The 6 Best Cars for Winter Driving and Traveling in the Snow
If you live an area where snow and wintry weather is common, it’s important to have a car well-equipped to navigate it. The vehicle you select should have a proven track record of handling extreme climatic conditions.
What kind of vehicle should a weather conscious car buyer get? We’ve put together a list of the six best cars for winter driving if you live in a region prone to winter weather.
1. Jeep Grand Cherokee
When it comes to snow, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a top SUV choice. Like its popular Wrangler sibling, Grand Cherokee is the product of decades of solid all-terrain design expertise. The off-road abilities of Jeep are more than hype. Grand Cherokee is well-equipped to deal with all weather conditions.
Grand Cherokee can get up to five people and their cargo up any snowy road easily. You want power? The V6 Trackhawk gets an impressive 707 hp. You want variety? The 2019 Grand Cherokee offers 7 trim levels and 11 total configurations.
Plus it includes the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system to keep you in touch on the road. Jeep Grand Cherokee can get you where you need to go in icy and snow conditions and keep you connected if you need help.
2. Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru CrossTrek might just be the best vehicle you can get to negotiate icy and snowy weather and it’s reasonably priced. All Subarus are good winter vehicles because all but one model are standard all-wheel drive.
The styling of the Crosstrek hatchback mimics that of SUVs. It features extra ground clearance and plastic body cladding. That extra ground clearance helps it navigate dirt roads.
In those situations, it handles a lot like an SUV. At other times, it’s like any other car. It’s not super fast but the acceleration is solid. Its smaller proportions make for pretty responsive handling. The Crosstrek is attractive, roomy, and has a hybrid powertrain option. The automaker’s Starlink infotainment system is more than adequate.
3. Subaru WRX
Where Subaru’s Crosstrek is a great all-purpose car for winter driving, the Subaru WRX is your car if you want to navigate slippery roads without sacrificing performance. It’s a variant of the Subaru Impreza compact, just as the Crosstrek is, only with an older body type.
Under the hood, the WRX has a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer-four engine that puts out 268 hp and 258 lb-ft. There’s also a WRX STI with a 2.5-liter engine that gets 305 hp available.
WRX’s all-wheel drive will keep trekking where other performance cars would have spun off into a ditch or snowbank. Its torque-vectoring cornering control allows it to handle corners on everything from dry pavement to icy roads.
Sure, it has quad exhaust tips and its sporty hood scoop, but it’s a four-door sedan with a roomy interior and lots of cargo space. Yes, WRX is a performance car at heart, but one that’s practical to drive every day.
4. Tesla Model S
If you’re looking for a good all-weather car but want to be environmentally-friendly, you might want to take a look at the electric Tesla Model S. This EV is all-wheel drive with great torque and handles wonderfully in the snow, even if you do lose a little driving range in colder weather.
With a smartphone app, you can heat the Model S before you’re ready to drive to clear it of snow and ice. You can drive in confidence that it can get you where you need to go. With federal tax incentives, the base price comes down to around $67,000, making it a bit more affordable.
5. Tesla Model X
The electric Tesla Model X, like the model S, uses a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system which gives both all-weather traction and boosts its performance. It’s a family crossover that can go from zero to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds.
Model X’s range runs from 250 to 325 miles, depending on the specific model. While the charging infrastructure can be a bit of an issue, Tesla’s network of Supercharger stations helps make road trips a lot less stressful.
6. Volvo V90 Cross Country
Are you a fan of Subaru’s Outback but want something a little more upscale? Want a luxury vehicle that can navigate all weather conditions? The Volvo V90 Cross Country might be what you’re looking for. Since 1997, Volvo’s been crafting some pretty solid Cross Country models. They have SUV-like ground clearance and rugged good looks.
The all-wheel drive is only part of what makes the V90 Cross Country a formidable vehicle in all weather scenarios. It features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with an output of 250 or 316 hp. With its energetic acceleration, the Cross Country is at home on the highway and perfect for the open country.
If all that isn’t enough, factor in all the great recent additions Volvo has made. There’s user-friendly technology, upscale materials, an ergonomic interior, and much more.
