What vehicle segment surged and dipped last year

Canada’s segment mix swung widely in 2025, with small vans and small pickups posting the strongest gains while luxury cars fell sharply, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.

Small vans led growth, rising 40 per cent year over year. Every model in the segment increased, an uncommon result that helped lift annual sales to 43,000 units. While still far from the 252,000 units recorded at the height of the minivan era in 1999, DAC said the move marks a notable rebound for practical, lower-priced people movers.

Small pickups also showed strength, up 33 per cent. The group cited added volume from a refreshed Ford Maverick, where the hybrid model excelled, and a resurgent Toyota Tacoma.

At the other end, the luxury car segment fell 46.7 per cent, due in large part to much lower Tesla Model 3 sales.

Across the market, compact SUVs expanded their lead, climbing to more than 553,000 units for the year. Large pickups ranked second at 314,000 units, well behind compact SUVs by volume.

“Incredibly, the subcompact, compact and intermediate SUV segments together now account for over 50 per cent of the total new light vehicle sales market, more than the other 16 segments combined,” said Andrew King, managing partner at DAC. “In 2025, mainstream SUVs became even more ubiquitous in dealer showrooms and furthered their absolute dominance of the market.”

DAC described 2025 as highly dynamic at the segment level, with an unusually wide range between the best and worst performers. The small van and small pickup gains showed demand for affordable, utility-focused vehicles. The luxury car decline showed the pressure on premium sedans, with segment results weighed by weaker Model 3 volumes.

Image credit: Depositphotos.com