- Volvo V90
- Honda CR-V
- Nissan Altima
- Toyota Camry
- Ford Bronco Sport
- Toyota Sienna
- Hyundai Kona
- Kia Telluride
- Mazda3 Sedan
- Subaru Outback
Commuting in a blizzard? Here's the right car for the job
Read in this article:
- Volvo V90
- Honda CR-V
- Nissan Altima
- Toyota Camry
- Ford Bronco Sport
- Toyota Sienna
- Hyundai Kona
- Kia Telluride
- Mazda3 Sedan
- Subaru Outback
Winter driving in the snow can be a daunting experience, especially if you live in an area where snow is not an everyday occurrence. While winter tires are the most important element of safe travel in snowy conditions, optimal winter performance comes from more than just grippy rubber.
Here are 10 cars that will make an ideal choice for safe snow driving. All models on the list were given a “Top Safety Pick” or “Top Safety Pick+” rating by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), with the exception of the Kia Telluride, which was narrowly missed out with a 6/6 (“Good”) rating.
Volvo V90
Volvo's stellar reputation for safety manifests itself in the V90, a family-sized AWD wagon with plenty of cargo space and high ground clearance (8.3 inches). A host of weather-related features, such as rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, and adaptive LED headlights, complete the picture – no amount of rain or snow is enough to stop the V90 from getting from A to B. As for driver and passenger comfort in cold temperatures, the optional Climate Package (adding a nominal amount to the price tag) includes a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and heated windshield washers.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid comes with AWD as standard, while for all other trim levels, you'll have to pay to add it as an option. Honda Sensing, the brand's safety features package, does a good job of keeping hazards to a minimum even in bad weather, with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning featured among the list of driver-assist gadgets. And with 8.2 inches of ground clearance, you'll be able to get where you need to go no matter what the terrain looks like.
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima offers the all-wheel-drive system as an option on most trims (except the lowest “S grade”, which is only available in front-wheel-drive). The Premium Package adds heated seats, heated side mirrors, and other comfort features for a small premium, while the standard safety features include automatic front and rear braking, remote start, collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. With the right configuration, the Altima is a great choice for customers looking for an affordable sedan that can still handle the occasional snowfall.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry's safety package, Safety Sense 2.5+, includes a host of features that make driving in snow safer and easier, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and automatic high beams. All-wheel-drive is offered as an option, adding slightly to the price of your Camry. There is also a dedicated Cold Weather Package, which adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated mirrors. Combine that with the dual-zone climate control (which is included as standard) and you have guaranteed comfort in every type of weather, keeping you and your passengers safe and warm even when it's snowing.
Ford Bronco Sport
The Ford Bronco Sport is a rugged and capable all-wheel-drive SUV that can tackle any terrain or weather conditions without breaking a sweat. The premium “Outer Banks” trim level offers an exclusive tech package that includes a rear-camera washer, heated mirrors, front seats and steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers. Ford's safety bundle, CoPilot360, provides the usual set of driver assistance tech features, such as forward collision warning, automatic braking, and lane-keeping assist. Five different driving modes help your Bronco adapt to any surface or weather, from smooth tarmac to slippery mud and everything in between.
Toyota Sienna
Need the cargo space and practicality of a minivan while simultaneously keeping your passengers safe in snowy conditions? Look no further: the Sienna offers a variety of options that ensure your journey will be as comfortable as possible, no matter what the weather looks like. The Toyota Safety Sense system includes blind spot monitoring, pre-collision detection, and lane-departure warning; the all-wheel-drive system is available as an option for all trim levels, and creature comforts like a heated steering wheel are included with higher trim levels. The Woodland Edition bumps up ground clearance to 6.9 inches for a smooth drive even on rough terrain.
Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona comes with a number of useful snow-driving features as standard, such as automatic emergency braking and front collision warning. Other features, however, are only available either as part of a higher-level trim version (such as remote start and heated mirrors, included in the SEL trim) or as an option. AWD falls into the latter category, adding $1,500 to the price tag. An additional “Convenience Package” is also available, offering creature comforts such as heated front seats and automatic climate control. There are also plenty of choices available for you to personalize your Kona according to your requirements, whether it's the occasional dusting of snow or regular commuting in a blizzard.
Kia Telluride
A $2,000 premium will upgrade your Telluride to the all-wheel-drive version, powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. With winter-friendly features like heated side mirrors, remote start, and heated seats (available in higher trim levels), it makes a perfect choice for prospective buyers in colder climates who are looking for a roomy, three-row family SUV. The Telluride's 8 inches of ground clearance make easy work of snow-covered roads, while the safety features, such as automatic emergency braking and blind spot monitoring, keep you and your passengers protected from any potential hazards.
Mazda3 Sedan
Thanks to the i-Activsense safety system, which includes a host of driver-assist tech features such as automatic emergency braking and automatic high beams, the Mazda3 can handle any weather without compromising on safety.
Higher-trim versions of the Mazda3 sedan either offer all-wheel-drive as an option (the “Carbon Edition” of the non-turbo model, which also includes rain-sensing wipers and heated seats as standard for a premium winter driving experience) or include AWD as standard (all turbo models). Add a good set of winter tires and you have the perfect combination for the prospective buyer who does not want an SUV but still needs good all-weather capability.
Subaru Outback
With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and all-wheel-drive included as standard on all trims, the Subaru Outback was designed to handle snow; there is even a dedicated snow/mud “X-Mode” setting for the transmission, which optimizes the Outback to handle rough weather and slippery surfaces. Meanwhile, inside the car, several options to help you stay warm are available: automatic climate control and heated front seats (Premium-grade trim) plus heated rear seats if you really care about your passengers (Limited-grade trim only). Taking safety a step further, the Premium trim offers an optional package that includes rear cross-traffic alert and a blind-spot monitor for ultimate peace of mind.
Keyword: Best Cars For Snow: 10 Top-Rated Vehicles for Snowy Climates