Winter weather driving can be challenging and even dangerous if you’re not properly prepared. The right vehicle can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety and comfort on snowy, icy, and slippery roads.
When choosing a car for winter weather, it’s essential to consider features like all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), which provide better traction and stability. Additionally, vehicles with higher ground clearance can help go through deep snow and avoid getting stuck. Other useful features include heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote start to keep you warm before you even get into the car.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best cars for winter weather driving in 2024, focusing on their performance, safety features, and reliability. Whether you’re looking for an affordable option or a luxury SUV, there are plenty of choices to keep you safe and comfortable during the colder months.
1. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback has long been a favorite for winter driving thanks to its standard all-wheel drive, ample ground clearance, and rugged build. The 2024 model continues this tradition, offering impressive traction and stability on icy and snowy roads.
The Outback comes equipped with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which provides excellent grip and control in slippery conditions. Additionally, the Outback boasts 8.7 inches of ground clearance, allowing it to go through deep snow with ease.
Inside, the Outback features a comfortable and spacious cabin with available heated seats and a heated steering wheel, ensuring that you stay warm during your winter commutes. The car also includes Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which enhances safety with features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking.
These safety features, combined with the Outback’s robust performance, make it a reliable choice for winter driving. The Subaru Outback also offers features like X-MODE® with Hill Descent Control, which optimizes engine output and transmission ratio to maximize traction on slippery surfaces.
2. Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 is a luxury compact SUV that excels in winter driving conditions. The 2024 Q5 comes standard with Audi’s renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system, providing excellent traction and stability on snow-covered roads.
The Quattro system continuously monitors road conditions and adjusts power distribution to ensure optimal performance in varying conditions. The Q5 also offers a higher ground clearance compared to many other luxury SUVs, which helps it handle deep snow and rough terrain more effectively.
Inside, the Q5 features a premium and comfortable interior with available heated front and rear seats, as well as a heated steering wheel. The advanced MMI® infotainment system and virtual cockpit enhance the driving experience, making it both enjoyable and convenient.
Safety is a priority in the Q5, with a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a top-view camera system. These features work together to provide a safer and more confident driving experience, even in challenging winter weather. With its combination of luxury, performance, and safety, the Audi Q5 is an excellent choice for winter driving.
3. Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is a versatile compact SUV that performs well in winter conditions. The 2024 RAV4 offers an available all-wheel drive system that enhances traction and stability on snowy and icy roads. The RAV4 Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims come with Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD, which further improves handling and performance in adverse conditions.
With a ground clearance of 8.6 inches, the RAV4 can easily go through deep snow and uneven terrain. Inside, the RAV4 offers a spacious and comfortable cabin with available heated front and rear seats, as well as a heated steering wheel. The RAV4’s interior also features user-friendly technology, including a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
Safety is a key focus for the RAV4, which comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0. This suite of safety features includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, and dynamic radar cruise control. These features help ensure a safer driving experience in winter weather and beyond.
4. Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 is a luxury SUV that offers excellent performance and safety in winter conditions. The 2024 XC90 comes with an available all-wheel drive system that enhances traction and stability on slippery roads. The XC90’s higher ground clearance also helps it handle deep snow and rough terrain effectively.
Inside, the XC90 features a luxurious and spacious cabin with available heated front and rear seats, as well as a heated steering wheel. The advanced Sensus infotainment system and premium audio options make the driving experience both comfortable and enjoyable. Additionally, the XC90 offers a range of winter-friendly features, such as a remote start system that allows you to warm up the car before getting in.
Safety is paramount in the XC90, which includes a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. These features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision avoidance by braking. The XC90’s emphasis on safety, combined with its luxurious features and robust performance, make it an excellent choice for winter weather driving.
5. Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a midsize SUV that offers strong performance and versatility in winter conditions. The 2024 Explorer comes with an available Intelligent 4WD system that provides excellent traction and stability on snowy and icy roads.
The Explorer’s Terrain Management System™ allows drivers to select different driving modes to optimize performance in various conditions, including snow and ice. With a ground clearance of 8.2 inches, the Explorer can go through deep snow and rough terrain with ease.
Inside, the Explorer features a spacious and comfortable cabin with available heated front and rear seats, as well as a heated steering wheel. The SYNC® 4 infotainment system provides easy access to navigation, entertainment, and connectivity options, enhancing the driving experience.
The Explorer also prioritizes safety with Ford Co-Pilot360™ technology, which includes features like pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping system, and blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert. These safety features help ensure a safer driving experience in winter weather and beyond.
6. Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is another excellent choice for winter driving, thanks to its standard all wheel drive and robust performance. The 2024 Forester comes equipped with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, providing excellent traction and control on snowy and icy roads. With a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, the Forester can easily go through deep snow and rough terrain.
