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The average used car price in Canada reached $33,221 in May, rising 0.58% month-over-month and 2.56% year-over-year. This marks the sixth consecutive monthly increase, as prices continue to trend upward in a market shaped by shifting demand patterns.
Buyer preferences remain a key factor. Interest in hybrids and EVs continues to grow, and SUVs still dominate the sales mix nationwide. At the same time, recent changes to rebates and taxes are influencing fuel-type trends in several key provinces—a dynamic we explore in more detail later on.
This month’s report takes a closer look at how these trends are shaping the market across different body styles, fuel types, and vehicle models nationwide.
Used car prices continue to vary widely across the country, and the farther east you go, the more affordable they get. British Columbia once again recorded the highest provincial average this month at $37,448, while Prince Edward Island came in lowest at $27,370.
The overall pattern remains consistent: Western provinces like B.C. and Alberta lead the pricing table, followed by Ontario, Québec, and the Atlantic region. While provincial relationships haven’t shifted much this month, there are signs that affordability is tightening fastest in Western markets, a trend also reflected in recent shifts in body style and fuel type preferences.
After declining through much of 2024, Canada’s used car prices have now posted six straight monthly gains. The chart above shows the national average price by month, with May’s 0.58% increase pushing the average to $33,221—the highest level since March 2024, and 0.6% higher year-over-year.
This rebound remains gradual, but segment-level shifts are continuing to influence the price mix. In May, car prices rose 1.6%, hybrids climbed 0.3%, and EVs increased 1.0%—underscoring the growing demand for electrified vehicles and smaller, fuel-efficient options. Combined with the longer-term shift toward SUVs, these trends are helping to sustain upward pricing momentum as the market moves into the summer months.
Wherever you bought a used vehicle in May, SUVs dominated: about six in every ten sales nationwide. After that common ground, the map splits. Québec remains the country’s car stronghold—just over 30% of its sales were sedans or hatchbacks—while Ontario follows at 29%. Head west and the balance shifts to pickups: Saskatchewan put a nation-leading 26% of its purchases into trucks, with Manitoba (20%) and Alberta (23%) close behind—roughly twice the truck share seen in Québec. British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces sit in the middle, each at roughly 16% trucks and 25% cars. In short, SUVs are Canada’s universal choice, but what drivers select for the remaining 40% of the market still hinges on regional habits—cars in the east, pickups on the prairies.
SUV prices in May ticked higher even though the country’s favourite crossover—the Toyota RAV4—actually fell on both counts (-1.4% in price, -3.9% in sales). The lift came from shoppers moving up-market: demand for the Jeep Wrangler—a $40k-plus off-roader—jumped 13%, enough to offset softer, cheaper models. Provincially, the pattern showed the same tug-of-war: Ontario and Québec bought more higher-priced SUVs, pushing their local averages up, while B.C. and Alberta saw both prices and volumes drift lower. A surprise spike in Saskatchewan prices (+4.8%) added an extra nudge, leaving the national SUV average modestly in the green for the month.
Car prices in May edged up about 1.6% month-over-month, and most of that lift came from everyday favourites: the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra both sold in bigger numbers and for slightly higher prices, nudging the whole segment upward. At the same time, spring weather brought more buyers for fun-to-drive models. The Subaru WRX, for instance, averaged $27,112, with sales jumping 20% while prices climbed 3.4%. Together, this steady demand for core commuters and renewed interest in performance sedans pushed car values to their strongest monthly gain so far this year.
In May, Canada’s used truck market played out as a game of tug-of-war between West and East. Out West (B.C. and Alberta) buyers shifted toward lighter half-tons—the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500—and away from the heavier 250/350-series workhorses. Because half-tons cost less, that switch nudged average prices down about one per cent in both provinces.
Back East in Ontario, the rope pulled the other way. F-150 prices and sales slipped, but the Ram 1500 gained ground, and both Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra moved up in price and volume. On top of that, Ontario shoppers snapped up more heavy-duty 2500/3500 models, which carry steeper price tags.
