Some vehicles sell like hotcakes in Canada, only to become the butt of jokes at stoplights and coffee shops. Whether it’s poor reliability, awkward design, or just being overhyped, certain cars and trucks spark more eye rolls than admiration. You’ll see them everywhere, yet owners have similar complaints of them being underpowered, cramped, or worse, regret. Here are 17 vehicles Canadians love to hate:
Jeep Compass
On paper, the Jeep Compass should dominate the compact SUV market. But in practice, it did not. Its 2.0L turbo engine puts out 200 hp, but a sluggish 0–100 km/h time of 8.3 seconds and an outdated interior leave drivers underwhelmed. Critics pan its rough ride and unimpressive cargo space. Despite Jeep’s rugged image, the Compass often feels more like a rental than a reliable daily. Canadians complain about reliability issues and high servicing costs, making this a vehicle that sells decently but earns little affection.
Ford EcoSport
The name sounds sporty, but the reality is anything but. The Ford EcoSport is powered by a wheezy 1.0L three-cylinder engine that produces just 123 hp, taking nearly 11 seconds to reach 100 km/h. The backseat is cramped, the cargo door swings out awkwardly instead of lifting, and the interior feels cheap for its price. Canadians bought into the idea of a compact urban SUV, but many have been left disappointed. With sluggish performance and mediocre reliability, the EcoSport is a prime example of a car people quietly regret.
Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mirage is Canada’s cheapest new car, and it drives exactly like you’d expect. A 1.2L three-cylinder engine gives you just 78 hp, crawling to 100 km/h in over 12 seconds. While the fuel efficiency of 6.2L/100km city is decent, the ride is noisy, underpowered, and often described as “tin can-like.” The interior is ultra-basic, with dated tech and minimal comfort. Though it’s popular among budget-conscious buyers, many Canadians quickly grow tired of the Mirage’s limitations.
Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks was meant to be a stylish, affordable urban crossover, but its lack of all-wheel drive and a tepid 1.6L engine delivering just 122 hp make it a tough sell in Canada. Acceleration is sluggish, with a 0–100 km/h time of 9.7 seconds, and while the cabin offers decent tech, the materials feel cheap. A front-wheel-only crossover seems tone-deaf in a climate where snow and ice dominate half the year. Many Canadians expected more from the Kicks, only to realize too late that it’s all style with little substance.
Chevrolet Trax
Chevy’s subcompact SUV gets plenty of criticism for being bland, underpowered, and dated. The Trax’s 1.4L turbocharged engine puts out just 155 hp, with a sluggish 0–100 km/h time of over 9 seconds. While it boasts a slightly raised ride and decent infotainment, the cabin feels cramped and uninspired. Fuel economy is average, but reliability concerns and resale value are frequent complaints. Canadians who chose the Trax for its price or size often envy competitors offering more power, better interiors, and AWD as standard.
Dodge Journey
Once a staple in Canadian driveways, the Dodge Journey feels like a relic. Its base 2.4L engine produces 173 hp and takes a glacial 11 seconds to hit 100 km/h. Even the V6 upgrade struggles to make it competitive. The cabin design is outdated, and technology lags well behind the times. Despite having three rows, the space is tight and uncomfortable. Canadians who bought the Journey for its value pricing have been frustrated with reliability issues and abysmal resale value.
Chrysler 200
With sleek looks and a promising spec sheet, the Chrysler 200 had potential, but reality did not match the brochure. The base 2.4L engine (184 hp) is sluggish; even the optional 295 hp V6 couldn’t save its clunky 9-speed transmission. The interior feels cramped for a midsize sedan, and rear-seat space is limited. Despite decent tech features, reliability concerns and resale woes plagued the 200. Canadians who bought into its upscale styling often had mechanical headaches and lukewarm performance.
Toyota C-HR
Toyota usually nails the compact crossover formula, but the C-HR left many Canadians scratching their heads. Its 2.0L engine delivers just 144 hp and takes over 10 seconds to reach 100 km/h, making it one of the slowest in its class. It comes only in front-wheel drive, a significant drawback in snowy provinces. The sloped roofline makes the interior stylish but cramped, and visibility is poor. While it looks sharp on the outside, the C-HR’s lack of AWD and sluggish performance have turned many buyers into critics.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The Atlas Cross Sport lured Canadians in with bold styling and spacious interiors, but its driving dynamics left a lot to be desired. The base 2.0L turbo engine feels underpowered for the SUV’s size, taking 8.5 seconds to hit 100 km/h. Fuel economy is subpar, and the roomy interior is loaded with hard plastics that undercut its premium pricing. Add reliability concerns and expensive maintenance, and many Canadians wonder if they should’ve gone Japanese or Korean.
