Need an affordable way to get around town but don’t want to chance your money on a used vehicle? Well, you’re in luck. The following 11 cars are the cheapest new cars you can buy right now in Canada.
While the tumbling loonie has bumped up the prices on most new cars in the last year, the “King of Cheap” Nissan Micra remains priced resolutely at $9,998, making it the cheapest new car you can buy in this country.
Many of the following cars come with small, frugal engines, and lack even basic comforts like power windows and an automatic transmission. But you probably don’t care about any of those frills. After all, you’re more interested in saving money, right?
1. Nissan Micra ($9,998)
Not only does the 2015 Nissan Micra drive well, it has an MSRP of $9,998.
Alexandra Straub, Driving
With a base price of $9,998, the Nissan Micra is the cheapest new car you can buy in Canada. But don’t let the sub-$10,000 price tag fool you. The Micra strives to punch above its weight with a surprisingly fun drive, although you will be missing out on some common conveniences like power windows and a four-speed automatic transmission if you opt for the base model.
With the Micra, you get a capable 1.6-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine that produces 109 hp and 107 pound-feet of torque mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The small engine offers a zippy ride as well as good fuel economy at 8.8 litres per 100 km in the city and 6.6 L/100 km on the highway. However, watch the options as they will quickly push the price tag out of cheapest car territory.
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2. Chevrolet Spark LS ($12,145)
The base Chevrolet Spark starts at $12,145.
Handout, GM
The roomy Chevrolet Spark comes with an EcoTec 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine paired to a five-speed manual. While there is an AM/FM radio equipped with an auxiliary input jack, there is no CD player. The car also comes with a powertrain warranty of five years/160,000 km.
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3. Mitsubishi Mirage ($12,498)
2015 Mitsubishi Mirage ES
Lesley Wimbush, Driving
With a starting price of $12,498, which gets knocked down to $9,998 after a consumer cash discount, the Mitsubishi Mirage is gunning to take the wind out of the Micra’s sails. A knock against the Mirage compared to the Micra, however, is its smaller base engine. The Mirage’s 1.2-litre DOHC three-cylinder mill makes just 74 horsepower, compared to the 109 from the Micra’s four-cylinder.
A plus, however, is that the base five-speed manual ES Mirage comes with standard front power windows. The Mirage also boasts great fuel economy thanks to its smaller engine, with a combined rating of 6.4 L/100 km for the manual transmission. The Mirage is offered with a 10-year powertrain warranty.
4. Hyundai Accent ($13,899)
2015 Hyundai Accent Sport Appearance Package
Lesley Wimbush, Driving
Hyundai continues its tradition of offering a highly affordable entry-level car with the Accent. The Accent sedan and hatch are also good-looking and mighty fuel efficient to boot. The base L trim comes equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and features an AM/FM/CD/MP3/USB/iPod audio system.
Other standard features includ power door locks, electronic stability control, traction control, and vehicle stability management. The Accent is powered by a 1.6L GDI DOHC engine and boasts a combined fuel economy estimate of 7.6 L/100 km.
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5. Nissan Versa Note ($14,298)
The Nissan Versa Note SR is a sporty little runabout perfect for the urban commute or exploring the countryside.
Russell Purcell, Driving
Nissan axed the $11,990 Nissan Versa Sedan in Canada due to flagging sales. That left the five-door Versa Note to carry the mantle. The Versa Note differs from its sedan predecessor with its hatchback body and best-in-class passenger and cargo space. With a total interior volume of 3,197 litres, the Versa Note bests the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit and Hyundai Accent for roominess in the subcompact category.
The Versa comes with a frugal 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that makes 109 horsepower, hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission. Air conditioning is standard, as is a Bluetooth hands-free phone system. Power windows and power locks, however, are not standard in the base S trim.
6. Fiat 500 ($14,495)
2016 Fiat 500
Handout, Fiat
Now you can drive Italian for cheap. The base Fiat 500 POP is stylish and peppy, with a 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine with five-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. In addition to being a fun car to drive, its fuel economy estimates of 7.6 L/100 km in the city and 5.9 L/100 km highway are outstanding. It also comes with some nice standard features for this price point, including power windows, locks and mirrors, and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system.
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7. Toyota Yaris Hatchback ($14,595)
2015 Toyota Yaris
Handout, Toyota
The cute, three-door Toyota Yaris hatchback trim comes with a five-speed manual transmission, nine airbags, including front seat cushion airbags, electric steering, power windows and power locks, 60/40 split folding rear seats, and fuel efficiency ratings of 7.7 L/100 km city and 6.3 highway. And unlike many on this list, the base Yaris hatch comes with a generous 6.1-inch colour display with Bluetooth capability. For 2016, Toyota is also offering up the all-new Yaris sedan, starting at $16,995.
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8. Kia Rio 5 ($14,695)
2015 Kia Rio
Handout, Kia
The 2016 Kia Rio 5 LX may be the most fully loaded economy car on this list. Just look at the standard features list: AM/FM/CD stereo system with AUX connectivity and USB input ports, dual front power outlets, electronic stability control, power windows and locks, SiriusXM satellite radio, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, ABS, power and heated side-view mirrors and a rear window defroster, among many other features. The Kia Rio 5 also has some pep, with its 1.6-litre mill producing 137 horsepower and 123 lb.-ft. of torque.
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9. Honda Fit DX ($14,730)
The 2015 Honda Fit recently scored a Top Safety Pick rating from the U.S. IIHS.
Handout, Honda
The sub-$15,000 Honda Fit comes with a 130-horsepower, 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to a six-speed manual transmission. It also comes standard with power windows, traction control, anti-lock brakes, an AM/FM/CD system with an auxiliary input jack and Honda’s Drive-by-Wire throttle system, along with a backup camera and Bluetooth audio streaming.
10. Ford Fiesta ($15,399)
Both the Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback start at $15,399.
Handout, Ford
The Ford Fiesta S starts at $15,399 for both the hatchback and sedan versions. It comes with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, an AM/FM/CD player with audio input jack, Ford’s voice-activated SYNC system, seven airbags, a five-speed manual transmission and Ford’s AdvanceTrac stability control system.
11. Toyota Corolla ($15,995)
2015 Toyota Corolla
Handout, Toyota
Compared to the subcompacts that dominate this list, the four-door Toyota Corolla compact sedan offers more room. But you’ll be paying more for that convenience, and extra power. The base Corolla CE comes with a 1.8L, four-cylinder engine that makes 132 horsepower. Standard features are plenty and include an AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with USB input and Bluetooth capability, power windows, power door locks, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, LED headlamps, and steering wheel audio controls. Sadly, air conditioning is not standard.
