What makes the best cars for snow really the best? It’s a combination of things.
Check out these key features to consider when driving in snow and other wintery conditions. Vehicles need to boast an effective drivetrain — the array of components from the transmission to the tires. Look for safety and driver-assist technologies, such as stability control, blind-spot monitoring, and so forth.
Then, consider comfort or convenience features, such as heated seats and rain-sensing windshield wipers that can make it a lot easier to drive in snowy weather. Use our jump ahead links below to get to the section you need.
If a vehicle boasts the appropriate combination of all these elements, even an inexperienced driver can get by when driving in snow. At the same time, the right combination of features can make an experienced Snowbelt driver even safer and more competent. This is true whether it’s a sedan, an SUV, or a pickup truck.
READ RELATED STORIES: 20 Tips for Safe Winter Driving
At the end of the day, the driver becomes the key factor to driving on snow or ice. The less experience a driver has with snow- or ice-covered roads, the more important the components, technologies, and systems designed to aid the driver in foul weather.
But even the most veteran of Snowbelt drivers can benefit from features engineered to ease the stress of driving in snow or on ice. We weighed all of this in arriving at our picks for the best cars and SUVs in snow. And this year, our top overall pick is the Subaru Outback.
Any discussion of the best cars for snow must begin with the drivetrain. There are pros and cons for front-wheel-drive (FWD) and rear-wheel-drive (RWD) systems when driving in snowy or icy conditions. However, we are going to pass over such 2-wheel-drive (2WD) drivetrains.
The inexperienced snow driver will be as likely to get into trouble with either 2WD system. The discussion then turns to all-wheel drive (AWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD).
Many people use the terms AWD and 4WD interchangeably. However, these are not the same systems. All-wheel drive functions with little or no driver input. Most AWD vehicles normally operate as FWD (Honda CR-V) or RWD (Dodge Charger).
On dry pavement, the engine sends all its torque to one axle. With front-wheel-drive cars, power (or torque) is sent to the front wheels. With rear-wheel-drive cars, power is sent to the rear wheels.
With the most common type of AWD system, the moment it senses one or both primary drive wheels slipping, it automatically transfers a percentage of the engine torque to the other axle and its two wheels. You might see a phrase like “on-demand” or “part-time” all-wheel drive that refers to this type of system.
If it’s an on-demand system, it’s set up to work most of the time in two-wheel drive to increase fuel efficiency. This type of system is the most fuel-efficient choice. The fuel-economy penalty with on-demand all-wheel drive can be as little as 1-2 mpg.
Some systems, referred to as full-time all-wheel drive, will always send some amount of torque to all four wheels. These also automatically adjust torque as needed but are often not as fuel-efficient as on-demand systems. Subaru uses full-time all-wheel drive in most of its vehicles. Fortunately, the fuel-economy penalty isn’t severe with this AWD.
With either system, when there’s slippage, there’s a need for more traction, and more power is sent to the wheels that have more grip. So if you are driving on an icy patch and one tire can’t get traction, the all-wheel-drive system will quickly respond, sending power to the other wheels that have more grip.
Most all-wheel-drive systems are electronically controlled and can actually respond to changing road conditions before a wheel starts to spin. This happens in less than a blink of an eye, usually without the driver being aware. While much more happens here to maximize traction and maintain control, that’s the gist of it.
For most people, AWD is often robust enough to handle inclement weather, including ice and some snow. However, if you often drive on extremely slippery roads or need a vehicle with better off-road capability than AWD can offer, you can look into getting a vehicle with 4WD.
Four-wheel drive still sends power to all four wheels, but it creates a lock between the front and rear axles, keeping the axle speeds the same. This reduces wheel spin when there is low traction – such as gravel and deep snow – but it keeps your vehicle from being able to corner as well as when it’s in 2WD. All-wheel drive does not have that issue.
While there are some other 4WD systems out there, the one you will find most often is part-time 4-wheel drive. Typically, you will find part-time 4WD on rear-wheel-drive vehicles.
