Discontinued after the 2024 model year, the Mitsubishi Mirage is no longer Canada’s cheapest crossover
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.
Canada’s Cheapest Crossover: 2025 Hyundai Venue, $21,299
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
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
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
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 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
Nissan Kicks: $27,199 plus $2,030 freight & PDI
Chevrolet Trailblazer: $27,889 plus $2,100 freight & PDI
Toyota Corolla Cross: $27,905 plus $1,930 freight & PDI
Mazda CX-30: $28,950 plus $1,455 freight & PDI
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