We count down three hybrids and three gassers in this list of Canada’s least expensive vehicles
Everyone loves a bargain, especially penny-pinching Canadians who’d rather spend a few extra bucks at the hockey rink or at a fundraiser for their local fire department than on an outsized monthly payment. We’ve taken a shot at profiling well-priced machines in the past and hope this instalment, focusing on cars, will also be of use to shoppers.
With new vehicle prices reaching dizzy levels heretofore unexplored by shoppers, achieving that goal becoming ever more difficult. This is exacerbated by some brands which have been busy purging lineups of affordable wheels in favour of huge trucks and SUVs (and their profits). Fortunately, affordable options remain and choices exist. What follows is a list of the six least-expensive new cars on sale in Canada today.
We are highlighting three gasoline-powered vehicles and three hybrids, showing ones with the smallest sticker price from each category. Pedants please note that for the purposes of this article we are defining ‘car’ as a coupe, sedan, or hatchback – one which is closer to the ground than an SUV or crossover. The presence of all-wheel drive is not a disqualifier.
Pricing shown here is sourced from configurator pages on manufacturer websites for the 2025 model year, including freight but no other fees since they vary across regions. And, like other articles of this type, we know most images here do not show a base trim; manufacturers tend to furnish images of top models because capitalism. Hey, just close one eye and tilt your head.
Cheapest Gasoline-Powered Cars in Canada for 2025
Cheapest Car in Canada: Nissan Versa, $20,798
This pert four-door is atop our list with a list price of just over 20 grand, marking the floor of entry into new car ownership. Equipped with a 1.6L four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission (the stickshift recently vanished), this fuel sipper nevertheless offers safety gear such as automatic emergency braking that can sense a pedestrian ahead, lane departure warning, and sensors for rear automatic braking.
- Canadian MSRP: $20,798 + $1,850 destination charge
- Power: 122 hp, 114 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity: 416 litres (14.7 cubic feet)
- Combined fuel economy: 6.8 L/100 km
Hyundai Elantra, $22,599
Power is drawn from a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, making 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This is lashed to a so-called ‘Intelligent Variable Transmission’ which is really just a CVT. A rose by any other name, and so forth. Forward collision avoidance, active lane keeping, and a driver attention warning comprise some of the on-board safety kit.
- Canadian MSRP: $22,599 + $1,825 destination charge
- Power: 147 hp, 132 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity: 402 litres (14.2 cu.ft)
- Combined fuel economy: 6.5 L/100 km
Kia K4, $23,995
- Canadian MSRP: $23,995 + $1,850 destination charge
- Power: 147 hp, 132 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity: 413 litres (14.6 cu.ft)
- Combined fuel economy: 7.0 L/100 km
Honorable Mention: 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage, $16,998
- Canadian MSRP: $16,998 + $1,750 destination charge
- Power: 78 hp, 74 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity: 484 litres (17.1 cu.ft)
- Combined fuel economy: 6.2 L/100 km
Cheapest Hybrid-Powered Cars in Canada for 2025
Cheapest Hybrid in Canada: Toyota Corolla Hybrid, $27,090
Surprisingly, all-wheel drive can be added to this sedan for just $1,500, resulting in a sub-$30,000 price tag and one of the most affordable ways to get a four-door fuel sipper that’s also surefooted in the snow. So equipped, combined fuel economy is still an estimated 4.9 L/100km.
- Canadian MSRP: $27,090 + $1,760 destination charge
- Power: 138 hp, 156 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity: 371 litres (13.1 cu.ft)
- Combined fuel economy: 4.7 L/100 km
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, $28,599
The hybrid powertrain itself is a $2,500 premium compared to an equivalent non-hybrid Elantra in Luxury trim. Given the fuel economy estimates by NRCan, one will save about 350 litres of fuel per year given an average amount of driving. At today’s gasoline prices as of this writing, it’ll take just shy of five years to make up the difference in initial cost.
- Canadian MSRP: $28,599 + $1,825 destination charge
- Power: 139 hp, 195 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity: 402 litres (14.2 cu.ft)
- Combined fuel economy: 4.7 L/100 km
Honda Civic Sedan Hybrid, $33,600
They also choose to base this powertrain on the Sport trim which means convenience equipment such as dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an eight-speaker audio system are standard. Lane keeping and Traffic Jam Assist will help new drivers.
- Canadian MSRP: $33,600 + $1,830 destination charge
- Power: 200 hp, 232 lb-ft of torque
- Cargo capacity: 419 litres (14.8 cu.ft)
- Combined fuel economy: 4.8 L/100 km
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