We rounded up the most affordable vehicles in the country, as well as all their pros, cons and best alternatives
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Affordability remains one of the keys in any purchase decision. Here, Driving.ca takes a look at the most cost-effective rides in a variety of categories. The listing looks at what you get for the money (or you don’t!), the key attributes, foibles and the numbers needed to make an informed decision. We also list a viable alternative. Interesting to note, none of the most affordable vehicles lands a top spot in Canada’s best-selling vehicles in the first half of 2022.
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Most affordable vehicle
The Chevrolet Spark is the cheapest new car sold in Canada, as it has been for the past couple of years. With a base price of $10,398 for the entry-level manual, it is significantly more affordable than anything else. However, as reported here on Driving.ca, it’s getting the axe after the 2022 model year. It joins other sub-compact cars on the sales scrap heap — the demise of the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent and Nissan Micra leaves the cheerless Mitsubishi Mirage, at $14,098, as the next least-expensive ride.
What do you (not) get for the money?
It starts with a paucity of power. The 1.4-litre four twists out just 98 horsepower and 94 pound-feet of torque. It drives the front wheels through a five-speed manual. The combination will not make your heart beat faster, nor will the handling. Inside, you’ll find Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 with a seven-inch touchscreen that works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with a four-speaker audio system. The Spark is a sub-compact. While there’s decent head- and legroom for the front riders, it is tight for the rear seat passengers. Cargo capacity measures 314-litres seat up and 770L folded.
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Watch out! While the Spark gets Good crash test results for the moderate front overlap test on the driver’s side, it has not been tested for the passenger side or for the more difficult small front overlap tests. Likewise, the entry-level car lacks any of the desirable safety assistants. It mandates moving to the top 2 LT CVT model to get forward collision alert with auto braking and lane departure warning. Blind spot monitoring is not offered.
Canadian MSRP: $10,398 (+ $1,800 destination charge)
NRCan Est. fuel cost/year: $1,440
Comprehensive Warranty: 36 Months / 60,000 km
Powertrain Warranty: 60 Months / 100,000 km
Best alternative: The Kia Rio. Yes, it’s priced at $17,395, which means a bigger up front outlay, but in the long run you get better overall value for money.
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Find complete specs on our Vehicle Research model page for the 2022 Chevrolet Spark and compare it to similar sub-compact vehicles.
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Most affordable hybrid
At $24,999, the Hyundai Elantra Preferred hybrid is the cheapest electrified car sold in Canada. It is frugal, it drives well and it has above average road manners, which makes it a confident and comfortable choice. As a package it scores well, but ranks like hen’s teeth. If you can find one, you will be one of the lucky few.
What do you (not) get for that money?
The Preferred hybrid is tastefully attired with many standard features that are often optional — a full suite of driver assistance aids being key. The rest of it includes everything from heated seats and steering wheel to an eight-inch infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
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At the heart of the hybrid is a 1.6L four-cylinder that makes 104 hp and 109 lb-ft of torque. It works with an electric motor that adds another 43 hp and, more importantly, 125 lb-ft of torque. This gives the driver access to a net output of 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. It works with a 1.32 kW/h battery and six-speed twin-clutch transmission to drive the front wheels. The combination delivers a combined average fuel economy of 4.4 L/100 km, which is a full 2.0 L/100 km better than the gas-powered Elantra.
Watch out! The problem, as noted, is the Elantra hybrid has “Extremely limited inventory, please contact your dealer for availability.” As such sourcing one could be a challenge. This makes the Toyota Corolla hybrid a solid option — at $25,250, it is just $251 more than the Elantra.
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Canadian MSRP: $24,999 (+ $1,725 destination charge)
NRCan Est. fuel cost/year: $880
Comprehensive Warranty: 60 Months / 100,000 km
Powertrain Warranty: 60 Months / 100,000 km
Best alternative: Toyota Corolla hybrid sedan
Find complete specs on our Vehicle Research model page for the 2022 Hyundai Elantra compare it to similar hybrid sedans.
Most affordable crossover
The smallest of Hyundai’s crossovers packs a lot into its compact dimensions. With an MSRP of $18,299, the Venue is the cheapest crossover for sale in Canada. Granted, it arrives with a six-speed manual transmission — the CVT is a $1,300 option. However, it is practical and ideally suited to a young family shopping on a budget.
What do you (not) get for that money?
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The base model arrives with the core basics in place. It has heated front cloth seats and an eight-inch infotainment screen that works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly. However, the lack of a charging pad means the old fashioned wired way is the better route. There is enough space up front for six-footers, and while the back seat is cozy, the same riders will not complain too loudly on a short drive.
The Essential arrives with a 1.6L four that makes 121 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque. The one engine choice drives the front wheels, as there is not an all-wheel-drive model offered. The plus is the suspension delivers a comfortable ride without letting the body roll its way through a corner.
Watch out! The base Venue Essential is missing some key essentials — it does not have any of the safety aids you’ll find in higher trim levels. No blind spot monitoring; no lane keep assist. Likewise, and regardless of the trim level, the small engine is a buzzy little bee when asked to produce more than moderate power.
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Canadian MSRP: $18,299 (+ $1,825 destination charge)
NRCan Est. fuel cost/year: $1,560
Comprehensive Warranty: 60 Months / 100,000 km
Powertrain Warranty: 60 Months / 100,000 km
Best alternative: Nissan Kicks. The 100-mm longer wheelbase brings a less choppy ride.
