10 Cheapest AWD Vehicles in Canada: 2026

As Canadians, we have to deal with harsh weather conditions for half the year, and when the weather is great, we love to venture into the great outdoors. It’s no wonder that all-wheel drive (AWD) has become so popular with Canadian drivers.

AWD vehicles offer better grip and more confidence than cars that only drive one axle. Whether it’s for greater confidence or capability, the take rate for AWD among Canadians is high.

In the not-too-distant past, all-wheel drive was the domain of larger SUVs and trucks, but this is no longer the case. Many automakers offer AWD as an option for their compact sedans and crossovers, meaning you don’t have to spend big bucks for an AWD vehicle. The following list highlights the 10 most affordable AWD vehicles available in Canada, based on MSRP and freight costs. However, when shopping, buyers should keep in mind that there will be additional costs, such as dealer fees and taxes, to budget for.

10. Mazda3 GS AWD: $33,405 ($32,050 MSRP + $1,355 freight)

The Mazda3 is one of the most affordable new cars on sale and is one of the few compact cars available with AWD. It is an optional extra on the GS trim, and quite an expensive one, adding $4,200 to its MSRP of $27,850 MSRP. The Mazda3 still offers an excellent all-round package, especially in terms of performance. The Mazda3 sedan comes with a 2.5L engine making 191 hp and 186 lb-ft, making it the most powerful model here. Despite the higher-output engine, the Mazda3 still achieves competitive fuel consumption rates with 9.1 L/100 km in the city, 6.8 L/100 km on the highway, and 8.1 L/100 km combined, meaning power doesn’t come at the expense of fuel economy.

9. Subaru Crosstrek Convenience: $32,890 ($30,595 MSRP + $2,295 freight)

It's not surprising that a brand that built its reputation on making simple, affordable all-wheel-drive vehicles makes the list with its first contender, the Crosstrek. Being a Subaru, AWD comes standard across all trims in the Crosstrek lineup, and unlike many of the other vehicles on this list, Subaru’s system works full-time. Power comes from a 2.5L four-cylinder engine producing 180 hp and 178 lb-ft. Despite being one of the more powerful vehicles here, the Crosstrek achieves decent fuel economy figures of 9.0 L/100 km in the city, 7.1 L/100 km on the highway, and 8.1 L/100 km combined. The base Crosstrek is a straightforward vehicle with analogue gauges and a slightly unconventional dual seven-inch infotainment interface that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

8. Chevrolet Trailblazer LS: $32,799 ($30,499 MSRP + $2,300 freight)

The Chevrolet Trailblazer comes equipped with the smallest engine here, a turbocharged 1.3L three-cylinder good for 155 hp and 174 lb-ft. Despite the small engine, it's tasked with moving a comparatively large vehicle, meaning fuel economy isn’t as good as you’d expect. The Trailblazer is rated at 9.1 L/100 km in the city, 8.1 L/100 km highway, and 8.7 L/100 km combined, placing the Trailblazer around the middle of the pack in terms of efficiency. On the plus side, the Trailblazer comes decently equipped with an 11-inch touchscreen equipped with CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, making it one of the largest infotainment screens here.

7. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ES-C AWC: $31,923 ($29,798 MSRP + $2,125 freight)

The Eclipse Cross comes with all-wheel drive as standard (the brand calls it all-wheel control or AWC, but it’s the same thing). This system allows the driver to manually select between two-wheel and all-wheel drive, while vectoring power and braking to achieve maximum grip. Despite this benefit, it's one of the older models here and was released for the 2018 model year. The Eclipse Cross’ engine reflects the platform’s age with its 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder making 152 hp and 184 lb-ft. Despite the small displacement, its fuel economy rating is 9.6 L/100 km in the city, 8.9 L/100 km on the highway, and 9.3 L/100 km combined, making the Eclipse Cross one of the least efficient models on the list.

