Buy This Not That: The Best SUVs For Winter Driving—and What They Cost New and Used
The right car can mean everything when the weather turns messy.
Winter driving is its own darling: The challenge can be fun and the winter vistas breathtaking, but the grind can get old, especially when you’re prepping for that last snowfall in … May.
The needs of winter driving are unique: Room to haul one more load of firewood (looking at you, cold April showers); climbing the snow mound that the town’s snow plow left for you at the end of the driveway (because shoveling that mess isn’t in the cards); all weather mats that keep melting and muddy boots from ruining everything else; room for an extra bottle of de-icing windshield wiper fluid; cargo room for the pre-storm Costco haul; a cozy cabin that everyone can snuggle up in for a longer drive when it’s sub-freezing outside.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
What Makes a Great Car For Winter Driving?
Top of the list is all-wheel drive, or AWD. Four-wheel drive, or 4WD, is good too, but you may need to activate the system to get it out of 2WD. And while 4WD can give you more traction in deep snow or mud, AWD is always on or, if it’s an “intelligent” system, it will activate when it senses the wheels slipping.
If you’re shopping for a new car and winter driving is a consideration, be sure to check that the car you’re looking at is, in fact, AWD or 4WD; don’t assume. Even Jeep and Volvo, two of the most capable brands for winter driving, also sell 2WD models.
Add to that an easy-to-clean interior and exterior so you can wash off all the salt in winter and mud in spring, decent ground clearance for both winter and mud season (7” is probably the minimum), and good tires—all-terrain tires are a great choice—that’ll keep you in solid contact with the road all winter.
Read: Is an Extended Car Warranty Worth Buying? Here’s How To Tell
Our Favorite Cars and SUVs for the Daily Drive in Winter
We sorted through our favorite popular brand AWD and 4WD cars (yes!) and SUVs for those that give us the most confidence and capability on winter roads, that best deflect the dirt and muck of the season.
We didn’t include luxury brands in this roundup, though many can go the distance (that’s another story for another day). Then, we looked at the price of the AWD base model and the typical price for a model that’s gently used, about three years old, with less than 40,000 miles.
Read: New Or Used? The Best Hybrid SUVs and What They Cost New and Used
The OG Master: Jeep
Buy This: Jeep Grand Cherokee or Grand Cherokee L. We have long loved Jeep for its easy command of all roads, rugged and challenging. While you have a lot of Jeep models to choose from, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, or the Grand Cherokee L with a 3rd row of seating or extra cargo space, is our favorite.
It’s as capable as any Jeep, built for the trail, and offers Terrain Select drive modes so you can quickly dial up your road conditions and conquer them. Plus, you can pick basic to plush interiors and be as comfy as you like. Priced from $36,495 to $79,150 new; about $38,500 used.
The Classic Winter SUV: Volvo
Buy This: Volvo XC90. Volvo has built a safety reputation, and it did driving on the frozen fjords of Sweden. What better brand to trust your winter driving to? Our pick is the XC90 for its extra seating and cargo space; when you need to bring all the blankets and ice fishing gear, it’ll have the space for you.
And, it’s only built in AWD in current models (though some older models are front wheel drive— so check that if you’re buying used). Priced from $62,345 to $70,945 new; about $55,200 used.
I Was Born This Way: Subaru
Buy This: Subaru Outback. The Subaru Outback just got a long-awaited makeover, and while we won’t call it superficial—the redesign includes many needed, and wanted creature comforts, conveniences, and updates—what didn’t change is this brand’s mastery of all roads.
The brand has had standard AWD as a part of its offer since its earliest days, and that’s one reason we trust Subaru to get us there and back. Plus, it’ll do it efficiently and with all the space for gear and people we need. Priced from $34,995 to $47,995 new; about $33,955 used.
Built For the Wilds of Winter: Ford
Buy This: Ford Bronco. If there’s one brand that can do it all, it’s Ford. From chasing the Summer sun to Winter outings to camping, towing, and even racing, Ford has adventure running through its veins, and that means it’s perfect to muscle through messy weather. We love the Bronco for this.
Yes, the Expedition and the Explorer are good options, but the Bronco is better suited for slippery road conditions, and its all-terrain tires keep you firmly planted even when roads are coated in slush. Winter drivers may opt for a hard top, though even the soft top version can be kept toasty warm in winter. Still, you might want to bring an extra blanket. Priced from $39,995 to $51,475 new; about $36,000 used.
The Truck That’s Built to Do It All: Chevy
Buy This: Chevy Tahoe. Chevrolet’s trucks are known for capability, with great tow capacity, 4WD ability, and solid components that go the distance for hundreds of thousands of miles. While you could go for a Silverado or a Suburban, the Tahoe is our favorite for its smaller size; The shorter wheel base will make driving in rough conditions a bit easier.
