Important features of snow driving include:
- Drivetrain: A vehicle with a 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive drivetrain is ideal for snow driving as it provides better traction and control on slippery roads.
- Ground Clearance: A car with high ground clearance will help to prevent snow from accumulating underneath the car, which can affect its handling and potentially cause damage.
- Tires: Snow tires or all-season tires with good tread depth are crucial for snow driving as they provide better grip and traction on icy and snowy roads.
- Warmth and comfort: Snow driving can be cold and uncomfortable, so a car with a reliable heating system, heated seats, and a warm interior will make the driving experience more comfortable.
- Safety technology: Features such as anti-lock brakes, stability control, and traction control are essential for safe snow driving. Additionally, newer safety technologies such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning can help prevent accidents in snowy conditions.
This article presents a list of the 13 best cars suited for driving in snowy conditions in 2023.
13 Best Cars for Snow and Ice in 2023
1. Acura RDX
The Acura RDX is an excellent car for snowy conditions, thanks to its all-wheel drive (AWD) option and 8.2 inches of ground clearance. It also has a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA and comes with features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams to ensure maximum safety on the road. The starting price for the Acura RDX is $41,795, making it a great choice for those looking for a reliable and safe SUV for winter driving.
- Drivetrain: FWD (AWD available)
- Ground clearance: 8.2 inches
- NHTSA safety rating: 5/5
- Key features: Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams
- Price: Starting at $41,795
2. Audi A4
The Audi A4 is an excellent car for snowy conditions with its all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain and a ground clearance of 6.5 inches. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given it a 5/5 safety rating, ensuring safe driving even in harsh weather. The A4 comes loaded with features like heated side mirrors, automatic climate control, pre sense®, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic jam assist, making it an ideal car for daily commutes. The starting price for the Audi A4 is $40,870, making it an affordable luxury sedan for those looking for a reliable and safe car for snowy conditions.
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Ground clearance: 6.5 inches
- NHTSA safety rating: 5/5
- Key features: Heated side mirrors, automatic climate control, pre sense®, blind-spot monitoring, traffic jam assist
- Price: Starting at $40,870
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3. Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is a great car for driving in snowy conditions. It comes with an all-wheel-drive drivetrain and offers a high ground clearance of 8.2 inches, which is suitable for driving on rough terrains. Additionally, it has a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA, making it a reliable and safe vehicle. Other key features of the Honda Pilot include push-button start, dual illuminating vanity mirrors, rear and front assist handles, remote engine start, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The Honda Pilot is priced at $44,050.
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Ground clearance: 8.2 in
- NHTSA safety rating: 5 Star
- Key features: Push-button start, Vanity mirrors (dual illuminating), Assist handle (rear, front), Remote engine start, Rearview mirror (auto-dimming)
- Price: $44,050
4. Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an excellent car for snow driving with the following features:
- Optional four-wheel-drive system for better traction on slippery surfaces
- High ground clearance of 11.3 inches to navigate through snow-covered roads
- NHTSA safety rating of 5 Stars for added peace of mind
Other key features of the Jeep Grand Cherokee include a powerful engine producing a max power of 268.27bhp@5200rpm and a max torque of 400Nm@3000rpm, a seating capacity of 5, and different trims at varying prices starting at $44,105 for the Altitude trim, $46,215 for the Limited model, and $56,305 for the Overland trim.
5. Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Accent is the perfect car for snow, thanks to its reliable All-Wheel Drive (AWD) drivetrain and impressive ground clearance of 8.7 inches. It also boasts an outstanding 5/5 safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), making it a secure option for winter driving. Other key features of the Subaru Accent include forward collision emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert system, rear camera mirror, and reverse automatic braking. Starting at $33,470. This car is an excellent investment for those who prioritize safety and reliability.
6. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is a popular car known for its exceptional performance in snow and other harsh weather conditions. It is equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), providing improved traction and stability on slippery roads. With a ground clearance of 7.25 inches, it can easily navigate through deep snow without getting stuck. Additionally, the Outback has a 5-star safety rating from NHTSA and comes with several key safety features such as forward collision emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear cross-traffic alert system. The starting price for the Subaru Outback is $27,145.
7. Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is a highly capable car that is well suited for snowy conditions, thanks to its all-wheel drive and high ground clearance. It has received a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Forester comes with a range of impressive features, including standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology and LED Steering Responsive Headlights. It is available at a starting price of $26,495.
- Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
- Ground clearance: 9 in
- NHTSA safety rating: 5 Star
- Key features: Standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, LED Steering Responsive Headlights.
- Price: Starting at $26,495
8. Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is a great car for snowy conditions, thanks to its available all-wheel drive and 7.1 inches of ground clearance. It also comes with impressive safety features, including a driver attention warning system and automatic high beams, and has earned a 4/5 NHTSA safety rating. With a starting price of $26,245, the Tucson is a great value for anyone looking for a reliable and safe car to drive in the snow.
- Drivetrain: FWD (AWD available)
- Ground clearance: 7.1 inches
- NHTSA safety rating: 4/5
- Key features: Driver attention warning system, automatic high beams, surround view monitor
- Price: Starting at $26,245
9. Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is an excellent choice for those living in snowy areas due to its impressive features and capabilities. Here are some key points to consider:
- Drivetrain: RAV4 LE, RAV4 XLE, and RAV4 XLE Premium configurations come with basic All-Wheel Drive (AWD) for better traction on slippery roads.
- Ground clearance: With a ground clearance of 8.4 inches, the RAV4 can handle deeper snow and rough terrains with ease.
- NHTSA safety rating: The RAV4 has a 5-star safety rating, ensuring your safety while driving on snow-covered roads.
Additionally, the RAV4 offers TRD Off-Road Capability, Multi-Terrain Select, Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD With Rear Driveline Disconnect, Drive Modes, and Multi-Link Rear Suspension features, making it a great car for those who want to take on snowy roads. The price ranges from $30,725 to $35,125 MSRP, depending on the model.
10. Mazda CX-50
The Mazda CX-50 is an excellent car for driving in snowy conditions due to its i-Activ AWD drivetrain and high 8.6 inches of ground clearance. It has a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA, making it a safe and reliable choice for winter driving.
- Drivetrain: i-Activ AWD
- Ground clearance: 8.6-inches
- NHTSA safety rating: 5 Star
- Key features: In-Cabin Wi-Fi, Automatic 911 Dialing, Roadside Assistance, REMOTE ENGINE START, VEHICLE FINDER, VEHICLE HEALTH AND STATUS
- Price: turbocharged models start at $37,150 for the 2.5 Turbo trim and top out at $42,300 for the loaded 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus model
11. Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 is a great car for snow, with its available all-wheel-drive and high ground clearance of 8.8 inches. It also has a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA and comes equipped with several safety features, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability and traction control. The starting price for the Mazda CX-9 is $38,750.
- Drivetrain: Available with FWD or with available active torque split AWD
- Ground clearance: 8.8 inches
- NHTSA safety rating: 5 Star
- Key safety features: dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags, and side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, a rearview camera, and a tire-pressure monitor
- Price: starts at $38,750.
12. Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is a car that can handle snowy conditions. It has a drivetrain of RWD (AWD available) and a ground clearance of 4.5 inches. The car has a 5/5 NHTSA safety rating and features such as automatic wipers, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, heated mirrors, and heated steering wheels. The starting price for the Dodge Charger is $32,945.
- Drivetrain: RWD (AWD available)
- Ground clearance: 4.5 inches
- NHTSA safety rating: 5/5
- Key features: Automatic wipers, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, heated mirrors, heated steering wheels
- Price: Starting at $32,945
13. Volvo V60
The Volvo V60 is a car that's suitable for snowy conditions, thanks to its all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain and high ground clearance of 8 inches. In terms of safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given it a 5-star rating. It also comes with key features such as standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition and lane-departure warning. The price of the Volvo V60 starts at $38,750.
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Ground clearance: 8 in
- NHTSA safety rating: 5 Star
- Key features: Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition is standard. Lane-departure warning
- Price: starts at $38,750
