As the world gravitates towards greener, more efficient cars and consumers crave more affordability in a struggling economy, compact, value-priced vehicles have become staples in the Canadian marketplace. Yet tariffs on foreign-made vehicles threaten to inflate prices overnight, making many of the most affordable vehicles out of reach for the typical buyer. Whether electric, hybrid, or gas-sipping models, these cars have helped keep the costs of ownership low and emissions minimal. These are 25 affordable cars that could become unaffordable overnight because of tariffs:
Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf broke records when it arrived in 2010 as the first mass-produced electric car. The Leaf has an all-electric motor fueled by a lithium-ion battery with a decent range suited for urban commutes. The interior is roomy and features modernized design spaces. The dashboard has a digital instrument cluster, a central touchscreen, eco-friendly cloth seats, higher trims featuring heated front and rear seats, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The Leaf Plus model goes from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 7.4 seconds, providing smooth, quiet power for daily driving.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
Launched in 2016, the Chevrolet Bolt EV was a breakthrough in the budget EV segment. With a single electric motor and GM’s battery system, it delivers more than 400 km of range on a single charge, unprecedented at its entry price. It has a functional and roomy interior with a simplified dashboard that features a 10.2-inch display and digital driver’s display, and the seats are upholstered in robust cloth or available leatherette. It also zooms from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 6.5 seconds.
Hyundai Kona Electric
Rolling out in 2018, the Hyundai Kona Electric combines compact SUV style with full EV utility. It was penned by Luc Donckerwolke’s design team, which produced a strong, urban-biased design. Powered by a 150 kW electric motor and 64 kWh battery, it’s rated at an honest-to-goodness 415 km range. The interior is upscale within its class, boasting a floating 10.25-inch display screen, a digital instrument cluster, and optional leather upholstery with contrasting stitching. The Kona Electric hits 0 to 60 mph in approximately 6.4 seconds.
Kia Niro EV
The Kia Niro EV was introduced in 2019. It was built as a subcompact crossover and has a fully electric powertrain with a 64-kWh battery and a front-mounted motor. Inside, the Niro EV is functional and sleek. The center console has a rotary gear selector, and an 8-inch or optional 10.25-inch touchscreen performs infotainment functions. Materials are soft-touch, and the cabin has synthetic leather seats, ambient lighting, and heated/ventilated front seats in upper trims. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 6.2 seconds.
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Launched in 2022, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid mixes functionality with frugality. It’s based on the TNGA-C platform and gets propulsion from a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor for a total system output of approximately 196 hp. The interior combines innovative styling with Toyota’s signature functionality. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in around 7.3 seconds.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has been a favorite in Canada and a staple since its introduction in 1972. The current model was introduced in 2021. It comes in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms and is famous for its blend of efficiency and driving dynamics. The interior is minimal and upscale for its segment, with a full-width honeycomb trim vent theme, digital gauges, and touchscreen infotainment. The Civic’s 0 to 60 performance is trim-dependent but averages approximately 7.7 seconds.
Mazda3
First introduced in 2003, the latest generation of the Mazda3, which was launched in 2019, embodies Mazda’s “Kodo” design language. It comes with a choice of SkyActiv-G engines, including a 2.5L turbocharged option for extra punch. The interior is one of the most premium in the compact class, featuring high-grade materials, an elegant layout, and a minimalist dashboard. A rotary-dial-operated center-mounted screen is used, and even base trims are upscale with soft-touch surfaces and comfortable seats. The turbocharged model accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in around 5.6 seconds.
Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra was given a daring makeover in 2020 with sharp angles and a futuristic appearance. A selection of efficient gas or hybrid engines matches it. The interior has a digital cockpit vibe, a 10.25-inch dual display system, a flat dashboard, and a sporty seat design with soft-touch plastics, contrast stitching, and optional leather. It even gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is around 7.1 seconds for the turbocharged N Line variant and just short of 8.3 seconds in regular versions.
Kia Forte
Kia redesigned the Kia Forte in 2018, giving it a 2.0L naturally aspirated or turbocharged engine. The interior is functional yet elegant, with a standard 8-inch display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and an upscale cloth or optional leatherette interior. The dashboard design is sleek, with horizontal styling and higher trims sporting soft-touch components. The Forte GT’s 1.6L turbo engine accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 6.7 seconds.
Volkswagen Jetta
The Jetta, launched in its current iteration in 2018, boasts a clean, understated design. Its 1.5-liter turbocharged engine balances power and fuel efficiency in most trim levels. The interior boasts a combination of soft and hard materials, an intuitive infotainment system, and the optional Digital Cockpit instrument cluster. The Jetta accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in around 7.7 seconds, which is adequate for a utilitarian daily driver.
Nissan Sentra
The new Nissan Sentra debuted in 2020. With a 2.0L four-banger engine, it has a decent fuel economy and real-world usability. The interior is one of its strongest suits, featuring quilted leather seats in higher trims, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and premium stitching. The infotainment system includes a 7-inch or available 8-inch touchscreen, and the cabin is quiet and well-insulated. The Sentra goes from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.3 seconds.
Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mitsubishi Mirage, the cheapest new car in Canada, initially came to market in 2014. It features a diminutive 1.2L three-cylinder engine, but what a frugal one. Inside, it is utilitarian rather than luxurious but well-equipped enough. It includes cloth seats, manual climate adjustment, and an easy-to-use infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity. Hard plastics abound, but the Mirage compensates with simplicity and low cost. Acceleration is not its forte, taking more than 12 seconds to hit 60 mph.
