You know you’re of a certain age when you remember a price war between two automakers and their smallest bare-bones cars. When one company dropped its price by five dollars, the other immediately undercut it by another couple of bucks, the goal being to advertise “the cheapest car in Canada.”
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But today, few car companies offer truly tiny vehicles, and “affordable” is a relative term. Even so, there are some smaller and competitively-priced nameplates coming out model year 2025, either already here or on their way, and we’ve rounded them up here.
2026 Kia EV3
2025 Kia K4
2025 Nissan Kicks
2025 Nissan Kicks Play
2026 Rivian R2
2025 Volvo EX30
2025 Honda Civic Hybrid
2026 Kia EV3
The “EV” in its name means this compact crossover is entirely battery-powered. Size-wise, it’s a bit larger than the Kia Soul; and lineup-wise, it seems poised to replace the aging Niro EV, although talk on the street is that they’ll both remain on offering, at least for now.
The EV3 will initially be offered with a single electric motor, making 201 horsepower and 209 lb-ft of torque, exclusively powering the front wheels. Two batteries will be available, the smaller one good for some 436 kilometres of range; and the larger stretching that to an estimated 605 kilometres (375 miles). Later on, more powerful versions with all-wheel-drive (AWD) will be added.
The EV3 shares its overall cabin styling with the EV6 and EV9, including their 30-inch screen containing the digital instrument cluster and infotainment. Other features, depending on the trim, will include a sunroof, heated front and rear seats, wireless charger, leather-look upholstery, and head-up display. It’s capable of one-pedal driving, where regenerative braking – which captures and stores otherwise-wasted energy during deceleration – can be ramped up a level where the EV3 will come to a stop on its own, so you can drive using just the accelerator.
The Kia EV3 is expected to land in Canada in 2026. Pricing and full specs are yet to come, but for reference, the 2025 Niro EV starts at $45,595 before delivery and any applicable “green” federal or provincial rebates.
2025 Kia K4
This compact sedan replaces the Forte in Kia’s lineup (and a gorgeous hatchback replaces the Forte 5 in some markets, although we’re not sure if or when we’ll be getting that one).
The Kia K4 powers just its front wheels, either with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine making 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and mated to an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT); or with a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder making 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, and with an eight-speed automatic. With the 2.0L, the K4 is rated as low as 7.0 L/100 km in combined city/highway driving.
Headroom and legroom are generous, and the trunk gives you 413 litres of cargo volume. Like the EV3, its 30-inch screen contains a 12.3-inch instrument cluster display and matching-size centre touchscreen on the turbo models. The lower trims still get the big infotainment screen, but with a four-inch cluster.
Depending on trim, features include cloth or faux-leather upholstery, heated seats and steering wheel, wireless charger, and a digital key through one’s phone. The three non-turbo trims run from $23,995 to $27,995; while the two turbo trims are the GT-Line at $31,495, and the GT-Line Limited at $34,495.
2025 Nissan Kicks
Nissan unveils the second generation of its subcompact Kicks crossover for 2025. It’s slightly larger than before, rides on new platform, and for the first time is available with all-wheel-drive (AWD).
Its new engine is a 2.0L four-cylinder, making 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. The Nissan Kicks still uses a CVT, but this one is also new, maximizing fuel efficiency while improving acceleration. The new AWD system primarily powers the front wheels but sends power to the rear as needed, and with a selectable “snow” setting for slippery conditions.
A 12.3-inch centre touchscreen with wireless phone connectivity is standard, and the top SR Premium adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Depending the trim, features include an auto-dimming mirror, surround-sound audio, leather upholstery, and ProPilot Assist hands-on driving system. The 2025 Kicks comes in two FWD trims, at $27,199 and $28,749; while the three AWD models run from $29,199 to $34,899.
2025 Nissan Kicks Play
It’s not unknown for automakers to keep an older model going alongside its replacement as a lower-cost option — after all, Ram just stopped offering its introduced-for-2009 “Classic” truck alongside its new models. Nissan’s doing that with the Kicks Play, building both the last-generation Kicks and the all-new one at the same time.
