Driving on plain roads is quite different over driving on snow.
Where it requires skills in driving on plain roads as well, it requires skills and car’s capability both to maneuver in snow with ease.
You might acquire cars for snow with money, the required skills can be only achieved with regular driving in snow over time.
So, we have compiled a list of prominent options available in the market that can be termed as best cars for the snow.
Most of the cars will be SUVs as, they have the capability to maneuver in any terrain with ease with specialized snow mode and better ground clearance.
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1. Land Rover Range Rover
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At the first spot is the SUV from the automaker proficient in producing some of the best SUVs. Yes, Land Rover Range Rover which can be considered as the best SUV for Snow.
The current generation is 500 pounds lighter than the previously available models, it has not compromised on the capabilities at any level. It still offers road hugging experience when dealing with snow.
What makes it more interesting is its V6 supercharged unit that is rated at 340 hp maximum power and comes with eight-speed automatic transmission and four wheel drive as standard. There is also a turbo-diesel V6 available in the market, which churns out 254 hp maximum power.
As the car is meant for unleashing high potential, the overall fuel economy of the SUV is slightly below the average and ranges between 14 MPG and 20 MPG.
2. Chevrolet Tahoe
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When you are looking to get one of the best cars to drive in the snow, Chevrolet Tahoe is one of the finest options in the market.
It is a large SUV that is powered by a powerful V8 unit with 355 hp of maximum power.
Tahoe is termed as one of the SUVs with above average handling capability, and with its capacity to hold up to 9 passengers, it is high on practicality front as well.
One can choose between different seating configuration available depending on the requirement.
When buying specially for areas which receive heavy snowfall, one can opt for four wheel drive that can tow up to 8000 pounds easily.
The overall fuel efficiency of the SUV is not very high and one can expect the range between 16 mpg and 22 mpg.
3. Lincoln MKS
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A perfect combination of luxury and capability, the Lincoln MKS is one of the best luxury cars for the snow. It offers an option of all wheel drive to ensure even better handling when bad weather hits.
The MKS comes with a 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine which delivers a maximum power output of 305 hp and peak torque of 280 lb-ft.
The current generation MKS comes with a six-speed automatic transmission and the automatic transmission is coupled with a 3.5-litre twin turbo six cylinder engine.
The upgraded engine delivers 365 hp of maximum power and 350 lb-ft of peak torque. The fuel efficiency of the MKS is above average for cars of the same class with a 19 mpg in city and 28 mpg on highways.
4. Audi Allroad
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Audi Allroad has been one of the top cars for driving in the snow for quite long time.
Though it is competitive in its respective segment, Audi will take a few years of production time off for selling out the updated version of the Allroad in the market.
But, the currently available Allroad can be easily found in the used cars market of United States. The SUV is driven by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo engine that can deliver a maximum power output of 211 hp.
What makes it one of the finest cars for the snow is its comfortable cabin and advanced features. Audi delivers gas mileage of 20 mpg in city and 27 mpg on highways.
It also offers a very low center of gravity which has consistently made it one of the hot sellers for the manufacturer.
5. Audi A4
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When it comes to best sedans for snow, Audi A4 finds a leading spot in the list. The poised and plush cabin and efficacious handling, all together makes A4 a competent sedan in its segment.
It comes with company’s all-wheel drive system (Quattro) that is coupled with both the engine options available in the market.
But, we are interested in the most exciting, 2.0-litre turbo 4-cylinder that delivers 220 hp maximum power and 258 lb-ft peak torque.
The sedan can go from zero to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds while the top speed of 128 mph can be clocked easily. The fuel economy ranges between 21 mpg and 29 mpg.
Also Read: 15 Best Commuter Cars
6. Volvo S60
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Another leading car to be driven in snow is the Volvo S60. The S60 is one of the best sedans for snow that is available in the market today.
The car can hit a top speed of 131 mph and it can clock 60 mph mark from zero in just 5.4 seconds.
There is a turbo-four cylinder engine that is rated at 240 hp while the turbo-five cylinder is rated at 250 hp. The most powerful and capable to maneuver in snow is the inline-six cylinder that can churn out a maximum power output of 325 hp.
