There’s no question that the SUV is winning in the eyes of Canadian consumers. Current data shows that more than 80 percent of the new vehicles on the market today are SUVs and light trucks, and sales in car segments are pale in comparison.
Why are Canadians buying up so many SUVs? Our winter weather conditions are unlike anywhere else on Earth with mountains and prairies, high humidity and frigid temperatures. Nearly all of us need to navigate through slippery road conditions, slush, and deep snow at least once each winter, if not for months at a time. The high ground clearance and affordable access to AWD systems provided by SUVs gives Canadian drivers peace of mind that they’ll be warm, safe, and ready to tackle whatever Mother Nature may throw at us throughout the year’s winter driving. These aren't dedicated off-road vehicles in the same way as a Land Rover or Jeep Wrangler, but rather are capable winter cars that'll keep going where rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive competitors might not.
Here’s a look at some used SUVs that are five years older or less that we think are offer the best value for tackling Canadian winters. Most of these are still new enough to have modern driver-assistance technologies like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, and infotainment features like touchscreens and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. We’ve arranged them from smallest to largest so you can easily find the class you’re interested in. Don't forget to budget for a great set of winter tires to ensure all your key safety features are covered, and take any used cars you’re considering for test drives. Be sure to check with your local dealership about whether newer models are still covered under the original warranty.
Best Used SUVs for Canadian Winters
- Cadillac XT4
- Kia Sportage
- Buick Envision
- Mazda CX-5
- Ford Edge
- Subaru Outback
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Kia Sorento
- Toyota Highlander
- Toyota 4Runner
- Chevrolet Tahoe
Cadillac XT4
Subcompact crossovers are hot at the moment, which means the hatchback-like Cadillac XT4 deserves some attention. This is an affordable urban crossover with a premium touch. The XT4 is one of the top-rated small premium SUVs for dependability by J.D. Power in 2023. (J.D. Power’s surveys apply to three-year-old vehicles, so this result is for the 2020 model year.) Following its launch as a new nameplate in 2019, it scored Good ratings in all of the listed crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). That generation is the same one still on the market today, so any vehicles you find on the used market won’t have significant differences between them. This includes the powertrain, which since launched has been powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Go for a 2019 or 2020 model with moderate mileage and you’ll save roughly $20,000 on average versus buying new.
Kia Sportage
There are plenty of fifth-generation Kia Sportage compact SUVs on Canadian roads, which launched with attractive new styling and technology updates for the 2023 model year. If you don’t mind driving a small SUV and looking back a couple of years, though, a fourth-generation Kia Sportage from model years 2017 to 2022 could be a great bet. Kia is ranked as the most reliable mainstream brand in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, and the Sportage is named the most reliable compact SUV in the same study based on the 2020 model year. Plus, nearly all model years (except 2019) were named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS when equipped with upgraded headlights. Expect to pay $20,000 to $35,000 on average for a used Sportage in this model year range. If you have a higher budget, consider looking for a newer hybrid or plug-in hybrid for better fuel efficiency.
Buick Envision
For many Canadians, the Buick brand flies well below the radar. But there are several vehicles from this General Motors mid-premium brand that are great buys, especially on the used market. Take the Buick Envision, for example: J.D. Power names this mid-luxury SUV tops among compact SUVs for dependability in 2021, 2022, and 2023, covering all of the current generation. (Note the second-generation Envision, which began with the 2021 model year, has not been tested by the IIHS.) There are plenty of lightly used Envisions on the CarGurus.ca Canadian used car listings priced at less than $30,000. This could represent a savings of $15,000 to $20,000 or more on a used vehicle versus buying a new car.
Mazda CX-5
The fuss may be all about the new CX-50 these days, but don’t forget its predecessor, the Mazda CX-5. This long-time mainstay of the Mazda line-up has long been appreciated by driving enthusiasts for its dynamics and affordable premium feel. While the CX-5 doesn’t place on the J.D. Power dependability rankings, Mazda as a brand scores better than average, Plus, every model year since the second generation began in 2017, with the exception of 2023, receives a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. These have held their value well, but some careful shopping can save you $15,000 on average over buying brand new.
Ford Edge
Ford’s assembly plant in Oakville, Ontario, once built the Ford Edge and its luxury version, the Lincoln Nautilus. What we know now is that Oakville is being retooled to build EVs and the newest Nautilus is being imported to North America from China. The same plant there is building the Ford Edge L for the Chinese market, but that nameplate is expected to be replaced in North America by an electric model. What does that mean for used car shoppers? Don’t forget about the Ford Edge just because it’s not currently available new in Canada. It’s named as one of the most reliable midsize SUVs by J.D. Power in 2023, and the IIHS has named it a Top Safety Pick in every model year since 2019. It’s not a stretch to find an Edge with reasonable mileage for less than $30,000 on today’s used car market.