When the time comes that you need extra traction, you – the driver – can use a lever, dial, or button to put the vehicle into 4-Hi, also known as high range. This is the best setting for snowy conditions and when you’re on trails that are considered easy or moderate. Using high range gives you more traction off-road than all-wheel drive does. In most modern 4WD vehicles, you can switch from 2-Hi to 4-Hi without stopping. There are even some 4WD vehicles that will automatically go from 2-Hi to 4-Hi for you.
However, there are some drawbacks. Experts do not recommend high range for on-road use. If you forget to switch the system back to 2WD (or 2-Hi), you risk doing damage to your vehicle after long stretches. In addition, the added weight of this system reduces fuel economy.
When things get even more challenging on the trail, or you encounter extremely deep snow, you can choose 4-Lo or low range. This feature is used only at low speeds. In addition to all four wheels being driven, your vehicle also uses a low-gear ratio. Low range gives your truck or SUV the most torque at every wheel, and the vehicle can slowly crawl over an obstacle.
To use low range, you’ll have to stop the vehicle and actively shift into it or select it. And once you’re out of the rough stuff, you’ll have to shift out of 4-Lo. Low range isn’t something most people have to use, but you may find it helpful when driving down a steep, icy road.
Choosing between AWD and 4WD depends on your needs. However, all-wheel drive is likely the best answer for most people. It automatically adjusts to changing road conditions, it is designed to work in normal snowy and icy conditions, and it has the least negative effect on fuel economy.
You can say goodbye to the days when the top safety feature for the best car in snow equaled a trunk large enough to hold a bag of salt and a shovel. Today’s cars, trucks, and SUVs offer a wide array of safety and driver-assist features.
Since 2013, government mandates required some features like traction control, stability control, and anti-lock brakes to come standard on every passenger vehicle. The lion’s share of newer technologies is available on a wide range of new cars and SUVs. Some may even save you a few bucks on your car insurance.
We compiled a list of those features we think contribute to better control and safety in snowy or icy conditions. We threw in a few winter comfort/convenience features, as well. Our picks for best snow sedans and best snow SUVs offer some or most of them.
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We have included any available Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash-test results for each pick. Currently, the IIHS performs six (in some cases seven) crash tests on most passenger vehicles. Depending on where a vehicle is in its lifecycle, it may not have been subjected to all six tests. Those tests are:
The seventh test mentioned above is new. It’s “Side: updated.” Only the Honda CR-V and the Subaru Forester on our list were subjected to this test. The IIHS has not tested every one of our picks, and not all of those that the IIHS looked at were tested in all six current main categories.
For each test, the IIHS awards a score of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor.
Beyond scoring the tests, the IIHS evaluates every model it tests for overall safety. Here, such features as headlight effectiveness, standard driver aids (forward collision mitigation, and so forth) are scored. Vehicles the IIHS judges above average in safety can earn Top Safety Pick (TSP) or Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+).
Sitting atop the food chain of compact-luxury sedans, the BMW 3 Series offers its xDrive AWD system across its sedan lineup, including its 330e hybrid sedan. All-wheel drive adds $2,000 to the bottom line of the entry-level 330i. That brings the base price of the 330i xDrive to $43,450. A 255-horsepower 2.0 turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission delivers the go.
Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rain-sensing wipers come standard on every 3 Series model. Opting for the $700 Active Driving Assistant adds blind-spot monitoring. Other available driver-assist features include adaptive LED headlights and automatic high beams.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 BMW 330i xDrive. Other than price — which is $42,760 for last year’s 3 Series with all-wheel drive — the 2021 model is the same. Find a BMW 3 Series near you
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The Dodge Charger combines a muscle car vibe with a huge cabin and a performance edge. Dodge makes AWD available for the V6-equipped SXT and GT grades. For the entry-level SXT, that option adds $3,995 to the $31,350 base price.
You can pick up blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, heated mirrors, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel in the $3,095 Plus Group option package. Pony up another $1,895 for the Technology Group, adding automatic high beams, forward collision warning with full emergency braking, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Power comes from a 3.6-liter V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Dodge Charger SXT AWD. Other than price — which is $34,725 for last year’s Charger with all-wheel drive — the 2021 model is the same. Find a Dodge Charger near you
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For 2022, you must move up to the Preferred grade among Mazda3 non-turbo models to qualify for AWD. All turbo models have it as standard. Optioning AWD on Preferred adds $1,400 to Preferred’s $24,750 base price. Every Mazda3 comes standard with blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams among other features in its i-Activsense suite of safety/driver-assist technologies — all great for snow driving.
