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Shopping cars within 250 mi of your nearest EchoPark.
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Published May 20, 2024
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There’s nothing quite like the excitement of snow-filled afternoons and winter outings. You might be ready for winter, but is your car?
As winter approaches, hazardous road conditions—snow, sleet, ice, and more—are just another part of daily life. Whether you’re tackling icy mountain terrain or navigating the snow-covered roads in your neighborhood, you need a car that’s built for winter performance.
That’s where snow-ready SUVs come in. From advanced all-wheel drive (AWD) to exceptional stability, these powerful all-terrain vehicles are built to perform with confidence, even in the worst winter driving conditions.
If you’re ready to embrace the winter season with safety and style, join us as we break down the best SUVs for snow.
From budget-friendly SUVs to the most luxurious models on the market, there are plenty of great choices—if you know what to look for.
This guide will help you cut through the noise to find the top contenders for the best SUVs in the snow so that you can pick the smoothest ride for your next winter adventure.
As our overall top picks for SUV winter driving, these vehicles boast powerful snow-ready features, from traction control to off-roading capability. They also come with no shortage of comfort and convenience features to elevate your winter driving experience.
Here are some of the overall best all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) SUVs based on features, value, and snow-driving performance.
The Subaru Forester stands out among SUVs in its class, offering some of the best snow performance without sacrificing comfort or style. Most models come with 8.7 inches of ground clearance—more than enough to tackle heavy snow. The Wilderness model has ground clearance as high as 9.2 inches for more off-roading power.
Symmetrical all-wheel drive is a standard feature on the Forester. With X-mode optimization, you can select snow settings for regular and deep snow. X-mode is engineered to adjust the throttle response and transmission to distribute more power to the wheels, giving you enhanced control and traction in winter driving conditions.
More than just a capable snow-driving machine, the Forester is also loaded with safety features, including:
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has earned its reputation for capable performance in all kinds of weather, from deep ruts to snowy conditions. These models come with sophisticated 4x4 systems and high-ground clearance with excellent traction and control, even in deep snow. The traction management system even allows drivers to adjust the vehicle's settings for different driving conditions, including a dedicated “Snow” mode to optimize performance during the winter months.
The Grand Cherokee also comes equipped with advanced safety features, including electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock brake system (ABS), and electronic roll mitigation (ERM) to keep your ride smooth and stable on slippery roads.
If the off-road reputation of the Grand Cherokee isn’t enough to convince you, here are some more winter-ready features to make every ride safe and comfortable.
Like the Forester, the Subaru Ascent is a capable and powerful choice for winter driving. As the largest vehicle in the Subaru lineup, the Ascent has three rows of seating for up to eight passengers, making it a spacious and comfortable choice for families. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine produces 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, which gives you the momentum to reach high speeds in no time.
Despite its power and momentum, the Ascent is a safe and stable ride in the snow. The standard all-wheel drive and X-mode capabilities help optimize your driving in tough conditions, with separate settings for regular and deep snow (with 8.7 inches of ground clearance to take you through heavier snow).
Other features of the Ascent include:
If you want the interior and cargo space of an SUV with the size and versatility of a smaller vehicle, a compact SUV can be a great winter driving choice. Here are some of the best compact SUVs equipped for driving in the snow.
The Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular compact SUVs out there, and it’s easy to see why. This well-rounded and capable vehicle has a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and a high ground clearance of 8.4 inches.
While it doesn’t have a dedicated “Snow” setting, the RAV4 does come with a “Trail” mode, which puts more power into the back wheels to help you gain traction in unstable or slippery conditions. The snow and mud tires also provide extra grip when needed.
While compact and easy to navigate, the RAV4 still offers a spacious cabin with rear-seat headroom and legroom. The most recent models also come with technological features, including:
The Honda CR-V is a compact but capable vehicle. Its small size and agility make it easy to navigate, even in snowy environments. The all-wheel drive capability also comes with an Intelligent Control System™, an electronically activated feature that monitors torque distribution to improve overall traction. This system sends power to the rear wheels, giving you more acceleration power when driving through snow and enhanced stability during turns.
Honda’s commitment to safety also gives drivers peace of mind in winter conditions. Their lineup of safety features includes:
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact crossover with a surprisingly large interior. The unexpected versatility and comfortable ride make this pick stand out among its compact competitors.
