In some parts of the country, winter brings snowy and icy roads. Traveling on them can be hazardous unless you drive a vehicle designed for this kind of weather. The Subaru Forester is an SUV that can do just that. 

U.S. News recently compiled a list of the 11 best SUVs that can handle snowy conditions. The Forester is one of the first models listed. Here’s what U.S. News had to say about the Subaru SUV, its features, and other vehicles on the list. 

What makes the Subaru Forester a great vehicle for snowy conditions?

The Subaru Forester has a few great features that make traveling in snowy conditions much safer than many other vehicles. One thing you see off the bat is the 8.7-inches of ground clearance. That gives it enough space to plow through snow and slush without getting stuck. 

Another feature is the Forester’s all-wheel drivetrain. It provides the vehicle with more grip on the road when surfaces are wet or snow accumulates. The full lineup of Foresters comes with the AWD feature. 

For the upper trim levels, you can get Hill Descent Control and Subaru X-Mode. The hill descent feature keeps the vehicle going at a constant speed while you focus on steering. This is especially important on slippery, steep hills. Subaru’s X-Mode feature allows you to get more grip when traveling on snowy roads. 

What else does the Forester offer?

Besides its ability to handle snowy conditions, the Forester also offers plenty of space for five passengers to travel comfortably. You can choose leather upholstery if you want a more sophisticated interior. You can also opt for a heated steering wheel and heated seats for both rows. 

The cargo space is another great feature. You’ll find more than enough room to store all of your winter gear and then some in the trunk area. 

Powering the Forester is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine that produces 182 hp. Paired with the motor is a continuously variable transmission. This combo doesn’t offer the most powerful ride, but it’s enough for traveling. 

The interior doesn’t offer a ton of bells and whistles, but it stays classy with a minimalist style. You still get a 6.5-inch touchscreen for the lower trims and an 8-inch display for the upper trim levels. 

Which other vehicles made the list?

U.S. News lists other SUVs that aren’t unexpected choices. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is known as an off-roading vehicle, so it makes sense to see it in this roundup. The Ford Explorer — with a few robust engine choices and optional rear-wheel drive — shows up too. 

The Chevy Tahoe is a large three-row SUV. Its weight alone would give you plenty of traction. However, the V8 engine and four-wheel drivetrain offer more power and traction for snowy conditions. Land Rover’s Range Rover is another large SUV known for its off-roading capabilities. Snowy road surfaces would be no match for it.

A couple of surprises on the list are the Kia Sorento and Nissan Pathfinder. The Sorento focuses more on reliability and space for storage and passengers. But it comes with a good number of safety features. One of them is Smart Shift & Drive, a feature that chooses the drive mode needed for whatever weather conditions you’re experiencing. 

The Pathfinder comes with a powerful V6 and offers plenty of interior space. But if you opt for AWD and the Nissan’s Intelligent 4X4 system, you have an SUV that handles snowy roads easily. 

When you have to travel in the snow, the Subaru Forester can safely and easily get you to your destination. With all the safety features to choose from, you can drive with confidence in a Forester.