The result: Western price drops were largely offset by eastern gains, especially on those big rigs, so the national truck average still inched higher even as provincial trends pointed in opposite directions.
In May, pricing trends across fuel types highlighted a market responding to recent policy shifts and evolving buyer preferences. Used EV prices increased by 1.3% month-over-month yet remain 0.6% lower than last year, indicating continued pressure from earlier price cuts and shifting incentives. Hybrid vehicle prices saw a modest monthly gain of 0.3% but are now 4.9% higher year-over-year, as buyers increasingly seek fuel-efficient alternatives without range anxiety. Meanwhile, gasoline-powered vehicle prices rose steadily by 1.0% from April, marking a 1.5% increase compared to last May, reflecting ongoing tight supply conditions in traditional vehicle segments. These national trends, however, are heavily shaped by what’s happening in the three largest markets—B.C., Ontario, and Québec—which together accounted for 92% of used EV sales in May.
In British Columbia, used EV prices decreased in May, following the reinstatement of the provincial sales tax (PST) exemption on May 1. The tax exemption’s planned removal was announced in early March, creating an immediate rush as buyers hurried to complete their purchases before the deadline. This urgency significantly pulled forward EV sales into March and April. Once the PST returned, demand dropped sharply, prompting dealers to reduce EV sticker prices by an average of 1.2% month-over-month to partially offset the additional tax burden for buyers. This shift highlights how closely BC’s EV market remains tied to provincial incentives, with even small policy adjustments noticeably influencing buying patterns and pricing.
Similar to B.C., Québec’s used-EV market has also been strongly influenced by recent incentive changes. The province’s Roulez vert rebate reduction was announced in March 2024, triggering a sales rush that peaked at the end of 2024 as buyers scrambled to lock in higher rebates. This rush generated a wave of trade-ins, substantially increasing the supply of used EVs available in early 2025. When the rebate was paused entirely in February and March—and then reinstated at a reduced amount—many shoppers pivoted from new EVs to these abundant used alternatives. The result: despite lower rebates, demand for used EVs strengthened, pushing average prices up by 2.4% month-over-month in May and leaving them 3.7% higher than a year earlier.
Ontario’s used-EV market tells a different story from B.C. or Québec, since there hasn’t been a provincial EV rebate in the province since 2018. Without major policy shifts to drive demand spikes, pricing is shaped more by the natural flow of supply and buyer interest. In May, used-EV prices in Ontario ticked up 0.7% month-over-month but are still 6.5% lower than this time last year. That year-over-year drop reflects a maturing market, with more vehicles becoming available and prices adjusting as the segment evolves.
If you’re shopping for a budget-friendly used vehicle, location continues to play a big role in what you’ll find. The chart above shows how affordability stacks up by province, based on key thresholds: cars under $15,000, SUVs under $20,000, and trucks under $30,000.
Quebec and the Atlantic provinces remain the most affordable markets, offering the highest share of lower-priced vehicles across most categories. In fact, Atlantic buyers now see a slightly greater share of affordable SUVs than Quebec—a reflection of local market mix and demand patterns.
Ontario sits close to the national average for cars and SUVs, and continues to stand out for affordable trucks, with just over 20% of truck sales landing under $30,000—a relative rarity in today’s market.
In contrast, Western provinces offer fewer budget-friendly options across all body styles. British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba remain below the national average for affordable cars, SUVs, and trucks, consistent with their higher resale values and the greater presence of larger, newer, or more premium vehicles in those regions.
May’s top-selling models kept their familiar leader, but several vehicles shuffled places beneath it.
The Honda Civic held on to No. 1, while the Ford F-150 stayed in second, even as its average price slipped 1.7% and sales volume eased nearly 2%. Honda’s CR-V rounded out the podium, though both its price and sales inched lower. The Toyota Corolla dropped a single spot as sales softened slightly.
Several nameplates made notable climbs. The Nissan Sentra jumped nine positions on a 12% month-over-month sales increase, the biggest advance among high-volume cars. On the SUV side, the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee rose ten and seven places, respectively, each posting big gains in month-over-month sales. In the truck aisle, the Ram 1500 edged upward, continuing the gradual shift of share away from the F-150.
