As car prices continue to rise, we’ve been taking a look at some of the most affordable options on the market. Fortunately, you don’t necessarily need to spend anywhere near $67,000, which happens to be the average cost of a new vehicle in Canada.
Below you’ll find a list of the cheapest SUV crossover options out there, but keep in mind, we’ve listed the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the base trim of the models and that won’t include dealer fees, freight and PDI, or taxes.
If you’re not in the market for an SUV, this list takes a look at the least-expensive sedans in Canada (gas and hybrids), while we’ve also compiled the cheapest vehicle in each segment for 2025.
Canada’s Cheapest Crossover: 2025 Hyundai Venue, $21,299
The Hyundai Venue continues to hold the most affordable crossover crown heading into 2025. It’s key asset, price aside, is it has the comfort and handling of a subcompact sedan, but with the taller seating position many prefer. As for changes, there are none this year. Lift the hood and there’s a diminutive 1.6L four-cylinder engine. It pushes 121 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and the front wheels. With the run to 100 km/h coming in at 10.8 seconds, it feels lazy on the highway. However, it’s lively enough to deal with the cut and thrust of an urban commute. Ditto the handling. It gets a passing grade — just don’t push too hard into a corner!
Where the Venue shines is content and technology. It features an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen that works wirelessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has heated front seats and a heated steering wheel on all but the base model. Likewise, all models get lane keep assist, drowsy driver monitoring and forward collision mitigation with auto braking, however, the base model lacks blind spot monitoring.
The rear seat is cozy. While there’s 980-mm of headroom, the legroom measures a tight 870-mm. Again, the cargo space is so-so. There’s 528L with the seats up and 902L when folded flat. The good news is none of this really detracts from its excellent value proposition.
- Canadian MSRP: $21,299 plus $2,000 freight & PDI
- Power: 1.6L four-cylinder with 121 hp and 113 lb-ft
- Cargo capacity seats up/down: 528L/902L
- Average fuel economy, annual cost: 7.5 L/100 km, $2,325
Nissan Kicks Play, $22,598
The Kicks Play is the new name for last year’s Kicks model — the all-new 2025 Kicks brings a wealth of upgrades including available all-wheel-drive. There’s also a significant price hike for the improvements. In spite of the name change, the Play continues to represent solid low-cost contender. As with the Hyundai Venue, the small 1.6L four-cylinder engine is power challenged — 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. It drives the front wheels through a CVT. This combination brings, to be polite, leisurely acceleration. With the run to 100 km/h coming in at 10.7 seconds overtaking a slower vehicle on a two-lane road takes patience. However, in the laidback commute many endure every morning it works. The Play’s suspension is composed, so it’s a fun drive when boogeying down a twisty backroad. The other plus is, unlike most CVTs, this one avoids forcing the engine to shout at the driver in most driving situation except hard acceleration. It also boasts a tow capacity of 435-kg.
Inside, the Play is plain and simple. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work on a seven-inch screen on the base S model and an eight-incher in the SV. Rear seat headroom measures 977-mm with the legroom coming in at tight (kid-friendly) 824-mm. Given its sharp price, the Kicks Play comes with a commendable suite of safety aids, including blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with auto braking. However, the lack of heated seats on the base S model is an oversight.
- Canadian MSRP: $22,598 plus $2,030 freight & PDI
- Power: 1.6L four-cylinder with 122 hp and 114 lb-ft
- Cargo capacity seats up/down: 716L/914L
- Average fuel economy, annual cost: 7.2 L/100 km, $2,232
2025 Kia Soul, $23,195
The Soul was the vehicle that changed the perception of Kia for the better. Prior to Soul many bought Kia’s cars for price and price alone (the Sephia was painfully awful!). The Soul, however, developed a mini-cult following, so punters came in to buy a Soul because it was what they wanted to drive. It did, and still does, have a love it/hate it style, but therein lies its charm — polarizing cars tend to stand out. The boxy-but-funky style brings flexibility and surprising interior space given the external dimensions. Heading into 2025 there is little change.
Power comes from a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that twists out 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. It works with a CVT, so the acceleration, at nine seconds, will not make your heart beat faster. The plus is the handling is rewarding and above average for the class.
The pricing suggests the Soul might skip over some valued interior features. True, the LX, EX and EX+ make do with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, but the higher trims get a larger 10.25-incher. Both screens are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and all, except the LX, get wireless smartphone charging. The rear seat accommodates a pair of adult riders thanks to the 1,003-mm of headroom and 985-mm of legroom. You’ll also find 530L of cargo space with the seats up and 1,758L when folded flat. These numbers give it one of the largest trunks in the segment.
- Canadian MSRP: $23,195 plus $2,000 freight & PDI
- Power: 2.0L four with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft
- Cargo capacity seats up/down: 530L/1,758L
- Average fuel economy, annual cost: 7.9 L/100 km, $2,449
2025 Chevrolet Trax, $24,699
The introduction of the redesigned Chevrolet Trax last year saw it remain the gateway into the brand. For 2025, nothing changes. One of the things that separates the Trax from its immediate rivals is the turbocharged engine. The 1.2L turbo-four twists out a rewarding 137 hp and, more importantly, 162 lb-ft of torque. While the run to 100 km/h comes in at 9.1 seconds, it’s the torque that brings a crisp response in an urban setting. On the highway it also has the legs needed to pass a slower moving vehicle with ease. Part of the reason is a six-speed automatic transmission, and not a CVT, drives the front wheels. The ride and handling is balanced sitting between the Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul in terms of feel and response. The Trax is rated to tow 463-kg.
