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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie CarThe Best Cars for Snow
Winter brings challenging road conditions thanks to snow and ice. We discuss the best cars for snow to help you prepare for anything the weather throws at you.
The Best Vehicles to Get You Through the Winter Weather
Driving in the winter months can be incredibly stressful, not to mention more dangerous than warmer months. You have to deal with the cold, snow-covered roads, the treacherous ice, and, of course, other drivers. Having the right vehicle can help give you confidence to get through those tricky driving situations.
Luckily, many automakers now offer all-wheel drive on a number of their models from crossovers to even mainstream sedans. Let’s take a look at our top pick for the best cars for snow in each major category. We also have a great list of things to do to prep whatever vehicle you have for driving in snow which you can read here.
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy sedan is one of the longest standing all-wheel drive sedans, having been on sale for decades now. The latest model continues to come standard with Subaru’s famous Symmetrical All-Wheel drive system. This gives the Legacy sure-footed traction in snow as it’s always sending power to all four wheels. Subaru offers the Legacy with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer engine with 182 horsepower or a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower.
Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system has a well-earned reputation for capability. The system is always sending power to all four wheels which gives it an edge over some other all-wheel drive systems that are based around a front-wheel drive system. The Subaru is the top choice, especially when tackling slippery hills like when driving in the mountains.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
In the mid-sized SUV segment, The Jeep Grand Cherokee is our top choice. The Grand Cherokee was recently given a full redesign and now offers an even more luxurious interior, plus a new three row model if you have a large family. You’ll have the choice of three powertrains, including a V8 for maximum towing ability plus a new advanced hybrid option to maximize efficiency.
The 2023 Grand Cherokee also provides the choice of three different 4×4 systems, each with increasing off-road capability. The systems let you engage 4×4 modes manually and tailored snow modes modify how the Grand Cherokee responds in snow to maximize the capability offered. If you want to read more about the difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, check out our article here.
Toyota Sienna
If you have a growing family, a minivan often seems like an obvious choice, but minivans with all-wheel drive are not common. There are really only two options, the Toyota Sienna and the Chrysler Pacifica and our recommendation is the 2023 Toyota Sienna. The Toyota Sienna with all-wheel drive is exclusively powered by a hybrid powertrain developing a total of 245 horsepower. This means the Sienna offers a practical towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, should you need it, plus surprisingly good fuel economy for a large family van.
The all-wheel-drive system provides additional traction in slippery conditions, giving you more confidence to get your family safely to your destination. Inside, the Sienna offers the latest technology from a large touchscreen display, optional captain’s chairs that recline for the 2nd-row, and enough space for the whole family.
Rivian R1T
Manufacturers are quickly bringing more EV options to market and many of them offer all-wheel drive, but our top choice is the Rivian R1T. Rivian is a new brand and the R1T has been praised for its eye-catching design, innovative solutions like its gear tunnel, and breathtaking performance.
When the snow flies, the R1T’s quad motor powertrain allows it to send a precise amount of torque to each wheel to ensure it gets going, even in deep snow. Keep in mind, however, that when temperatures drop, EVs generally see a decrease in range and performance. When the roads are clear, the powertrain provides an astounding 835 horsepower for astonishing acceleration. If you’re interested in wading into the electric waters, the Rivian R1T is hard to beat.
Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is a great choice if you’re looking for a compact crossover that is confident in the snow. Like the Legacy, every Crosstrek model is equipped with symmetrical all-wheel drive. With a spacious interior and a range of peppy and efficient powertrains, the Crosstrek is ideal for the adventurous single, couple, or small family.
Powertrains start with a 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder with 152 horsepower. Max performance is offered by the larger 2.5-liter engine which produces 182 horsepower. If you want to tackle snow as efficiently as possible, the Crosstrek Hybrid provides 137 horsepower and excellent fuel economy.
Toyota Highlander
In the crossover segment, the Toyota Highlander is an excellent choice for navigating snowy roads. The Toyota Highlander is perfect for a bigger family as it offers seating for eight and the latest safety tech. The Highlander is offered with three different all-wheel drive systems that vary by powertrain.
The electric on-demand AWD system and the standard all-wheel drive system will help get you going in snow. The available dynamic torque vectoring all-wheel drive system will not only help you dominate in the snow, but will provide a sportier driving experience when the roads are dry.
Chevrolet Tahoe
If you need a large SUV for your growing family and some serious towing capability, the Chevrolet Tahoe delivers and does great in snow. With a range of V8 engines and an available diesel, the Tahoe provides lots of power for heavy towing tasks. The four-wheel drive system gets the power down in any situation and the available 2-speed transfer case can help you get through the deepest snow.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
For the buyer who needs plenty of space, lots of capability, and a luxurious interior, the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer stands out. The interior is designed to impress even the most discerning buyer, draped in leather everywhere and stuffed with the latest technology. The powertrain features a newly available Hurricane Twin-Turbo I6 engine with 510 horsepower while getting better fuel economy than the big V8. Jeep’s four-wheel drive system and off-road capability combine to give you extra confidence in snow.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is the ideal small pickup for those who need a bit of capability, but want something that’ll fit most places and get good fuel economy. Santa Cruz is available with Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system that gives it excellent performance when driving in snow. Top it off with an exterior design guaranteed to grab attention and an interior you’ll love spending time in, and the Santa Cruz is the obvious small truck choice. Adding snow tires to any car or truck is a good idea when the snow flies and you can read more about snow tires here.
Ford F-150
If you’re looking for a traditional mid-sized pickup truck, the Ford F-150 is one of the best-selling vehicles of all time for a reason. It offers excellent payload and towing capability, a lightweight aluminum body for improved efficiency and durability, plus four-wheel drive for tackling snowy roads.
The F-150 is offered with a range of Ford’s powerful EcoBoost turbocharged engines to match your capability and towing needs. Ford also recently introduced their fully electric F-150 Lightning if you want to get away from internal combustion engine trucks.
Ram 2500
In the heavy-duty pickup truck segment, the Ram 2500 is our top choice. The Ram 2500 has an attractive and muscular design, the interior can be dressed up with luxurious appointments, and the Ram offers some of the best tech with its Uconnect infotainment system. Powertrains include powerful gas and diesel options to deliver the towing capability you need. And, of course, the Ram 2500 has a capable four-wheel drive system that makes it virtually unstoppable in snowy conditions.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in February 2020 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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Having actual snow tires on a car will make it much better in the snow than having AWD or 4X4 on all season tires. When I was stationed in Germany, snow tires were required on your vehicle between Oct. and Apr. Snow tires on a RWD car will out perform an AWD or 4X4 vehicle that is on summer tires in the snow. 33
Thanks for sharing!
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