The Tiguan’s engine isn’t the most powerful in winter performance compared to competitors. However, it comes equipped with the advanced 4Motion® all-wheel drive system, which adjusts to the conditions to optimize traction as you drive. The Active Control feature also lets you switch between Snow Mode and regular driving or even create custom performance settings to match your off-road preference.
Despite its size, the Tiguan is one of the few small SUVs with a third-row seat. It also has expansive cargo space—nearly 38 cubic feet—that can be repurposed to add two more seats.
With powerful winter driving capability and the comfort of a luxury vehicle, these high-class SUV options come stacked with advanced features. From heated seats to advanced traction control, here are some of the best luxury SUVs for snow.
The BMW X3 is all about versatility and luxury. While it has a clean and sporty appearance, this model can handle inclement weather with ease.
It comes equipped with iDrive all-wheel drive, an intelligent system that automatically redistributes power to the wheels when it senses slippery conditions. The Adaptive M Suspension also makes this vehicle especially responsive. This precise locking effect optimizes the rear wheels to improve control as you make turns.
As a luxury vehicle, you can expect deluxe features with this SUV, including:
With its recognizable boxy silhouette, Mercedes-Benz G Class SUVs are some of the most rugged, capable, and stylish cars you can buy for winter weather. With a stunning 9.5 to 10.5-inch ground clearance, these SUVs can drive through even the heaviest snow.
The 4MATIC all-wheel drive system constantly powers all four axles with a fixed torque split, helping you get a grip on slippery roads. The system also intelligently applies added torque to each axle when it detects slippage on the road.
Other luxury features of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class include:
Infiniti’s QX50 prioritizes dynamic handling and smooth driving first, making it a competitive choice for a luxury crossover SUV. The powerful 2.0L VC-Turbo engine delivers 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.
While the system is front-wheel drive, it can be equipped with all-wheel drive. This intelligent AWD system automatically adapts to changing road conditions, measuring wheelspin, throttle input, and more to send up to 50% of available power to the rear wheels.
The QX50 is also incredibly versatile, allowing you to adapt to changing conditions. The engine changes its compression ratio automatically, giving you enhanced performance when you need it most in the winter months. In better conditions, it optimizes for efficiency instead.
The QX50 may prioritize performance and efficiency, but it has its fair share of luxury features, too:
The best SUVs offer value at an affordable price without sacrificing the safety and convenience you need for winter driving. Here are some of the best value options for drivers on a budget.
The Subaru Legacy is an affordable yet powerful option for winter driving. Its symmetrical all-wheel drive provides a foundation of balance in slick conditions, distributing power to all four wheels simultaneously. The drive automatically engages torque when needed to give the wheels traction.
Subaru’s all-wheel drive is enhanced further by X-mode, which adjusts the engine throttle and transmission shift points to deliver power smoothly throughout your ride. At low speeds, hill descent control also allows you to focus on steering.
While it’s not the most powerful car on the market, the Legacy has excellent fuel economy, decent clearance, and standard all-wheel drive, making it a budget-friendly option for weather-conscious drivers.
Affordable and lightweight for an SUV, the Ford Escape is a solid choice for a budget-friendly winter-ready vehicle. Equipped with four-wheel drive, this compact crossover can detect slipping and transfer torque from the front to give you the right amount of traction. It also has AWD Disconnect, allowing you to disengage the rear driveline when it’s not needed to reduce energy consumption.
The Ford Escape's dedicated “slippery” mode helps you traverse icy winter conditions, but the traction control system turns on automatically for smooth handling.
Armed with performance features and 4x4 capability, the Jeep Compass is an affordable choice for staying safe in winter conditions. Its Selec-Terrain® Traction Management System has five modes, including Snow, to balance torque across the tires. Despite the affordable price and lightweight build, it’s also made with high-strength steel and supplemental side-curtain airbags to maximize safety in case of an accident.
The Compass also comes with a range of safety features to support winter driving:
There’s no one best SUV for driving in snow, but there are certainly some cars that outperform the rest. The best snow-ready SUVs have a set of core features, including all-wheel or four-wheel drive, traction technology, and electronic stability control.
The right combination of features can make even an inexperienced snow driver feel safer on the road.
While many factors are up to the individual driver’s preferences—like comfort, convenience, luxury, and interior design—there are some features you shouldn’t compromise on. Here are a few core features every winter-ready SUV should have.
