What are the most popular SUVs in Canada?

With files from Jordan Lavin

This article was originally published on December 9, 2024 and was updated on April 24, 2026.

If you’re one of the many Canadians looking to buy a new SUV in 2026, there are lots of factors to consider to help guide your decision. In addition to the purchase price, you should also take into account the vehicle’s fuel efficiency, insurance costs and safety. 

Our goal at Ratehub.ca is to be the champions of choice, so we’ve put together a buying guide showcasing the five most popular SUVs in Canada in 2026. 

To compile our list, we ranked the best-selling SUVs by sales volume, purchase price, fuel efficiency, auto insurance cost, and safety ratings. Then, we attributed points to each category and tallied the results to complete our rankings. 

This year, we added to the guide by ranking the insurance costs for the highest-rated SUVs nationwide. The vehicles on this list do not overlap with the best-sellers; instead, they feature luxury electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

Keep reading to explore our guide to the most popular SUVs in Canada. 

Meet the best-selling SUVs in Canada

Canadians seem to agree that midsize crossovers like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are the way to go. These vehicles usually have room for five, ample cargo space, and good fuel efficiency.

These are the best-selling SUVs in Canada, according to Driving.ca.

1. Toyota RAV4

With 75,573 units sold in 2025, the Toyota RAV4 tops the list of the bestselling SUVs in Canada. This family hauler is known for having room for safety, reliability, and gas mileage. Although sales volume was below 2024 levels, the RAV4 still dominates the overall Canadian SUV market. Toyota sold all types of the RAV4 in 2025, with 65% of sales going towards traditional gasoline models and 35% to hybrids. This SUV was also listed at #1 on the top stolen vehicles list. 

2. Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V sold 55,987 units in 2025, making it the second-best-selling SUV for the year. The Honda crossover is described as roomy, practical and ideal for families, and it’s available to purchase in either gas or hybrid models. This SUV was also listed at #3 on the top stolen vehicles list this year.

3. Hyundai Tucson 

This compact SUV sold 41,840 units in 2025, breaking its annual record. Sales volume spiked in 2024 and jumped up another 40% in 2025. The Hyundai is known for its spacious cabin, advanced technology and gas, hybrid and PHEV options. 

4. Nissan Kicks

This subcompact crossover sold 40,956 models in 2025, up 70% from the previous year’s volume. Nissan sold two generations of the SUV, including the old and new Kicks models. The old Kicks Play will be discontinued in 2026.

5. Nissan Rogue

This compact SUV, which compares closely to the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, ranks lower than in previous years (#3 in 2024). Nissan sold 36,034 Rogues in 2025, likely due to its incentive structure, which features low interest rates and short-term leases.  In 2026, a plug-in hybrid model will be offered.

The best-selling SUVs in Canada ranked by price

First off, we know the cost of car ownership isn’t cheap. In 2026, the average cost to own a car is $1,373 per month. So when making this kind of investment, it’s important to understand if you are getting a good deal. 

We compiled the price ranges for each SUV, starting with the base model and ending with the most expensive trim available. 

The Nissan Kicks wins the title of the most affordable SUV in 2026. With a base level trim price of just $27,198, the SUV is nearly $10,000 cheaper than a base trim Honda CR-V. The Toyota RAV4 is the next most affordable vehicle, with the Nissan Rogue close behind. While the Honda CR-V has the highest starting price, the Hyundai Tucson offers the widest range on the market, going up all the way to $53,299.

The best-selling SUVs in Canada ranked by fuel efficiency

The cost of fuel is often a major factor for Canadians looking to buy a vehicle. How efficient an SUV is on gas can help you estimate your monthly costs and put together a reasonable budget for car expenses. 

We ranked the best-selling SUVs by fuel efficiency for all-wheel-drive models.

The Nissan Rogue ranks as the most fuel-efficient model, with the SUV using 7.6L of gasoline for every 100km driven on both city and highways. The Nissan Kicks and Toyota RAV4 were both not far behind, while the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson are both less efficient on gas. The Hyundai Tucson ranks the least efficient, using nearly 9L per 100km. 

The best-selling SUVs in Canada ranked by insurance cost

In order to create our rankings for insurance pricing, we compared car insurance quotes for each of the top five vehicles using Ratehub.ca’s online insurance tool. We surveyed multiple quote options from Canada’s top auto insurance companies in order to identify the lowest monthly premium option for each vehicle. 

Check out our rankings by cost of SUV insurance:

^{The quotes are based on a 42-year-old female driver based in Toronto, Canada, who drives 20,000km per year with a daily commute of 15km each way. The standard policy includes a $1,000 comprehensive and collision deductible, and $1 million in liability coverage.} 

The quotes range from $137 to $187 per month, with the lowest quote being for the Nissan Kicks. The Toyota RAV4 took the second spot, while the Hyundai Tucson came in third. The highest insurance quote was for the Honda CR-V, which costs $50/month more per month than the top-ranked Kicks. 

