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Years ago, all-wheel drive (AWD) cars were uncommon, as only SUVs and pickup trucks usually offered this driveline setup. However, AWD cars are becoming increasingly popular in Canada for their combination of improved stability and control on slippery roads during the harsh winter and more compact footprints.
The 2025 model year has many great AWD cars worth considering in your search for a new car. In this article, we'll highlight the best AWD cars in Canada for 2025 to help you choose the best model.
It was unexpected enough when Toyota graced its legendary entry-level sedan, the Corolla, with an optional hybrid powertrain. Recently, Toyota took its small sedan a step further by giving the hybrid variants optional AWD.
Meet the 2025 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.
In addition to carefully sipping fuel, the Corolla Hybrid AWD boasts a compact footprint that makes it perfect for city driving. It also includes piles of advanced safety and driver-assist features to keep you and your passengers safe.
The 2025 Corolla Hybrid AWD is more than just a fuel-efficient compact car. It's also stylish, comfortable, and perfect for short commutes or long road trips. It features a spacious, 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 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid with AWD starts from $31,385.08, but you may be able to pick up a used Corolla Hybrid with AWD and similar features for a few thousand dollars less.
Shop used Toyota Corolla models on Clutch.
Subaru is a legend in the world of AWD models, as virtually every model it sells has included standard AWD for many years.
In 2025, we bid farewell to one of those legends, the midsize Subaru Legacy. However, this just means we head to the next Subaru in the lineup, which is the midsize Outback hatchback. The 2025 Subaru Outback’s hatchback setup and midsize body make it a great option for those seeking a spacious cabin, and its AWD setup can easily handle Canadian roads -- even in the winter. Its higher-than-normal ride height compared to other midsize vehicles also makes it a relatively capable off-road vehicle too.
Under the hood, the 2025 Subaru Outback has a standard 2.5-litre engine that can produce up to 182 horsepower and has an optional turbocharged 2.4-litre with up to 260 horsepower, so it has plenty of pep for your inner gearhead.
Beyond its impressive performance and wonderful AWD setup, the 2025 Subaru Outback 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, evasive steering, and more.
Inside, the 2025 Subaru Outback 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 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, three USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more.
The 2025 Subaru Outback starts from $37,285, but you may be able to pick up a used Outback with similar features for a few thousand dollars less.
Shop used Subaru Outback models on Clutch.
If you want that quality Subaru AWD with a lower price range and in a compact hatchback, the 2025 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 2025 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.
In addition to its impressive standard AWD system, the 2025 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, which 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, evasive steering, and more.
All this comes at a starting MSRP of $30,385, but you may find a used Impreza for a few thousand dollars less.
Shop used Subaru Impreza models on Clutch.
The 2025 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 feed your inner gearhead with an optional turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with up to 350 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque.
The Mazda3 with AWD comes with a ton of high-end features, including standard LED exterior lighting, push-button start, electronic parking brake, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, an eight- or 12-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and 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 2025 Mazda3 with AWD starts from $34,987, but you may save thousands by opting for a used Mazda3 AWD.
Shop used Mazda Mazda3 models on Clutch.
It took a while for Hyundai to offer an AWD car in Canada — it only offered it on crossovers and SUVs — but now it has the 2025 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. Sadly, the 290-horsepower N Line is only available with FWD.
The 2025 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 2025 Sonata with AWD is a relative bargain, starting from a base price of $37,885. You can also save thousands by opting for a used Sonata with AWD instead.
Shop used Hyundai Sonata models on Clutch.
For many years, Nissan’s all-wheel-drive vehicles were limited to just its crossovers and SUVs. But now, the midsize 2025 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 2025 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, four 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 2025 Nissan Altima starts from $34,585, but you may save a few thousand bucks by opting for a used Altima instead.
Shop used Nissan Altima models on Clutch.
Honda does not offer an AWD car — only SUVs and a truck, but its luxury arm, Acura, has the 2025 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 2025 TLX Type S adds a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine that delivers an impressive 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Plus, this power also routes through AWD, giving you great grip for quick acceleration.
The 2025 TLX also boasts a sleek and spacious interior with no shortage of features, including a standard 12.3-inch dual-content centre display with wireless 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 2025 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 2025 Acura TLX is one of the more expensive models on our list, with a starting MSRP of $56,463. Fortunately, you can snag a used TLX and save a few thousand dollars.
Shop used Acura TLX models on Clutch.
Hyundai already made our list of the best AWD cars in Canada once with the Sonata, and now it returns... sort of. Hyundai's luxury car division, Genesis, checks in with its 2025 Genesis G90, which also happens to be the only full-size sedan on our list. This posh luxury sedan boasts standard AWD paired with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that features a 48-volt electric supercharger that helps push its output to 409 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque.
The 2025 Genesis G90 has power to spare, but this pales in comparison to its luxurious features. Its long list of standard features include 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 and 12.3-in digital cluster, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, massage front seats, power rear seats, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a 14-speaker audio system, five USB ports, and so much more.
The 2025 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.
Where the 2025 Genesis G90 will hurt it in its starting price of $117,150. That may make your eyes water a bit, but you can save a few thousand dollars by opting for a used G90 with similar features.
AWD is pretty much a must-have if you plan to drive in Canada in the wintertime, or you may end up stranded at home more often than you’d like. Finding the best AWD cars in Canada can help avoid this issue without having to resort to an SUV or truck. The downside is that adding AWD to a vehicle can significantly increase its MSRP. Fortunately, you can opt for a used AWD car and get more bang for your buck.
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.
