Building on our list of Canada’s cheapest vehicles, Driving will be refining that information with sojourns into popular or notable vehicle segments. The proliferation of SUVs and crossovers in driveways across our country makes that type of vehicle a natural fit in this series of posts we hope will be of use to Canadian shoppers.
The vehicles on this list are present because they hew to a traditional definition of SUV or crossover: generally taller than a hatchback or station wagon, at least two rows of seating, and a cargo area which is open to the passenger cabin. Pricing is taken from configurator pages on the websites of appropriate manufacturers for the 2024 model year. We have listed freight but no other fees or taxes since they can vary across regions. Fuel economy is supplied by the dweebs at NRCan.
And, yes — we know most of the images here are not of base models. Manufacturers tend to furnish testers and images of top trims. Hey, just squint yer eyes and tilt your head. With those notes out of the way, assembled here are five of the most affordable SUVs or crossovers on sale in Canada for 2024.
Hyundai Venue: $20,899
Long the purveyor of vehicles laden with features and sodden with value, it should surprise precisely no one that a Hyundai is atop this particular list. The little Venue serves as a gateway into new car ownership, priced right around $20,000 plus fees and presently acting as the least expensive model in the brand’s Canadian showrooms, snaking in under the Elantra by just a few bucks.
At this price, the Venue is powered by a 1.6L gasoline-fuelled engine making 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque. It all runs fine on regular unleaded and is funneled to the earth through a continuously variable transmission to its front wheels. All-wheel drive is not an option on the Venue. Even the least expensive Venue gets heated front seats, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, air conditioning, and remote keyless entry.
- Canadian MSRP: $20,899 + $1,950 destination charge
- Power: 121 hp, 113 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity: 528 litres (18.6 cu.ft)
- Combined fuel economy: 7.5 L/100 km
Chevrolet Trax: $21,699
The little Chevrolet Trax is proof positive that General Motors can produce a great small vehicle when it so desires. In fact, if there was an award for ‘most improved’ in this industry, the Trax would surely take the honours. Its styling is decidedly non-dorky, the interior punches far above its weight class, and it makes the brand’s own more expensive Trailblazer instantly obsolete with spacious front seats and a roomy cargo area. As with most Chevy products, its LS trim is the entry level model, though spending more on a Trax nets extra features instead of extra power.
That’s because every new Trax in Canada is motivated by a 1.2L turbocharged engine good for 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, hove to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. While its displacement is diminutive, all its torque is online by just 2,500 rpm which means the Trax feels more sprightly around town than its numbers may suggest. Base models get heated front seats, a high-def parking camera, and lane keeping as part of the deal.
- Canadian MSRP: $21,699 + $2,000 destination charge
- Power: 137 hp, 162 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity: 725 litres (25.6 cu.ft)
- Combined fuel economy: 7.9 L/100 km
Nissan Kicks: $22,348
Settling in as one of this brand’s most affordable models, the Nissan Kicks is presently offered at this price point with a 1.6L engine, continuously variable transmission, and front-wheel drive. While the diminutive Versa sedan is even less expensive in this showroom, it is rumoured that model will depart next year, leaving the Kicks as a vanguard of value for Nissan.
The likes of rear automatic braking and intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian detection are sure to be of assistance to new drivers, showing up even on the base S trim. Look for typical features like power accessories and air conditioning, plus a push button ignition and keyless entry. No heated seats for the S, though. It’s worth noting this particular generation of Kicks is in its twilight, set to grow in both size and price for 2025, though Nissan is promising it won’t be a huge walk from this year. Perhaps the Kicks will make next annum’s iteration of this list, as well.
- Canadian MSRP: $22,348 + $2,030 destination charge
- Power: 122 hp, 114 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity: 717 litres (25.3 cu.ft)
- Combined fuel economy: 7.2 L/100 km
Kia Soul: $22,795
As one of the first mainstream vehicles to normalize the concept of an ultra-square box as transportation in this country, the Kia Soul is currently available in no fewer than five different trims, all with front-wheel drive and all with the same 2.0L engine. Like others on this list, its manual gearbox has vanished, leaving a continuously variable transmission (marketed by Kia as an IVT – ‘I’ for ‘intelligent’) as the lone option.
The list of standard kit on the base LX is decently lengthy, including features such as heated sideview mirrors, heated front seats, a steering wheel which adjusts for reach and rake, six speaker audio, and cruise control. The entry level trim is easy to spot thanks to steel wheels with hubcaps and halogen headlights instead of LED peepers.
- Canadian MSRP: $22,795 + $1,900 destination charge
- Power: 147 hp, 132 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity: 663 litres (23.4 cu.ft)
- Combined fuel economy: 7.9 L/100 km
Mitsubishi RVR: $24,798
Unlike most other models on this list, the Mitsubishi RVR is available with all-wheel drive — just not at the price shown here. Still, the $2,000 for traction at each corner isn’t a huge ask when its base price is close under $25,000 before fees. A 2.0L engine is under the hood, though moving even further up the food chain does unlock a 2.4L unit, yet another difference between this Mitsu and some of its competitors.
Power in the 2.0L checks in at 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, good numbers though it should be noted they peak in the upper reaches of the tachometer. A continuously variable transmission is the engine’s dance partner. The ES FWD trim satellite radio, automatic climate control, LED headlamps, and heated front seats.
- Canadian MSRP: $24,798 + $2,050 destination charge
- Power: 148 hp, 145 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity: 614 litres (21.7 cu.ft)
- Combined fuel economy: 8.9 L/100 km
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