Top 10 Best Cars for Snow
Our earth’s axis of rotation is tilted.
We realize that probably isn’t news to you, but it means that much of North America will soon be engulfed in freezing temperatures for the next several months. With fall waving goodbye, we thought that now might be a good time to talk about that powdery, frozen white stuff that occasionally falls from the sky over much of the continent: snow.
Driving in the snow presents unique challenges, as it impairs tire traction to a far greater degree than, say, rain. The seasoned snow driver knows to brake earlier, be more gentle with throttle application, and observe longer following distances in traffic. All of this can go a long way toward preventing an accident, but naturally, some cars are better suited than others to trudging through slick winter conditions. Below are our picks for the ten best cars for snow driving currently available.
Want something a little taller, a little boxier? Don’t miss our Top 10 SUVs for Snow list, either.
Subaru Outback
You had to know this list would include at least one Subaru.
The Japanese automaker has become something of an expert in balanced, capable AWD vehicles, and the Subaru Outback mid-size crossover is a terrific example of the company’s keen understanding of how to engineer such a car.
SEE ALSO: 2023 Subaru Outback Review: Updating the SUV Anomaly
Like all US-market Subarus (save for the BRZ sports car), the Outback comes standard with the automaker’s lauded symmetrical AWD system, pairing a flat “boxer” engine with full-time all-wheel-drive. This gives the Outback excellent traction over almost every loose surface, and a minimum ground clearance of 8.7 inches makes it difficult to get stuck unless you’re trying.
Promoted Product: Sailun Ice Blazer Tires
Winter offers up challenges to drivers with a list of condition possibilities that can rob traction and keep you from going anywhere. That’s where Sailun comes in. Often drivers question if their cars or trucks really need to be equipped better to handle the conditions winter can dish out. Winter tires are not really an option but a necessity for winter driving and getting you to your destination safely. Sailun Ice Blazer winter car tires, and winter truck tires are engineered for cold weather conditions ensuring your safety every time your vehicle is on the road. What separates winter tires from regular tires are the specially formulated rubber compounds that remain pliable in the cold. Once temperatures drop below 44 degrees F / 7 degrees C, standard tires start to lose effectiveness, which causes losses in pliability and grip. Sailun’s winter tires are Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for the worst winter conditions and are available to fit whatever you drive.
Nissan Altima AWD
We’re as surprised as you to see a Nissan sedan on our list. Well, okay, not really; we did write it, after all. But with its all-new design for 2019, the Nissan Altima began offering all-wheel drive as optional equipment, and that helps make it a strong contender for “best car for driving in the snow.” A refresh for 2023 kept the AWD, and tweaked the styling inside and out.
The Altima’s is a part-time AWD system, only engaging the rear axle as needed when wheelspin is detected or there is sufficient steering input. At all other times, it runs in front-drive mode, making for predictable handling in inclement conditions. What’s more, continuously variable automatic transmissions have been a mainstay in Nissan’s product lineup for quite some time, and their nice, smooth power delivery means there are no abrupt changes in wheel torque to upset the car while it’s struggling to find traction.
Toyota Crown
Goodbye Toyota Avalon, hello Toyota Crown. For 2023 the Japanese brand brought its flagship sedan name back to North America for the first time in decades, affixing the Crown name to a generously proportioned sedan.
SEE ALSO: 2023 Toyota Crown First Drive Review: The Emperor’s New Groove
Pitched as a sort of crossover of, well, crossovers and sedans, the Crown is stretched tall, for a more commanding driving position while retaining the driving dynamics of a (big) car. Standard electronic AWD comes care of the standard hybrid drivetrain, which dedicates an electric motor to rear axle duty. The Platinum trim goes a step further, with a high-performance Hybrid Max powertrain offering up 340 hp and a torque-vectoring, performance-oriented AWD system.
Volvo V90 Cross Country
If there’s any car-producing country on Earth that should know what it takes to produce a sound winter driver, it’s Sweden.
Volvo’s reputation for safety is legendary, but just as legendary is its penchant for turning out some of the best snow-friendly vehicles on the planet. The Volvo V90 Cross Country is a sterling example, with standard AWD, a raised ride height (relative to the non-Cross Country V90), and a spacious station wagon body style.
Volvo Cars itself bills the Cross Country as a car “designed for all roads and all weather,” and it’s not just blowing smoke. The V90 features copious ground clearance for a car—8.3 inches, to be exact—and is as smooth, controllable, and premium-feeling as one would expect from a company of Volvo’s prestige.
Toyota Prius
For 2023, Toyota went and made the fifth-generation Prius one of the best-looking cars on the road. The car that made “hybrid” a common household term is newly sexy, but those who have to deal with snow will appreciate the changes under the skin even more.
