Best Cars for Snow in 2023 and 2024

Built To Get Through Tough Winters

Winter driving is not a major concern in some parts of the country. Going far enough south, you’ll find plenty of purely rear-wheel-drive trucks on the road. But farther north, traction in the ice and snow is critical when shopping for a new car.

Contents

Best Cars for Snow in 2023 and 2024 Built To Get Through Tough Winters More on the 2022 Subaru Outback 2023 Subaru WRX Overall Score: 7.3/10 | $30,605 More on the 2023 Subaru WRX 2023 Subaru Ascent Overall Score: 7.9/10 | $33,895 More on the 2023 Subaru Ascent 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Overall Score: 7.9/10 | $24,995 More on the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $41,535 More on the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2023 Volvo XC40 Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $38,350 More on the 2023 Volvo XC40 2024 Subaru Outback Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $28,895 More on the 2024 Subaru Outback 2023 Volvo S90 Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $57,000 More on the 2023 Volvo S90 2023 Subaru Forester Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $26,395 More on the 2023 Subaru Forester 2023 Audi A4 Allroad Overall Score: 8.3/10 | $45,900 More on the 2023 Audi A4 Allroad 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Overall Score: 8.3 | MSRP: $29,215 More on the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport 2023 Honda Ridgeline Overall Score: 8.4/10 | MSRP: $38,800 More on the 2023 Honda Ridgeline 2023 Hyundai Tucson Overall Score: 8.5/10 | MSRP: $28,400 More on the 2023 Hyundai Tucson 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Overall Score: 8.8/10 | MSRP: $59,250 More on the 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2024 Kia Seltos Overall Score: 8.4/10 | $24,390 More on the 2024 Kia Seltos 2024 Kia Telluride Overall Score: 8.8/10 | $37,990 More on the 2024 Kia Telluride FAQs Top Safety Features for Winter Driving Other Helpful Features for Winter Driving More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

Best Cars for Snow in 2023 and 2024

Whether it’s a sedan, wagon, or SUV, a vehicle that can handle a rough winter should have specific attributes, including four-wheel or all-wheel drive and decent ground clearance. In addition, the best vehicles for the task have creature comforts such as heated seats, a heated steering wheel and remote start.

The following vehicles are not just great for the winter but also year-round. We’ve listed our picks in ascending order based on each model’s U.S. News overall score. We’ve included each model’s most affordable price with all-wheel drive.

Throughout this list, keep in mind that our scores and rankings are continuously updated as more information becomes available. In some cases, the scores you see here may not match those elsewhere on the site.

2023 Subaru WRX

Overall Score: 7.3/10 | $30,605

The WRX is not the most practical vehicle in our slideshow. Still, it’s the way to go if you want a fun commuter car that can handle almost anything, and you’re fine paying a premium over comparable compact cars.

The WRX was redesigned in 2022 and carries over into 2023 largely unchanged. Though the plastic body cladding is a controversial styling choice, there’s no denying it’s a benefit on snowy, salty roads for its extra protection. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine is a good match for the six-speed manual transmission, though a continuously variable automatic transmission is available, too.

2023 Subaru Ascent

Overall Score: 7.9/10 | $33,895

The Subaru Ascent is a great family-oriented midsize crossover with features that make it a good all-weather vehicle. All-wheel drive comes standard, which is rare in this segment. Furthermore, 8.7 inches of ground clearance provides enough room to get over bumps and debris.

The Ascent features plenty of interior space across all three rows, and the upholstery is easy to clean. Active safety and driver assistance features and technology are plentiful. For 2023, the Ascent received some styling updates and an updated infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2024 Subaru Crosstrek

Overall Score: 7.9/10 | $24,995

The Subaru Crosstrek has been completely redesigned for the 2024 model year. It packs the capability of its larger siblings—including at least 8.7 inches of ground clearance—but in a nimble, subcompact platform. The Crosstrek comes standard with all-wheel drive and has plastic body cladding designed to take abuse.

This Subaru comes standard with a 152-horsepower four-cylinder engine. It feels underpowered, so spring for the upgraded 182-horsepower engine if possible. It comes standard on the Sport, Limited and Wilderness trims. All models have many standard driver-assistance features and an (albeit clunky) infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $41,535

The Jeep Grand Cherokee midsize SUV comes off a 2022 redesign with a price point that pushes it close to luxury territory. It’s a comfortable and reassuring vehicle in nasty weather. The Grand Cherokee has a smooth, sure-footed ride, especially when equipped with four-wheel drive.

Powertrain options include a V6, a V8 and a turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid. For extra capability, check out the Trailhawk trim level, which comes exclusively with the plug-in-hybrid powertrain but features advanced off-road features and technology that will surely assist during winter storms.

