When snow and ice cover the roads, only a few vehicles can rise to the challenge. These cars and SUVs aren’t just built to move — they’re built to move confidently in the harshest weather. Combining high ground clearance, all-wheel drive (AWD), and cold-weather features, these five vehicles shine when winter strikes.
They offer peace of mind, from icy city streets to remote snow-covered highways. Whether you’re commuting through a storm or embarking on a mountain getaway, these winter-ready rides stand out as the most capable and safe options for dealing with challenging conditions on frozen, slippery roads.
5 Cars That Handle Snow Like Champs
1. Volvo V90: Luxury and Winter Mastery
The Volvo V90 blends Scandinavian design with winter functionality, delivering all-wheel-drive confidence and 8.3 inches of ground clearance. Its standout features include rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alerts, and adaptive LED headlights for enhanced visibility.
The optional Climate Package adds cold-weather essentials like heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated windshield washers. Whether driving through slush-filled streets or climbing snow-covered hills, the V90’s composed handling and advanced safety technologies make it one of the best family wagons for the winter season.
If luxury and safety are your priorities for snow driving, the Volvo V90 checks every box with signature Swedish precision.
2. Honda CR-V: Practical and Snow-Ready
The Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid comes standard with AWD, while other trims allow AWD as an upgrade. Its 8.2-inch ground clearance allows the CR-V to manage snowy terrain with ease. Honda Sensing, the brand’s advanced safety suite, adds automatic braking and collision warnings, essential in low-visibility conditions.
Though compact, the CR-V proves its strength in challenging weather, blending affordability with solid engineering. Rain or snow, it’s a reliable performer for families or commuters alike. Thanks to its fuel efficiency, roomy cabin, and robust winter handling, the CR-V is one of the best choices in the small SUV segment.
3. Toyota Camry: A Sedan That Steps Up
The Toyota Camry defies the odds for sedans in snow thanks to optional AWD and a feature-packed Safety Sense 2.5+ package. It includes emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and high-beam assist — all crucial during snowy night drives.
The optional Cold Weather Package brings heated seats, mirrors, and a steering wheel, while standard dual-zone climate control keeps the cabin cozy.
While most sedans struggle in winter, the Camry adapts well, offering peace of mind without needing an SUV upgrade. For those wanting a safe, stylish, and winter-capable sedan, the Camry holds its own with comfort and cutting-edge safety.
4. Ford Bronco Sport: Built for All Terrain
True to its adventurous spirit, the Ford Bronco Sport thrives in harsh conditions. Every model includes AWD, and the G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) drive modes let it tackle snow, sand, and ice effortlessly.
On higher trims like the Outer Banks, drivers get rain-sensing wipers, heated mirrors, seats, and a steering wheel — all designed for comfort in freezing temperatures. Ford’s CoPilot360 suite adds crucial tech like collision warnings and lane-keeping assist.
More than just rugged, the Bronco Sport offers brains and brawn, handling deep snow and icy roads with calm confidence. It’s the go-to SUV for winter adventurers.
5. Nissan Altima: Affordable AWD for Winter
One of the few sedans in its class offering optional AWD, the Nissan Altima is a strong winter pick for budget-conscious drivers. Except for the base S trim, most versions can be outfitted with AWD, improving traction on icy roads.
Its Premium Package offers heated seats and mirrors, while safety systems like front/rear braking, remote start, and collision warning come standard.
Though not an SUV, the Altima performs well when properly configured, making it a smart option for drivers seeking winter readiness without a steep price tag. For affordability and AWD security, the Altima delivers surprising winter reliability.
The five vehicles above are top performers in snow and ice, offering the traction, safety, and comfort needed for winter’s worst. Whether you favor the rugged Bronco Sport or the sleek but capable Camry, each option provides the tools to tackle snowy commutes or weekend getaways.
AWD, heated amenities, advanced safety tech, and generous ground clearance are key traits that make them winter champs. With the right car, cold-weather driving doesn’t have to be stressful or unsafe. Investing in a vehicle with proven winter capabilities ensures you stay in control, no matter how much snow Mother Nature delivers.