Inside, the Forester features a comfortable and spacious cabin with available heated front and rear seats, as well as a heated steering wheel. The Forester also offers a range of advanced technology features, including a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
Safety is a key focus for the Forester, which comes standard with Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. This suite of safety features includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking, helping to ensure a safer driving experience in winter weather conditions.
7. Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a rugged and capable SUV that excels in winter driving conditions. The 2024 Grand Cherokee offers several four-wheel drive systems, including Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, providing exceptional traction and control on snowy and icy roads.
The Grand Cherokee also features the Selec-Terrain® Traction Management System, which allows drivers to choose different driving modes to optimize performance in various conditions. With a ground clearance of up to 10.8 inches (with the available Quadra-Lift® Air Suspension), the Grand Cherokee can easily handle deep snow and rough terrain.
Inside, the Grand Cherokee offers a luxurious and comfortable cabin with available heated front and rear seats, as well as a heated steering wheel. The Uconnect® infotainment system provides easy access to navigation, entertainment, and connectivity options, enhancing the driving experience.
Safety is a priority for the Grand Cherokee, which comes with a range of advanced driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. These safety features help ensure a safer driving experience in winter weather conditions.
8. Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a reliable and practical compact SUV that performs well in winter conditions. The 2024 CR-V offers an available all-wheel drive system that enhances traction and stability on snowy and icy roads. With a ground clearance of 8.2 inches, the CR-V can go through moderate snow and rough terrain effectively.
Inside, the CR-V features a spacious and comfortable cabin with available heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, making winter commutes more pleasant. The CR-V also comes with a range of advanced technology features, including a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. This ensures that drivers and passengers can stay connected and entertained, even during longer winter drives.
Safety is a key focus for the CR-V, which comes standard with Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technologies. These features include a collision mitigation braking system, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and road departure mitigation. These systems work together to provide a safer and more confident driving experience, helping to prevent accidents and ensure that the vehicle remains stable in challenging conditions.
The CR-V’s well-rounded performance, combined with its advanced safety features and comfortable interior, makes it an excellent choice for winter weather driving. Whether you’re dealing with light snow or more challenging icy roads, the Honda CR-V provides the reliability and control needed to go safely and comfortably.
9. Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is a midsize SUV that offers strong performance and ample space for winter driving. The 2024 Traverse comes with an available all-wheel drive system that provides excellent traction and stability on snowy and icy roads. The Traverse’s ground clearance of 7.6 inches helps it go through moderate snow and uneven terrain with ease.
Inside, the Traverse features a roomy and comfortable cabin with available heated front and rear seats, as well as a heated steering wheel. These features make the interior a warm and inviting space during the cold winter months. The SUV also offers advanced technology features, including a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, enhancing the driving experience.
Safety is a priority for the Traverse, which comes with Chevrolet Safety Assist as standard. This suite of safety features includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and following distance indicator.
These features help ensure a safer driving experience in winter weather and beyond, making the Traverse a dependable choice for families and individuals alike. The Chevrolet Traverse’s combination of strong performance, advanced safety features, and comfortable interior makes it a top pick for winter driving.
Its all-wheel drive capability and robust design provide the necessary stability and control to tackle winter roads with confidence. Whether going through moderate snow or dealing with icy conditions, the Traverse ensures a safe and comfortable driving experience for both drivers and passengers.
10. Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender is a rugged and highly capable SUV, well-suited for winter weather driving. The 2024 Defender comes with standard all-wheel drive and a variety of terrain response systems, making it adept at handling snowy, icy, and uneven terrain. Its impressive ground clearance of up to 11.5 inches ensures that it can easily go through deep snow and rough conditions.
Inside, the Defender offers a blend of luxury and practicality. The cabin features high-quality materials, and available heated seats and a heated steering wheel provide comfort during cold weather. The Defender also boasts advanced technology features, including a Pivi Pro infotainment system with a large touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration, ensuring that drivers and passengers stay connected and entertained.
Safety is a critical focus for the Defender, which comes equipped with a range of advanced driver-assistance systems. These include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and emergency braking, all of which contribute to a safer driving experience in challenging winter conditions. The Defender’s robust build and advanced safety features make it an ideal choice for those who need a vehicle capable of tackling the toughest winter driving conditions.
With its combination of rugged performance, luxurious interior, and advanced safety features, the Land Rover Defender is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a reliable and capable vehicle for winter weather driving. Its all-terrain capabilities and high ground clearance ensure that it can handle even the harshest winter conditions with ease.
By considering these vehicles, you can find the best car for winter weather driving that meets your needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize safety, comfort, or performance, these options offer a range of features to help you go through winter conditions with confidence and ease.