Toyota Prius
Initially introduced in 1997, the Toyota Prius led the mass hybrid pack. The newest generation, restyled in 2023, offers sportier styling and better performance. It has a 2.0L hybrid powertrain and lithium-ion battery pack, resulting in improved power and economy. The interior has also come a long way, boasting tech-inspired styling incorporating a digital instrument cluster, massive middle touchscreen, soft-touch trim, and ambient lighting. The seating is ergonomic, with synthetic leather on the upper trims, and it goes from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 7.1 seconds.
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
Introduced in 2016, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid emphasizes efficiency and contemporary design. Its 1.6L GDI engine combined with an electric motor provides outstanding fuel efficiency. Inside, the cabin is optimized with a minimalist dashboard, an 8-inch touchscreen (10.25-inch on upper trims), digital instruments, and eco-friendly materials such as sugarcane-based plastics. The seating is supportive, with optional heating and leather trim. Its 0 to 60 mph acceleration takes around 8.9 seconds.
Subaru Impreza
The Subaru Impreza was first launched in 1992 and is one of the few affordable compact cars with standard all-wheel drive. The new model comes with a 2.0L or optional 2.5L flat-four engine. Its interior has soft-touch surfaces, an 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen, and a clean layout emphasizing functionality. Upholstery is made of cloth or premium synthetic materials, and seats are long-haul comfort-oriented. With the 2.5L engine, the Impreza accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 7.8 seconds.
Ford Maverick Hybrid
The Ford Maverick Hybrid was launched in 2022 and revived compact pickups significantly. It has a 2.5L hybrid engine and front-wheel drive and is the most fuel-efficient pickup. The dash has an 8-inch standard touchscreen display of Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system. It surprises with comfort despite its utilitarian design. The hybrid model accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 7.6 seconds and drinks fuel at just over 6.3L/100km.
Kia Soul
The Kia Soul, restyled in 2020, provides funky looks and city versatility. Tom Kearns designed it with a 2.0L engine or a turbocharged 1.6L on GT models. The interior is roomy and playful, with bold color schemes, a minimalist dashboard design, and an available 10.25-inch infotainment display. The turbo model takes 0-60 mph in roughly 6.5 seconds to provide a surprising bite to its boxy good looks.
Chevrolet Trax
Redesigned for 2024, the Chevrolet Trax has increased in size and popularity. It comes with a 1.2L turbocharged engine and a 6-speed automatic. The cabin is upscale for a first-tier crossover, with a base 8-inch or optional 11-inch infotainment screen, digital gauge cluster, and horizontal dashboard layout. The Trax accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 8.6 seconds.
Honda HR-V
The most recent Honda HR-V was introduced in 2023 and was built on the same platform as the Civic but with enhanced refinement. It features a 2.0L naturally aspirated unit and a CVT transmission. Inside, the HR-V is more mature, with a Civic-inspired design, such as a full-width air vent scheme, digital instrument panel, and touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The interior has high-quality cloth or leather trim, supportive seats, and a quiet ride. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 9.4 seconds.
Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venue was launched in 2020 as the brand’s smallest SUV. It has a 1.6L four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive, offering great value and fuel economy. The interior is surprisingly premium with a tablet-form 8-inch touchscreen, analog gauges complemented by a digital MID, and simple, vertical air vents. The Venue accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in around 8.7 seconds, making it perfect for urban and occasional highway drives.
Nissan Kicks
The 2018 Nissan Kicks was styled by Nissan’s Latin American studio and is aimed at city drivers. It has a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine coupled with a CVT, enabling it to go from 0 to 60 mph in around 9.7 seconds. The cabin is youthful and practical, with a two-tone paint scheme, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and an 8-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration.
Toyota Yaris
The discontinued but still-market-relevant Toyota Yaris was first introduced in 1999 and has existed in some models since then. The most recent iteration was created by Toyota in partnership with Mazda before its discontinuation in Canada. It had a 1.5L engine and a well-deserved reputation for reliability. The interior was small but ergonomic, with cloth seating, a touchscreen infotainment center, and plain but functional controls. It was light and agile, with a 0 to 60 mph time of around 9.4 seconds.
Mazda CX-30
The Mazda CX-30 was launched in 2020 as a chic, subcompact SUV option. It has a 2.5L turbo or naturally aspirated engine, depending on the trim. The inside knocks it way above its price level with soft-touch plastics, a minimalist dash design, and a center rotary-controlled instrument display. Base trims still feel luxurious despite their entry price point, while upper trims offer leather-trimmed seats, an uplevel Bose system, and a head-up display. The turbo model accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 5.8 seconds.
Volkswagen Taos
The Volkswagen Taos launched in 2021 as VW’s smallest SUV. It has a 1.5L turbo engine and comes in FWD and AWD. The Taos impresses with upscale materials, a Digital Cockpit display, and an optional 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior design is practical and tech-savvy, with two-tone seats, ambient lighting, and plenty of rear legroom for its class. At a 0 to 60 mph time of about 7.8 seconds, the Taos offers solid performance for its size and great daily drivability.
Jeep Renegade
Introduced in 2015, the Jeep Renegade is distinguished by its boxy, rugged design. It features a 1.3L turbocharged engine and available 4×4 capability, making it a serious off-roader in a compact package. On the inside, the Renegade pairs retro-inspired cues with contemporary amenities, such as a chunky dashboard, round air vents, and available contrast-stitched leather upholstery. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in around 9.0 seconds.
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