2023 Volvo XC40

Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $38,350

The Volvo XC40 is a bargain for a subcompact luxury crossover, even after you shell out an extra couple thousand for its all-wheel-drive system paired with an upgraded engine. Then you’ll have a stylish and comfortable vehicle that can handle winter’s worst. The XC40 received some styling tweaks for 2023, and the trims have been renamed.

After the abovementioned upgrades, the XC40 comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 247 horsepower. This engine provides a good balance of fuel economy and horsepower. The XC40 also gets a ton of active safety features for more confidence on the road. Additionally, there are tech features such as a portrait-oriented 9-inch touch screen with Android Automotive and Apple CarPlay.

2024 Subaru Outback

Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $28,895

The Subaru Outback simply kicks butt for a winter vehicle. It’s as purpose-built as they come, equipped with standard all-wheel drive, loaded with safety features and finished with easy-to-clean materials. If you want a family-oriented vehicle perfect for winter travel, this is your car, and for the 2024 model year, it has fresh exterior styling on the rugged Wilderness trim.

This Subaru’s base engine is sluggish on the highway, but there’s an optional turbocharged four-cylinder with more horsepower. The Outback has plenty of space for passengers in both rows, and this crossover-like wagon has ample cargo room.

2023 Volvo S90

Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $57,000

The Volvo brand is synonymous with safety. The S90 luxury midsize sedan is a great pick for an upscale commuter year-round but inspires extra confidence during winter driving with standard all-wheel drive. The S90 ‘s base setup is a mild-hybrid powertrain with 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. There’s also a plug-in-hybrid option that provides 455 horsepower.

Inside, the S90 is spacious and comfortable, with some of the best passenger-room specs in the class. Easy to drive and easy to ride in, the Volvo S90 is a great sedan for miserable winter roads.

2023 Subaru Forester

Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $26,395

The Forester exhibits all of the traits shoppers should look for in a quality winter vehicle. It has standard all-wheel drive, 8.7 inches of ground clearance and an upright seating position that allows the driver to see hazards on the road ahead. Following a 2022 styling update, the Forester carries into 2023 largely unchanged.

The Forester comes standard with a 6.5-inch touch screen that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And all models have the EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features, delivering that extra level of peace of mind.

2023 Audi A4 Allroad

Overall Score: 8.3/10 | $45,900

The Audi Allroad wagon is an exceptionally capable vehicle in general and is a deft companion in snow and ice. All-wheel drive and adaptive suspension come standard, so the car basically knows what’s going on, and reacts to it, before you do.

Leather upholstery drapes over supportive seating for a comfy ride. Standard safety features are plentiful. Audi is good at making winter-capable cars, especially this alternative to the basic crossover or SUV. For 2023, the A4 Allroad includes standard LED headlights, providing added visibility in inclement conditions.

2023 Ford Bronco Sport

Overall Score: 8.3 | MSRP: $29,215

The Ford Bronco Sport is a capable small sport utility vehicle with muscular styling and the off-road chops to match. In addition to 8.8 inches of ground clearance, the Bronco Sport has standard four-wheel drive with multiple helpful drive modes. “Slippery” will be the most effective mode in the mix of rain, ice, sleet and snow that builds up during winter driving.

Ford’s Bronco Sport has seating for five, and the second row folds down, providing up to 65.2 cubic feet of maximum cargo space for all your winter gear. Every trim has integrated roof rails that can easily receive racks for skis, snowboards and more. If you’re feeling nostalgic, check out the newly added Heritage Edition boasting throwback styling cues.

2023 Honda Ridgeline

Overall Score: 8.4/10 | MSRP: $38,800

The Honda Ridgeline is a top-ranked compact truck that’s a great choice for winter driving, thanks to its combination of a powerful V6 engine and standard all-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive system features selectable mud, sand and snow driving modes. You’ll have no problem finding traction in most winter driving scenarios.

The Ridgeline features a comfortable, car-like, five-passenger cabin and a long list of standard driver-assistance features. You also get flexible storage areas that maximize utility.

2023 Hyundai Tucson

Overall Score: 8.5/10 | MSRP: $28,400

The Hyundai Tucson compact crossover was fully redesigned for the 2022 model year and carries over into 2023 with minimal changes. This small SUV is a winner in winter and every other time of the year.

Climb into the Tucson, and you’ll be ensconced in warmth and comfort, with plenty of space for five passengers and their cargo. This Hyundai is a lot nicer than its modest price suggests, and it comes standard with enough safety tech to help you feel confident regardless of road conditions.

2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Overall Score: 8.8/10 | MSRP: $59,250

Classy and capable, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a luxury midsize car that comes in various body styles. For example, Mercedes has you covered if you’d love a convertible that can handle a northern winter. A coupe, sedan and wagon are also available, with seating from four to seven passengers, depending on the body style.

The cabin in the E-Class is well insulated, so you’re not constantly hearing the storm’s howling winds outside, and there are four available powertrains. All-wheel drive is optional, and plush upholstery and heated seats ensure a jolly ride.

