Over 1.1 million light trucks were sold in Canada in the first three quarters of 2018, up over 2 per cent over the same period last year. The subcompact SUV segment is the fastest growing within the “light truck” category, which includes pickup trucks and SUVs.
According to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, sales of subcompact SUVs grew at over 56 per cent year-over-year from January through August. This trend is indicative of strong consumer preference for smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles that also retain the classic benefits of trucks, such as higher ground clearance and all-wheel drive, while usually coming at a lower price point than their larger siblings.
An increasing number of automakers are expanding their lineups to cater to this demand. New subcompact SUV and crossover releases for the 2018 model year include the Hyundai Kona, BMW X2, Kia Niro and Ford EcoSport.
Listed below are the ten most popular subcompact SUVs and crossovers in Canada along with the number of units sold in the first nine months of 2018 and year-over-year growth:
- Nissan Qashqai – 14,755 (+180.7 per cent)
- Subaru Crosstrek – 11,147 (+46.6 per cent)
- Hyundai Kona – 10,852 (new for model year 2018)
- Mazda CX-3 – 10,207 (+28.6 per cent)
- Kia Soul – 9,226 (+1.3 per cent)
- Buick Encore – 8,448 (+24.1 per cent)
- Honda HR-V – 8,155 (-25.8 per cent)
- Toyota C-HR – 5,188 (+79.8 per cent)
- Ford EcoSport – 4,993 (new for model year 2018)
- Mitsubishi RVR – 4,886 (-9.0 per cent)
We’ve featured some of our favourite offers this week on subcompact SUVs and crossovers for $30,000 or less. If you don’t find an offer that suits you, be sure to check out the new Globe Drive Build and Price Tool to see the latest incentives and discounts on any new car, truck or SUV.
2018 Nissan Qashqai 2.0 SV All-Wheel Drive
Nissan Qashqai.
The Qashqai is Nissan’s subcompact entry slotted between the Rogue and the newly released Kicks. The 2018 Nissan Qashqai features a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine, which outputs 141 horsepower and 147 lb.-ft. of torque, available with an all-wheel drivetrain. Highlights on the SV trim include remote engine ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, speed-sensitive volume control, a heated and leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights and sideview mirror-integrated LED signal repeaters. The SV trim also comes standard with active safety technology such as intelligent emergency braking, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
- MSRP: $27,398
- Manufacturer cash incentive: $1,500 (as compared to $1,000 in August)
- Estimated dealer discount: $500
- Freight, PDI, government fees: $2,090
- Cash purchase price before tax: $27,488
- Finance for 60 months at 1.9 per cent interest for $573 per month including tax and assumes zero down payment
- Lease for 48 months at 1.5 per cent interest for $421 per month including tax and assumes a 20,000 annual kilometre allowance with zero down payment
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2018 Kia Niro EX Premium
Kia Niro.
Released earlier this year, the 2018 Kia Niro is powered by a 1.6-litre hybrid electric engine with gasoline direct injection that generates 139 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque while achieving a combined fuel economy of only 4.8 litres/100 km. Notable features on the EX Premium trim include a seven-inch infotainment system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, wireless phone charging capability, a heated and leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, engine start-stop capability, a power sunroof and power-folding sideview mirrors with integrated turn signal repeaters. The EX Premium trim is also equipped with safety technology that includes a rearview camera with rear parking sensors, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert.
- MSRP: $29,195
- Manufacturer cash incentive: $750 (as compared to no incentive in August)
- Estimated dealer discount: $500
- Freight, PDI, government fees: $1,925
- Cash purchase price before tax: $29,870
- Finance for 60 months at 2.99 per cent interest for $622 per month including tax and assumes zero down payment
- Lease for 48 months at 4.99 per cent interest for $543 per month including tax and assumes a 20,000 annual kilometre allowance with zero down payment
Get Local Price on Globe Drive
2018 Subaru Crosstrek Sport CVT
Subaru Crosstrek.
The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek produces 152 horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque through a 2.0-litre boxer engine, mated to Subaru’s proprietary symmetrical all-wheel drivetrain. Standard interior equipment on the Sport trim includes an eight-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility; cellphone connectivity with voice activation; a 6.3-inch multi-information display; a 4.2-inch gauge display; and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector. On its exterior, the Sport trim is equipped with steering-responsive automatic LED headlights and windshield wiper deicing capability. The Sport trim is also available with Eyesight, Subaru’s suite of active safety technology, which includes features such as a precollision braking system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lead vehicle start alert and lane keep assist.
- MSRP: $29,095
- Manufacturer cash incentive: $500
- Estimated dealer discount: $500
- Freight, PDI, government fees: $2,114
- Cash purchase price before tax: $30,209
- Finance for 60 months at 1.99 per cent interest for $608 per month including tax and assumes zero down payment
- Lease for 48 months at 1.99 per cent interest for $453 per month including tax and assumes a 20,000 annual kilometre allowance with zero down payment
Get Local Price on Globe Drive
2018 Jeep Renegade North 4x4
Jeep Renegade.
The 2018 Jeep Renegade is available with one of two engine variants – a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that delivers 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 2.4-litre Tigershark engine that outputs an additional 20 horses. The North trim features a seven-inch infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a rearview camera, push-button engine ignition and dual-zone automatic climate control. Available equipment includes an 8.4-inch infotainment system with integrated navigation, a BeatsAudio premium sound system, remote engine ignition and HID headlights.
- MSRP: $30,145
- Manufacturer cash incentive: $1,250 (as compared to no incentive in September)
- Estimated dealer discount: $500
- Freight, PDI, government fees: $2,035
- Cash purchase price before tax: $30,430
- Finance for 60 months at 4.79 per cent interest for $550 per month including tax, which includes a $1,250 manufacturer incentive (as compared to no incentive in September) and assumes zero down payment
- Lease for 48 months at 7.79 per cent interest for $578 per month including tax, which includes a $3,200 manufacturer incentive (as compared to no incentive in September) and assumes a 20,000 annual kilometre allowance with zero down payment
Get Local Price on Globe Drive
Andrew Tai is CEO of Unhaggle. Follow on Twitter @ahytai
Manufacturer incentives and pricing calculations are based on Ontario customers and subject to availability of inventory. Dealer discounts shown are estimates for illustrative purposes only, may vary by region and are given at the discretion of individual dealers. Please note that while every effort is made to ensure the information above is accurate at the time of publication, pricing, incentives and discounts are subject to change or discontinuation at any time. Vehicle images may not represent the exact model featured in the pricing provided. Consult your local dealership for details.
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