Fiat 500L
The Fiat 500L tried to be quirky and practical but instead became one of Canada’s most polarizing vehicles. Its 1.4L turbocharged engine makes just 160 hp and struggles to move its oversized body, resulting in a sluggish 0–100 km/h time of over 9 seconds. The interior, while roomy, suffers from clunky ergonomics and questionable materials. Reliability issues have been rampant, and resale value is virtually nonexistent. Canadians charmed by its European looks often found themselves regretting the purchase once reality and repairs set in.
Subaru Ascent
Subaru’s first foray into the three-row SUV market got off to a rocky start. While its 2.4L turbocharged engine pushes out 260 hp, the Ascent’s CVT transmission saps the fun from driving. Acceleration is decent, around 7.4 seconds to 100 km/h, but the powertrain can feel noisy and unrefined. Interior quality is hit or miss, with some cheap-feeling plastics detracting from its price point. Early models have suffered from engine and transmission issues. While Subaru loyalists defend it, many Canadians feel the Ascent doesn’t meet the brand’s high standards.
Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
Touted as a futuristic solution to eco-conscious driving, the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid often overwhelms Canadians. Its combined output of 212 hp isn’t terrible, but the drive feels uninspired, and acceleration to 100 km/h clocks in at about 8.5 seconds. The design is polarizing, with its partially covered rear wheels drawing more laughs than admiration. The interior is spacious but bland, and infotainment lags behind competitors. While the Clarity boasts a solid EV range for a PHEV, Canadians haven’t embraced it, mainly because it feels like Honda was experimenting, and buyers got stuck with the prototype.
2015–2019 Nissan Micra
Marketed as Canada’s cheapest new car, the Micra quickly gained notoriety for feeling every bit of its low price. Its 1.6L engine puts out just 109 hp, with a sluggish 0–100 km/h time of around 10.9 seconds. It’s noisy, poorly insulated, and lacks modern safety features. The bare-bones interior feels more 2005 than 2015, and the base model does not even include air conditioning or power locks. While some appreciate its simplicity, many Canadians grew tired of its rough ride and dated design.
Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass looks the part but doesn’t deliver. Its 2.4L engine generates 180 hp but feels underpowered, and with a 0–100 km/h time of over 9 seconds, it is one of the slower compact SUVs. Interior materials fall short of expectations for their price, and infotainment tech, while decent, can be glitchy. Reliability ratings are mixed, and resale value is weak. Canadians who buy it for the Jeep name or styling often feel frustrated by its subpar ride quality, loud cabin, and lackluster AWD system.
Buick Encore
The Encore was once pitched as a premium subcompact, but Canadians have found it offers little luxury and even less excitement. Its 1.4L turbo engine makes a modest 155 hp and 0–100 km/h takes nearly 10 seconds. While the ride is quiet, the interior is cramped, with outdated design and tech that lags behind the competition. AWD is available, but the Encore feels more like a rebadged economy car than a refined Buick. Many Canadians chose it for downsized elegance, only to discover it lacks the space, power, and features that justify its price tag.
2009–2015 Chevrolet Cruze
At first, the Cruze seemed like a practical alternative to Japanese compacts. But long-term ownership revealed plenty of headaches. The 1.4L turbo engine produced 138 hp but is known for coolant leaks, turbo failure, and even cracked pistons. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes over 9 seconds, which was not terrible but uninspiring. While nicely designed, the interior was let down by poor durability and repeated electrical issues. Recalls became common, and maintenance costs mounted quickly. Canadian owners expected reliability and economy but ended up with frustration and costly repairs.
Hyundai Kona N-Line (Pre-Refresh Models)
While the refreshed Kona N-Line has improved, early versions had Canadians questioning the hype. Its 1.6L turbocharged engine makes 195 hp, but the dual-clutch transmission was jerky in city driving and prone to delays. The ride was firm, bordering on harsh, and the rear seat space was limited. The tech features were solid, but the interior materials didn’t match the price. Despite sporty styling, it did not deliver the fun factor drivers expected. Canadians who opted for style over practicality often felt burned. Fortunately, Hyundai took note, but the damage was already done for early adopters.
22 Times Canadian Ingenuity Left the U.S. in the Dust
When people think of innovation, they often picture Silicon Valley. However, Canada has a history of innovation, too. Whether it’s redefining sports, revolutionizing medicine, or just showing America up at its own game, Canadian inventors, thinkers, and dreamers have had their fair share of mic-drop moments. Here are 22 times Canadian ingenuity left the U.S. in the dust.
22 Times Canadian Ingenuity Left the U.S. in the Dust