Preferred also boasts standard LED headlights and taillights, rain-sensing wipers, and heated front seats. Thrust is from a 186-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 6-speed automatic transmission sends engine output to all four wheels.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Mazda3 Preferred AWD. In which case, look for a 2021 Mazda3 Select AWD, with a starting price of $25,245. In terms of snow features, it has pretty much everything the 2022 Preferred does, except heated seats. Find a Mazda3 near you
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Except for the entry-level S grade, every Nissan Altima model with the 188-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine can be fitted with AWD for driving in snow. The most affordable model with AWD is the SV.
The total base price with AWD comes to $26,950. Automatic high beams, LED headlights, remote engine start, forward collision warning, automatic front emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic rear braking are standard. To get heated front seats, heated outboard mirrors, and a bunch of other goodies, you must pony up another $1,800 for the Premium Package.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Nissan Altima SV AWD. The 2021 model is virtually the same. Find a Nissan Altima near you
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Toyota only offers AWD in its 4-cylinder models. Getting it on the entry-level LE only adds $1,400 to the $25,395 base price. The Toyota Camry comes standard with Safety Sense 2.5+, a suite that includes forward collision warning, automatic front emergency braking, and automatic high beams, helping make it one of the best cars for driving in snow. Among the Camry LE’s other winter features are LED headlights and LED taillights. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, too.
You can add a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert for $680. The $1,290 Cold Weather Package comes with a heated steering wheel, heated mirrors, and heated front seats. This Camry uses a 202-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Toyota Camry LE AWD. Other than price — which is $26,370 for last year’s Camry with all-wheel drive — the 2021 model is virtually the same. Find a Toyota Camry near you
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Classified as midsize, the Volvo V90 Cross Country is surprisingly roomy inside. This wagon comes standard with AWD and an impressive 8.3 inches of ground clearance. Also standard are adaptive LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, front collision mitigation support, heated front seats, remote start, and a slippery road alert.
That’s what makes this one of the best cars in snow. You can pick up heated rear seats, heated windshield washers, and a heated steering wheel with the $750 Climate Package. For 2022 Volvo did away with the gasoline-fueled turbo, replacing it with a 295-hp mild-hybrid (MHEV) powertrain.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country. If that’s the case, you should look for a 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country, which has a starting price of $55,595. In the 2021 V90 Cross Country T6, a 316-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged 4-cylinder engine feeds power to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Find a Volvo V90 near you
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When you add AWD to the basic Acura RDX, it boosts the $40,100 bottom line by $2,200. Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) employs several tricks to increase capability and traction. It’s rather complicated, yet the result is also an efficient system. As much as 90% of torque can go to just one rear wheel.
Every new RDX comes with decent ground clearance (8.2 inches) and has forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, LED headlights, heated outboard mirrors, and heated front seats. Opting for the $2,650 Technology package adds a rear camera washer, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and much more. Check the Advance Package ($5,650) to add rain-sensing wipers, LED fog lights, windshield wiper de-icer, and more. The engine is a 272-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Acura RDX SH-AWD. In that case, you could look for a 2021 version, which has a starting price of $41,225 with all-wheel drive. Essentially, it will be equipped the same. Find an Acura RDX near you
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Chevy’s completely redesigned Tahoe comes in six trim levels and all can be fitted with 4WD for driving in snow and other hazardous conditions. Adding 4WD to the entry-level LS grade increases the $50,200 bottom line by $3,000.
