Here are the 21 best cars for winter weather driving

Mercedes Benz G Wagon 6
A Mercedes-Benz G550. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
  • Winter driving poses some unique challenges.
  • Here are 21 cars, trucks, SUVs we believe are the best for winter driving. 
  • All vehicles on our list feature robust all-wheel-drive/four-wheel-drive systems and advanced driver assistance features.
Advertisement

Winter isn't just coming. It's already here. For many of us, that means driving in snow, ice, and other less than ideal conditions.

There is a litany of things we can do to make driving in winter weather a better experience such as more cautious driving style or even a set of proper winter tires. But there are certain cars that are more adept at mastering winter conditions than others.

Which is why Business Insider came up with a list of the best vehicles for winter driving. The list represents what we believe to be the best model in 21 different categories ranging from economy cars to ultra-premium SUVs.

To create the list we took several elements into the consideration. First, the presence of all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive is of the utmost importance. Sending power to every wheel offers the driver the highest level of grip and control possible in bad weather conditions. If AWD isn't available, we would have taken a front-wheel-drive vehicle as well. The more docile under-steering nature of front-wheel-drive vehicles is preferred over rear-wheel-drive cars which simply wants to spin you around when it loses traction. Fortunately for us, all 21 vehicles on our list are equipped with either 4WD or AWD.

Advertisement

In addition, extra attention was given to vehicles equipped with mechanical locking differentials or advanced electronic differentials that can redistribute engine power in an efficient and effective manner.

Further, vehicles with advanced safety features like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and adjustable driving modes were fast-tracked to the front of the line.

Other vehicles made the list for their robust off-road and winter weather capabilities like the pseudo-military Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Toyota Land Cruiser.

Here are Business Insider's best cars for winter weather.

Advertisement

Best economy car: Subaru Impreza

2017 subaru impreza
Subaru

Best family sedan: Subaru Legacy

Subaru Legacy
Subaru
Advertisement

Best: compact luxury sedan: Audi A4 Quattro

2017 audi a4
Audi

Best: midsize luxury sedan: Acura TLX A-SPEC SH-AWD

Acura TLX 4
Hollis Johnson
Advertisement

Best large luxury sedan: Volvo S90 AWD

Volvo S90 T8 Inscription
Volvo

Best wagon: Subaru Outback

Subaru Outback 2018
Subaru
Advertisement

Best luxury wagon: Audi Allroad

Audi Allroad Wagon
Audi

Best sports car: Porsche 911 Carrera 4

Porsche 911 Carrera 4S 991-2
Porsche
Advertisement

Best supercar: Audi R10

Audi R8 V10+ 2
Hollis Johnson

Best compact crossover: Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester
Subaru
Advertisement

Best compact SUV: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Jeep Wrangler 2018
Jeep

Best midsize crossover/SUV: Toyota 4-Runner 4X4

Toyota 4Runner
Toyota
Advertisement

Best large crossover/SUV: Toyota Land Cruiser

Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota

Best compact luxury crossover/SUV: Volvo XC60 AWD

Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription
Volvo
Advertisement

Best midsize luxury crossover/SUV: Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover Discovery 3
Hollis Johnson

Best large luxury crossover/SUV: Land Rover Range Rover

Ranger Rover 2
Hollis Johnson
Advertisement

Best ultra premium SUV: Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes Bemnz G550 4X4
Mercedes-Benz

Best minivan: Toyota Sienna AWD

Toyota Sienna 2016
Toyota
Advertisement

Best EV: Tesla Model X

Tesla Model X
REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Best midsize truck: Chevrolet Colorado 4X4

Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 2017
Chevrolet
Advertisement

Best full-size truck: Ford F-150 Raptor

Ford Raptor
Ford
Cars Tesla Ford
Advertisement
Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.