Find complete specs on our Vehicle Research model page for 2022 Hyundai Venue and compare it to similar crossovers.
Most affordable three-row crossover
With a starting price of $31,998, the Mitsubishi Outlander is the most affordable three-row crossover for sale in Canada. More importantly, it earns a major refresh. This time around it shares its platform and many of the mechanical bits with the Nissan Rogue. Along with much stronger styling comes a vastly improved interior. The design is clean and simple, and it has much nicer materials. The improvements serve to shift the Outlander from also-ran to contender.
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What do you (not) get for that money?
The base ES model arrives with a surprising level of content. The list runs from an eight-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to heated front seats. The bonus is the base ES S-AWC model gets all of the key safety aids including a drowsy driver alert. Likewise, it gets a 10-year warranty on the powertrain, which outstrips all contenders.
Power comes from a 2.5L four-cylinder that makes 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. It drives all four wheels through a CVT. The all-wheel-drive system is a good one and comes with multiple modes, including some off-road settings. The ride and handling are also a match for the segment — it is comfortable without allowing too much body roll mid-corner.
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Watch out! While the Outlander is a three-row crossover, the third row is best left to the kids. Where the front and middle rows get over one-metre of leg space, the third row riders get just 475-mm. The other issue is the power at play — the 181 hp may work in a five-seater crossover, but use this three-row unit to capacity and it is marginal.
Canadian MSRP: $31,998 (+ $1,900 destination charge)
NRCan Est. fuel cost/year: $1,780
Comprehensive Warranty: 60 Months / 100,000 km
Powertrain Warranty: 120 months / 160,000 km
Best alternative: The VW Tiguan. It has a starting price of $33,695 with the third-row being an $800 option.
Find complete specs on our Vehicle Research model page for 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander and compare it to similar three-row SUVs.
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Most affordable pickup truck
At $27,750, the Ford Maverick front-drive hybrid is the most affordable pickup sold in Canada. If you want all-wheel-drive, it means ditching the hybrid powertrain and going with the 2.0L turbo-four. This adds $1,600 and increases the annual fuel cost from $1,260 to $1,920. Maverick is also different in that it rides on unibody rather than the body-on-frame format favoured by the Ranger and F 150. However, it still delivers decent tow ratings — the hybrid is rated at 907-kg; the 2.0L engine bumps that to 1,814-kg.
What do you (not) get for that money?
The Maverick XL brings a lot of standard equipment including an eight-inch infotainment screen that works with a six-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, comfortable front seats and some rear seat space. Yes, the rear legroom is tight, as is the foot space under the front seats, but it works for short trips. All Mavericks arrive with auto high beams and forward collision mitigation with auto braking. Blind spot monitoring and lane keep assist are optional.
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The Maverick hybrid arrives with a 2.5L four that works with an electric motor, 1.1 kW/h battery and a CVT. The combination delivers a net system output of 191 hp. Ford only lists the engine’s 155 lb-ft torque output. However, it feels bolder than the number suggests. Opting for the 2.0L turbo-four ups the numbers to 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. For most, the front-drive hybrid and its better economy will be the unit of choice.
Watch Out! The hybrid uses a fairly primitive twist beam rear suspension, so the body likes to roll into a corner and the ride can get choppy over broken pavement. That aside, the Maverick drives more like an Escape than a true truck.
Canadian MSRP: $27,750 (+ $2,095 destination charge)
NRCan Est. fuel cost/year: $1,260
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Comprehensive Warranty: 36 Months / 60,000 km
Powertrain Warranty: 60 months / 100,000 km
Best alternative: The Chevrolet Colorado is a good choice with an MSRP of $28,248. The rest of the compact pickup fleet starts at around $40,000 and rises from there.
Find complete specs on our Vehicle Research model page for 2022 Ford Maverick and compare it to similar compact pickups.
Most Affordable three-row minivan
Minivans may be a dying breed with three-row crossovers seemingly becoming the hot alternative, however, for those needing the versatility of a van there are still some good choices. The all-new 2022 Kia Carnival, at $34,795, is the most affordable. Rather than label it as a minivan, Kia refers to it as a “multi-purpose” ride. Semantics aside, it offers three rows of seating, including a usable third row. It’s also richly contented and has the power needed when there are eight riders aboard.
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What do you (not) get for that money?
In spite of its sharp price, the Carnival comes with an eight-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, lane keep assist and forward collision mitigation with auto braking. It also has the right minivan attributes — lots of flexibility, lots of space in all rows and accessing each row is a simple matter. The only minor issue is while the third row folds neatly into the floor, the middle row must be removed manually, which is a heavy chore.
The Carnival features a 3.5L V6 that makes 290 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It drives the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The combination delivers plenty of power and a tow capacity of 1,587.5-kg.
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Watch out! What’s missing from the Kia Carnival’s makeup is the availability of a hybrid model and an all-wheel drive version. The Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna offer both. The base LX is also missing some key equipment with blind spot monitoring being the most notable.
Canadian MSRP: $$35,795 (+ $1,900 destination charge)
NRCan Est. fuel cost/year: $2,120
Comprehensive Warranty: 60 Months / 100,000 km
Powertrain Warranty: 60 months / 100,000 km
Best alternative: The eight-seat Toyota Sienna. It arrives with a hybrid powertrain and is available with AWD.
Find complete specs on our Vehicle Research model page for 2022 Kia Carnival and compare it to similar minivans.
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