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5 That Slide Everywhere
Not every vehicle is built to brave the snow. Some, despite solid performance in ideal conditions, become liabilities when temperatures drop and roads ice over. These vehicles tend to lack all-wheel drive, have lower safety scores, or suffer from poor handling in slippery environments.
From sedans with limited ground clearance to full-size trucks with heavy braking distances, winter performance can reveal hidden weaknesses. In this section, we’ll explore five vehicles that are more prone to sliding than sailing when faced with snowy and icy roads. Knowing which models to avoid could save lives—and insurance headaches—in the winter season.
1. Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Power Without Precision
Though it’s built for toughness, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 struggles in snow. With 127 fatal winter crashes per 100,000 units sold, it’s the most dangerous in icy conditions. Its 76% safety system rating and 88 composite score reveal its winter weaknesses, especially with a heavy frame that hampers braking and handling.
Despite helpful features like collision warnings and lane-keeping assist, the Silverado lacks the nimbleness needed on slick roads. Even with 4WD and winter tires, it’s better suited to clear conditions. For drivers who need reliable winter traction, this truck requires careful handling and extra precautions in snow.
2. Ford F-150: America’s Favorite, But Not in Snow
America’s bestselling truck, the Ford F-150, ranks second for winter danger with 70 fatalities per 100,000 units sold. Its composite score of 63 and pedestrian safety rating of just 70% reveal its winter limitations. Though it includes advanced tech and strong towing capacity, its size and weight make it harder to control on icy roads.
The F-150 is dependable in many ways, but snow isn’t its strong suit. While 4WD and winter tires improve performance, they still demand caution. Without extra modifications, this pickup can be more of a handful than a hero in cold, slick conditions.
3. Honda Accord: Slippery When Wet (or Frozen)
The Honda Accord, while known for its reliability and comfort, lands third on the winter risk list. With 69 winter-related deaths per 100,000 units sold, a low 54% vulnerable road user score, and a 62 composite score, it struggles when the weather turns. Its front-wheel-drive layout and lack of AWD mean reduced traction on icy roads.
Honda Sensing offers helpful features like emergency braking and lane assist, but they can’t fully offset poor snow performance. The Accord remains a top pick for warm-weather drivers, but in winter regions, it’s simply not built to face the elements confidently.
4. Hyundai Elantra: Small Car, Big Winter Risk
Despite its sleek styling and tech-forward cabin, the Hyundai Elantra is a poor performer in winter. It holds the lowest occupant safety ratings (60% for both adults and children) and a composite score of just 58. As a lightweight, front-wheel-drive sedan, it lacks the ground clearance and traction needed for snow.
While it includes safety features like forward collision warning and lane-keeping assist, its compact size and handling make it unstable on icy roads. Even with winter tires, their limitations persist. Drivers in cold climates should think twice before relying on the Elantra when the snow starts falling.
5. Ram 1500: Strength That Slips in Snow
Though it’s praised for its smooth ride and upscale interior, the Ram 1500 struggles in winter. Ranking fifth in snow-related fatal crashes (36 per 100,000), it has a composite score of 55 and a below-average child safety rating of 64%.
Despite a strong steel frame and advanced driver aids, its size and weight contribute to poor braking and control on icy roads. Without winter tires and an appropriate setup, the Ram 1500 is vulnerable in snow.
Families and daily commuters may find its winter performance underwhelming, making it better suited for dry or managed road conditions year-round.
The vehicles listed here may excel in performance, style, or towing, but not in snow. From lightweight sedans to heavy-duty pickups, winter reveals their limitations. While upgrades like snow tires and AWD can help, they don’t fully eliminate the risk.
For drivers who regularly face snowy conditions, choosing the right vehicle is about more than aesthetics or horsepower. It’s about safety, reliability, and control.
The cars and trucks that “slide everywhere” often do so because they lack the balance of design and technology that true winter vehicles possess. In snow, traction and preparation truly make all the difference.
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