The average used car price in Canada reached $33,082 in April, up 0.22% month-over-month and 0.54% year-over-year—the first annual increase since late 2023. While the pace of growth remains gradual, it reinforces a broader trend: prices are beginning to climb again. After a year of steady cooling, the market is showing signs of stabilization as ongoing supply constraints, tariff concerns, and the rising cost of new vehicles continue to influence buyer behaviour.
In this month’s report, we break down what’s happening nationally, provincially, and at the model level — and what it means for used car shoppers in May.
Used car prices continue to vary widely across the country — and the farther east you go, the more affordable things get. In British Columbia, where the climate is milder and vehicles tend to experience less wear over time, the average used car price remains the highest in Canada at $37,766. On the other end of the spectrum, Prince Edward Island recorded the lowest provincial average this month at $27,454.
This eastward pricing decline isn’t just about supply and demand — it’s about conditions. Harsher winters, widespread use of road salt, and a damp Atlantic climate all contribute to greater vehicle wear in eastern Canada, naturally pulling prices down. It’s a pattern that also reflects income dynamics, with lower median household incomes in the east making affordability a more pressing factor, while buyers in western provinces are generally more willing — and able — to pay a premium.
After a steady decline through the first half of 2024, used car prices in Canada are continuing to gradually climb. The chart above shows the national average price by month, with April marking the fifth consecutive increase — and the first year-over-year gain since the end of 2023. While the rebound has been gradual, changing consumer preferences are playing a key role in driving prices upward.
More buyers are opting for SUVs — now representing nearly 60% of all used vehicle sales, up from 56% a year ago. There’s also growing demand for electrified vehicles, with hybrids and EVs increasing their share of the market from 7.4% to 9.7% year-over-year. Both categories typically command higher prices than gasoline-powered sedans and hatchbacks, shifting the overall price mix higher. Combined with ongoing economic uncertainty and tariff concerns, this shift is helping to sustain upward momentum in the used car market heading into the summer.
The west-to-east pricing trend holds steady across all major vehicle segments — whether you’re shopping for a car, SUV, or truck. In general, western provinces like British Columbia and Alberta continue to see the highest average prices, while Quebec and the Atlantic provinces remain the most budget-friendly, especially for smaller vehicles.
The strongest price movement this month came from the truck segment, which saw a 2.65% year-over-year increase nationally. This trend was especially pronounced in British Columbia, where truck prices jumped 3.5% month-over-month and 7% year-over-year. Higher-priced models like the Ford F-150 (up 11.1%) and Ram 1500 (up 5.5%) led the charge, and the rise in electrified truck options — including the Tundra Hybrid, F-150 Lightning, and Tesla Cybertruck — helped push average prices higher.
SUV prices remained relatively flat, with just a 0.14% dip month-over-month and a negligible 0.09% decline year-over-year. That said, provinces like British Columbia (+2.29%) and Quebec (+1.49%) did see modest month-over-month gains, likely reflecting consumer preference for practical, all-weather vehicles in these regions.
Cars, meanwhile, continue to show a split trend: up 1.63% month-over-month, but still down 1.15% year-over-year. While they remain the most affordable segment on average, the growing shift toward SUVs and trucks continues to pull market share — and pricing momentum — away from sedans and hatchbacks.
While used car prices overall are beginning to stabilize, electric vehicles (EVs) remain the most volatile segment, with pricing trends varying widely by province and model. In April, used EV prices rose 0.88% month-over-month, driven largely by price increases in Quebec (+1.61%) and British Columbia (+2.98%), which — along with Ontario — account for the vast majority of used EV sales in Canada. Outside these three provinces, low sales volumes often lead to sharp month-to-month fluctuations, a trend that mirrors the new EV market.
Despite the modest overall price bump this month, used EVs are still down 3.9% year-over-year, reflecting broader downward pressure as the segment continues to mature. While top-selling models like the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y saw slight month-over-month price declines, other premium EVs — including the Tesla Model X, Porsche Taycan, and Polestar 2 — experienced price increases that helped lift the segment overall.
This pattern aligns with the natural aging of the used EV inventory: as more first-generation EVs enter the market with higher mileage, and as new EV prices slowly decline, used EV pricing remains compressed. Quebec’s generous provincial EV rebates continue to play a key role in keeping prices especially low in that region, helping to make used EVs among the most accessible vehicles on the road.
If you’re on the hunt for a budget-friendly used vehicle, your odds of scoring a deal depend heavily on your location and what type of vehicle you’re after. The chart above breaks down the percentage of vehicles that fall below key affordability thresholds: cars under $15,000, SUVs under $20,000, and trucks under $30,000 — giving a clear view of how affordability stacks up across provinces.
As with previous months, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces continue to lead in overall affordability, offering the highest percentage of budget-friendly vehicles across most segments. Lower vehicle values, a dense used vehicle market, and lower ownership costs contribute to this trend.
Ontario remains close to the national average for affordable cars and SUVs, but stands out for having more trucks priced under $30K — a rarity in today’s market. Meanwhile, buyers in the western provinces face a steeper climb, with fewer affordable options across all body styles. In places like Alberta and British Columbia, higher resale values and a greater share of larger, better-equipped vehicles continue to push average prices upward.