6. Nissan Kicks S AWD: $31,528 ($29,498 MSRP + $2,030 freight)

The Nissan Kicks is one of the newer additions on this list, released for the 2025 model year. Unfortunately, AWD doesn’t come standard on the Kicks, as buyers have to pay an additional $2,300, bringing the MSRP to $29,498. Being a newer model, it comes standard with a sizable 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment with CarPlay and Android Auto. Power in the Kicks is on the lower end, with the 2.0L naturally aspirated inline four-cylinder producing 141 hp and 140 lb-ft. This allows the Kicks to achieve a solid fuel economy rating of 8.5 L/100 km city and 6.9 L/100 km on the highway, resulting in a combined rating of 7.8 L/100 km.

5. Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE AWD: $31,250 ($29,490 MSRP + $1,760 freight)

The Toyota Corolla is another model that also appears on the list of cheapest cars in Canada. To get the AWD system, buyers must opt for the hybrid version of the Corolla, making the Corolla the only hybrid vehicle here. It comes with a 1.8L inline four-cylinder paired with an electric motor producing a net 138 hp. What the Corolla lacks in power it makes up for in fuel economy, with the hybrid powertrain allowing the Corolla to achieve a fantastic efficiency rating of 4.6 L/100 km in the city and 5.3 L/100 km on the highway, averaging 4.9 L/100 km combined. This figure hugely outclasses any other vehicle on the list, making the Corolla a top contender for those who want AWD without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

4. Hyundai Kona Essential AWD: $30,799 ($28,749 MSRP + $2,050 freight)

Just like other vehicles here, AWD doesn’t come standard on the Kona, but is a $2,000 option for the base trim. At this price point, buyers get a modest naturally aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder, making 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. This allows the AWD Kona to achieve a consumption rating of 9.0 L/100 km in city, 8.1 L/100 km on the highway, and a combined rating of 8.6 L/100 km. The Kona comes well-equipped with a comparatively sizable 12.3-inch infotainment screen, tying the Nissan Kicks for the title of largest infotainment screen.

3. Subaru Impreza Convenience: $30,390 ($28,295 MSRP + $2,095 freight)

Subaru makes a second appearance on the list with the Impreza Convenience. Much like other models in the brand’s lineup, full-time AWD comes standard in this model, and in true Subaru fashion, power comes from a 2.0L flat-four engine producing 152 hp and 145 lb-ft. The Impreza achieves a decent fuel consumption rating of 8.8 L/ 100 km in city driving and 6.8 L/100 km on highway for a combined rating of 7.8 L/100 km. The infotainment in the base Impreza is the same as the Crosstrek, using two vertically stacked seven-inch displays equipped with CarPlay and Android Auto.

2. Kia Seltos LX: $30,195 ($28,095 MSRP + $2,100 freight)

In second place comes the subcompact Kia Seltos. Unfortunately, the Seltos doesn’t come with AWD in the base model, so buyers have to opt for the second-cheapest LX trim to access the AWD drivetrain. Power in the Seltos comes from a naturally aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder producing 147 hp and 132 lb-ft, resulting in a decent fuel consumption rating of 8.8 L/100 km in the city, 7.5 L/100 km on the highway, and 8.2 L/100 km combined. The infotainment in the Seltos is an averagely sized eight-inch touchscreen display that comes standard with CarPlay and Android Auto.

1. Mitsubishi RVR ES AWC: $29,123 ($26,998 MSRP + $2,125 freight)

The cheapest AWD vehicle in Canada is the Mitsubishi RVR. Like some other models, the Mitsubishi RVR comes with the same all-wheel-drive system as the Eclipse Cross; however, it's a $2,000 optional extra on the RVR. It's important to note that the RVR is by far the oldest model here, being released for the 2010 model year. The RVR is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder producing 148 hp and 145 lb-ft, with a fuel economy rating of 10.1 L/100 km in the city, 8.2 L/100 km on the highway, and 9.2 L/100 km combined, making the RVR the least fuel-efficient model on this list. The infotainment on the RVR is averagely sized, and comes standard with an eight-inch display equipped with CarPlay and Android Auto.