The number of low-cost cars is diminishing in Canada and for the 2025 model year there are no vehicles left that cost less than $20,000 – in fact, there are only a few below $25,000.

For the list of cheapest 2025 model year cars, we’ve set the threshold at $27,000, which includes fees and levies such as destination charges. That’s for the starting price of each vehicle’s base model.

The list is ordered from most expensive to least expensive.

The following article is neither a review nor a recommendation, it is simply a list of what’s available. Starting advertised price is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), plus fees and levies. Price after tax is what you may expect to pay. Fees, levies and taxes may differ by province. This list is based on Ontario prices. Dealers may set their own prices. Check with your local dealer for an exact price.

Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Starting advertised price: $26,970

Price after tax: $30,476

Toyota’s Corolla Hatchback (pictured up top) squeezes onto the list with a price just a hair under our threshold. The car is powered by a 2-litre four-cylinder engine with 169 hp, mated to a direct shift continuously variable transmission, with a city-highway combined fuel-efficiency rating of 6.8L/100 km. Standard features include Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which is a suite of safety features, an eight-inch multimedia screen with an up to 10-year trial of Toyota’s Service Connect and Safety Connect, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comparability, smart key with push button start and more.

Build yours on the Toyota Canada website.

Kia K4

Starting advertised price: $26,580

Price after tax: $30,318

Kia’s compact car has grown up for 2025 as the automaker dropped the Forte and replaced it with the K4, advertised as the largest car in the compact car class. Base model features include smart cruise control with stop and go, various advanced driver assistance systems, smart key with push start and remote engine start, 12.3-inch multimedia screen with Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, heated front seats and more. The car is powered by a 2-litre four-cylinder engine with a city-highway combined fuel-efficiency rating of 7L/100 km.

Build yours on the Kia Canada website.

Toyota Corolla

Starting advertised price: $26,565

Price after tax: $30,018

Toyota’s long-running compact sedan is powered by 2-litre four-cylinder engine with 169 hp, mated to a continuously variable transmission, and a city-highway combined fuel-efficiency rating of 6.7L/100 km. The car comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which is a suite of safety features, as well as an eight-inch multimedia screen with an up to 10-year trial of Service and Safety Connect, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comparability and more.

Build yours on the Toyota Canada website.

Nissan Sentra

Starting advertised price: $26,505

Price after tax: $29,951

The Sentra compact sedan features a sporty exterior design and a host of tech on the inside. The 2-litre four-cylinder engine produces 149 hp and 146 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a six-speed manual transmission. If you want an automatic, you have to step up to the S Plus grade, which increases the price of the car just a hair beyond $27,000. If you don’t mind rowing your own gears, you get a fuel-efficient ride with features including cruise control, intelligent forward collision warning system, intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot warning, rear intelligent emergency braking and more.

Build yours on the Nissan Canada website.

Kia Soul

Starting advertised price: $25,530

Price after tax: $28,849

The Soul is Kia’s cube-shaped car that is powered by a 2-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 hp and 132 lb.-ft. of torque mated to an intelligent variable transmission with idle stop and go. City-highway combined fuel efficiency is rated at 7.9L/100 km. Standard features include cruise control, an eight-inch infotainment display with Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comparability, and various safety features, including rear occupant alert.

Build yours on the Kia Canada website.

Nissan Kicks Play

Starting advertised price: $25,385

Price after tax: $28,685

The first-generation Nissan Kicks got an extended lease on life alongside the second-gen Kicks, but renamed the Kicks Play. This small SUV features a 1.6-litre four-cylnder engine with 122 hp mated to an Xtronic continuously variable transmission, plenty of cargo space, cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, rear sonar, lane departure warning, intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian detection and other safety tech.

Build yours on the Nissan Canada website.

Hyundai Elantra

Starting advertised price: $24,809

Price after tax: $28,034

Hyundai’s compact sedan is powered by a fuel-efficient 2-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 hp and 132 lb.-ft. of torque, with engine idle stop and go. Standard features include an eight-inch touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, heated front seats, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane follow assist, lane keeping assist, LED headlights, intelligent speed limit assist, driver attention warning, rear occupant alert, eight airbags and more.

Build yours on the Hyundai Canada website.

Hyundai Venue

Starting advertised price: $23,784

Price after tax: $26,875

The Venue is one of the lowest-priced cars you can buy brand new in Canada. This small crossover is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with a city-highway fuel-efficiency rating of 7.5L/100 km. It comes standard with an eight-inch touchscreen, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, driver attention warning, lane keeping assist, rear occupant alert, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, heated front seats, cruise control and more.

Build yours on the Hyundai Canada website.

Nissan Versa

Starting advertised price: $23,405

Price after tax: $26,448

The cheapest new car in Canada is frugal to buy and frugal to drive as its 1.6-litre, 122-hp engine returns a city-highway combined fuel rating of 6.7L/100 km. The Xtronic continuously variable transmission is standard, as are lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning high beam assist, Bluetooth hands-free phone system and more.

Build yours on the Nissan Canada website.

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