Canadians still love SUVs, but sedans gaining ground: study

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Despite the indisputable popularity of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickups with Canadian motorists, seven of the 10 vehicles most researched by consumers in 2022 were sedans and sports cars, according to a study published Thursday by AutoHebdo.

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The study found that for the eighth consecutive year, the Ford F150 topped the list of vehicles most preferred by buyers across the country.

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However, the Honda Civic compact sedan came in second, followed by the BMW Series 3. The Mercedes-Benz C Class and Mercedes Benz E Class also figured in the list along with the Ford Mustang, the Porsche 911 and the Chevrolet Corvette.

The only SUVs to make it onto the list are the Toyota RAV4 and the Jeep Wrangler.

AutoHebdo found that buyer preferences varied from one province to another. Data compiled between Jan. 1 and Oct. 25 of this year found that the Honda Civic was most popular in Quebec and Ontario while the Ford F150 topped the lists in the Maritimes.

Ian MacDonald, head of marketing for AutoHebdo, said 2022 differed from previous years because of concerns over increases in the cost of living, a lack of vehicle inventory and other economic pressures.

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Meanwhile, the jump in the price of gas resulted in a 148-per-cent increase in buyers looking for information on electric vehicles.

Last year, a shortage of microchips reduced the number of new vehicles available and led a larger number of Canadians to consider used cars, a spike in interest that resulted in an increase in the cost for those vehicles.

AutoHebdo found that the trend toward used cars was maintained in 2022 with 36 per cent of buyers considering the purchase of a previously owned vehicle, a 10-per-cent increase over 2021, and there has been a drop in the average price of used vehicles in Canada.