The Kicks Play uses a 1.6L four-cylinder engine making 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque, and with CVT and front-wheel-drive only. It comes in two trims, with the entry S offering a seven-inch touchscreen with phone connectivity, 16-inch wheels, emergency front braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. The SV adds heated seats and steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, and eight-inch touchscreen, among other features.
It’s not as powerful or as fancy as the new Kicks, but it’s also easier on the wallet, at $22,598 for the S and $25,198 for the SV. How long it’ll stick around is anyone’s guess, but for now it’s a good alternative for budget-minded drivers.
2026 Rivian R2
Rivian’s all-electric R2, which looks basically like a downsized version of its larger R1S sport-utility, was supposed to hit the ground in 2024 until financial issues got in the way. It seems back on track following a major investment from Volkswagen Group, which plans to share technology and volume buying to get its all-new electric Scout models out to buyers.
Full specs aren’t out yet, but we know the R2 will be 4,714 mm (185.6 inches) long and ride on a “connected” platform, developed in-house and ready for future software updates. The liftgate window opens, as does pop-out glass on the sides; rear accessory points let you snap on a bike rack without tools, and the rack can be stored in the front trunk; most functions are handled through screens or the haptic-touch steering wheel; and there’s even a flashlight stored in the door.
Rivian estimates the five-seater R2 will have a range of 480 km (300 miles) and will be compatible with Tesla Superchargers; and zero to 96 km/h (60 mph) should take just under three seconds. Canadian pricing will start at $66,500.
2025 Volvo EX30
Volvo’s new all-electric EX30 is its smallest SUV, slipping in below the EX40. It starts out with a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, to the tune of 268 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque, and rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) for up to 420 kilometres (261 miles) on a charge. Yet to come is the Twin Performance, with a second motor to provide AWD, a combined 422 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, and 402-km (250-mile) range.
The EX30 handles most functions through a centre screen that includes Google Built-In. Standard or available features include heated seats and steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, premium sound system, park assist, and next-generation Pilot Assist driver assist system with lane change. In the name of sustainability, its interior trim is made from, of all things, recycled window frames.
It stands pretty much alone in the pint-sized, premium plug-in segment, and Volvo says 80% of its early customers are new to the brand. The EX30 with single motor comes in three trims, ranging from $53,700 to $59,100; while the dual-motor comes in Plus at $59,900 or Ultra at $62,100.
2025 Honda Civic Hybrid
The refreshed gas-only Civic adds a hybrid version for 2025. Both powertrains are available in sedan or hatchback, with the sedans built in Ontario (hatchbacks come from Indiana). The new Civic Hybrid uses a 2.0L four-cylinder with Honda’s two-motor hybrid system, with a propulsion motor directly powering the front wheels under most driving conditions – AWD isn’t available – and a generator motor connected to the engine and supplying power to the hybrid battery. The combination of gas and electricity makes 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful Civic available other than the Type R, and with rated 4.9 L/100 km in combined city/highway driving.
All hybrid trims include driver-assist technologies such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, multi-angle camera, and emergency front braking. The hybrid models sit above the gas-only Civic for trim levels, and their features can include heated seats and steering wheel, Bose audio system, nine-inch touchscreen, and the Civic’s first use of Google Built-In.
The hybrid trims start above the gas-only Civic, with the Sport Hybrid at $35,305, and the Sport Hybrid Touring at $38,805. The hatchback models are $195 more.
And not yet on our list, but—
We have a couple of new compact-ish models we know are coming, but that’s about all we know right now. After discontinuing the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt, GM did a quick about-face and will now bring that nameplate back. Unlike the old Bolt, it’ll undoubtedly ride on GM’s “Ultium” EV platform. It’s also expected to be the first EV from the automaker to use lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) battery packs.
Jeep has teased us with a next-generation Compass, likely to go on sale in Europe in 2026 and then come here a year later. It’ll offer gas, hybrid, and electric powertrains, although we might not get all of those. It’ll be the first Jeep to use Stellantis’ new STLA Medium platform, which was designed for electric motors. And when we know more on any of these, you’ll be the first to know, too.
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