SEE ALSO: 2023 Toyota Prius First Drive Review
While the outgoing Prius had what Toyota called e-AWD, it was a system with limited usefulness. A tiny seven-horsepower electric motor acted on the rear axle, only up to moderate speeds, when the front tires were struggling for grip. The latest Prius AWD functions more like the rest of the Toyota all-paw lineup: still slip-based, but at all road speeds. The Prius is able to engage the system during cornering as well, for a more stable stance. When not necessary, the Prius disengages AWD, helping it achieve the sort of fuel economy figures you expect in Toyota’s efficiency champ.
BMW 3 Series xDrive
Whether BMW can still be said to make the “ultimate driving machine” is a matter of debate. But at the least, the German automaker’s engineering prowess and fanatical obsession with weight balance results in some very nicely behaved vehicles.
Couple that with BMW’s full-time xDrive all-wheel-drive system in a mid-size car package and you end up with a seriously competent vehicle for snow driving: the BMW 3 Series xDrive. As modern, high-tech AWD systems go, BMW’s xDrive is excellent, maintaining a slight rear bias by default for good agility, and using electronics to vary the front/rear torque split as warranted by driving conditions.
Granted, it being a BMW, the 3 Series is a bit on the steep side, but you get what you pay for. In this case, that includes three-zone climate control, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, and superb build quality even on the base 330i xDrive.
Subaru Impreza
We told you Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system was good. In fact, it’s so good that it’s earned the Japanese automaker a second spot on our list.
The Subaru Impreza debuted in the early ’90s, anchoring the brand’s lineup here in North America. The latest model spawned one of the earliest sub-compact crossovers out there—the popular Crosstrek—but the Impreza remains a strong offering in its own right. Underneath the two cars are all but the same, it’s just that the Impreza ditches all the plastic cladding. For 2024, Subaru will debut a whole new generation of Impreza, including the return of the sporty RS trim.
Plus, being a Subaru, safety is virtually a given, with Symmetrical AWD and Brake Assist coming as standard equipment on all trims.
Audi A4 Allroad Quattro
Audi was among the first global automakers to embrace all-wheel drive in its road cars, specifically for the drivetrain’s benefits for winter driving.
Decades later, here we are, and the Audi A4 Allroad Quattro is a brilliant car for trudging through the snow. Based on the A4 Avant station wagon, the A4 Allroad is another “SUV-like” car, featuring standard AWD, a raised ride height, and even a wider track width than the standard A4. A standard adaptive damping suspension and drive-mode select with Offroad mode make the A4 Allroad all the more competent at handling adverse winter conditions, while standard heated front seats, three-zone climate control, and available heated rear seats and heated steering keep things cozy.
Genesis G80
Just because you’re shopping luxury brands doesn’t mean you need to skip out on AWD. In fact, these days its more common to find a classy car with the added powered axle than one without—and few come classier than the Genesis G80. One of our favorite mid-sized sedans, the G80 offers buyers two turbocharged gas flavors: a 300-horsepower inline-four, and a 375-horse V6. There’s even a smooth and near-silent electric version.
No matter which G80 you choose, you’ll find a sumptuous interior, elegant styling, and a whole heaping serving of cutting-edge technology. The gas-powered G80’s AWD system functions much like the brand’s SUV models, operating as a rear-drive setup for superior dynamics until the need for additional grip up front.
Mazda3 AWD
The Mazda 3 AWD is a compact sedan and hatchback that brings a balance of style, performance, and all-weather capability.
The available i-Activ all-wheel-drive system enhances stability and traction, making it an excellent choice for tackling snowy and rainy roads. Paired with its responsive steering and refined G-Vectoring Control Plus, the Mazda 3 AWD delivers a more controlled and engaging driving experience. With the optional 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, it also offers a healthy dose of power, producing up to 250 hp. Inside, its upscale interior and advanced tech make it feel like a luxury car at an accessible price point.
Recent Updates
October 10 2024: Remover Dodge Charger, added Mazda 3, updated images for accuracy, updated links
December 20th 2022: Removed SUVS, added Crown, Prius, Impreza and G80. Updated specs and relevant information.
November 3rd 2021: Updated Images for accuracy, rewrote Jeep Grand Cherokee for new, relevant information.
Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
Aaron is a freelance writer, videographer and car enthusiast based out of the Detroit area. He has a special affinity for the Porsche 944 series, and once owned a Volvo 240 sedan with a Weber carb in place of the factory EFI system. His work has appeared on AutoGuide, GM Authority, /Drive, and VW Vortex, among other sites.
More by Aaron Brzozowski
Comments
Join the conversation