Best Used Compact SUVs for Snow

Feeling unprepared for winter-time driving? Our list of Best Used Compact SUVs For Snow has you covered with how to navigate the white stuff confidently.

Best Used Compact SUVs For Snow

Subaru Forester in the snow - media.subaru.com

As we continue the dive into the depths of winter, those up north may be wondering if their vehicle is up to the task of getting you through the white stuff with ease. That’s why we’ve put together this list of best used compact SUVs for snow.

This popular crossover segment is bursting at the seams with two-row options, many of which can be fitted with an AWD system. However, AWD alone is not the sole criterion for identifying the vehicles on this list. In fact, AWD systems vary greatly from one manufacturer to another in how well-suited they are for snow.

One of the factors we used to create this rundown of best used compact SUVs for snow was that the vehicle has the option for a four-wheel-powered drivetrain. However, it needs to be a system that goes beyond just moving torque around. Instead, it should offer an extra layer of technology, like a locking mode, that directs the vehicle to evenly distribute torque front-to-back for maximum traction.

Other criteria included enough ground clearance to wade through deep snow with ease, cold weather comfort-minded features like heated seats, and ample advanced safety features for when things get hairy. So, here is our list of best used compact SUVs for snow.

Ford Bronco Sport

Don’t let the “Baby Bronco” moniker or platform sharing with the Ford Escape fool you, Ford’s Bronco Sport is a fairly robust compact SUV. Along with earning a spot on today’s snow-centric list, the Bronco Sport is simply one of the best compact SUVs on the road. All-wheel-drive is lineup standard with G.O.A.T (Goes Over Any Terrain) drive modes offering settings like “Slippery” that help in messy winter weather.

Ground clearance, at 8.8 inches, is two inches more than a used Kia Sportage and all models feature flip-up glass on the tailgate to make loading and unloading of skis, sleds, and snowboards a breeze. Heated side mirrors and a backup camera washer are included on the Big Bend trim and above, while Outer Banks models come with a heated wheel and front seats.

While any used Bronco Sport can confidently handle most wintry conditions, it is the Badlands grade you’ll be wanting for maximum capability. This top model boasts a beefy turbocharged four-cylinder making 275 lb-ft of torque, more than enough for pushing through the worst winter slop.

The Badlands trim also adds two more G.O.A.T modes including Mud/Ruts, which easily translates to deep snow. The Bronco Sport is an FWD SUV but the Badlands comes with a twin-clutch rear differential that has a simulated locking function. This mode sends 50% of available torque to the rear, with torque vectoring capable of directing nearly 100% of that power to either side to make even the trickiest conditions manageable.

Subaru Crosstrek

Is there any brand more synonymous with slippery conditions than Subaru? Drive around New England or Colorado for five minutes and you’ll see the answer is a resounding no. Much of that can be attributed to the Japanese automaker’s famed Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system that they have been fitting, as standard gear, to nearly every model in their lineup for decades.

One of the differentiators between Subaru AWD and many others is that it is operating all the time, so there is always power being sent to all four wheels. Many modern AWD SUVs send power to the front wheels until slip is detected and then react by directing power out back.

Active Torque Vectoring takes this ability further by finely tuning how much twist is being sent to an individual wheel. Then there is X-MODE with hill descent control, which has a deep snow mode that only works up to 18 mph for serious grip. This particular feature is useful when it comes to navigating wintry mountain roads, something we dig into more deeply here.

The Crosstrek sits only 1/10th of an inch lower than the Bronco Sport and offers an All-Weather package with heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a heated windshield. Starlink telematics enables remote start to warm up the cabin and safety features like included forward collision warning and automatic emergency brakes are ready to step in as needed.

Jeep Cherokee

Since 2014, the KL-series Jeep Cherokee has occupied the compact crossover segment, while offering the brands’ trademark levels of capability in dicey conditions. Three different AWD systems are available, all of which pair with Selec-Terrain, a set of selectable drive modes that include a dedicated snow setting.

Heated side mirrors, an amazing help in frigid climates, are standard fare, while the optional cold weather group adds an engine block heater, remote engine start, heat for the steering wheel and front seats, and windshield wiper deicer. On that last note, don’t forget to keep your wiper blades fresh for winter driving, something we discuss in our Top 10 Tips to Winterize Your Car list.

In a nod to fuel efficiency, the rear axle shafts on the front-wheel drive Cherokee can be disconnected in fair weather. But when it’s snowing, the Active Drive Lock AWD system found on the Trailhawk models should get you through most anything.

The Trailhawk is powered by a grunty naturally-aspirated V6, sits on a 1-inch factory lift for 8.7 inches of ground clearance, comes with all-terrain tires, and is equipped with the Active Drive II AWD system. This AWD setup has a 4-Low mode that can lock the front and rear driveshafts for maximum low-speed power and traction, and a 2.92:1 gear reduction for outstanding grip at crawling speed in severe conditions.

Nissan Rogue

Though perhaps not the first vehicle that comes to mind when considering the best used SUVs for snow, Nissan’s Rogue is quite the capable companion for wintry driving. The available AWD system features a lock mode that drivers can activate to create an even torque split front-to-back. It only operates up to 25 mph, at which point the car automatically flips back to standard AWD mode.

The Intelligent Climate Control feature operates via a fob, or app, to get the engine running and cabin air tempered, automatically, based on current ambient temperatures. It’ll even fire up the heated front seats. Have a look at our list of Top 10 Winter Car Accessories for more ideas on how to get your ride ready for the cold.

Heated rear seats are an option on the Rogue as is triple-zone automatic climate control to keep those in the back row comfy. The Vehicle Motion Control system works in concert with AWD to control torque and braking for each wheel individually. And there’s even an available semi-autonomous driving aid, ProPILOT Assist, which would come in handy on long slogs home from the slopes. As well, a host of safety features like automatic emergency brakes, Lane Departure Warning, and Blind Spot Monitoring are standard on used 2021 Rogues.