Not every longtime favourite moved up. The Ford Explorer slipped six ranks, and the Toyota Tacoma slid thirteen, as both models recorded lower month-over-month sales. Toyota’s RAV4 and Honda’s CR-V also gave up a little ground but remained in the top tier overall. These changes highlight a month of incremental reshuffling rather than a full upheaval, with value-oriented choices like Sentra and momentum builds in Jeep’s lineup offsetting modest pullbacks among several stalwarts.
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Each month, certain models play an outsized role in shaping price and demand trends within their segments. This month’s Market Makers highlight the vehicles behind May’s key moves in SUVs, cars, and trucks.
In SUVs, the story was one of buyers moving upmarket. While stalwarts like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V both slipped in price and volume, shoppers showed a growing appetite for higher-priced options. The Jeep Wrangler’s 13% sales increase, combined with rising demand for the RAV4 Hybrid, BMW X3, and Porsche Macan (Macan sales up 34%), pushed the segment’s average price higher despite softness at the top of the volume charts. The result was a clear shift toward more premium models in May’s SUV market.
In the car segment, momentum came from both ends of the market. The Nissan Sentra’s 12% sales jump cemented its climb up the rankings, reinforcing the strong demand for affordable, fuel-efficient options. Meanwhile, performance and midsize models saw renewed interest: Accord sales rose 18%, WRX volumes nearly 20%, and Civic sales also gained, driving the segment to its strongest month-over-month price increase so far this year.
The truck market reflected a shift in buyer focus. With F-150 sales and prices both edging lower, attention continued to swing toward heavy-duty models. Demand for Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups helped balance the segment, keeping national truck prices slightly positive even as the sales of half-tons softened.
Together, May’s Market Makers show how changing buyer priorities, not just price trends, are reshaping the segments from within. For shoppers, that shifting landscape could present new opportunities, especially in categories where higher-priced models are starting to pull more weight.
When we focus only on the lower price segments, the leaderboard looks nothing like the overall market. In cars under $15,000, the Hyundai Elantra takes a commanding 11% share, while the Honda Civic—normally a perennial best-seller—captures less than half that slice. Value hunters also gravitate to the Chevrolet Cruze, Mazda3, and Kia Forte, which sit shoulder-to-shoulder with the Civic. Toyota’s Corolla, often a national top-three nameplate, is largely absent in this price bracket—a testament to how firmly it holds its value.
The reshuffle is even clearer in SUVs under $20,000. Practical crossovers lead the pack: the Ford Escape holds the top spot, closely trailed by the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Rogue. High-demand favourites like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V rarely appear because they seldom depreciate into sub-$20,000 territory. Buyers looking for a budget utility vehicle, therefore, turn to slightly less coveted—but still reliable—models that offer more kilometres-per-dollar.
In trucks under $30,000, the Ram 1500 accounts for almost a quarter of all budget-truck sales, edging out the Ford F-150. Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500s round out the affordable-truck top five. The F-150’s lower ranking here contrasts with its usual dominance, highlighting just how well it retains value as mileage climbs. Overall, the affordable segment underscores a simple truth: models that vanish—or rank lower—on these lists do so because buyers are willing to pay a premium for them even at higher age and mileage, keeping their prices above the “bargain” cut-off.
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Final Takeaways & What to Expect Next
With six straight months of gains, Canada’s used vehicle market is heading into summer with clear momentum. SUVs and hybrids remain in strong demand, and seasonal trends should continue to lift interest in performance models.
Meanwhile, the pullback of EV incentives in B.C. and Québec is expected to push more buyers toward hybrids and lower-priced used EVs. Reliable, affordable cars remain a hot commodity, and deals at the lower end of the market may become harder to come by as demand stays strong.
Pressure from the new car market is also adding to the mix. Tariffs on imported vehicles, sweeping Tesla price hikes, and the scaling back of cash rebates and promotional financing on new cars are all steering more shoppers toward the used market. With these forces converging, buyers should expect a competitive summer, especially in the most sought-after segments.
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
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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