2024 Kia Seltos

Overall Score: 8.4/10 | $24,390

The Kia Seltos is a smaller sibling to the next model on our list, but this subcompact SUV packs big capability for its size. It provides an impressive amount of passenger head- and legroom. All-wheel drive is standard in the base LX trim and optional in the upper trims.

The Seltos’ standard engine is a 146-horsepower four-cylinder, routing power through a continuously variable transmission. The upgraded powertrain is a turbocharged four-cylinder with 195 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. You can get winter-ready upgrades such as heated front seats and remote start.

2024 Kia Telluride

Overall Score: 8.8/10 | $37,990

The Kia Telluride has established itself as one of the top midsize SUVs, offering a high-quality cabin and a smooth ride. You also get spacious seating for up to eight passengers and 87 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Telluride provides terrific visibility from its commanding driving position.

Kia’s Telluride has a 3.8-liter V6 engine that routes power through an eight-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. If you want added capability, the X-Line and X-Line Pro models feature all-terrain tires and 8.4 inches of ground clearance.

FAQs

What car is best for snow and ice?
The Subaru Outback boasts standard all-wheel drive, 8.7 inches of ground clearance and several advanced safety features.

What SUV is best for snow and ice?
The Subaru Forester provides many of the Outback’s winter-friendly features but in a more upright design that allows for a commanding driving position.

Do SUVs handle better in snow?
SUVs have high ground clearance and wide tires, which are ideal for snow. Also, some wagons, like the Subaru Outback, have high ground clearance tailor-made for winter driving.

What is AWD?
All-wheel drive puts power to all four wheels when needed. In many cars, it defaults to front-wheel drive until it detects wheel slip, at which point it automatically engages. This system is typically associated with cars, wagons and most crossover SUVs.

What is 4WD?
Four-wheel drive is a more traditional truck-like setup. It operates in rear-wheel drive until the driver shifts it into four-wheel drive. There are also automatically engaging and full-time four-wheel-drive systems.

Is AWD or 4WD better in snow?
All-wheel drive is excellent for winter driving and snowy conditions. It’s ideal for drivers who live in urban and suburban areas where the roads are plowed frequently but still slippery. Four-wheel drive is a better fit for more extreme conditions. It’s great for deeper snow and driving on rarely plowed roads.

Top Safety Features for Winter Driving

Traction Control
This system can detect if a wheel is slipping and reduce power to that wheel to reduce wheel slip.

Anti-lock braking system
When you slam on the brakes, your anti–lock braking system (ABS) modulates the brake force so that your wheels don’t automatically lock up, reducing the chances of sending you into a spin.

Stability control
Stability control modulates the ABS and traction control to regain traction if it senses the car is starting to lose control or enter into a spin.

Adaptive headlights
Adaptive headlights turn with the steering wheel to follow the road ahead on winding streets. This is not to be confused with automatic high beams, which use light sensors to automatically turn your brights on and off as traffic approaches and passes.

Blind-spot monitoring
Using sensors often located in your side mirrors, blind-spot monitoring detects the presence of vehicles in your left and right flank where your side mirrors might not cover (aka “blind spots). It will passively notify you if a car is in your blind spot. If you attempt to lane-change into that lane, it will make far more obvious notifications.

Winter Tires aka Snow tires
Snow tires use specialized compounds and tread patterns that are optimized for clawing through snow and ice. They are not ideal for year-round driving and should be swapped out for summer or all-season tires when not in the winter months.

Other Helpful Features for Winter Driving

Ground clearance
Ground clearance is the distance between the ground and a vehicle’s undercarriage. High ground clearance provides the room needed to travel over snowbanks. SUVs, trucks and specialty off-road vehicles often have the best ground clearance. Many Subaru vehicles have 8.7 inches (or more), making them ideally suited for driving through snow.

Heated seats and steering wheel
Heating elements in the steering wheel and the seat cushions provide added warmth on cold winter days, working with the vehicle’s climate control system to create a comfortable cabin for passengers.

Remote start
This is an engine starter that is linked wirelessly to a remote device. It’s most commonly found in a key fob, but some automakers allow access via an app. A remote starter can start your car’s engine and warm up your vehicle minutes before you enter.

More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

Technological improvements have greatly expanded the number of vehicles suitable for handling winter weather, though it’s possible none of the vehicles we’ve highlighted here strike a chord with you or fit your needs. If that’s the case, check out our rankings and reviews for alternatives.

When you’ve found a vehicle you like, check out our new car finance deals and lease deals pages. Each month, we list all the incentives that automakers offer. If you can wait a few months to buy, watch the cars you like for a few months as offers rise and fall regularly.

The U.S. News Best Price Program connects shoppers who want to buy or lease a new car with local dealers. It offers significant savings with pre-negotiated prices, home delivery and online sales options.