Subaru Outback
We’re big fans of the Subaru Outback around these parts. The brand’s symmetrical all-wheel drive is legendary for its capability in northern climates. Its body style is part wagon and part crossover, which gives it an upright stance while offering plenty of cargo space. While J.D. Power ranks the Subaru brand below-average in its dependability studies, it’s a point of pride for Subaru that its vehicles are consistently given the Top Safety Pick+ designation by the IIHS. On the Canadian used car market, there are some good deals to be had with plenty of examples from the Outback’s fifth generation available for less than $30,000.
Hyundai Santa Fe
As the Hyundai Santa Fe entered its dedicated two-row midsize SUV era when the fourth generation began in 2019, it remained a solid bet for used car shoppers. It’s been recognized by J.D. Power in 2022 and 2023 as one of the most reliable midsize SUVs on the market, and every model year in this era has been named either a Top Safety Pick or a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. This provides a wealth of options to look for on the used market, all of which can be depended on to be a solid buy. You may even be able to score a Santa Fe Hybrid and benefit from that powertrain’s improved fuel economy. Expect prices in the $30,000 range for Santa Fe models of this age with reasonable mileage, while the hybrid will cost you in the neighbourhood of $5,000 more on average.
Kia Sorento
A new generation of Kia Sorento arrived for the 2021 model year, but used car buyers may score a deal if they look back over the few years that preceded it. The third generation ran from model years 2015 to 2020 and performs reliability according to its top rankings in both the 2021, 2022, and 2023 J.D. Power dependability studies covering model years up to 2020. Each model year since 2016 has also earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick rating with the 2019 model year receiving the best Top Safety Pick+ ranking. Three engines were offered over this period: a 2.4-litre four-cylinder consuming 10.4 L/100 km of fuel combined, a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder rated at 10.9 L/100 km, and a 3.3-litre V6 engine with a combined average of 11.6 L/100 km. On average, a 2018 to 2020 Kia Sorento can be bought used within the $20,000 to $35,000 range.
Toyota Highlander
As an automaker, Toyota has a rock-solid reputation for reliability and capability in adverse conditions like Canadian winters. The three-row Toyota Highlander has steady residual values, high IIHS ratings, and an available hybrid version for the eco-conscious. Gas-powered all-wheel-drive models from the end of the third generation that lasted until the 2019 model year average 11.6 L/100 km combined from the 3.5-litre V6, while hybrids achieve a notably low 8.4 to 8.5 L/100 km. For used examples from the 2018 to 2019 model years, buyers can expect to pay between $30,000 and $45,000. That’s a broad swing, but there’s also a wide variety of trim levels, odometer readings, and features available to choose from. For the 2020 model year that started the fourth generation, the accolades continue. The first model year was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, while every model since has been named a Top Safety Pick+. On top of that, the Highlander remained on the J.D. Power 2023 dependability study, indicating the midsize SUV’s reliability has carried over into its fourth generation. These still carry an asking price of $40,000 or more, but expect that to begin coming down within the next one to two years. If you want to skip the minivan but still need three rows of seating, the Highlander is the best option on this list.
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota is finally giving us a new 4Runner in 2025. In the meantime, this rugged go-anywhere SUV might not get serious consideration from some buyers because it hasn’t really changed much in more than a decade. However, it has its devotees thanks to the rugged capability of its pickup truck-based body-on-frame build. J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study ranks the 4Runner as one of the top mid-size SUV for reliability, though it’s worth pointing out the IIHS doesn’t think especially highly of its aging construction. According to NRCan, the 4.0-litre V6 averages 12.8 L/100 km. Budget between $40,000 and $50,000 if you’re shopping for a used model, knowing it will retain its value and functionality for a long time to come.
Chevrolet Tahoe
There’s always a place for large SUVs among that subset of families who need to move up to six adults while also towing a hefty boat or trailer with plenty of cargo space. A new generation of Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon was released for the 2021 model year, but the latter years of the previous generation scored well with the Tahoe ranking first in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Reliability Study. The smaller 5.3-litre V8 averages 13.2 L/100 km combined according to NRCan, while the available larger 6.2-litre V8 averages 13.8 L/100 km combined, and finding four-wheel drive is typical. For its size, this SUV has a surprisingly comfortable ride. Plenty of these come off lease and hit the used market at a price range between $40,000 and $60,000 between the 2019 and 2020 model years.
Honourable mentions
If you don’t mind paying a little more than average to end up with a luxury vehicle or a nameplate with high residual values, there are a few more models worth considering. On the compact SUV side, the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are both more expensive than average but hold their value and have a strong reputation for reliability. The BMW X3 consistently ranks well in J.D. Power’s dependability studies and is worth considering if you can afford its higher maintenance costs. And don’t forget the Canadian-built Lexus RX: this luxury mid-size SUV tied for best overall in J.D. Power’s 2023 dependability rankings, and Lexus as a brand ranks in first place overall.
Note: Images may show US models.