We’ve assembled rosters of this nature in the past, but this group is comprised solely of cars – no crossovers or SUVs will darken this article. Five-door hatchbacks and wagons are not excluded, though we did turn away anything with an outsized measure of ground clearance. Overall size class doesn’t matter; if a jumbo sedan somehow sneaks onto this list, all the better.
For example, the Subaru Impreza with its 5.1 inches of clearance meets our definition of a car but its close cousin Crosstrek tiptoes with an SUV-like 8.7 inches of clearance and was hove out. As before, our yardstick is the ‘combined’ rating from NRCan, a measure comprised of 55% city driving and 45% highway driving. All cars are from the 2025 model year.
Remember, indicated fuel economy numbers are often only achieved through consistency and a commitment to making it the grade – not unlike learning how to play a musical instrument. Wheeling yer car like Lewis Hamilton on a Sunday afternoon is probably going to result in an efficiency well adrift of these estimates. MSRPs are shown without associated fees since they tend to vary by region. Shop carefully.
With that out of the way, let’s meet the champs – starting with the hybrids.
Most Efficient Hybrid Cars in Canada for 2025
Most Efficient Hybrid Car: Toyota Corolla Hybrid, 4.7 L/100 km
If you’ve been paying any attention at all to cars over the last few decades, and our in-tune readers most definitely have, you’ll know Toyota has spent the time refining its hybrid system to the nth degree. The building blocks of this fuel sipping powertrain have spread across many models in the Toyota line (as we will see in this assemblage of vehicles), though every single hybrid from the Big T owes its existence and overall excellence to its granddaddy – the OG Prius.
Under the hood of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid is a 1.8L engine which tag teams a permanent synchronous magnet motor and a lithium-ion hybrid battery pack to produce 138 hybrid system net horsepower. If that doesn’t seem like a lot, it isn’t; in fact, it is actually the same amount as heaved out by the engine itself. What the hybrid guts do help with is filling in torque gaps in low rpm situations, making the car feel sprightlier around town than its power figures suggest. It also assists the engine so it doesn’t need to be burning dead dinosaurs with the rapidity of its non-hybrid cousin.
- Fuel economy: 4.7 L/100 km combined
- Canadian MSRP: $26,990 + fees
- Power: 138 hp
- Alternatives: Honda Civic Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, 4.7 L/100 km
The present Hyundai Elantra has been enjoying a new pointy styling direction since its last redesign, with Hyundai engineers now adding a hybrid powertrain to the mix. A 1.6L engine pairs with a small 1.32-kWh lithium-ion battery and permanent magnet synchronous motor to offer up a net 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. That’s a few ponies less but way more torque than the standard naturally aspirated 2.0L gasser which is found in most popular Elantra trims.
Economy is pegged by the feds at 4.8 L/100 km in the city and just 4.5 on the highway, a quirk of this car’s six-speed dual clutch transmission. In a segment where the continuously variable transmission is often standard equipment, Hyundai takes a different path. For now, the hybrid is only available in a Luxury trim, explaining its base price.
- Fuel economy: 4.7 L/100 km combined
- Canadian MSRP: $31,099 + fees
- Power: 139 hp
- Alternatives: Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid
Toyota Prius AWD, 4.8 L/100 km
It isn’t by accident that the words ‘hybrid’ and ‘Prius’ are all but interchangeable to some Canadians – and with good reason. Toyota found much success hauling the original Prius over to this side of the pond, securing its place as a go-to model for anyone seeking outsized fuel economy. Even today, huge numbers of rideshare drivers choose a Prius for their car.
These days, the Prius comes equipped with all-wheel drive, adding a dose of winter practicality for those of us here in the Great White North. Economy of 4.8 L/100 km is equal across the board, meaning it should return the same efficiency whether one is in town or out on the highway. Power is provided by a 2.0L engine and hybrid gear to make 196 system horsepower and shove the 2025 Prius to 100 km/h in just 7.2 seconds.
- Fuel economy: 4.8 L/100 km combined
- Canadian MSRP: $38,165 + fees
- Power: 196 hp
- Alternatives: Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Civic Hybrid, 4.9L/100km
Given the success its rivals have been finding with hybrid variants of their own small sedans, you knew it wouldn’t be long before Honda slipped an electrified powertrain under the hood of its generally excellent Civic. The efficient powertrain is made available on both the Sport and Sport Touring trims but not the base LX, meaning this hybrid’s starting price is slightly inflated by comparison. Still, there’s a lot to like in here including a raft of active driver safety helpers, dual climate controls, heated seats, and a remote starter.
Motivation is courtesy of a 2.0L engine with 16 valves and direct injection, plus the hybrid gear. Altogether, these guts are good for 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, far more than its rivals and creating a fuel sipper you actually won’t mind driving. Make no wonder this model has been winning awards, including the AJAC Car of the Year right here in Canada.
