Winter driving can be hazardous due to snow and ice, which reduce traction and increase the risk of accidents. To improve safety, vehicles with all-wheel or four-wheel drive are recommended, as they provide better grip on slippery roads.
Additionally, higher ground clearance helps vehicles navigate deep snow more effectively, making winter travel easier and safer.
Comfort is also an important factor when driving in cold weather. Features like heated seats, multi-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel can make winter commutes more pleasant. This list highlights 12 vehicles designed for both safety and comfort in icy and snowy conditions, ensuring a smoother and more secure driving experience.
1. 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport stands out with its luxurious cabin, smooth ride, and excellent off-road capability, making it well-suited for winter conditions. Standard four-wheel drive and a maximum ground clearance of 11.1 inches help it navigate through deep snow, while the Terrain Response system offers multiple traction control modes for various surfaces.
Additionally, heated front and rear seats ensure comfort in cold weather, and rain-sensing windshield wipers enhance visibility, making this SUV a strong choice for winter driving.
2. 2024 Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco is a capable off-roader that performs well in snowy conditions, thanks to standard four-wheel drive and adjustable ground clearance, ranging from 8.3 inches on base models to 13.1 inches on the Raptor trim.
Its spacious four-door models provide ample room for passengers and cargo, making it a practical choice for winter travel. Additionally, Ford’s G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) modes optimize traction control for various surfaces, enhancing stability and grip in icy or snowy conditions.
3. 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe is a spacious SUV with three powerful engine options and seating for up to nine passengers, making it a practical choice for winter travel. While rear-wheel drive is standard, upgrading to four-wheel drive enhances traction on snowy roads.
Ground clearance starts at 8 inches but can be increased to 10 inches with the optional adaptive suspension. Comfort features include rain-sensing windshield wipers, tri-zone automatic climate control, and available heated front and second-row seats, along with a heated steering wheel for added warmth in cold conditions.
4. 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combines excellent fuel efficiency with a responsive powertrain and smooth handling, making it a practical and enjoyable SUV for winter driving. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive, it handles snowy conditions well.
Its spacious cabin ensures comfort for all passengers, while dual-zone automatic climate control maintains a cozy interior. Available features like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing windshield wipers further enhance comfort and convenience in cold weather.
5. 2025 Subaru Forester
The redesigned 2025 Subaru Forester is a well-rounded compact SUV with standard all-wheel drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it a solid choice for winter driving.
While its acceleration is modest, the Forester delivers a smooth ride and confident handling on slippery roads. Dual-zone automatic climate control comes standard for maintaining a comfortable cabin temperature, and available upgrades like a heated steering wheel and heated front and rear seats further enhance cold-weather comfort.
6. 2025 Land Rover Range Rover
The Land Rover Range Rover excels in both off-road capability and luxury, making it a strong choice for winter driving. With standard all-wheel drive and an air suspension that provides up to 11 inches of ground clearance, it handles snow and ice with ease.
Its upscale cabin includes winter-ready features like heated front and rear seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Available as a mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid, the Range Rover also offers flexible seating for up to seven passengers, though it remains one of the most expensive options in its class.
Also Read: 10 Cars With Interiors That Feel More Luxurious Than They Are
7. 2024 Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition is a spacious and capable large SUV with strong towing capacity, solid fuel efficiency, and a refined cabin. Optional four-wheel drive enhances traction on icy roads, while its 10 inches of ground clearance helps navigate snow-covered terrain.
Standard tri-zone automatic climate control ensures a warm cabin in cold weather, and available features like rain-sensing windshield wipers, a heated steering wheel, and heated front seats add extra comfort for winter driving.
8. 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is a spacious three-row SUV with excellent cargo capacity and a refined, quiet cabin. While rear-wheel drive is standard, four-wheel drive is available for improved traction in winter conditions.
It offers a Selec-Terrain traction management system with five drive modes, including Snow, and an optional air suspension that provides up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance for better handling on snowy roads. The engine lineup includes a capable V6 and a more powerful V8, making it a versatile choice for both daily driving and off-road adventures.
9. 2025 Volvo XC40
The Volvo XC40 stands out among luxury subcompact SUVs with its spacious interior, strong powertrain, and an impressive towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. Unlike many subcompact vehicles, it offers solid ground clearance at 8.3 inches, making it well-suited for winter roads.
Standard all-wheel drive enhances traction in snowy conditions while rain-sensing wipers and heated front seats provide added comfort. Optional heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel further improve cold-weather driving convenience.
10. 2025 Rivian R1S
The Rivian R1S is a top-rated luxury electric SUV with a powerful drivetrain and an impressive range of up to 410 miles per charge. Its upscale cabin features sustainable materials and comes standard with heated front and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone automatic climate control for superior winter comfort.
Designed for tough conditions, it includes standard all-wheel drive, multiple terrain modes, and an adjustable air suspension that provides up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance, making it highly capable in snow and rough terrain.
11. 2024 Jeep Wagoneer
The Jeep Wagoneer is a top-rated large SUV with a powerful engine, a luxurious cabin, and a wealth of standard features. It offers ample passenger space and strong towing capability, though it is one of the pricier options in its class.
Depending on the trim, ground clearance ranges from 8.3 to 10 inches, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive available for better winter performance.
Comfort features include a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control, while heated second-row seats and rain-sensing windshield wipers are optional.
12. 2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a top contender in the midsize SUV class, offering a refined cabin, smooth ride, and an impressive list of standard features. With 8 inches of ground clearance—raised to 8.4 inches in X-Line and X-Line Pro models—it is well-equipped for snowy conditions.
While rear-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is available for enhanced stability on winter roads. Comfort features include standard dual-zone automatic climate control, with optional heated front and second-row seats and a heated steering wheel for added warmth in cold weather.
Choosing the right vehicle can greatly improve safety and comfort during winter driving. Whether you need enhanced traction, high ground clearance, or premium cold-weather features, these 12 SUVs offer a range of options to suit different needs and budgets.
From luxury models with advanced technology to rugged off-roaders built for deep snow, each vehicle is designed to handle icy and snowy roads with confidence. With the right features, winter travel becomes safer, smoother, and more comfortable, ensuring peace of mind in challenging conditions.
Also Read: 10 Best Cars for Road Trips That Offer the Smoothest Ride and Fuel Efficiency
