Cars in Canada: Ownership, Everyday Life, and the Market That Keeps Us Moving
Having a car in Canada isn’t a luxury — for many people, it’s a necessity. And while this page could easily stretch into a short novel explaining every reason why, the simple truth is this: Canada is built differently than most places on earth.
Unlike Europe, with its dense cities, high-speed rail networks and seamless cross-country train travel — or the United States, with its massive interstate highway system and sophisticated subway and rail infrastructure — Canada is vast. We’re the second-largest country in the world by land mass, yet home to roughly 40 million people spread across enormous distances. Without vehicular transportation, daily life in Canada would be, quite frankly, unworkable.
At TheCarMagazine.com (TCM), we help Canadians understand the vehicles available for sale in this country, how they’re paid for, how they’re maintained, and how they’ve become deeply embedded in our everyday lives. Cars in Canada aren’t just machines — they’re tools, personal spaces, family haulers, workhorses, and, in many cases, part of our identity.
Four Seasons, Two Realities — and Vehicles Built for Both
Canada officially has four seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall. Unofficially, many Canadians joke that we really only experience winter and not-winter. And there’s truth in that humour.
Our vehicles need to function in snow, ice, slush, freezing rain and sub-zero temperatures — and then, just months later, deal with summer heat, road trips, cottage weekends and patio-season traffic. That dual reality heavily influences what Canadians buy.
This is a big reason why SUVs and crossovers dominate the Canadian market. They sit a little higher, handle winter conditions more confidently, often come equipped with AWD, and pack in technology that makes daily driving easier and more comfortable year-round. When it’s winter, Canadians want capability and confidence. When it’s not-winter, we want to look good doing it.
TCM reviews vehicles with this reality in mind — not just how they drive on a perfect road, on a perfect day, under perfect conditions.
Cars, Culture, and Everyday Canadian Life
Canadians love their sports, music, movies and social media — and cars are often right there in the background, or sometimes front and centre. Athletes, actors, musicians and creators all have relationships with the vehicles they drive, and those stories matter because they reflect how cars fit into real life, not just spec sheets.
From school drop-offs and job sites to weekend road trips and daily commutes, vehicles shape routines and lifestyles. This is why TCM doesn’t treat cars as isolated products. We look at how vehicles live with people — how they age, adapt and integrate into everyday use.
Our growing library of mini vehicle reviews, featuring Chantale Abbott, along with our “Road Talk” video series starring Chantale and Jim Matthews, are designed to reflect exactly that: real people, real opinions, and real ownership perspectives.
Vehicle Ownership in Canada (Including Leasing)
When we talk about ownership at TCM, we’re also talking about leasing. You don’t have to own a car outright to have ownership. Leasing is a form of ownership for a defined period — during which the driver is fully responsible for the vehicle, its condition and its care.
In Canada:
- The average vehicle age is roughly 10 to 11 years
- The average ownership period is about 7 to 8 years
- The average lease term is closer to 4 years
These numbers matter. They tell us two things:
- Automakers are building higher-quality vehicles than ever before
- Canadians are maintaining and repairing their vehicles better than ever
Many Canadians drive their vehicles well past a decade, and the industry supporting that ownership has evolved dramatically.
Maintenance, Repairs, and the Modern Service Industry
The vehicle repair and maintenance industry in Canada has never been stronger — or more competitive.
Not long ago, new car dealerships primarily saw customers for warranty work. Once the warranty expired, many drivers disappeared back to their “personal mechanic.” Today, that’s no longer the norm.
Modern vehicles are sophisticated, software-driven machines. Dealerships have invested heavily in training, diagnostic tools and equipment, successfully rebranding themselves as post-warranty experts. At the same time, independent service providers — led by major players like Canadian Tire — invested in technology as costs came down, leveling the playing field.
The result? Canadian consumers now have more service options than ever. Poor workmanship, bad service or inflated pricing are no longer tolerated — because there’s always another shop down the road.
Urban vs. Rural Ownership: Two Very Different Needs
Vehicle ownership looks very different depending on where you live in Canada.
In major urban centres, many cities have struggled to keep pace with population growth through effective public transportation. The result is more households owning one, two, or even three vehicles — not by choice, but by necessity. While this benefits manufacturers, dealers and service providers, it also contributes to gridlock, pollution and exhausting commutes. When it takes an hour to travel 20 kilometres during rush hour, it’s no wonder remote work has become so appealing.
In rural Canada, the situation is simpler — and more demanding. Vehicles aren’t optional. They’re essential for work, family, healthcare and daily life. Reliability, durability and all-weather capability matter more than trends or tech gimmicks.
TCM reviews vehicles with both realities in mind.
The Canadian Car Market: Prices, Pressure, and Perspective
New vehicle pricing in Canada has increased dramatically. In 2019, the average new vehicle price hovered around $40,000. By 2025–2026, that figure climbed to approximately $65,000 — a 60% increase in just six model years.
While today’s vehicles offer more technology, safety features and efficiency than ever before, price growth far outpaced overall inflation during the pandemic years. Recently, pricing pressure has begun to ease as supply chains stabilized and EV production costs were better controlled. Still, some inventory shortages remain — and TCM believes some of that scarcity is artificial.
Manufacturers and dealers who rely on “shortage” narratives to avoid competition should be cautious. In a competitive free market, other brands will step in with equally compelling — or better — alternatives. Canadians will notice.
A Market with Many Drivers
Canada’s automotive market serves many different buyer types:
- New car buyers (roughly 95% take out loans – i.e. finance the vehicle)
- New car leasing customers (payment-focused, shorter ownership)
- Lease Transfer customers (customers interested in short term leases)
- Used and off-lease buyers (mostly financed)
- Subprime buyers, relying on tier-2 lenders at higher interest rates
While the subprime segment often carries negative perceptions, it plays a critical role. It provides mobility for Canadians rebuilding credit — enabling them to work, earn and participate in the economy. Like any market segment, it has challenges, but it serves a necessary function.
Why a Free Market Matters
TCM strongly supports a healthy, competitive free market. Government interference in vehicle pricing and availability often leads to unintended consequences driven by people disconnected from the realities of the automotive ecosystem.
A free market forces manufacturers to:
- Adjust pricing
- Offer rebates
- Subsidize interest rates
- Compete on value, not scarcity
This competition affects new vehicles, used vehicles and off-lease inventory — keeping the entire lifecycle of vehicle ownership moving. New car buyers trade in vehicles. Lease customers return vehicles. Used buyers step in. The circle continues.
This is the ecosystem TCM writes about — and why our reviews focus on why a vehicle belongs on your shortlist, not just how it drives around a track.
How This Page Fits with TheCarMagazine.com
This page exists to provide context. It helps explain why vehicles matter in Canada, how people live with them, and why ownership realities should influence buying decisions.
Everything TCM publishes — from in-depth reviews to short-form video content — is grounded in this understanding. We review cars the way Canadians actually use them. And that perspective is what makes our voice different.