Still, it has three rows of seating for adding more passengers or putting the 3rd row down for extra cargo space. Priced from $60,400 to $80,400 new, about $48,000 used.
Cars and SUVs that Go the Distance: Honda
Buy This: Honda Passport. Yes, you could go for the Honda CR-V, including the Trailsport model that’s fortified for adventure driving. Or you could go for the Pilot, probably the most tried and true of the Honda lineup—and it’s a good choice if you need a 3rd row of seating. But the Passport has our vote for most capable on winter roads.
Its size is ideal, it has great cargo space to carry all the things you’ll need, and inside, it’s rugged as well, built to withstand all it’ll face and yet, remain comfy, cozy, and capable. We’ve driven both the last generation and the new redesigned model, and it’s clear, this is designed to go the distance on every type of surface, snow and slush included. Priced from $44,750 to $53,650 new, about $34,100 used.
Toyota Is Built With Winter Driving In Mind
Buy This: Toyota Sequoia. Toyota offers so many SUVs and trucks, and even an AWD version of the uber-popular Camry sedan, that it could be one-stop shopping for a winter-capable car. But for ultimate comfort and capability, go for the Sequoia.
Now, it has its drawbacks: you’ll need to put the 3rd row down for average-sized cargo space, the center row seats fold and flip for 3rd row access, and it’s not a smooth a ride as its luxury cousin, the Lexus LX. But the Sequoia’s husky heft and muscle, ample roof-top space for gear, and tow capacity of 9,000 lbs., it’s a natural for winter adventure—or getting home in a blizzard. Priced from $64,025 to $84,435 new, about $62,020 used.
New To the Adventure Circuit: Kia
Buy This: Kia Telluride X-Pro. Kia has been on a mission lately, fine-tuning systems like all-wheel drive for off-roading and testing it on world-class challenges like the Rebelle Rally—something we didn’t even consider for the Kia of yore.
But with enhanced suspension, all-terrain tires, multi-terrain drive modes, an extra 1” of ground clearance, and all the comforts, like a panoramic sunroof and leather seating, the Telluride X-Pro is a capable outlier: not the first you might consider, but one you’ll be glad to have when the weather turns messy. Priced from $36,390 to $53,685 new, about $29,000 used.
Another Newbie to Rugged Capability: Hyundai
Buy This: Hyundai Palisade XRT. Hyundai introduced the Palisade a few years ago as a capable and comfortable SUV for passengers, cargo, and towing, but for off-roading? Not so much. Enter the XRT edition, ushered in with the model’s recent redesign.
With the Palisade’s capability of AWD, it took just a few tweaks here and there—tow hooks, all-terrain tires, enhanced drive modes, and an additional 1” ground clearance—to move the Hyundai Palisade from good to great in the winter driving category. Also consider the leatherette or leather interiors, all the storage, and the option of a hybrid powertrain for better MPG, and it might be the best of all worlds. Priced from $39,435 to $54,560 new; about $36,000 used.
A Minivan that Can Weather Winter Roads?
Buy This: Toyota Sienna AWD. There’s so much to love about the Toyota Sienna: Hybrid MPG is standard, it has room for all your people and all your gear, and with AWD, it’s capable when a winter storm is in the forecast. This isn’t our go-to for regular rugged winter driving—think mountain living and steep, snowy roads much of the year— but it’ll do the trick in the wilds of Chicago or Boston.
And with an interior that’s designed for heavy cleaning, seats that stow with the flick of a wrist, and a cabin that can easily turn into a sleep zone or movie theater for your kids when the drive is long, it’ll let you focus on the road while passengers pass the time. Priced from $40,120 to $57,510 new; about $35,000 used.
Special Mention: A Muscle Car Built For All Conditions
Buy This: Dodge Charger Sixpack. When it comes to winter driving, a sedan isn’t the first thing we tend to think of; they are lower to the ground, typically don’t have the traction or tires that are best in messy weather, and generally, are more fair-weather drivers. But the Dodge Charger Sixpack is a different animal. All-wheel Drive is standard—yes, across the entire lineup—and drive modes include snow/wet.
I recently tried this out, inadvertently, on snowy mountain roads and found the drive to be confident and capable. My Dodge Charger muscle memory led me to expect the rear end to slide and power to be extra anxious at low speeds, but not so; this delightful and comfortable coupe did the job, twisting down the mountain in sticky, freezing snow, with grace and skill. Priced from $54,995 new; about $38,000 used.
Having the right car for the conditions is just the start, but without the right systems and features, you might be stuck on the side of the road—or worse, when the weather turns. If you live in a place that experiences messy winter weather, you can relax; the right car will get you there in comfort and confidence.
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