Comfortable and roomy, the Chevrolet Tahoe LS has impressive ground clearance (7.9 inches). It comes with rain-sensing wipers, forward collision warning, front-emergency braking, LED headlights and taillights, and remote start. Spring for the $495 Driver Alert Package to pick up blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, among other features. Thrust is generated by a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 4WD 2022 Chevy Tahoe LS. In that case, you should look for a 2021 version, with a starting price of $52,600 with 4-wheel drive, which essentially is the same. Find a Chevrolet Tahoe near you
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Of course, the Chrysler Pacifica isn’t an SUV. However, we do love it, particularly with all-wheel drive. The lowest trim level offering AWD is the $40,465 Touring L. Adding AWD costs $2,995. Among our snow-safety features are LED headlights, fog lights, and taillights, automatic high beams, and heated mirrors. Remote start, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and rain-sensing wipers are standard, as well. Also included are tri-zone automatic climate control and a surround-view camera.
Other driver aids are forward collision warning with partial emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. A 287-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 delivers the go through a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L. In which case, you should look for a 2021 Touring AWD, which has a starting price of $38,815. Find a Chrysler Pacifica near you
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The Ford Bronco Sport pops right out of the box with AWD for getting around in snow. Not as off-road capable as its big brother the 4WD Bronco, the Bronco Sport is well suited for battling snow, mud, and dirt. The base model (simply called Ford Bronco Sport) provides five driving modes, LED exterior lights, high-beam assist, and Ford’s Co-Pilot360 driver-aids bundle. It includes forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard as well.
We recommend stepping up a notch to the Outer Banks. It gains you heated outboard mirrors, heated front seats, a rear-camera washer, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Also standard are LED fog lights, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers. A 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine married to an 8-speed automatic transmission spins the wheels.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. In which case, you should look for a 2021 version, with a starting price of $27,215, which is essentially the same. Find a Ford Bronco Sport near you
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Every new Honda CR-V can be had with AWD ($1,500), including the entry-level LX. It comes standard with extra ground clearance (about 8 inches) forward collision warning and front-emergency braking, among other Honda Sensing driver-assist features. Also standard are LED headlights and taillights.
However, we recommend spending another $2,510 for the EX trim. It adds heated front seats, heated outboard mirrors, remote start, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also includes LED fog lights. Power is generated by a 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine managed through an automatic transmission.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Honda CR-V. In that case, you should look for a 2021 version, which essentially is the same, and has a starting price of $26,525 with all-wheel drive. Find a Honda CR-V near you
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To opt for all-wheel drive on any Hyundai Kona grade adds $1,500 to the bottom line. With AWD, the base SE is $22,800. This subcompact model has a surprising amount of passenger and cargo space. The Hyundai Kona has 6.7 inches of ground clearance and comes standard with front-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
However, spending another $1,800 to move up to the SEL grade adds heated mirrors, remote start, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. Heated front seats, automatic temperature control, and much more are part of the $3,500 Convenience Package. Power comes from a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Hyundai Kona SEL AWD. In that case, you should look for a 2021 version, which essentially is the same and has a base price of $22,000 with all-wheel drive. Find a Hyundai Kona near you
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No, the all-new Hyundai Santa Cruz isn’t an SUV, but it has an SUV’s comfort and features, and shares its platform with the all-new Tucson SUV. Although generally, pickup trucks aren’t the ideal snow vehicles, we like this small urban truck a lot. All-wheel drive is standard on the upper grades and a $1,500 upcharge on the SE and SEL. Beyond AWD, the base SE isn’t brimming with our snow features. It does provide LED taillights, high-beam assist, and several driver aids. For example, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
However, making the move to the SEL adds heated front seats, heated outboard mirrors, and remote start. Bind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also included. Picking up LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers entails moving up through the other trim levels. A 191-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine sends output to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Find a Hyundai Santa Cruz near you
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For 2022, Jeep completely redesigned the Jeep Grand Cherokee. While it was at it, Jeep also engineered a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version called Grand Cherokee 4xe. Every bit as off-road capable as the gasoline-only Grand Cherokee, it comes standard with the Quadra-Trac II active 4WD system with its 2-speed transfer case. In addition to its 4WD system, the entry-level 4xe’s snow creds include LED exterior lights, heated front/rear seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, and heated outboard mirrors.
