque; or a hybrid system with 2.5L engine and net 191 horsepower, and for 2025 that’s the default engine, with the gas choice optional on the lower three trims and standard on the Tremor and Lobo. The gas engine is AWD only, but new for 2025, the hybrid comes in front- or all-wheel drive. Features on the base XL include 17-inch steel wheels, 13.2-inch touchscreen (also new for 2025) with CarPlay/Android, cruise control, emergency front braking, LED headlamps, cloth seats, and under-seat storage.
- Canadian MSRP: $34,500 + $2,195 destination charge
- Fuel economy, L/100 km: 5.6 city / 6.5 highway / 6.0 combined (Hybrid FWD)
- Comprehensive warranty: 3 years / 60,000 km
- Powertrain warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
- Hybrid components: 8 years / 160,000 km
- Safety: The 2025 Maverick gets 4/5 stars from NHTSA. The IIHS hasn’t fully crash-tested it, but in those done, it received the highest “Good” in the updated side test, but only “Marginal” in the updated front crash test.
Alternatives: The Hyundai Santa Cruz uses a turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder engine making 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and with standard AWD. It’s basically a Tucson with a bed instead of a cargo compartment, and feels more luxurious and with far more standard features than the base Maverick. It comes in three trim levels starting at $41,999.
Cheapest Midsize Pickup in Canada: Chevrolet Colorado, $38,999
The Chevrolet Colorado carries this crown over from 2024, and it’s for the entry WT (Work Truck) trim in 4×2. All its rivals, including its sibling GMC Canyon, come in 4×4 only.
The Colorado comes as a crew cab with 5-foot-2 bed, powered by a turbocharged 2.7L four-cylinder engine that makes 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, and with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A lower-powered version of that engine has been dropped for 2025. Other new features this year – on trims above the WT, mind you – include an improved wireless charger, and blind-spot monitoring with steering assist that includes the length of a trailer. Features on the WT include emergency front braking, 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In and wireless CarPlay/Android, lane-keep assist, cloth seats, and a trailer hitch view in its backup camera.
- Canadian MSRP: $38,999 + $2,200 destination charge
- Fuel economy, L/100 km: 12.4 city / 10.3 highway / 11.5 combined
- Comprehensive warranty: 3 years / 60,000 km
- Powertrain warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
- Safety: The 2025 Colorado gets 4/5 stars from NHTSA. It hasn’t yet been rated by IIHS.
Alternatives: The Ford Ranger takes second place at $42,070. That’s in entry XL trim, carrying a 2.3L turbocharged engine making 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque; trims above that can be optioned with a 2.7L turbo engine making 315 horsepower and 400 lb-ft. Next up is the Toyota Tacoma at $46,950, which gets you a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder making 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. It’s also available as a gas-electric hybrid.
Cheapest Full-Size Pickup in Canada: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, $46,999
The starting price for light-duty pickups has a wide span, and that’s because you’re often comparing apples to oranges. Our cheapest Chevrolet Silverado is for 4×2 two-door regular cab. You can also get that in the GMC Sierra and Ford F-150, but Ram and Toyota only offer extended or crew cabs, and for 2025, Ram’s trucks are 4×4-only. Ram also continued building its last-generation truck as the lower-cost Ram Classic, but 2024 was its last year.
Our least-expensive Chevy comes only in WT (Work Truck) trim with eight-foot bed and strictly with the entry-level 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. Other engine choices in the Silverado lineup are 5.3L and 6.2L V8s, along with a 3.0L inline-six turbodiesel. For 2025, the WT now gets standard cruise control; other features include a seven-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay/Android, emergency front braking and lane-keep assist, three-passenger front split-bench seat, and vinyl upholstery and flooring. In this configuration, towing is a maximum of 9,500 lbs.
- Canadian MSRP: $46,999 + $2,400 destination charge
- Fuel economy, L/100 km: 13.4 city / 11.2 highway / 12.5 combined
- Comprehensive warranty: 3 years / 60,000 km
- Powertrain warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
- Safety: The Silverado in regular cab gets 5/5 stars from NHTSA. The IIHS hasn’t crash-tested the regular cab, but the crew cab received mixed results. It got “Good” in the original moderate overlap but “Poor” in the updated test; “Good” in the original side test but “Acceptable” in the updated test; and “Marginal” in the small front overlap crash.
