Top 10 Best-selling Luxury Vehicles in Canada, First Half of 2019
10 - Lexus NX
The NX is almost as popular in Canada as the Lexus RX, which has been the brand’s best-selling vehicle worldwide pretty much since it hit the market some 20 years ago. Still, sales of the NX dropped by 8% compared to the first half of 2018 in Canada, but the crossover managed to grab the 10th and last spot on this list.
Sales: 3,520 units
9- Mercedes-Benz C-Class
With coupe, sedan, wagon and convertible body styles in addition to a wide variety of trims and powertrains, it’s no wonder the C-Class sells so well. However, sales took a 32% nosedive so far in 2019, and the BMW’s 3 Series and 4 Series duo overtook the C-Class on this list.
Sales: 3,624 units
8- Lexus RX
Lexus’ best-selling model, the RX continues to shine on the Canadian market, although sales have dropped by 8.5% compared to the same period last year. The improvements made to the upcoming 2020 model might stop the skid.
Sales: 3,982 units
7- BMW 3 Series / BMW 4 Series
We decided to combine the sales of the 3 Series and the 4 Series to make to keep the playing field level, as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class rounds up all of its body styles, while BMW and Audi splits them up in two nameplates. The 3 Series has been thoroughly redesigned, but sales have yet to pick up in Canada, with a 15% drop compared to the first half of 2018. As for the 4 Series, which should soon be redesigned as well, its sales decreased by 31% during the same period.
3 Series sales: 2,692 units
4 Series sales: 1,444 units
Total sales: 4,136 units
6- Acura RDX
Acura did a fine job of making the recently redesigned RDX attractive, sportier and more desirable. And yet, sales dropped by 1.5% compared to the first half of 2018. It’s still very popular and manages to take the number six spot in this list.
Sales: 4,156 units
5- BMW X3 / BMW X4
Since Mercedes-Benz sells the two variations of its compact SUVs under one nameplate, we’ll combine the X3 and X4 here so as the compare apples with apples. Sales of the X3 are down by 14% in 2019 compared to 2018, but those of the X4 have increased by 52%. However, these BMW models still trail behind two of their direct rivals on this list.
X3 sales: 3,733 units
X4 sales: 534 units
Total sales: 4,267 units
4- Audi A4 / Audi A5
As is the case with the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series, we’re combining sales of the A4 sedan and allroad with those of the A5 coupe, convertible and Sportback. Dealers moved out 32% less units of the A4 in the first half of 2018 in Canada than during the same period in 2018, while the A5’s sales have dropped by 10%.
A4 sales: 2,061 units
A5 sales: 2,284 units
Total sales: 4,345 units
3- Buick Encore
Some wouldn’t call Buick a luxury brand, but since it’s positioned between Chevrolet and Cadillac in General Motors’ portfolio, we do. Besides, it’s the only North American brand in this list, even though the Encore is actually built in Korea. Sales are down by 5.5% in 2019 compared to 2018, but the little Buick crossover still manages set foot on the podium.
Sales: 4,830 units
2- Mercedes-Benz GLC
Available in SUV and Coupe variants, the GLC is the bread-and-butter utility vehicle for Mercedes-Benz. It receives a bunch of improvements for the 2020 model year, and sales have increased by 16% in Canada during the first half of 2019. Could it eventually catch up to its German rival that’s been sitting at the top of this list for many years now? Quite possibly.
Sales: 5,371 units
1- Audi Q5
The Q5 is still the best-selling luxury vehicle in Canada, thanks in part to its aggressive pricing structure and the availability of a hot-blooded SQ5 variant. On the other hand, its supremacy is threatened by the Mercedes-Benz GLC, and sales have dropped by 8% during the first half of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.
Sales: 5,782 units