Even a compact SUV should still bring weight and durability to the table. SUVs are larger and heavier than most family vehicles, which provides stability in slippery conditions. The best SUVs will also offer higher ground clearance, perfect weight distribution, and a durable exterior design to withstand even the most demanding conditions.
All-wheel or four-wheel drive is a non-negotiable for winter driving. These systems distribute power to all four wheels, offering enhanced traction in the snow. Most all-wheel or four-wheel vehicles offer superior handling and stability compared to two-wheel options.
The best all-wheel and four-wheel SUVs have intelligent systems that can kick in automatically, detecting signs of slippage and redistributing the torque without you having to press a button.
While AWD and 4WD are both popular options for snow driving, they operate differently:
Electronic stability control (ECS) is key to maintaining vehicle stability in slippery conditions. These systems use sensors to monitor wheel speed, angle, and direction. If they detect loss of control—like sliding on ice or skidding over snow—they apply the brakes to individual wheels to help the vehicle regain stability.
Many modern SUVs have a range of different safety features and advanced technology to keep you safe on winter roads. For example, emergency braking systems, blind-spot monitoring, or other driver-assisted technology can detect accidents before they happen.
Other convenient features, such as heated seats, heated side mirrors, headlight wipers, and snow tires, can also help keep you safe and comfortable in winter weather.
To choose the best snow-ready vehicle for your household, you may want to take one of these SUVs for a spin yourself. For most test drives, you won’t be able to put the snow-readiness of each SUV to the test. So, how do you assess the capability and drivability during inclement weather?
It all starts by asking the right questions. Before you go, keep your must-have features in mind, and be sure to ask the on-site expert about how these features perform in your chosen vehicle. You may not get the chance to test them all yourself, but you can at least learn the SUV’s capabilities, how the features work, and what limitations they carry.
The rest comes down to hands-on experience. A test drive allows you to see how the car holds up in terms of performance, space, comfort, and utility.
First, evaluate the vehicle’s interior. Take a few minutes to get a feel for the space—is it the right size for you and other family members? What other convenience functions does it have? For snow preparedness and comfort, look for:
Even when you’re test driving in clear conditions and on smooth roads, you can still get a feel for how the SUV might hold up in the winter. Here are some factors to consider as you get a feel for your ride:
Before you shift into gear and start driving, you should first assess the visibility. This will be especially important in snowy, foggy, or rainy conditions.
Check the windshield, the rearview mirror, and through the side and rear windows to get a sense of how much you can see. Assistive technology like rearview cameras, surround-view cameras, and outboard mirrors can help, but you still want to make sure that the SUV offers a clear view of everything around you.
The powertrain refers to all the components responsible for putting your vehicle in motion and keeping it moving. For example, the engine, transmission, axles, and more all play a role in the powertrain.
Focus on the engine and transmission as you start your test drive. How quickly does the car accelerate? How much power does the engine deliver? This assessment can be critical when it comes to powering through challenging conditions, including heavy snow.
The next step is to get a feel for how the brakes operate. Does the SUV brake smoothly? How far do you need to press before they engage? And most importantly, does it have anti-lock brakes (ABS)?
In an emergency on slippery roads, ABS can mean the difference between staying on the road and getting into an accident. The system keeps the front wheels from locking up while braking, so you can steer and slow to a stop simultaneously.
Handling is how it feels to steer the SUV and how responsive it is to your movements. Smooth and responsive steering can help you stay in control of the vehicle, even when driving over snow and ice.
Pay close attention to how the vehicle reacts when you're going around a corner or curve. The best handling for snowy conditions might lead to a stiffer suspension, but it can make a big difference in winter preparedness.
If possible, test the SUV in various locations, like freeways, hills, curves, and uneven asphalt. Even driving over gravel or railroad tracks can help you judge how well the vehicle absorbs bumps and handles rough conditions.
Low visibility, loss of traction, and heavy snow can make road conditions dangerous. That's why having the right car can make all the difference this upcoming winter season. From all-wheel drive to advanced traction systems, these SUVs have what it takes to let you confidently travel all winter.
All of EchoPark's vehicles meet or exceed the state inspection standard. Each vehicle is road-tested and passes a 190-point safety inspection that includes exterior, interior, underhood, tires, wheels, brakes, underbody, and hybrid systems.
Ready to buckle up and hit the road for your next winter adventure? Whether you’re looking for a luxury model packed with all the latest features or a more simple and compact family SUV, there's something for everyone at EchoPark. Experience our transparent pricing and exceptional customer service for yourself.
