The 8 Best Electric Vehicles You Can Buy In Canada

With the soaring regular gasoline price going over $2.00 per litre in some provinces in Canada, as well as the prospect of significantly higher fuel prices in the near future, Canadians are beginning to consider switching to electric vehicles. That raises the question of which electric vehicle is the best for Canadian drivers. 

When there are so many EV models on the market in Canada, how do you choose the best electric or hybrid vehicle for you?

Here are our top eight electrified vehicles for Canadian car shoppers, from price-conscious hybrids to price-no-object EVs, we can’t tell you which electric vehicle is right for you, but keep reading this article will help you narrow down your electric vehicle choices.

1. Tesla Model 3: the most popular electric vehicle for a good reason 

Starting MSRP $46,389 (Standard Range); $74,990 (Performance)

The Tesla Model 3 is probably the most popular electric vehicle in recent years, and it’s also the most cost-effective Tesla model. Popularity does not always equal practicality, but in the world of electric vehicles, efficiency appears to be just as important as style, performance, luxury features, and premium status, and the Model 3 has it all. It’s a high-performance electric vehicle with a long-range driving range and a reasonable price tag, making it a compelling EV option for Canadians. With its low depreciation rate, the Model 3 has also been recognised as one of the best EVs for resale value.

The Model 3 comes in three different ranges: Standard Range Plus (250 miles or 400 kilometres), Long Range (322 miles or 520 kilometres), and Performance (299 miles or 480 kilometres). 

2. Nissan Leaf:  the most affordable electric vehicle in Canada

Starting MSRP $34,780 (base); $44,298 (Plus)

The Nissan Leaf is a cost-effective electric vehicle with Nissan’s user-friendly technology and great driver assistance features. The base model of the Leaf is only $34,780. It’s an excellent solution for Canadian drivers who don’t require long-distance range and don’t want to pay extra for a longer battery range. 

With the Leaf Plus variant, the second-generation Leaf can travel up to 243 kilometres. The Plus model starts at $44,298, which is a great price for the amount of range you can get. The Leaf includes a number of high-tech driver-assistance technologies, including a semi-autonomous driving mode, and the cabin is roomy and comfy.

3. Toyota Corolla Hybrid: the best budget-conscious hybrid for Canadian

Starting MSRP $23,650

The 2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid has a starting price of $23,650, making it one of the most affordable hybrids and electric vehicles on the market. It’s an excellent choice for Canadians who searching for a compact, inexpensive hybrid for their daily commute. 

The Corolla Hybrid offers an extremely affordable starting price for the class and a long list of standard features that create an excellent value and make it a great deal.

4. Toyota RAV4 Prime – the best overall plug-in vehicle

Starting MSRP $41,495

Toyota RAV4 Prime is the best-electrified vehicle of 2022, thanks to its renowned RAV4 – the most popular SUV in North America. When coupled with the gas engine, the Toyota RAV4 Prime has a driving range of up to 979 kilometres without needing to refuel or recharge. If you’re searching for a powerful and capable family crossover, the Toyota RAV4 Prime is a great option. The RAV4 Prime has a good all-electric range and accelerates quickly, and there are two trims available. The RAV4 Prime qualifies for the federal $5,000 EV subsidy as well as an additional $1,500 in British Columbia and a stunning $8,000 in Quebec, thanks to its enormous 18.1-kilowatt-hour battery. 

5. Tesla Model Y: the best selling electric vehicle in Canada

Starting MSRP $69,995

With an annual sales rate of 100,000 units, the Tesla Model Y immediately outsold all of Tesla’s other models. Tesla Model Y accounted for about one-third of Tesla’s Canadian sales last year. The Model Y is a sporty crossover option for drivers who want a Model 3 but need additional space. It has spacy cargo space, a convenient liftback design, and a modest rise in ride height for better overall visibility. The Tesla Model Y is a compact, fully electric SUV that can be recharged at any public station or at home.

The Model Y is available in two trims: Long Range (316 miles or 508 kilometres) and Performance (315 miles or 506 kilometres), with seating for seven. The Model Y offers the same excellent balance of driving performance and interior comfort. In comparison to Model 3, the Y has additional space and load capacity. While the space of Model Y, on the other hand, is under-utilized, and the falcon-wing doors are more bother than they’re worth. All-wheel drive is standard, and the high-tech interior is packed with amenities. This Model Y is expected to get 115 MPGe in town and 106 MPGe on the interstate.

6. Porsche Taycan: the best luxury battery-electric 

Starting MSRP $125,995

The Porsche Taycan is the most expensive EV on our list. The Porsche Taycan is a fully electric vehicle with all of Porsche’s technology and distinction. It’s better made and has a more luxurious, identifiable design, and it drives with the same passion as a sporty Porsche. Porsche’s Taycan Model-S-fighter is capable of a quick surge of charging that can give you 25 kilometres of range in one minute as the manufacturer claims. Taycan’s ‘DC fast-charge system’ charges the car to 80% in around 20 minutes, which is faster than Tesla.

7. Hyundai Ioniq Electric: the most cost-effective small hatchback 

Starting MSRP $33,749

With a starting MSRP of $33,749, the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in has quietly been one of the more cost-effective PHEV vehicles in Canada for several years. With robust standard driver-assist technologies, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric is a fantastic family car for the shorter-range commuters or do-it-all hatchback. It features a 28-kilowatt-hour battery and can go 274 kilometres on a single charge. It’s one of the most economical electric vehicles on the market in Canada. Its 47 km of all-electric range qualifies it for a $2,500 Federal incentive. It can go up to 954 kilometres with the combination of the battery and gas tank and consumes only 2.0 Le/100 km.

8. Toyota Prius Prime: the most durable electric vehicle

Starting MSRP $33,550

The Toyota Prius Prime is now in its second generation, making it one of the more durable electric vehicles on the market. The Prius Prime outperforms the hybrid car class in terms of fuel efficiency, with a combined city/highway rating of 54 mpg and an electric-only range of 40 kilometres. The Prius Prime also has an affordable starting MSRP of $33,550, making it one of the most affordable EVs in Canada. 

Its electric-only range of 40 kilometres qualifies it for the Federal $2,500 iZEV incentives, and it can go up to a total of a combined range of 995 kilometres before needing to refuel or recharge. Canadian car shoppers who pay attention to fuel efficiency are familiar with the Prius name It achieves a great combined average fuel consumption of 1.8 Le/100 km along the way. 

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