Winter isn’t just about snowball fights and cozy nights — it’s a serious test of what your car is made of. While some crossovers cruise through snowstorms like pros, others crumble when the weather gets tough.
Whether you live in a place where the snow piles up to your window or you’re just planning a ski trip, your crossover’s performance in the cold matters a lot.
In this article, we’re not sugar-coating anything. We’ve rounded up five crossovers that are total winter warriors, the kind that laugh in the face of black ice, slush, and sub-zero mornings. And then there are five that just don’t cut it, the ones that might look cute in the showroom but start struggling the minute the temperature drops.
We’re talking real-world stuff here: traction, handling on icy roads, heating systems, defrost speed, AWD systems that work, and ground clearance. No manufacturer-sponsored fluff just straight-up performance.
5 Crossovers That Survive Harsh Winters
If you’re on the fence about your next winter ride or wondering if your current car can handle another brutal season, this list might save you from an expensive mistake.
Let’s get into it — first, the five that eat snow for breakfast.
1. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback has been the go-to winter crossover for years, and for good reason. It’s not just hype; the symmetrical all-wheel drive delivers. You get balanced power to all four wheels all the time, not just when the car “thinks” it needs it. That gives it a better grip when things get slick.
Ground clearance? A solid 8.7 inches. Enough to plow through unplowed roads and the occasional snowbank. And while it’s not a full-on SUV, it’s rugged enough to handle backroads that haven’t seen a snowplow in days. The X-Mode feature is also a lifesaver it optimizes the engine and traction control for low-friction surfaces, so you’re not spinning out on icy inclines.
Heated seats, heated mirrors, and even a heated steering wheel in upper trims keep you warm, and the defrost system is fast. Bottom line: if you’re living somewhere like Minnesota or upstate New York, this thing’s a winter MVP. It’s not flashy, but it always shows up when it counts.
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2. Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road
The regular RAV4 is decent in snow, but the TRD Off-Road model is on a whole different level. It gets a tricked-out suspension and better tires than your standard crossover, and that gives it actual grip when things get icy. Add to that Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select, which adjusts torque and braking to keep you from sliding.
With 8.6 inches of ground clearance, it’s not afraid of deep snow, either. Plus, Toyota’s all-wheel-drive with dynamic torque vectoring actively shifts power between the wheels based on need, so it’s not just sending power all over and hoping for the best. It’s calculated. Smart. Solid.
Inside, it’s ready for winter too. Heated seats are standard in most trims, and the cabin warms up fast. The insulation is decent, so you won’t feel like you’re driving a tin can in sub-zero temps.
RAV4 reliability also means you’re not stuck with repair bills mid-winter. Snow, slush, ice — the RAV4 TRD Off-Road doesn’t blink.
3. Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Say what you want about Jeep’s quality quirks, but the Cherokee Trailhawk is a beast in winter. It’s got Jeep’s Active Drive Lock AWD system — and it includes a locking rear differential. That’s not something you’ll find on most crossovers. It’s more like what you’d see on a Wrangler.
This thing is built to climb snow-covered hills and punch through deep drifts. It even has a Snow Mode that adjusts throttle response and traction control for icy conditions. And it’s got a cold-weather package that includes a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and remote start — perfect for preheating on nasty mornings.
The ride is a little stiffer, but that’s a fair trade-off for the off-road capability. You’re getting 8.7 inches of ground clearance, aggressive tires, and skid plates underneath. You could take this thing into the woods in January and be just fine.
It’s not the most fuel-efficient or the most polished inside, but if you want a crossover that drives like a mini tank, especially in snow, the Trailhawk’s your guy.
4. Volvo XC40
The XC40 brings that Scandinavian cold-weather DNA. Sweden didn’t design this thing to be stuck on an icy road. The all-wheel-drive system is super responsive, sending torque exactly where it’s needed before the tires even start to slip. It’s not pretending to be an off-roader, but for city folks or suburbanites who get hit with random snowstorms, this is perfect.
It’s also got fast cabin heat-up time and dual-zone climate control that doesn’t mess around. Heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, heated windshield — Volvo doesn’t leave any part of you cold.
Even better, the ride is comfortable, the cabin is quiet, and it’s got top-tier safety features like lane keep assist and pilot assist that help when visibility gets sketchy. Plus, 8.3 inches of ground clearance puts it right in the snow-handling sweet spot.
If you want to survive winter without looking like you’re headed to a mountain expedition, the XC40’s got the looks, the smarts, and the guts.
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5. Honda CR-V AWD
Reliable. Affordable. And surprisingly capable in the snow, the CR-V with all-wheel drive doesn’t get enough love for its winter game. The AWD system isn’t just cosmetic; it actively monitors for wheel slippage and sends power to the back wheels when it senses trouble.