Alternatives: The GMC Sierra, the Silverado’s mechanical sibling, is $47,999 in regular cab 4×2 in base Pro trim, also with the 2.7L engine. Taking third place is the Ford F-150, in regular cab 4×2 and with its twin-turbocharged 2.7L engine, but it’s a V6 to the GM twins’ four-banger. Still, it’s not far off their numbers, at 325 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, but with maximum towing capacity of 8,400 lbs.
Cheapest Minivan in Canada: Kia Carnival, $40,495
The Kia Carnival continues its reign in this annual column as our cheapest minivan; but for 2025 you can also get it as a newly-minted hybrid, starting at $46,545. That version joins two other gas-electric models in the segment: The Chrysler Pacifica is available as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), while the Toyota Sienna comes only as a self-charging hybrid.
Our non-hybrid Kia winner gets a styling refresh and some new features for 2025. It carries a 3.5L V6 making 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. That price gets you the LX but it’s pretty basic; moving up to the LX+ with its heated front seats and steering wheel, power-sliding doors and liftgate, and power driver’s seat is $43,995, and still less than our alternatives below.
- Canadian MSRP: $40,495 + $2,100 destination charge
- Fuel economy, L/100 km: 12.9 city / 8.8 highway / 11.1 combined
- Comprehensive warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
- Powertrain warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
- Safety: NHTSA hasn’t fully crash-tested the Carnival, but it gets 4/5 stars for frontal crash. At the IIHS, it got the top “Good” in legacy tests, but next-step-down “Acceptable” on the updated side test; and “Marginal” on the updated front moderate overlap.
Alternatives: The Chrysler Grand Caravan is next at $47,700. It’s actually a base-trim version of the Pacifica as a lower-cost option; it’s called the Chrysler Voyager in the U.S. It uses a 3.6L V6 making 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, and includes the Chrysler-specific fold-into-the-floor second-row seats, known as Stow ‘n Go. Third place goes to the Toyota Sienna at $48,100, with numerous upgrades for 2025. Its hybrid system makes net 245 horsepower and includes a rear electric motor that provides all-wheel drive. The only other minivan available is the Honda Odyssey, and it starts at $49,920.
Cheapest EV in Canada: Nissan Leaf, $41,748
Our winner last year was the Fiat 500e, which clocked in at $39,995. There’s still a possibility it could win this year too, but at press time the 2025 prices hadn’t been announced and only a fancy Giorgio Armani Edition has been mentioned (which we’re confidently betting won’t be Canada’s cheapest EV), and so the crown goes to the Nissan Leaf, one of two EVs Nissan makes alongside the Ariya.
The Leaf comes with two battery sizes, and that price gets you the SV with 40-kWh model and an electric motor that drives the front wheels with 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. The next-step SV Plus has a 60-kWh battery and 214-horsepower motor, and is $47,498. Despite being an entry model, the SV is very well-equipped with 17-inch wheels, power driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, eight-inch touchscreen with navigation, auto-dimming mirror, and full suite of driver-assist technologies, including emergency front braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.
- Canadian MSRP: $41,748 + $2,095 destination charge
- Range: 240 kilometres (SV trim)
- Comprehensive warranty: 3 years / 60,000 km
- Powertrain warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
- Battery warranty: 8 years / 160,000 km
- Safety: NHTSA gives the 2025 Leaf a 5/5-star rating. The IIHS hasn’t fully tested it, but gave it the top “Good” in the original front and side crash tests, and next-step-down “Acceptable” in the updated side crash.
Alternatives: Next up is Kia’s Niro EV, making 201 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque, with 407 kilometres of range and a starting price tag at $45,595. It shares that motor and its 68.4-kWh battery with its Hyundai Kona EV cousin, which gets slightly more range at 420 km and takes our third-place spot at $46,499. In all of our segments here, you may not opt for the absolute base model, but we’ve given you some food for thought when it’s time to shop.
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