Standard driver aids include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control and high-beam assist are also included. A 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors generate the thrust, delivering it to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
If the 4xe is beyond your budget, you can also look for the 4WD 2022 Grand Cherokee Laredo. This Grand Cherokee has a starting price of $40,720 with 4-wheel drive.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe or Laredo. If that’s the case, you should look for a 4WD 2021 Grand Cherokee Laredo, which starts at $41,275 with 4-wheel drive. It includes 8.6 inches of ground clearance, heated outboard mirrors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
To gain heated front seats, heated steering wheel, remote start, and an upgrade to the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, among lots of other goodies, requires the All-weather Trail Rated Package. It will cost you $1,695. The $875 ProTech II package adds rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control automatic high beams, forward collision warning, and emergency braking. Providing power is a 295-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Find a Jeep Grand Cherokee near you
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Our Expert Rating of 4.8 should tell you something about our opinion of the 3-row Kia Telluride. It blows us away. Kia offers AWD the Telluride lineup for a $2,000 upcharge. Adding it to the $33,090 entry-level LX grade brings the total to $35,090.
It has 8 inches of ground clearance, remote start, heated mirrors, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. You must step up to the EX trim ($40,090) to gain or qualify for other features like LED headlights, heated seats, and automatic high beams. The engine is a 291-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. An 8-speed automatic transmission switches the cogs.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Kia Telluride EX AWD. In that case, you should look for a 2021 version, which essentially is the same, and starts at $39,590. Find a Kia Telluride near you
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Redesigned for 2021, the Mercedes-Benz GLA finally looks like the SUV it was intended to be. Serving as the brand’s entry to SUVs, the tidy GLA’s entire trim-level lineup can be upgraded to AWD (4Matic in Mercedes speak) for $2,000. In the case of the GLA 250, that $36,400 starting price goes up to $38,400 for the GLA 250 4Matic.
Among its standard features: heated mirrors, cross-wind assist, front collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Also included are LED headlights and taillights, rain-sensing wipers, and heated windshield washer nozzles. In addition, Mercedes offers heated seats ($500). Delivering the go is a 221-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine joined to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 AWD. If that’s the case, you should look for a 2021 version, which essentially is the same, and has a starting price of $38,230. Find a Mercedes-Benz GLA near you
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Every Subaru Forester has standard AWD. It has impressive ground clearance (8.7 inches). Included are adaptive headlights, automatic high beams, a rearview camera washer, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
You must move up to the Premium trim to qualify for blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Also included in Premium are fog lights, windshield wiper de-icer, heated front seats, and heated outboard mirrors. A 182-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine sends its output to the wheels via an automatic transmission (CVT).
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Subaru Forester Premium. If that’s the case, you should look for a 2021 version, which starts at $25,845 for the Premium, and is essentially is the same. Find a Subaru Forester near you
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Every Subaru Outback comes right out of the box with AWD as standard. That’s what makes this a great — and the best — car for snow. Standard features include 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Included are a snow/mud X-Mode transmission setting, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive LED headlights, and automatic high beams. Stepping up to the Premium grade gets you heated front seats, LED fog lights, and automatic climate control. Move up to the Limited grade for heated rear seats.
A blind-spot monitor, rear-cross traffic alert, and other goodies are in a Premium trim option package ($1,400) A 182-horsepower flat 4-cylinder engine uses a CVT to usher power to the wheels.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Subaru Outback Premium. If that’s the case, you can look for a 2021 version, which essentially is the same. Pricing starts at $26,795 and the Outback Premium starts at $29,045. Find a Subaru Outback near you
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All-wheel drive comes standard on every Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, including the entry-level LE. It has 8.1 inches of ground clearance and comes standard with LED headlights and taillights, forward collision warning with emergency braking, and automatic high beams.
We recommend you step up to the XLE ($30,545). It adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, fog lights, heated mirrors, and lots more. To Premium you can add the Weather Package ($925) with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers. Other features like heated rear seats and adaptive headlights require moving up the trim-level ladder. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and hybrid system conspire to produce 219 horsepower. An automatic transmission sends power to the wheels.
Because of supply chain issues, you may have difficulty finding a 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE. If that’s what you find when you shop, you can also look for a 2021 version, which essentially is the same. The 2021 RAV4 Hybrid starts at $28,900 and the Hybrid XLE starts at $30,195. Find a Toyota RAV4 near you
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