What people are actually buying, our picks by need, and the five trends reshaping the market: hybrids, tariffs, prices, winter and incentives.
In 2025, pickups, SUVs and minivans made up nearly 88% of new vehicles sold in Canada. The SUV is no longer a niche choice; it's the default. But a Crosstrek and a Highlander are worlds apart. Here's what's selling, what we recommend and why.
Six of the 10 best-selling vehicles in Canada in 2025 were SUVs. The Toyota RAV4 is still far ahead, but the Hyundai Tucson grew the most.
| SUV | 2025 sales in Canada | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 | 75,573 | −2.6% |
| Honda CR-V | 55,987 | +1.1% |
| Hyundai Tucson | 41,840 | +40.2% |
| Nissan Rogue | 36,034 | +10.1% |
| Ford Escape | 32,956 | +6.2% |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 32,534 | +14.9% |
Source: The Car Guide, 2025 sales rankings.
Quebec buys a little differently from the rest of Canada: more small cars and compact SUVs, fewer big pickups. In 2025, the RAV4 and CR-V made the provincial top 5, alongside three compact cars (Elantra, Corolla and Civic).
Among subcompact SUVs, the Subaru Crosstrek clearly led the first half of 2026 with over 6,000 units, well ahead of the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Kona.
| Subcompact SUV | Quebec sales, Jan–Jun 2026 |
|---|---|
| Subaru Crosstrek | 6,284 |
| Nissan Kicks | 4,626 |
| Hyundai Kona | 4,024 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | 2,924 |
| Volkswagen Taos | 2,750 |
Source: RPM, first-half 2026 data.
Sales show what's popular, not what's right for you. Our ranking weighs reliability, winter capability, fuel use, running costs and resale value. No manufacturer sponsors it.
The new 2026 generation comes only as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, with all-wheel drive. It's the combination that ticks the most boxes in Quebec: top-tier reliability, low city fuel use and very strong resale. Starts around $37,500 before freight and taxes.
For: anyone who wants a safe bet. Watch for: possible wait times on popular trims.
The roomiest compact SUV, with a smart interior and an efficient hybrid. Excellent on the highway.
Buying used: avoid 2017–2018 models with the 1.5 turbo, which had fuel-in-oil dilution problems in cold climates.
Standard AWD, good ground clearance and an easy-to-park size. No surprise it's Quebec's best-selling subcompact SUV.
Watch for: a weak base engine. The new hybrid addresses that.
Lots of equipment for the money, a long warranty, and hybrid and plug-in options. Its 40% sales jump in 2025 shows buyers noticed.
Buying used: be careful with 2011–2019 2.4 L engines, which were recalled.
The best-driving SUV in its class, with a cabin that feels pricier than it is. AWD is standard in Canada.
Watch for: slightly less cargo room than a CR-V or RAV4.
Three rows that fit adults, plenty of equipment, and lower prices than most rivals. The Palisade now adds a hybrid.
Toyota's roomiest third row, and a hybrid that uses about as much fuel as a compact SUV. The sensible pick if you keep vehicles for 10 years.
Both offer good range and fast charging for the price. The new federal rebate makes them much more affordable, but check the exact eligibility of the trim you pick.
At Toyota Canada, nearly two thirds of vehicles sold in the first half of 2026 were electrified. In Quebec, almost three in five prospective buyers prefer a hybrid or plug-in over a full EV. A hybrid requires no change in habits and cuts city fuel use.
Since the trade war began in April 2025, the share of US-built vehicles sold in Canada fell from about 35% to 28% in a year. Automakers are shifting supply to Mexico, Japan and Korea. Subaru, for example, now supplies almost all of Canada from Japan. That's partly why some American models slipped.
Average new-vehicle prices dipped slightly in 2025 and in the first half of 2026. That's still a lot for many households, which pushes buyers toward compact and subcompact SUVs instead of big ones.
Quebec's Roulez vert program is being phased down and ends on December 31, 2026. Federally, the new program launched in February 2026 offers up to $5,000 for an EV and $2,500 for a plug-in hybrid, on transactions of $50,000 or less. EV sales in Canada rose almost 16% in the first half of 2026 while the overall market shrank.
In Quebec, AWD, ground clearance and a strong heater matter more than elsewhere. Worth repeating: good winter tires make a bigger difference than AWD. Both together is ideal.
The best SUV depends on your budget, your family, your commute and your priorities. That's exactly what our quiz does: it compares more than 200 models against your answers and gives you a top 5 with a match score.