If you're shopping for a used EV in Canada, winter performance should be part of the equation. Range drops in cold weather. Charging slows down. And if you're in a province where -20°C is routine, those factors matter more than spec sheets suggest.

CAA and BCAA ran a real-world winter test in February 2025 to quantify exactly how much. They drove 13 popular EVs from Ottawa to Mont-Tremblant in -7°C to -15°C conditions until the batteries died, then measured how quickly each could recover range on a DC fast charger.

Here's what they found, and what it means if you're buying used.

Our Take

The Polestar 2 and Kia EV9 stand out for retaining the most range in cold conditions. The Polestar is particularly interesting for the used market: it's less common than Tesla or Hyundai, which means less competition for inventory and potentially more room to negotiate.

The IONIQ 5's -36% loss is notable because it's one of the most popular EVs on the road. Great car in many respects, but if you're doing long winter highway drives, the range hit is real.

Tesla Model 3 landed mid-pack at -30%. Not the best, not the worst. But the Model 3's advantage shows up elsewhere.

Our Take

This is where Tesla pulls ahead. Even on a 150 kW charger (slower than the 350 kW stations used by other vehicles), the Model 3 added 205 km in 15 minutes. That's nearly three times what the IONIQ 5 managed.

For road trips, this matters. A 15-minute coffee stop in a Model 3 gets you meaningfully further than the same stop in an IONIQ 5, Mach-E, or Niro EV.

The Toyota bZ4X and Kia Niro EV are the clear laggards. At 19 km and 35 km respectively, winter fast charging is painfully slow. If you're considering either for a vehicle that needs to handle highway travel in winter, factor this in.

The Winter Standouts (and Underperformers)

Best Overall: Polestar 2

Tied for lowest range loss (-14%) and strong charging (120 km in 15 min). It's the balanced choice for Canadian winters. On the used market, Polestar flies under the radar. Less demand means better deals.

Best for Charging: Tesla Model 3

Mid-pack on range retention, but dominant on charging speed. If your winter driving involves highway travel with charging stops, the Model 3's ability to recover 205 km in 15 minutes is a real advantage. Pricing has corrected hard (now averaging $30,451 used), and inventory is plentiful.

Best for Space: Kia EV9

The Kia EV9 had -20% range loss and solid charging (105 km in 15 min). If you need three rows, it's the winter-capable choice. Pricier on the used market (~$55,000), but holding value better than Tesla.

The Disappointments

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a popular, well-reviewed EV, but it struggled in this test: -36% range loss and only 64 km added in 15 minutes. If you're buying one, plan for shorter winter highway legs.

Toyota bZ4X and Volvo XC40 Recharge finished at the bottom on both metrics. For buyers in cold provinces, these are harder to recommend unless the use case is primarily urban with home charging.

What This Means for Used Buyers

Winter performance should weight your decision, but it's one factor among many. A few principles:

If you road trip in winter: Prioritize charging speed. The Model 3 and Polestar 2 are the standouts. The IONIQ 5, Niro EV, and bZ4X will require longer, more frequent stops.

If you mostly drive urban/suburban: Range loss matters less when you're charging at home overnight. Focus on total range and price.

If you need all-weather confidence: The Polestar 2 and Kia EV9 combine strong range retention with decent charging. Both are solid winter vehicles.

If you're buying on a budget: The Tesla Model 3's winter charging advantage combined with its price correction ($30,451 avg) makes it hard to beat in the sub-$35k segment for winter capability.

‍Find Your Winter-Ready EV at Clutch

Shopping for a used EV that can handle Canadian winters? Clutch makes it easy to find the right one. Every electric vehicle in our inventory goes through a 210-point inspection, including battery health assessment, so you know exactly what you're getting.

We source directly from private sellers and trade-ins—no auction mystery vehicles. That means clearer history, better condition, and full transparency on every listing.

When you shop with Clutch, you get:

• 10-day money-back guarantee (test it in your actual driving conditions)
• Online purchase with at-home delivery
• 3-month/6,000 km warranty coverage

Whether you're looking at a Model 3 for its charging speed or a Polestar 2 for balanced winter performance, Clutch helps you buy with confidence. Browse our current EV inventory and find your next vehicle on your terms.

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Methodology Note

CAA/BCAA tested vehicles representing more than two-thirds of Canadian EV sales. Each vehicle was driven until depleted in -7°C to -15°C temperatures, then charged on DC fast chargers. All vehicles except Tesla used 350 kW chargers; Tesla used 150 kW due to adapter requirements. NRCan range values vary by trim; results reflect the specific vehicles tested.