Unlike Americans, Canadians love their small, affordable family cars. Perhaps it’s because we’re more environmentally friendly or because we are smaller than our U.S. counterparts.

Or maybe it’s just because we’re cheap in comparison.

David Adams, president of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada (AIAMC), offers up more likely reasons. “Compared with Americans, we have less disposable income,” he says. “And our fuel is more expensive than it is in the U.S.”

No matter what the reasons, the fact remains that Canadians buy more small passenger cars than large ones.

According to Adams, of total Canadian vehicle sales (cars and trucks) in April, nearly half (49.8 per cent) represented smaller makes; compact cars made up 23.2 per cent, compact SUVs comprised 15 per cent, subcompacts were 5.8 per cent, and small vans made up 5.8 per cent. The other half were light trucks and large passenger vehicles.

While a family vehicle doesn’t have one true definition — “we don’t define it,” says Adams — and can encompass just about any vehicle that can fit a family, for our purposes, we will focus on the best-selling, family-friendly vehicles that made up the majority of passenger car sales (23.2 per cent) in April: Compact cars.

Here, then, are the Top 10 bestsellers, according to the AIAMC:

1. Mazda3 — Mazda sold 5,436 of its compact Mazda3 in April, making it the top compact car sold in Canada that month. The Mazda3 comes with a 148-horsepower, two-litre four-cylinder engine and an optional 167-hp 2.5L four-cylinder. According to Transport Canada, the Mazda3 features a fuel economy of 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 5.9 L/100 km on the highway. The Mazda3 starts at $15,995.

2. Honda Civic — Honda’s Civic is in the second spot with sales of 5,301. The Civic sedan has a 1.8L four-cylinder engine producing 140 hp. It also comes in coupe and hybrid versions. It features a fuel economy of 7.4 L/100 km in the city and 5.4 L/100 km on the highway. The Civic starts at $15,990.

3. Toyota Corolla — The Toyota Corolla rounds out the third-best-selling spot with 3,818 sales. The Corolla comes with a 132-hp, 1.8L four-cylinder and an available 2.4L four-cylinder outputting 158 hp. It features a fuel economy of 7.5 L/100 km in the city and 5.6 L/100 km on the highway. The Corolla starts at $15,460.

4. Hyundai Elantra — In fourth place is the Elantra from Hyundai, boasting sales of 3,781. The Elantra sedan has a 2.0L four-cylinder engine developing 138 hp. It also comes in a touring version. It features a fuel economy of 7.8 L/100 km in the city and 5.8 L/100 km on the highway. The Elantra starts at $11,999.

5. Chevrolet Cobalt — The Chevy Cobalt is No. 5 on the list, with sales of 2,038. The sedan features a 2.2L four-cylinder engine producing 155 hp. It is also available in coupe form. It features a fuel economy of 8.4 L/100 km in the city and 5.8 L/100 km on the highway. The Cobalt starts at $14,990.

6. Toyota Matrix — Make that two Top 10s for Toyota, with the Matrix boasting 1,962 sales in April. The Matrix comes with either a 132-hp, 1.8L four-cylinder or a 158-hp, 2.4L four-cylinder engine. It features a fuel economy of 7.8 L/100 km in the city and 6.2 L/100 km on the highway. The Matrix starts at $16,665.

7. Ford Focus — Score one for Ford whose Focus comes in at seventh place and 1,826 sales. The Focus features a 140-hp, 2.0L four-cylinder engine and comes in sedan and coupe versions. It features a fuel economy of 8.4 L/100 km in the city and 5.8 L/100 km on the highway. The Focus starts at $14,999.

8. Volkswagen Golf — Volkswagen sold 1,817 Golfs in April. The Golf is available with a 170-hp 2.5L five-cylinder gasoline or a 140-hp 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel engine. It comes in several configurations, including three- and five-door hatches, a wagon, a Clean Diesel and GTI versions. It features a fuel economy of 9.8 L/100 km in the city and 6.9 L/100 km on the highway. The Golf starts at $20,175.

9. Nissan Sentra — In ninth position is Nissan’s Sentra, with sales of 1,467. The Sentra comes with either a 140-hp, 2.0L four-cylinder or 177-hp, 2.5L four-cylinder engine. It features a fuel economy of 7.5 L/100 km in the city and 5.8 L/100 km on the highway. The Sentra starts at $15,198.

10. Kia Forte — Rounding out the Top 10 best-selling compacts in Canada is the Kia Forte, with 1,286 sales in April. The Forte is available with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine producing 156 hp or a 2.4L four-cylinder boasting 173 hp. It features a fuel economy of 8.1 L/100 km in the city and 5.8 L/100 km on the highway. The Forte starts at $15,795.

pcancilla@nationalpost.com