Canada’s most popular used vehicles saw some notable shifts in April. The Honda Civic held onto the top spot, while the Ford F-150 overtook the Honda CR-V to claim second place. The biggest mover by far was the Tesla Model 3, which jumped 15 positions (from 38th to 23rd) following a 26% increase in sales. This surge was likely driven by the 11% year-over-year price drop, making the Model 3 more accessible to a broader range of buyers despite ongoing brand perception challenges in some markets.
On the other hand, the Jeep Wrangler slipped from 25th to 33rd, and Kia models continued to trend downward in price. Notably, the Kia Sorento (-4.15%), Seltos (-2.79%), and Soul (-8.99%) all saw year-over-year price declines.
Meanwhile, long-standing favourites like the Civic, F-150, and CR-V all recorded modest year-over-year price increases, reinforcing their reputation for value and reliability. Subaru and Toyota models also held or gained value, continuing to appeal to buyers seeking practical, fuel-efficient vehicles with strong resale performance.
Own one of these top-selling models? See in-depth pricing insights our Car Value Calculator.
Some vehicles don’t just reflect market trends — they help shape them. With a combination of high sales volume and meaningful price changes, these models exert outsized influence within their respective segments. When they move, segment-wide averages often follow.
This month, two long-standing staples — the Honda Civic and Ford F-150 — continued to act as stabilizing forces. Their steady demand and relatively flat pricing help anchor the car and truck segments, limiting volatility even as other models fluctuate.
In contrast, vehicles like the Tesla Model Y are actively reshaping the market around them. Model Y sales surged nearly 50% month-over-month, while prices dropped 15.2% year-over-year — a combination that’s pulling the entire EV segment downward in average price. As it commands a growing share of used EV sales, its influence is only accelerating.
The Tesla Model 3 is playing a similar role, with sustained price declines contributing to continued affordability shifts in the used EV space. Meanwhile, rising or fluctuating prices for models like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Sentra, Kia Soul, and Ford Escape are pushing their respective SUV and compact car segments in new directions — whether by setting the bar for value, signaling shifting demand, or driving up price ceilings.
These models don’t just represent what’s selling — they actively influence pricing expectations and buyer behaviour within their segments.
While prices are climbing in many segments, there’s still strong demand for vehicles that balance affordability, reliability, and availability. This month’s top-selling affordable models reflect exactly that — high-volume picks that continue to deliver value at accessible price points.
In the under $15K category, compact cars like the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic, Mazda3 remain popular. After climbing the sales rankings and seeing pricing drop, the Kia Soul has found its way onto the list as well. Among SUVs under $20K, practical options like the Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, and Nissan Rogue are joined this month by the Chevrolet Equinox and Nissan Kicks, replacing more expensive or aging alternatives. And in the truck segment under $30K, proven workhorses like the Ram 1500, Ford F-150, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 continue to show strong demand — offering utility and value for buyers who are quick to act.
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Final Takeaways & What to Expect Next
As of April 2025, used vehicle prices in Canada are showing steady upward momentum. Month-over-month increases continue to surface across multiple segments, and for the first time since 2023, the national average is up year-over-year. This return of pricing pressure is being driven by a mix of factors: fewer affordable new vehicle options, shifting consumer preferences toward SUVs and electrified vehicles, and continued uncertainty around global tariffs and manufacturing costs.
The impact of tariffs has yet to be fully reflected in the used market — but early signals are emerging. Tesla is in the process of increasing prices by up to 21%, which could ripple through the used EV segment in short order. Meanwhile, other automakers like Subaru are working around tariffs by importing models like the Forester from Japan, suggesting that pricing dynamics may soon shift across both the new and used markets.
While pricing trends remain segmented — with high-demand models holding strong and used EVs still seeing some softness — the overall direction appears clear. Unless tariffs are reversed or offset in the coming months, used car prices are likely to continue rising modestly through the spring and summer, especially as more buyers seek stability in the secondhand market.
About This Data
This report is based on Clutch’s internal data, collected from retail vehicle sales reported across Canada. The analysis includes vehicles that meet the following criteria:
- Model year 2015 or newer
- Less than 200,000 km at the time of sale
- Sold vehicles only (pending and unsold vehicles are excluded)
References to “cars” include both sedans and hatchbacks, while SUVs and trucks are categorized separately. This segmentation helps reflect real-world buyer preferences across different body styles.
While the dataset covers a large national sample, pricing in smaller provinces or regions with lower sales volume may be influenced by individual outliers. This can lead to greater month-over-month fluctuations in certain areas compared to larger markets like Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
The figures presented reflect average asking prices at the time of sale and are designed to provide an accurate snapshot of current market trends.
Methodology Update: Beginning with the April 2025 report, we’ve implemented minor improvements to our dataset to enhance accuracy. This includes a more comprehensive classification of vehicle body styles and the removal of clear pricing outliers. These refinements may cause slight differences compared to previously reported figures but do not affect overall market trends.
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