Small cars have quietly become rare in Canada. Rising safety standards, buyer demand for SUVs, and shrinking profit margins pushed many true subcompacts off the market. What remains are a handful of genuinely small cars that still make sense for city life, winter commuting, and affordable ownership. These are the smallest cars you can buy new in Canada today and why they still exist.
Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mirage is the smallest and lightest new car you can buy in Canada right now. It is basic, slow, and unapologetically simple. That is exactly its appeal. Low purchase price, low insurance costs, and excellent fuel economy make it attractive to urban drivers and first time buyers. In winter, its light weight actually helps with traction when paired with proper tires. It exists because Mitsubishi chose simplicity over trend chasing.
Nissan Versa
The Versa is one of the last true small sedans on the Canadian market. It offers compact exterior dimensions with surprisingly usable interior space. Fuel efficiency is strong, insurance costs are reasonable, and ownership remains affordable. It does not pretend to be sporty or premium. It focuses on doing basic transportation well in a shrinking segment.
Mini Cooper 3-Door
The three door Mini Cooper remains one of the shortest cars sold in Canada. It prioritizes personality and driving feel over outright practicality. Tight exterior dimensions make city parking easy, while handling feels lively and direct. Ownership costs are higher than economy cars, but buyers choose it because nothing else feels quite like it. It proves small cars can still be emotional purchases.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Physically, the Miata is tiny by modern standards. It is low, narrow, and short, even compared to other compact cars. While it is a sports car rather than a commuter, it remains one of the smallest vehicles sold new in Canada. Owners love it because it turns small size into a virtue. In summer, few cars deliver more joy per kilometer.
Toyota Corolla Hatchback
While larger than true subcompacts, the Corolla Hatchback remains one of the smallest practical five door cars still widely available. It balances manageable size with modern safety requirements. Reliability, resale value, and winter dependability keep it relevant. For buyers who want small without feeling stripped down, it represents the realistic floor of the mainstream market.
Hyundai Venue
Strictly speaking, the Venue is a crossover, but its footprint is closer to old subcompact cars than modern SUVs. It replaced many small cars in buyer minds. Short length and upright packaging make it easy to live with in cities. It exists because buyers still want small vehicles, even if they no longer want to call them cars.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
The Bolt EV is small on the outside but tall inside. Its footprint is compact, making it easy to park and maneuver. Battery packaging adds weight but does not increase length or width significantly. It appeals to urban buyers who want electric driving without the bulk of larger EVs. It shows how packaging efficiency now defines size more than exterior dimensions alone.
Mini Cooper SE
The electric Mini Cooper SE retains the same tiny footprint as the gas model. Instant torque makes it feel quick in city traffic, and its compact dimensions remain unchanged. Range is limited, but for urban Canadian drivers with home charging, it works well. It proves that electrification does not automatically mean bigger vehicles.
Toyota GR Corolla
The GR Corolla is small by modern performance car standards. Wide fenders add aggression, but the core footprint remains compact. It shows that small cars can still exist at the enthusiast end of the market. All wheel drive and turbo power make it uniquely suited to Canadian conditions, even if it is no longer cheap.
Subaru Impreza
The Impreza remains one of the smallest all wheel drive cars you can buy new in Canada. While larger than past generations, it still occupies the lower end of the size spectrum. Winter capability and simple packaging keep it relevant. It survives because it offers something small cars increasingly struggle to deliver: traction in bad weather.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
