Whether you spend dozens of hours commuting each week or drive around town for a few minutes every day, having a safe, reliable vehicle is highly beneficial. Owning a reliable car can give you confidence behind the wheel, prevent accidents and even help you save on car insurance.
If you’re not a “car person”, you may not be familiar with the most reliable cars in Canada at the moment, and that’s okay — we’ve put together a thorough list of some of the safest vehicles in Canada (from an insurance standpoint, of course).
In this article, we’ll answer some questions about vehicle safety, cover a list of the most reliable cars Canada has to offer and give you some tips on how you can save on car insurance.
Are you ready? Buckle your seatbelts!
START A QUOTE*For up-to-date, accurate information regarding quotes, pricing, claims, etc., please speak to a licensed Surex insurance advisor.*
Are you thinking about re-shopping your car insurance policy?
If you’re thinking about re-shopping your car insurance policy for the first time, then you may not know where to start. If re-shopping your policy is beginning to feel overwhelming, don’t stress! The Surex team has got you covered.
At Surex, our two primary goals are to provide top-quality customer service and help Canadians save on insurance.
So, when you come to us with questions, comments or concerns about your policy, you can count on us to shed some light on the issue. After we’ve answered all of your questions, we can help you find and compare quotes! We can provide you with ten personalized insurance quotes in ten minutes or less (depending on your location).
Contact a licensed Surex insurance advisor today to learn how you can start saving upwards of 25% by bundling your coverage with one of our trusted providers, like Wawanesa.
What makes a vehicle “reliable”?
If you’re looking for a reliable vehicle in Canada, you should start by searching for a model that meets the following criteria:
- A five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- A “good” or “superior” rating from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS)
- Needs to meet the standards set by the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (MVSR)
Vehicles that meet the criteria listed above can be seen as some of the safest on the market due to the fact that they are approximately 70% less likely to cause (driver) deaths in the event of a left-side collision. Driving a safer vehicle can potentially result in lower insurance rates.
What are the safest small cars in Canada?
Here’s a list of some of the safest small cars from the most reliable car brands Canada has to offer (based on the 2021 safety ratings from IIHS):
- Honda Civic
- Honda Insight
- Hyundai Elantra
- Kia Forte
- Kia Soul
- Mazda 3
- Nissan Sentra
- Subaru Impreza
- Toyota Corolla
What are the safest midsize cars in Canada?
Are small cars not for you? Then you may want to check out a midsize vehicle. The following midsize models are some of the most trustworthy and reliable cars in Canada (based on the 2021 safety ratings from IIHS):
- Honda Accord
- Hyundai Sonata
- Kia K5
- Nissan Altima
- Subaru Outback
- Subaru Legacy
- Toyota Camry
What are the safest SUVs in Canada?
Are you in need of additional space? If so, the SUVs listed below are fantastic, reliable options (based on the 2021 safety ratings from IIHS):
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Honda CR-V
- Hyundai Kona
- Kia Sportage
- Lexus UX
- Mazda CX-3
- Mazda CX-5
- Nissan Rogue
- Subaru Forester
- Toyota RAV4
What are the safest minivans in Canada?
If your family is growing, you’re likely in need of a minivan that you can count on. Anyone who is looking for a reliable minivan in Canada should consider one of the following models (based on the 2021 safety ratings from IIHS):
- Honda Odyssey
- Kia Carnival
- Toyota Sienna
As you can see, many of the models listed above are made by the same companies; learning this information gives you a general idea of what brand you may want to choose in the future.
How does the car you drive affect your insurance rates?
Vehicles that are deemed safe by the IIHS are less likely to be involved in an accident resulting in (driver) injury or death.
Car insurance providers take this into account when determining your rates. For instance, if you drive a vehicle with a higher-than-average collision rate, your car insurance provider will likely see this as a red flag. In turn, they’ll likely charge you more for coverage than a driver with a vehicle that’s received a high rating from the IIHS.
However, you should note that the type of vehicle that you drive isn’t the only thing that affects the price of your car insurance…
What factors influence your car insurance rates?
There are a lot of factors that can affect your car insurance rates in Canada (for better or for worse). Some typical examples include the following:
- Driver’s age
- Location (both province and city play a role)
- Type of driver’s license
- Driver’s gender
- Driving experience
- Credit score (in select provinces, please reach out to a Surex insurance advisor for more details)
Even commonly overlooked factors, like the vehicle theft rating in your area, can affect the price of your car insurance, regardless of the car brand reliability.
Bonus — Do you know what the most stolen vehicles in Canada are? Click here to find out.
How can you lower your car insurance rates in Canada?
If you’d like to save on car insurance in Canada, we suggest trying out the following tips and tricks:
- Maintain a clean driving record
- Consider using telematics
- Complete a driver’s education course
- Use winter tires (during set time frame)
- Increase your deductible (please remember that if you choose to increase your deductible, you’ll need to pay more upfront the next time you file a car insurance claim)
Do you have unanswered questions about finding a reliable car in Canada?
If you have a question about a car insurance topic that we didn’t touch on, feel free to reach out to one of our licensed insurance advisors. Our team of advisors is always happy to answer your questions and help get you on the road!
