For many people looking to buy a car in Canada, affordability is one of the biggest factors. While you’re going to want to do a good bit of research into a car before you buy it, we’re hoping this list can expedite the process. If you’re looking for a reliable used car that doesn’t break the bank, you’ll want to keep reading.
The goal of this list is to show you what we believe is the top 10 used vehicles to buy in Canada. We found all of the vehicles listed with their price on autotrader.ca. Because mileage is an important factor when considering a car, we’ve only listed prices we found on models under 50,000km. We also tried to list different classes of vehicles, as everyone’s lifestyle warrants different types of cars.
2018 Nissan Sentra
2018 Mazda 3
2018 Hyundai Elantra
2019 Chevrolet Spark
2016 Ford Escape
2015 Dodge Journey
2016 Volkswagen Golf
2016 Hyundai Veloster
2018 Honda Civic
2015 Mitsubishi Lancer
Things to Consider When Buying a Car
Before you decide on which vehicle you want to buy, you need to consider all of the factors that vary from each vehicle. You may value some of these factors more than others so need to you choose a car based on what’s important to you.
Comfort: How important is having a comfortable car to you? Are you ok with an average level of comfort or do you want the extra padding with heated seats? If you know you’re going to be making a lot of long trips, you’re probably going to want to make sure the car your driving is comfortable.
Space: You need to consider your lifestyle and how much interior space you need in order to accommodate yourself, your family and any recreational equipment you may use.
Fuel-efficiency: Nobody is going to complain about having a fuel-efficient car. How important is it to you that you may save a few hundred dollars every year by driving a more fuel-efficient car?
Safety: While this is something everyone wants out of their car, maybe you want a vehicle with the highest safety ratings. Luckily, all of the vehicles on this list have great safety features and ratings.
Sport performance: How important is it to you to have a vehicle with kick and great handling? If you’re really going to enjoy having a sporty vehicle over a more average sedan, we’ve listed a few options for you.
Hybrid: How concerned are you that you own an eco-friendly vehicle? While it’s tough to find a hybrid or electric vehicle for under $15,000, we have one listed.
2018 Nissan Sentra $13,500 (38,000km)
Simply put, the Nissan Sentra is a practical and affordable sedan for anyone who’s looking for a car that can do it all. The spacious interior allows you to comfortably seat four adults and still leave plenty of room in the trunk for cargo. A big reason this vehicle is so affordable is due to its average engine, don’t expect much power or acceleration out of the Sentra. The car has several safety features like automatic emergency brakes and driver aids. Lastly, the infotainment system on the Sentra is convenient and easy to use.
Fuel Economy:
6.3 L/100 km highway
8.1 L/100 km city
2018 Mazda 3 $14,999 (41,500km)
The Mazda 3 is one of the best vehicles you can find on the market for under $15,000. It boasts a sleek exterior design, a luxury interior and top-of-the-line driving performance. On top of that, in 2018 it had some of the highest crash-test scores of all vehicles on the market. Depending on your needs you can buy either the sporty hatchback or the sedan version. The Mazda 3 also has one of the best infotainment systems in its class, making it one of the more appealing vehicles on this list!
Fuel Economy:
6.2 L/100 km highway
8.5 L/100 km city
2018 Hyundai Elantra $14,999 (48,350km)
The 2018 Elantra is a great option for anyone who wants a car with great technology. It has safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts. On the entertainment side of things, it features a 7-inch touchscreen with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a keyless entry and ignition system, making it one of the only vehicles on this list with all of these features. Where the Elantra lacks is its engine performance, by no means is this a powerful car. If speed and power aren’t a priority for you, you should definitely consider the Elantra.
Fuel Economy:
6.4 L/100 km highway
9.3 L/100 km city
2019 Chevrolet Spark $14,999 (49,000km)
If you’re looking for a vehicle that is just about new that you can afford, the Chevy Spark might be for you. There is nothing particularly special about the Spark or any of its features. It provides an average engine, an average level of comfort and a pretty typical infotainment system. The one area you may be surprised that the Spark has strength in is its space, the interior is bigger than one would expect.
