Snow, rain, and hailstorms make the roads slippery during winter, increasing the risk of safety hazards for drivers. That’s why people living in regions with harsh winters must invest in cars that can handle these conditions. When buying a winter-friendly vehicle, one must ensure proper tire grip, prioritize all-wheel drive (AWD) models, and look for features that improve comfort and traction on snow and ice-covered roads. Some models are more suitable for winter conditions than others.
Popular Cars for Snowy and Icy Conditions
Since several brands offer winter-ready vehicles, one must take the time to compare their features and choose the right model.
Mazda 3 Sedan
The all-wheel drive Mazda 3 is worth looking into for snowy and icy weather. It comes with a safety/driver-assist technology suite known as i-Activsense, which comprises features like blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and automatic emergency braking. With these features, driving in snow is easier and more comfortable. The car also has a Carbon Edition model equipped with standard LED headlights, LED tail lights, heated front seats, and rain-sensing wipers. This ensures the Mazda 3 can be driven safely in every weather, including rain and snow.
Subaru Outback
Subaru has a range of vehicles that offer excellent traction in snow. The Subaru Outback, for instance, is a winter-friendly car that comes with standard features like all-wheel drive, which offers superior stability and traction in icy and snowy conditions. This model also has a high ground clearance that makes it possible to drive on snow-covered roads without getting stuck midway. Heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and good visibility are other features that make the Outback suitable for difficult winter conditions.
Toyota RAV4
When looking for SUVs for icy conditions, the Toyota RAV4 is a good option. Its all-wheel drive makes it quite adaptable to winter driving. Other notable winter-friendly features include heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a suite of safety technologies such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. The RAV4’s cabin is spacious and cozy enough for quick drives across town as well as longer drives through snowy mountains.
Cadillac CT4
The CT4 is a top-rated snow vehicle. This compact luxury sedan is far more affordable compared to its competitors. Equipped with an all-wheel-drive system, it can safely ride through mud and snow. Furthermore, features like heated outboard mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, and LED headlights make it suitable for places with low temperatures. For around $600, one can also opt for the Cold Weather Package to add heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
BMW 3 Series
Among compact luxury sedans, the BMW 3 Series is a top choice for winter weather. The vehicle comes with an xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which is available across all the trims. Under the hood, it has a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 255-hp power and an 8-speed automatic transmission for seamless driving experience. Other notable safety features include automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and rain-sensing wipers. All of these features are standard across all the trims. One can also get the Driving Assistance Professional Package by paying extra. This package comes with features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, and so on. Other driver assistance features that help drive on snowy roads include automatic high beams and adaptive LED headlights.
Volvo XC90
Packed with functional features, the Volvo XC90 is one of the most popular SUVs for icy conditions. Its standard all-wheel drive and solid traction make it capable of handling an icy road. The car’s superb stability gives drivers more confidence during winter. The cabin’s heated seats and climate control system ensure a comfortable and warm ride when the temperature outside drops.
Audi A5 Sportback
The Audi A5 Sportback is one of the top winter vehicles in the premium segment. It has an all-wheel-drive powertrain and many useful features like rain-sensing wipers and LED headlights with washers for better safety during rain and snow. The car also has heated and power-adjustable side mirrors, a heated steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats. Automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and lane-centering assist are useful advanced safety technology features that make driving in harsh weather safer.
Tires for Snow and Icy conditions
Remember, even if a car is suitable for winter weather, it still needs tires that can withstand snow and icy conditions. Winter or snow tires have better grip and traction than all-season tires, reducing the risk of skidding to a great extent. Snow tires can be easily identified with the mountain and snowflake symbol, which is usually marked on their sidewall. These tires also have other useful features.
Specialized Rubber Compound
Most top brands use a rubber compound that can withstand freezing temperatures. Compared to snow tires, all-season tires tend to become harder and hazardous in icy conditions.
Deeper Treads
Snow or winter tires have deeper treads that help them easily go over snow and ice with superior traction and grip.
Siping Patterns
Tires made for winter have detailed siping (patterns with small cuts in the tread). This gives the tires a better grip on roads with ice and snow.
Better Traction and Handling
Winter tires have better handling and traction in cold and icy conditions compared to all-season tires because of the material used to make them and their unique design.