Inside, the riders are treated to a well-conceived cabin. The base models feature an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen; move up to the LT, 2RS or Activ and there’s an oversized 11-incher. It gives everything more breathing space, so it is easier to operate while driving. Both screens work wireless with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Move rearward and things are just as rosy. There’s 968-mm of headroom and 983-mm of rear seat legroom, both numbers are good for a small crossover. The same for the cargo space — 725L with the rear seat upright and 1,532L with it folded flat. The disappointment is some key safety features like blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional. With a package price of $495, why not make it standard?
- Canadian MSRP: $24,699 plus $2,100 freight & PDI
- Power: 1.2L turbo-four with 137 hp and 162 lb-ft
- Cargo capacity seats up/down: 725L/1,532L
- Average fuel economy, annual cost: 8.1 L/100 km, $2,511
2025 Kia Seltos, $25,695
The Kia Seltos slots neatly between Soul and Sportage. The plus is it’s one of the most affordable crossovers offered with all-wheel-drive (AWD) — it adds $2,000 to the base LX model. The Seltos has a sleek and distinctive style that serves to set it apart from many of its the cookie-cutter rivals. Power comes from a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that makes 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. It works with a CVT to drive the front or all four wheels. While the 10 second run to 100 km/h is not great, it gets the job done in the city and feels lively on the highway. The disappointment is towing is not permitted even with AWD.
The interior is simple and logically laid out. As with Soul, the LX and EX make do with an eight-inch multimedia screen and a 4.2-inch digital display between the main instrumentation dials. The rest of the lineup gets better 10.25-inch screens for both the infotainment and instrumentation. The multimedia screens work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All models also get a full suite of safety aids.
The rest of the cabin is practical and roomy. It has enough room for a pair of 6-foot-2 rear seat riders thanks to the 975-mm of headroom and 965-mm of legroom. You’ll also find 752L with the rear seat upright and 1,778L when folded flat.
- Canadian MSRP: $25,695 plus $2,000 freight & PDI
- Power: 2.0L four-cylinder with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity seats up/down: 752L/1,778L
- Average fuel economy, annual cost: 7.6 L/100 km, $2,356
Affordable Crossover Alternatives
Hyundai Kona: $26,449 plus $2,000 freight & PDI
The Hyundai Kona, which rides the lane between the Venue and Tucson, is a solid contender that’s available with all-wheel-drive ($2,000). The base engine is blah; the 1.6L turbo-four gives it some needed pop. The Kona arrives with an impressive array of tech — all models feature a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen; the N Line gets another 12.3-inch screen for the instrumentation. A plus is the availability of a Digital Key. It allows the Kona to be unlocked and driven using a smartphone.
Nissan Kicks: $27,199 plus $2,030 freight & PDI
The stylish, second-gen Nissan Kicks has been significantly upgraded in just about every way. It has a modern look, a refined interior and it’s now offered with all-wheel-drive, which was missing from the original. There’s more comfort thanks to the new front seats along with more interior space. It also features Nissan’s next-gen tech — the top SV earns twin 12.3-inch screens and all models have an impressive array of standard safety aids.
Chevrolet Trailblazer: $27,889 plus $2,100 freight & PDI
The Chevrolet Trailblazer’s style sees it stand out from the crowd — it’s a look that blends futuristic with rugged. Beneath the bold facade it delivers a balanced blend of speed, handling and fuel economy. In a nod to the future, there’s no native navigation system — when wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is playing on the 11-inch infotainment screen a built-in nav system becomes redundant. The Buckle to Drive feature is designed to remind the driver to fasten their seatbelt by preventing the vehicle from being shifted out of Park for 20 seconds after start-up — it is more annoying than helpful.
Toyota Corolla Cross: $27,905 plus $1,930 freight & PDI
The world’s most popular nameplate, with well over 50-million sales, got a new extension when the Toyota Corolla Cross was launched in 2022. It shares much of its mechanical makeup with the Corolla sedan including the availability of gas and hybrid models. However, it has more cargo space, better ground clearance and it’s available with all-wheel drive. The ride and handling mirror those of the sedan — competent, but far from exciting. Inside, the Cross is sensibly laid out with the right mix of hard buttons and touch points.
Mazda CX-30: $28,950 plus $1,455 freight & PDI
The Mazda CX-30 has a strong style and it’s one of the sportiest drives in this segment. While it sits at the top end of the affordable range it still offers a lot of value for money. In town, the CX-30 is a comfortable and nimble city drive with strong performance. Head out of town and the tight handling and sharp steering serve to set it apart from almost all others in the segment — it drives more like a high-riding hatchback than a full-on crossover. Inside, the CX-30 demonstrates Mazda’s plan to move upmarket with quality materials wringing a neatly-tailored cabin.
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