Fuel Economy:
6.0 L/100 km highway
8.0 L/100 km city
2016 Ford Escape $14,988 (40,961km)
The 2016 Ford Escape is the perfect car for Canadian’s trying to safely navigate rough winter roads. It is one of the most dynamic and powerful vehicles both in the Crossover/SUV class and on this list. It has all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.0L engine, making it a blast to drive on whichever roads you take it. The Escape comes with plenty of safety features including antilock disc brakes, traction control, front-seat side airbags and a driver knee airbag. If you’re an adventurous driver, the Ford Escape is one of your best options!
Fuel Economy:
7.4 L/100 km highway
10.1 L/100 km city
2016 Volkswagen Golf $14,500 (31,000km)
When Volkswagen created the 2016 Golf, they found the perfect balance in making a car that combines practicality, luxury and affordability. The Golf boasts a zippy turbocharged engine that will give you great kick. The Golf’s interior will trick you into thinking you’re in a luxury car. Volkswagen did not ignore safety when designing the Golf as it earned a perfect rating of five stars for overall crash protection, four stars for front impacts and five stars for side impacts. For any thrill-seeking adventurers who don’t need a ton of cargo space, the 2016 Golf could be the best car for you!
Fuel Economy:
6.6 L/100 km highway
9.5 L/100 km city
2015 Dodge Journey $13,500 (28,585km)
The Dodge Journey is a great car for anyone with a family looking to buy an affordable used car. With three rows of seats, it can comfortably seat 6 adults while still leaving space in the trunk for cargo. It has plenty of convenient features like 17-inch steel wheels, cruise control, keyless entry/ignition, dual-zone climate control and an easy-to-use touchscreen infotainment system. The Journey’s engine is fairly average but can provide the power needed to get around comfortably.
Fuel Economy:
9.9 L/100 km highway
14.5 L/100 km city
2018 Honda Civic $14,999 (43,790km)
The Honda Civic has been one of the best-selling cars in Canada for the past decade for good reason, it pretty much has it all. The Civic has a 1.5L turbocharged engine, delivering a punchy acceleration. The interior is incredibly spacious, seating up to five passengers and allowing plenty of cargo space. The driving performance is amongst the best on this list, with strong brakes and incredibly accurate steering. If you’re looking for a car that can do it all, the Honda Civic is worth consideration.
Fuel Economy:
6.0 L/100 km highway
7.8 L/100 km city
2016 Hyundai Veloster $14,999 (35,000km)
The Veloster is an incredibly affordable vehicle with a unique exterior design and 132 horsepower engine. It could be considered a competitor to the Volkswagen Golf as it’s a compact yet sporty two-door vehicle with great fuel efficiency and a sporty feel. The Veloster has been designed with safety in mind, receiving 5 out 5 stars for its overall crash protection. One of the standout features of the Veloster compared to other cars on this list is its 7-inch touchscreen and six-speaker stereo system with fantastic sound quality. If you want a sporty and uniquely designed car that you can jam out to your favourite song in, the Hyundai Veloster is for you!
Fuel Economy:
7.1 L/100 km highway
8.9 L/100 km city
2015 Mitsubishi Lancer $14,995 (41,760km)
The Mitsubishi Lancer is perfect for anyone looking for a powerful yet sporty Sedan. The Lancer has a sporty exterior design and a spacious interior. Unlike most of the sedans on this list, it’s available in all-wheel-drive making it a great option for anyone who wants to coast through rough winter road conditions. The main area the Lancer lacks compared to the other vehicles on this list is fuel economy. In terms of safety, the Lancer received 4 out 5 stars on an overall crash performance rating. If you’re looking for a high-performance sedan and aren’t worried about paying a bit extra for fuel, check out the Mitsubishi Lancer!
Fuel Economy:
6.9 L/100 km highway
9.6 L/100 km city