Keep in mind that how much you pay for car insurance depends on dozens of factors. Not only do insurance companies consider the vehicle model, but your driving record and insurance history also affect pricing. Additionally, some of the top-selling SUVs are on Canada’s top stolen vehicles list, which can lead to higher insurance quotes. 

Also read: How car insurance rates are calculated in Canada

The best-selling SUVs in Canada ranked by safety

When choosing an SUV to carry your precious cargo, safety is a top concern for many drivers, especially for parents. To find the safest SUVs out of the top five, we combined each vehicle’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety rating with data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS data is based on five safety ratings as well as the Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ designations. 

The resulting rankings are fairly similar across the board. Although the Hyundai Tucson is the clear leader as the only SUV to get a perfect safety score. The Nissan Rogue was not far behind, while the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAVv4 tied for safety across both the NHTSA and IIHS ratings. The Nissan Kicks also received the same overall safety rating as the CR-V and RAV4, but it ranks last because of its lower ratings in the NHTSA and IIHS categories. 

The best-selling SUVs in Canada ranked overall

To determine a winner, we assigned each vehicle points based on its performance in the following categories: sales volume, purchase price, insurance cost and safety rankings. Each category is worth 5 points, for a total of 25 possible points.  First place in each category earned 5 points, second place earned 4, and so on down to a single point for last place.

With 18 points out of a possible 25, the Toyota RAV4 takes first overall to earn the title of the best SUV in Canada for 2026. The mid-sized crossover SUV scored in the top three in every category except safety, where it came in fourth.

Second place goes to the Nissan Kicks, which beat the RAV4 in price, fuel efficiency and insurance cost, but not sales volume or safety. The high score suggests it’s a great value and worthy of being one of the most popular SUVs in Canada.

At the bottom of the list is the Honda CR-V. While this SUV ranked second-highest in sales volume, it ranked last in purchase price and insurance costs, lowering its overall ranking in this guide. 

How do the highest-rated SUVs in Canada rank by insurance?

The highest-rated SUVs in Canada differ significantly from the best-selling. Using the 2026 highest-rated SUV list from driving.ca, we found that none of the best-selling SUVs made the list this year. Instead, the highest-rated list features several electric and hybrid electric vehicles, with just one gasoline-powered SUV, which comes in last place. We also found that most of the SUVs on the list are luxury-driven models, with 15 out of the 20 SUVs having purchase prices starting over $50,000. 

Electric and hybrid vehicles typically have higher purchase prices than regular gas vehicles and often come with higher insurance costs, too. For these reasons, it makes sense that, while the SUVs are highly rated, they are not the best sellers, as many Canadians choose price-conscious vehicles. 

However, if you’re in the market for an SUV this year and are considering a luxury EV or HEV, we want to give you the breakdown of what you can expect to pay in auto insurance costs. 

Below, we rank the top 20 highest-rated SUVs in Canada by insurance premiums. 

^{The quotes are based on a 42-year-old female driver based in Toronto, Canada, who drives 20,000km per year with a daily commute of 15km each way. The standard policy includes a $1,000 comprehensive and collision deductible, and $1 million in liability coverage.} 

The quotes range from $197/month to $587/month in premiums, a much larger and costlier range than the best-selling list. The lowest-priced SUV is the Tesla Model Y. Compared with the most expensive vehicle, the Lexus RX 450h, the Model Y costs nearly $400 less per month. About half of all vehicles fall in the $300 to $400/month range, giving you a general idea of what you can expect to pay for insurance on a luxury SUV. Although specific models by brand can range significantly, for example, Lexus offers the largest price range, from $314/month to $587/month. 

Overall, while EVs and HEVs have higher purchase prices, insurance can be affordable depending on the make and model. We see this in the top five placements on the list, which range from $197/month to $259/month.

Remember, the price you’ll pay for auto insurance depends on your unique profile, including your age, driving history, license class, location and claims history. Get a personalized rate by comparing auto insurance quotes online today.

The bottom line

After comparing sales volume, purchase price, insurance cost, fuel economy, and safety, the Toyota RAV4 takes the top spot on our comparison of the most popular SUVs in Canada. The second-place Nissan Kicks also shows great value and has proven itself as a popular SUV in the country. 

If you’re in the market for a luxury SUV, the Tesla Model Y comes in as the most affordable on auto insurance, with the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Kia Sorento HEV ranking just below.

Ultimately, the decision is yours when shopping for a vehicle, and it comes down to personal preference. Use these rankings as a guide, but do your own research and test drives to help you decide. At the end of the day, buying a vehicle is not a cheap expense and should be an educated decision. Happy shopping!

Also read

• The top 10 most stolen vehicles in Canada
• The hidden costs of owning an electric car
• How much is insurance for an electric car?
• What is car insurance fraud in Canada?
• What to do after a car accident in Ontario?