New year, new models and terrific players on the SUV game. If there is a year where Sports Utility Vehicles have performed better than ever, it was this one: SUVs are the #1 choice of vehicle for Canadians since 2010 when all major manufacturers started producing more of these than cars. Here, our popular best SUV Canada 2023 list:
Best SUV Canada 2023: A Yearly List
Before starting, there is some clarification I would like to add: I'm an SUV guy. I love SUVs, and I love cars. If there is an article I really enjoy writing, even after days and days of research and analysis, is this one.
For the last fourty months, I've been driving a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas that I've enjoyed to the last drop of gas. I feel safe, my kids fill it up with stuff, it performs excellently during winter, and I've taken it a few times to New York, Toronto, Boston and all around Québec. So I'm not sure what I will do next: either I transfer it in our Lease Takeover Marketplace or keep it for a few months more. But just exploring the new alternatives on the market during the last few days for writing this report, has been just as attractive as shopping a new car could be. So, here we go:
2019 SUV Sales Rankings
First, let's see what happened during 2019: Although you will immediately notice the regular pattern, there are some points I would like to call your attention to:
- Honda CR-V approx. ~48,000 units sold (#1 for the last six years)
- Toyota RAV4 approx. ~45,500 units sold (#2 for the last six years)
- Ford Escape approx. ~39,000 units sold
- Nissan Rogue approx. ~36,000 units sold
- Hyundai Tucson approx. ~24,500 units sold
- Jeep Wrangler approx. ~23,500 units sold
- Mazda CX-5 approx. ~23,000 units sold
- Jeep Cherokee approx. ~21,000 units sold
- Chevrolet Equinox approx. ~19,000 units sold
- VW Tiguan approx. ~16,500 units sold
- Ford Explorer approx. ~16,500 units sold
- Ford Edge approx. ~16,500 units sold
- Nissan Qashqai approx. ~16,500 units sold (subcompacts gaining terrain in Canada)
- Hyundai Santa Fe approx. ~15,000 units sold
- Toyota Highlander approx. ~12,500 units sold
- Hyundai Kona approx. ~12,000 units sold (a fantastic job with the Kona subcompact, Hyundai!)
I was initially going to include the top 15, but the position #16 of the Hyundai Kona for a vehicle released 6 months ago, is definitely impressive. I'll talk further about it later.
Canada's Top 2023 Sub-Compact SUV
I said I was going to talk about it later. Well, here is it: the Hyundai Kona.
If you are looking for an SUV, let's be more precise, a subcompact SUV: the Kona is taking the lead by far in most aspects. My 2019 prediction is that it will overtake all subcompacts and will become the top-selling one. For sure.
- 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick Award Plus + (the only subcompact SUV in Canada who has earned it)
- Main Vehicle Features: Proximity key with push-button ignition, Touch-screen displays, Heated front seats, and steering wheel, Automatic climate control, Power Sunroof, Power driver’s seat with lumbar support.
- Tech Features include Head-Up Display, BlueLink, Apple CarPlay™, and Android Auto™, Rain sensing wipers & a Wireless charging pad.
- Safety Features: LED headlights with High Beam Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, Driver Attention Assist, Rear Parking Assist Sensors & Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
2023 Hyundai Kona: starts at about 341 CAD/month tax. inc.
The Kona average price in Canada is about 341CAD/month tax included when leased for five years, which is the default warranty term coverage from Hyundai Canada.
| Lease Term | Monthly Costs (FWD Model) | Monthly Costs (AWD Model) | Warranty Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 months | 341 | 378 (ideal lease deal) | Included |
| 36 months | 415 | 450 | Included |
More 2023 Subcompact SUVs in Canada
- 2019 Nissan Qashqai starting at 315CAD/month tax. inc. (2023 model should be released early next year)
- 2019 Mazda CX3 starting 355 CAD/month tax. inc.
- 2019 Subaru Crosstrek starting at 437CAD/month tax. inc.
Canada's Top 2023 Compact SUV
Even with the recent news about the CR-V Turbocharged 1.5L engine problems, the vehicle sales keep it up. Honda's work, reliability, and prestige over the years have maintained the CR-V as the most popular compact SUV in Canada by far. If you check again on the previous 2018 list, both the Pilot and the HR-V are not even close to the race: it is the #1 selling SUV vehicle since 2011.
2019 Honda CR-V: starts at about 395 CAD/month tax. inc.
The Honda CR-V is available at 395 CAD/month tax. inc. when leased for 5 years, although on the following table you can find a broader spectrum of prices.
The 2023 edition is expected to be available in Canada by December - early next year.
| Lease Term | Monthly Costs (FWD Model) | Monthly Costs (AWD Model) | Warranty Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 months | 395 | 449 | Not Included |
| 36 months | 473 | 532 | Included |
| 24 months | 554 | 625 | Included |
More 2023 Compact SUVs available in Canada
- 2023 Chevrolet Equinox starting at 360CAD/month tax. inc.
- 2023 Toyota RAV4 starting at 361CAD/month tax. inc.
- 2023 Ford Escape starting at 353CAD/month tax. inc.
- 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan starting at 447CAD/month tax. inc.
Canada's Top 2023 Full-Size SUV
As I mentioned before, last year I leased a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas that I love, but if there is a vehicle that has impressed me equally and that I test-drove as soon as it came out back in July, is the all-new 2023 Subaru Ascent.
2023 Subaru Ascent: starts at about 636 CAD/month tax. inc.
Besides coming with standard 3-row seating (which can be upgraded to captain chairs), the rear cabin climate controls are fantastic and include heated seats and power plugs. The dash also contains a secondary infotainment screen that comes in pretty handy, and all models come with the Eyesight safety system... and my kids counted 19 cupholders.
The new 2023 Ascent (announced in 2019)can be leased for 636CAD/month tax. inc. when leased for 36 months.
| Lease Term | Monthly Costs (AWD Model) | Warranty Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 36 months | 636 | Included |
| 24 months | 663 (ideal lease deal) | Included |
More 2023 Mid-Size/Full-size SUVs available in Canada
- 2023 Mazda CX9 starting at 550CAD/month tax. inc.
- 2023 Volkswagen Atlas starting at 533CAD/month tax. inc.
- 2023 Ford Flex starting at 735CAD/month tax. inc.
Canada's Top 2023 Luxury SUV
it may not be included in the initial list that I've posted, but there is a luxury SUV that ranks as the #1 top selling one and broke, for the first time, "the 10,000 mark record" of delivered units this year: the Audi Q5.
2023 Audi Q5: starts at about 738 CAD/month tax. inc.
The Q5 is the flagship of Audi in Canada and it is the most popular luxury SUV among all available alternatives. The currently available edition (2019) is available at 785 CAD/month tax. inc. when leased for 3 years.
| Lease Term | Monthly Costs (AWD Model) | Warranty Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 48 months | 738 | Included |
| 36 months | 785 (ideal lease deal) | Included |
| 24 months | 942 | Included |
More 2023 Luxury SUVs available in Canada
Although there are many options, as this is probably the broader spectrum of SUVs, the following two alternatives deserve to be featured:
- 2019 Volvo XC60 starting at 806CAD/month tax. inc.
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 starting at 1,767CAD/month tax. inc.
Explore the Market
Go ahead and continue your search. This is our very own perspective and overview of the market today, but you are more than welcome to go ahead and create yours: Explore the Market.
