Online car shopping has transformed how Canadians find their next vehicle. Instead of bouncing between dealerships or sketchy classifieds, you can now compare thousands of listings, check prices, and read reviews — all from your couch.

Two of the biggest players in the online car marketplace space are AutoTrader.ca and CarGurus.ca. Both are widely used across Canada, but they serve up a very different experience. So which one is right for you?

Let’s break it down.

AutoTrader.ca Overview

AutoTrader is a Canadian staple. It’s been around since the print magazine days, and now it’s a go-to digital platform for buying and selling vehicles. It lists both dealer and private seller vehicles, including new, used, and certified pre-owned (CPO) cars.

AutoTrader isn’t limited to just cars, either. You’ll also find listings for boats, RVs, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and more — making it one of the broadest vehicle marketplaces in the country.

The site is packed with features, filters, and tools — which can be a plus for power users, but it also means the interface can feel cluttered and ad-heavy compared to more modern platforms.

CarGurus.ca Overview

CarGurus is a U.S.-based company that’s carved out a solid presence in Canada. It’s a dealer-only platform — meaning every listing is from a licensed dealer, whether it’s new, used, or CPO.

CarGurus is best known for its clean, intuitive interface and robust price analysis tools, which rate each listing as a Fair, Good, or Great Deal based on current market data. It’s a more focused, minimalist experience — which appeals to many shoppers.

While CarGurus does have a “Sell Your Car” feature, it’s only available in select Canadian cities through a partnership with Autozen. So if you’re trying to sell your vehicle privately, this platform won’t be much help.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Marketplace Is Better?

It really comes down to what you value most in your car shopping experience:

AutoTrader is better if you:

• Want to shop both private sellers and dealers
  
• Are looking for something outside of cars (e.g. boats, RVs)
  
• Prefer to browse a larger volume of listings, even if quality varies
  

CarGurus is better if you:

• Prefer a cleaner, simpler interface
  
• Want more consistent listing quality
• Rely on pricing insights and deal ratings to guide your purchase

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for the most listings and want to browse both private and dealer vehicles — or even something beyond cars like boats or RVs — AutoTrader gives you more volume and variety. But if you prefer a cleaner interface, higher-quality listings, and useful price comparison tools, CarGurus offers a smoother overall experience.

Want an even easier way to buy or sell your car online?

Clutch lets you skip the marketplace altogether. Browse certified used cars 100% online, get financing, and have your vehicle delivered straight to your door. Selling? Just enter your plate or VIN to get an instant offer — no messaging back and forth with strangers.

Check out Clutch to shop or sell your car online — no dealership visit required.