All-wheel drive (AWD) cars are becoming increasingly popular in Canada as they provide better stability and control on slippery roads during the harsh winter. The 2024 model year has a wide range of amazing AWD cars worth considering if you're looking for a new car. In this article, we'll highlight the best AWD cars in Canada to help you choose the best model.
Owning an AWD car is virtually a necessity in much of Canada, and front-wheel or rear-wheel-drive vehicles can't handle the snowfall and ice on the roads in the winter. Keep in mind, though, not all AWD cars are great. Continue reading to learn all about the nine best AWD cars in Canada for 2024.
2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid AWD
The Toyota Corolla is legendary in quality, but Toyota took things a step further by adding a fuel-efficient hybrid model and later gave it optional AWD.
Meet the 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid AWD. This compact fuel miser comes equipped with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor that delivers a combined 138 horsepower (hp) and 156 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque. This pairing adds up to a combined fuel economy rating of 4.9 to 5.3 L/100 km. On top of its fuel-sipping ways, the Corolla Hybrid AWD's compact size makes it perfect for city driving and it comes with piles of advanced safety and driver-assist features to keep you and your passengers safe.
The Corolla Hybrid AWD is more than just a fuel-efficient car. It's stylish, comfortable, and perfect for short commutes or long road trips. It features a spacious and well-designed interior, with plenty of legroom and headroom for even the tallest passengers. And everyone is comfortable and entertained with its heated seats, automatic climate control, six-speaker sound system, and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid with AWD starts from $31,185.08, but you may be able to pick up a used Corolla Hybrid with AWD and similar features for a few thousand dollars less.
2024 Subaru Legacy
Subaru is the master in the realm of AWD models, as virtually its entire lineup has included standard AWD for many years.
The 2024 Subaru Legacy is no exception to the brand’s AWD greatness. It's a wonderful option for those seeking a spacious and reliable midsize sedan that can easily handle Canadian roads -- even in the winter. Its standard AWD ensures you'll have a stable and secure ride, no matter the weather conditions.
Under the hood, the 2024 Subaru Legacy has a standard 2.4-litre turbocharged engine that can produce up to 260 horsepower, so it has plenty of pep for your inner gearhead.
Beyond its impressive performance and wonderful AWD setup, the 2024 Subaru Legacy is also equipped with various advanced safety technologies designed to keep you and your passengers safe on the road. These safety features include lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more.
Inside, the 2024 Subaru Legacy boasts a comfortable and stylish cabin with plush and supportive seats that make for a comfortable ride, even on long journeys. The Legacy has lots to offer in the tech area too, including a standard 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, four USB ports, a Harman Kardon audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more.
The 2024 Subaru Legacy starts from $45,985, but you may be able to pick up a used Legacy with similar features for a few thousand dollars less.
2024 Subaru Impreza
If you want that quality Subaru AWD with a lower price range and in a compact sedan, the 2024 Subaru Impreza may be the best AWD car for you. This compact car comes with standard AWD and delivers impressive handling, a comfortable ride, and a spacious cabin, thanks to its hatchback design.
No matter what Mother Nature throws your way, you can trust the 2024 Impreza’s standard AWD will keep you firmly planted on the roadway. Whether driving on a snowy road or a wet highway, the Impreza's AWD system will help keep you safe and in control.
On top of its impressive standard AWD system, the 2024 Subaru Impreza is also fuel-efficient. It comes standard with a 2.0-litre boxer-four engine that delivers 152 hp. Buyers looking for more power can upgrade to the 2.5-litre four-cylinder in the RS and Sport-tech models that delivers 182 hp.
But the Impreza isn't just practical — it's also a blast to drive, thanks to its precise handling. It also features a comfortable ride, so it's a joy to take long trips. And with its spacious, comfortable cabin and ample cargo space, you'll have plenty of room for passengers and gear.
This compact AWD car isn't just about a low price either. It also boasts an assortment of standard high-end features, such as a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic dual-zone climate control, and more. Plus, it adds top-notch standard safety tech, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assist, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more.
All this comes at a starting MSRP of $29,385, but you may find a used Impreza for a few thousand dollars less.
2023 Dodge Charger
Want a powerful AWD car with a bold and aggressive design? The 2023 Dodge Charger might be just what you need. Sure, it falls outside the 2024 model, but Dodge discontinued this legend after 2023, and it's still impressive enough to make our list of the best AWD cars in Canada.
The Charger has some of the most powerful engine options on the market, including a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine that produces up to 797 horsepower, the AWD system isn't available with these potent powertrains. Dodge limits its all-wheel-drive system to only the SXT and GT trims, which include a 3.6-litre V6 with up to 300 hp and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fortunately, that’s still plenty of power.
The 2023 Dodge Charger SXT and GT feature sleek and modern designs and are made from high-strength steel and aluminum, which makes them lightweight and durable.
The 2023 Dodge Charger’s spacious cabin has plenty of room for front and rear-seat riders and many luxury features you may not expect. The latter includes advanced features like heated seats, a six-speaker premium sound system, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more. The car also has many safety features, including blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
The 2023 Dodge Charger with AWD starts from $51,890, but you can find a used Charger AWD and save a few thousand dollars.
