4 Overlooked AWD Luxury Cars With Winter-Ready Grip
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Car shopping is difficult enough without factoring in the compromises we make to get the “right” vehicle. Still, sometimes the clouds part, and you can find the right vehicle to handle your needs without making concessions. That’s the case of these four oft-overlooked luxury cars with grippy AWD. No, the conversation doesn’t end with Audi; luxury staples like the soon-to-be-discontinued Chrysler 300 and Genesis G70 offer winter-ready AWD.
These four new and used luxury cars offer multiplied grip for winter drives
Though some luxury cars ride on all-wheel drive (AWD) platforms as standard kit, some popular luxury cars offer the grippy setup as an option. These four posh sedans might have flown under your car-buying radar.
| Make and model | Average value/starting price |
|---|---|
| 2020 Lincoln MKZ | $24,296 |
| 2023 Chrysler 300 | $37,403 |
| 2023 Genesis G70 | $40,525 |
| 2024 Volvo S60 | $43,095 |
Discontinued Lincoln MKZ is a used AWD luxury car option
Ford discontinued the CD4-platform Fusion and Lincoln MKZ in 2020. However, before the Blue Oval did so, the MKZ offered optional AWD and even potent engine options. While not as popular as other luxury cars, fans could get a 2020 Lincoln MKZ with a 400-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6. Not too shabby.
Moreover, the MKZ was available as a hybrid. While that doesn’t sound too ridiculous, some competitors, like the Chrysler 300, never offered a fuel-sipping hybrid option. Of course, the hybrid MKZ is a far cry from the twin-turbo model. In testing, the environmentally-conscious MKZ hybrid took a painfully sluggish 9.4 seconds to hit 60 mph, 4.6 ticks behind the 400-horsepower model.
Are Chrysler 300 good cars in the snow?
Although Chrysler and Stellantis will discontinue the 300 after the 2023 model year, the pseudo-luxe sedan was deceptively sure-footed in the snow. Of course, the only way to ensure a Chrysler 300 is snow-competent is to opt for the AWD platform and outfit the luxury car with winter tires.
However, fans who want to pair the 300S’ optional 5.7L HEMI V8 are out of luck; the only engine pairing for the 300 and its AWD platform is the Pentastar V6.
Does Genesis G70 come in AWD?
The 2023 Genesis G70 offers grip-multiplying AWD with both of its engine options. That’s good news for luxury car fans who want to add sure-footedness to the model’s 252-horsepower 2.0L four-cylinder or brawny 365-horsepower twin-turbo 3.3L V6.
In addition to winter-ready AWD, the G70 has an impressive complement of standard safety features and sharper driving dynamics than the now-discontinued Lincoln MKZ. Better yet, the G70 boasts Genesis’ segment-leading 5-year, 60,000-mile basic warranty, much more accommodating than the Chrysler 300’s 3-year, 36,000-mile coverage.
The Volvo S60 is a welcome alternative to an Audi in the AWD luxury car market
The 2024 Volvo S60 is the marque’s entry-level luxury sedan. Better yet, the S60 offers optional AWD to rival established German rivals. The S60 isn’t quite the balanced sports sedan akin to an Audi S4, but it makes up for it with a quiet, grown-up ride and a handsomely appointed interior.
Of course, none of these AWD luxury cars will out-grip a set of quality winter tires in the cold, inclement weather. The best course of action is always to complement the all-wheeled grip with seasonally appropriate rubber.
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