As the leaves (and the first snowflakes) fall, Auto123 presents its 10 best SUVs available on the market at the end of 2024 and for 2025. Today, the Compact SUVs sold in Canada in 2024-2025.
See also: Top 10 subcompact SUVs sold in Canada for 2025
The growth we have experienced in electric vehicle sales has slowed a bit, sedans have become rarer and many are wondering if a pickup truck can meet their daily needs. One thing, however, has remained constant over the past decade: compact SUVs are here to stay and show no signs of losing momentum… no matter the brand.
The choice is vast, without surprise. All the same, here are our 10 choices as we approach 2025.
Chevrolet Equinox
One of Chevrolet’s most popular models is getting a complete redesign for 2025, with new styling. These include an aggressive lighting signature, new rims and new colors, as well as a new platform for a more solid ride, improved handling and a smoother ride overall.
Inside, we find a huge instrument cluster on an 11-inch screen as well as an 11.3-inch multimedia screen which now integrates Google technology. This means you can log in to your Google account, have access to the Google Assistant and Google Maps, which then form the basis of the native media screen.
See also: 2025 Chevrolet Equinox, first test: the compact SUV gets going
Ford Escape (petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid)
For 2025, the Escape is available in six versions, four of which offer the choice between a gasoline or hybrid engine, as well as a plug-in hybrid version (PHEV). The standard engine is a 1.5-liter EcoBoost 3-cylinder developing 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, while hybrid models benefit from a combined 192 horsepower from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. 5 liters naturally aspirated and an electric motor.
The PHEV variant develops 210 horsepower, while the most powerful model – the ST-Line version – inherits a 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder developing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque thanks to the presence of turbos double spiral.
Honda CR-V (petrol and hybrid)
The Honda CR-V is an omnipresent model in Canada, and for good reason. The SUV is well-built and immensely capable, even during harsh conditions. And it has one of the most spacious cabins in the segment.
Add to that impeccable interior finish and a free-revving 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine patented by Honda, and you have a winning recipe in many respects.
If you’re more concerned about fuel consumption, the hybrid model might be more suitable for you. Available in EX-L and Touring versions, it consumes less than the announced 7.0 liters/100 km in the combined cycle.
Hyundai Tucson (petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid)
For 2025, the Tucson is slightly reworked with a redesigned grille, new rims and new bumpers. He has a slightly more robust appearance, although he was doing well in that regard before.
Inside, there are notable changes, with an optional digital display dashboard for instrumentation and multimedia. Base models of the Tucson come with a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, one of the largest in the segment.
Three powertrains are offered: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder, a hybrid version with a 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder and a plug-in hybrid version (same engine) offering up to 65 km of autonomy. Power ranges from 178 to 187 horsepower and torque from 178 to 195 lb-ft.
The more robust XRT version, with its unique rims and tires and additional bodywork accents, is back in 2025.
Kia Sportage (petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid)
The cousin of the Tucson returns relatively unchanged in 2025, while the new generation has just been presented (which is coming for 2026).
The current model is again available in gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. The latter offers a range of 55 km in electric mode, which is slightly higher than that of the Tucson, which is 51 km.
Base models are equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder developing 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft, while the PHEV model is the most powerful with 277 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
The Sportage also comes with LED wraparound daytime running lights and triangle-shaped headlight lenses. It is also equipped with a dual digital display for the dashboard and the multimedia system screen.
See also: Los Angeles 2024: 2026 Kia Sportage debuts
Mazda CX-50 (petrol and hybrid)
The big news for the stockier, more athletic version of Mazda’s famous CX-5 crossover is the addition of a hybrid powertrain. And not just any, the one shared with the Toyota RAV4, which remains one of the best-selling hybrid vehicles on the market today. With this engine, the CX-50 develops 219 horsepower and Mazda announces an average consumption of 6.2 liters/100 km in the combined cycle.
All CX-50s now benefit from the larger 10.3-inch multimedia screen that was optional last year, as well as the Amazon Alexa app as standard.
Also see: 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, first test: 5.7 reasons to love the electrified SUV
Mitsubishi Outlander (petrol and plug-in hybrid)
For the year 2025, the popular Outlander continues its journey, powered by a gasoline powertrain or PHEV, behind one of the best warranties on the planet.
The PHEV model can travel up to 61 km using power from the electric motor alone, meaning that for many Canadians who can plug in at home, the Outlander can operate as a fully electric vehicle in its own right instead. as a hybrid. (he writes phev… but that’s not what you should write… it’s definitely hybrid… when it doesn’t work in electric mode, it behaves in hybrid mode, not PHEV).
In addition to the power of the powertrain, the Outlander offers since its 2022 redesign a much more comfortable interior environment; the latter was accompanied by more luxurious materials and better on-board technology.
Nissan Rogue (essence)
Much of the Outlander’s transformation in 2022 is due to the Nissan Rogue with which it shares a platform. Unlike Mitsubishi’s SUV, however, the Rogue doesn’t have a PHEV variant, with Nissan instead choosing to rely on a smaller 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine for efficiency. It develops 201 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, transmitted through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) for optimal efficiency and smoothness.
Also new for 2025, a more robust Rock Creek edition, the Rogue following in the footsteps of its big brother Pathfinder. It adds all-terrain tires, a tubular roof rack and a 12-volt outlet to the cargo area.
Subaru Forester (essence)
The Forester offers us a new generation for 2025, the SUV which receives new headlights, a new grille and new lights, as well as square fenders and new rims with a unique spoke design and a copper color.
Subaru also inserted a new steering rack that shares some components with the WRX sports sedan. The power has been slightly revised to 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft, which was 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft in 2024. The integrable transmission is standard, as is the CVT gearbox.
Unfortunately, with the design change, we will have to wait for the next generation of the Wilderness model. Subaru will continue to offer the 2024 Wilderness variant as a 2025 model.
Toyota RAV4 (gasoline only, hybrid and plug-in hybrid)
Although it has not been officially confirmed, it appears that Toyota’s popular RAV4 will receive a complete redesign in 2025, for the 2026 model year. It is also said that only the hybrid powertrain will remain available , which is no surprise, given that this has been the case in a number of markets for some time now.
If the project comes to fruition, we can expect a much more aggressive front fascia, like the new 4Runner and Tacoma, as well as more fluid lines than in the past.
Original content from auto123.