- Fuel economy: 4.9 L/100 km combined
- Canadian MSRP: $33,600 + fees
- Power: 200 hp
- Alternatives: Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Toyota Camry, 4.9 L/100 km
This is a big car, one whose 4,915 millimetre overall length pushes up against the body length of massive machines such as the three-row Land Rover Defender 130 and its extended wheelbase. That the Camry, all trims of which now come with a hybrid powertrain as standard equipment, can knock off an estimated 4.9 L/100 km in all driving conditions is nothing short of remarkable for the front-wheel drive SE trim.
Yes, that is correct – the wizards at Toyota managed to create a stretch-em-out sedan which manages to get identical estimated fuel economy in both urban and highway environs. Popping to the shops for milk will be as light on yer wallet as eating up the miles on a road trip (in terms of fuel consumption, of course – you’re on yer own for dairy products).
- Fuel economy: 4.9 L/100 km combined
- Canadian MSRP: $34,300 + fees
- Power: 225 hp
- Alternatives: Honda Accord Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata
Most Efficient Non-Hybrid Cars in Canada for 2025
Most Efficient Non-Hybrid Car: Hyundai Elantra, 6.5 L/100 km
Under the hood of this attractive small sedan is a 2.0L four-cylinder engine good for 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable transmission is Hyundai’s choice, though it markets the thing as an intelligent variable transmission. We’re not fooled, guys. Nevertheless, it does a dandy job of saving fuel, sipping to the tune of 6.5 L/100 km combined and just 5.7 on the highway. Cloth seats (heated up front), a big touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, a raft of USB ports, and safety gear like lane keeping are all standard on the affordable base Elantra in so-called Essential trim.
- Fuel economy: 6.5 L/100 km combined
- Canadian MSRP: $22,599 + fees
- Power: 147 hp
- Alternatives: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra
Nissan Sentra, 6.6 L/100 km
This nameplate has been around for decades and is now carried by a sedan which has grown into a comfortable size one might have mistaken for a larger Altima not that long ago. The Nissan Sentra‘s 2.0L four-cylinder engine, like others on this list, can produce 149 horsepower and roughly the same amount of torque. Nissan has been fiddling with continuously variable transmissions longer than just about any other manufacturer, so that’s what is installed in this car. All grades have the Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Note that Canadians can avail of a six-speed manual in the base S trim, though it pushes combined fuel economy to 8.0 L/100 km.
- Fuel economy: 6.6 L/100 km combined
- Canadian MSRP: $24,573 + fees
- Power: 149 hp
- Alternatives: Honda Civic, Kia K4, Toyota Corolla
Honda Civic, 6.7 L/100 km
The popular Civic sedan soldiers into 2025 with few changes to its gasoline-powered trims; it is the hybrid which gets all the attention this year. Still, the gasser Civic price point should be examined by anyone seeking a solid new car for reasonable cheddar. The LX trim comes in well under 30 grand yet is equipped with 8-speaker audio, heated front seats, automatic climate control, and 16-inch wheels. Highway economy is rated at just 5.8 L/100 km.
- Fuel economy: 6.7 L/100 km combined
- Canadian MSRP: $27,840 + fees
- Power: 150 hp
- Alternatives: Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra
Toyota Corolla, 6.7 L/100 km
A 2.0L four-cylinder engine powers this compact car, a size of mill which is all but expected in this segment. Power is rated at 169 horses and 151 lb-ft of torque. Even the base Toyota Corolla L trim gets goodies such as an 8-inch touchscreen tablet, keyless entry, a 4.2-inch display in the gauge cluster, air conditioning, and 15” steel wheels. Other standard safety features include the Toyota Star Safety System, a backup camera, and 10 airbags.
Fuel economy is all but identical to the aforementioned Civic, though rounding of results caused the feds at NRCan to officially place the Civic ahead of this Corolla. It might not be exciting but its price is right and fuel economy will leave plenty of discretionary spending in household budgets.
- Fuel economy: 6.7 L/100 km combined
- Canadian MSRP: $23,670 + fees
- Power: 169 hp
- Alternatives: Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia K4
Nissan Versa, 6.8 L/100 km
Billed as the most affordable new car in Canada, the Nissan Versa sets itself up as the only gasoline-powered car not propelled by a 2.0L engine. Instead, this car uses a 1.6L mill to produce 122 horsepower and a CVT which helps keep ownerships costs low. Safety helpers like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning will help new drivers. Also in the cabin are a 7.0-inch infotainment screen and four speakers for yer tunes. Many brands have abandoned this segment, so the listed alternatives are slightly more expensive.
- Fuel economy: 6.8 L/100 km combined
- Canadian MSRP: $20,798 + fees
- Power: 122 hp
- Alternatives: Kia K4, Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Mirage (discontinued)
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