Ground clearance comes in at about 8.2 inches, which is decent for most urban and suburban snow. But what makes the CR-V stand out is its comfort in harsh weather. The interior heats up fast, the visibility is great thanks to the big windows, and there’s a snow mode on the newer trims that actually works.
You won’t take this one snow crawling through mountain trails, but for a daily driver that doesn’t flinch in a surprise blizzard, the CR-V is a rock. And you’ll get the kind of reliability that doesn’t leave you cursing in a parking lot when it’s -15 outside.
5 Crossovers That Don’t Make It in Harsh Winters
When winter hits hard, not every crossover is built to survive the storm. Sure, automakers love to slap rugged marketing on every model, but the reality is that some crossovers simply can’t cut it once the roads get icy, the snow piles up, and temperatures nosedive.
In this article, we’re cutting through the hype and calling out five crossovers that struggle when winter gets serious — because when it comes to safety, reliability, and real-world performance, you deserve the truth.
1. Nissan Rogue (FWD Models)
Okay, let’s be clear: the AWD Rogue is decent in snow. But the FWD Rogue? Yeah, nah. Once you hit real snow and ice, this thing becomes a slip-and-slide. The lack of traction means you’re constantly dealing with wheel spin, especially on inclines or unplowed streets.
The ground clearance (8.2 inches) isn’t bad, but it doesn’t matter if your front wheels are doing all the work. Also, the Rogue’s CVT feels sluggish and unresponsive in cold temps. It takes forever to warm up, and the cabin heater isn’t exactly quick either.
If you’re living in a southern state with the occasional snow flurry, maybe it’s fine. But if winter means black ice and snow piles taller than your bumper? Skip it. You’ll be shoveling and swearing.
2. Mazda CX-5 (Older Models)
The newer AWD CX-5s are much better. But older models (pre-2019) with AWD had serious issues with snow performance. The AWD system wasn’t as responsive as competitors, often sending power too late or unevenly.
Combine that with low ground clearance (7.5 inches), and you’ve got a crossover that gets stuck easily.
Also, the sporty tires Mazda loves to throw on these things? Wrong for snow. It’s like putting running shoes on for a hike in the snow. You’ll slip, slide, and curse your decision at the first icy turn.
Great for dry roads. Not so much for blizzards.
3. Hyundai Kona
The Kona is fun, sporty, and affordable — but it’s just not a winter machine. It’s got lower ground clearance (6.7 inches), and that’s a problem once snow starts piling up. Even with AWD, the Kona sits low and struggles to push through anything more than a dusting.
Its short wheelbase and lightweight frame make it feel twitchy on icy roads, and the stock tires aren’t built for winter grip.
Inside, it’s cozy, and the tech is good. But once you step outside the city or hit an unplowed road, it starts to feel like it’s out of its league.
4. Ford EcoSport
The EcoSport tries to act like a rugged little SUV, but winter shows it no mercy. The AWD system isn’t great, and the transmission feels hesitant in cold temps. Plus, the tiny size and 7.8-inch ground clearance mean you’re scraping snow left and right.
To make matters worse, the interior heating takes too long to kick in, and visibility isn’t great when your windows fog up.
If you’re in a place that gets real snow, this isn’t the crossover you want. Cute? Sure. Winter-ready? Not really.
5. Chevrolet Trax
The Chevy Trax is another small crossover that just doesn’t hold up in snow. Even in AWD versions, traction isn’t reliable. The ground clearance is only 6.2 inches, which means once the snow builds up, you’re dragging the car.
It also has a narrow wheelbase and a very light rear end, so it’s easy to fishtail in icy conditions. And that AWD system? It’s reactive, not proactive — meaning it sends power after you start slipping, not before.
In cities with mild winters, maybe it survives. But anywhere that gets slammed with snowstorms? You’ll want something beefier.
Not all crossovers are built for winter survival. Some are true workhorses — designed with smart AWD systems, enough ground clearance, and heating features that matter. Those are the cars you want when you’re stuck in a surprise snowstorm, heading up a mountain pass, or just trying to get to work on a frosty Monday.
Others might look the part but fall short when things get real. And when the roads get icy and temperatures drop into the negatives, the last thing you want is a car that struggles just to stay on the road.
Before you buy your next crossover, especially if winter is a yearly monster in your life, do your research. Don’t just fall for marketing. Think ground clearance. Think real AWD performance. Think about the cold mornings when you just need your car to work.
So yeah — skip the fluff. Go for function. Your frostbitten fingers and snowy driveway will thank you later.