2024 Mazda Mazda3
The 2024 Mazda3 is a sporty and stylish compact car that grabs plenty of attention without breaking the bank. The Mazda3 has standard front-wheel drive (FWD), but it also has optional AWD in its GS and GT trim levels. These models have two powertrain options too.
The standard engine is a 2.5-litre with 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque in the GS and GT trims. In the GT trim, though, you can opt for a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with up to 350 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. Talk about a spirited AWD car.
The Mazda3 with AWD comes with a ton of high-end features, including standard LED exterior lighting, push-button start, electronic parking brake, an 8.8-inch infotainment screen, an eight-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, automatic dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with heat, and much more.
It also includes tons of standard safety technology. These features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, and more.
The 2024 Mazda3 with AWD starts from $34,248, but you may save thousands by opting for a used Mazda3 AWD.
2024 Hyundai Sonata
For a while, Hyundai offered no all-wheel-drive cars in Canada — only crossovers and SUVs — but now it has the 2024 Sonata with its optional HTRAC AWD. This midsize sedan has a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that delivers 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more oomph, there's also an N Line model with a turbo 2.5-litre that cranks out 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.
The Hyundai Sonata also has a spacious and comfortable interior with up to 885 mm of legroom and 950 mm of headroom in the rear, making it a good space for kids and younger teens. It also has tons of premium standard features, including standard heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and much more.
Safety tech is also plentiful in the 2024 Sonata. Its standard safety gear includes blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, lane-follow assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more.
The 2024 Sonata with AWD is a relative bargain, starting from a base price of $37,256.20, and you can save thousands by opting for a used Sonata instead.
2024 Nissan Altima
For many years, Nissan’s all-wheel-drive vehicles were limited to just its crossovers and SUVs. But now, the Nissan Altima has standard AWD paired with a 2.5-litre engine that produces 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The 2024 Altima also boasts a relaxed and comfortable ride and a cozy interior with up to 895 mm of legroom and 937 mm of headroom in the rear seats. Its array of standard features won't disappoint either, as it includes remote start, an 8-inch infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, two USB ports, an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, a six-speaker audio system, and more.
The Nissan Altima also leaves very little out in terms of safety gear. It comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, auto high-beam headlights, rear automatic braking, rear parking sensors, and more. If you need more features, you can opt for adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist.
The 2024 Nissan Altima starts from $34,385, but you may save a few thousand bucks by opting for a used Altima instead.
2024 Acura TLX
Honda offers no AWD cars, but Acura -- Honda's luxury arm -- has the 2024 TLX, a luxurious and powerful midsize sedan with standard AWD.
This luxury sedan's base engine is a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder that delivers an impressive 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission and to its standard Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system.
Need a little more power to play with? The sports car-like 2024 TLX Type S adds a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine that delivers a wallop at 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque.
The 2024 TLX also boasts a sleek and spacious interior with no shortage of features, including a standard 10.2-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, navigation, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 17-speaker audio system, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, Bluetooth audio streaming, 23-way power front seats, and more.
As for advanced safety features, the 2024 TLX comes standard with everything you'd want, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, road-departure mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic monitoring, traffic jam assist, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and much more.
As a luxury AWD car, the 2024 Acura TLX is one of the more expensive models on our list, with a starting MSRP of $56,963. Fortunately, you can snag a used TLX and save a few thousand dollars.
2024 Genesis G90
Hyundai already made our list of the best AWD cars in Canada once, and now it returns... sort of. Hyundai's luxury car division, Genesis, hits our list with the 2024 Genesis G90 -- the only full-size sedan on our list. This range-topping luxury sedan comes with standard AWD and is powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with a 48-volt electric supercharger that cranks out 409 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque.
Sure, it's got power to spare, but the Genesis G90 is more about class than anything else. To meet this requirement, the G90 includes loads of standard equipment, including 21-inch wheels, a microfibre suede headliner, Nappa leather seating, tri-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with heat, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, an 18-way power driver’s seat and 16-way power passenger’s seat, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, massage front seats, power rear seats, a 14-speaker audio system and so much more. You name it, and the G90 likely has it standard or optional.
The G90 is also all about safety with its standard automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot collision avoidance, front and rear parking sensors, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and more.
Its starting price of $116,150 may be enough to make your eyes water, but you may save a few thousand dollars by opting for a used G90 with similar features.
Save Big on the Best AWD Cars in Canada at Clutch
If you live in Canada during the wintertime, you know that an AWD car is pretty much a necessity, or you may find yourself stranded at the house quite frequently. This is why finding the best AWD cars in Canada is key. Adding AWD to a vehicle can significantly increase its MSRP, but opting for a used AWD car can help lower the cost.
At Clutch, Canada’s premier online automotive retailer, we have a huge selection of some of the best AWD cars in Canada for significantly less than a new car. Plus, all our used vehicles have been through a 210-point inspection and reconditioning process, so you know they’re in top condition.
If you want to trade your old vehicle, Clutch can help there too. Get a firm offer for your trade-in vehicle 100% online. You can even outright sell your vehicle to Clutch if you choose not to purchase a vehicle.