Although the car comes with a four wheel drive option, not all the available engine options gets a four wheel drive so, you need to confirm from the dealer which one can be upgraded to a four-wheel option.
7. Infiniti Q40
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The Infiniti Q40 is one of the most powerful sedans in its segment and one of the best cars for snow. The auto gets above average gas mileage with a 19 mpg in city and 27 mpg on highways.
The 3.7-litre six-cylinder engine delivers a maximum power output of 328 hp and peak torque of 269 lb-ft. It is further coupled with a seven-speed automatic transmission and all wheel drive system.
It is also available with a manual shift mode that lets the driver change gears via push button if desired.
Since, its introduction, the Infiniti Q40 has been categorized as one of the top-handling vehicles in both the snow and inclement weather.
8. Acura TLX
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Acura TLX is another best luxury car for snow in our list of cars for snow. The TLX is the successor of the much-acclaimed series, TSX and TL models.
It is powered by a 2.4-litre V4 engine that is coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission and churns out 206 hp maximum power.
There is also a 3.5-litre V6 unit that delivers a 290 hp maximum power and further coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Both the engine options are coupled with an all-wheel drive system and the fuel economy ranges between 21 mpg and 34 mpg.
The Sedan can hit 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 134 mph.
9. Jeep Grand Cherokee
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Jeep is known for producing some of the most potent SUVs across the globe.
One such name in its stable is the Grand Cherokee which is one of the best suv for snow.
With a number of engine options available the Grand Cherokee has been ruling the SUV market for quite a long time.
Its 5.7-litre Hemi eight-cylinder engine and 6.4-litre Hemi V8 are the most potent in the list and recommended for snow terrains. The average fuel economy ranges between 14 mpg and 20 mpg.
10. Nissan Pathfinder
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Pathfinder from the Japanese automaker is one of the best cars to drive in the snow that comes with smooth handling.
When buying the SUV, the customer can upgrade to get an all-wheel drive system that also include the third row for additional passengers.
The Pathfinder is powered by a 3.6-litre six cylinder engine that can deliver a maximum power output of 260 hp and top speed of 121 mph.
The average fuel economy can range between 19 mpg and 25 mpg.
For the ones who also desire for above average pick up speed when the weather is soothing, the SUV can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.2 seconds.
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11. Toyota Sienna
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There are not only SUVs that can cut through heavy snow, there are some of the MPVs also that are capable of taking on snow terrain.
One such MPV is the Toyota Sienna that has been recently upgraded for better handling. It is decked up with a 3.5-litre, six cylinder engine that can deliver a maximum power output of 256 hp which is coupled to a six-speed transmission.
It also comes with all-wheel or front-wheel drive option. The fuel economy of the MPV is above average with 18 mpg in city and 25 mpg on the highways. The MPV can achieve a top speed of 113 mph.
12. Ford Fusion
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Next in our list of cars for snow is the Ford Fusion which can easily take on any snow terrain.
It is powered by a 2.5-litre V4 engine that can deliver a maximum power output of 175 hp and comes with an all-wheel drive system.
It is also available with either a 2.0-litre turbo four cylinder rated at 240 hp or a 1.5-litre which is rated at 181 hp.
All the variants are coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission and the car delivers an average fuel economy between 22 mpg and 31 mpg.
The top speed of Fusion is 124 mph while there is also a hybrid version of the car that can deliver a range up to 19 miles in all-electric version.
13. Subaru Outback
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Another Japanese offering that is the best car to drive in snow is Outback from the house of Subaru.
Not only Subaru Outback is extremely affordable, it also comes with an all-wheel drive system that makes it highly competitive in the market.
It has an option of 3.6-litre flat-six and 2.5-litre flat-four cylinder engine options. The 4-cylinder engine unit is capable of delivering 175 hp of maximum power while the V6 can churn out a maximum power output of 256 horses.
The overall gas mileage for the car is above average with 20 mpg in city and 27 mpg on highway. The Outback can clock 0 to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 139 mph.
14. Subaru XV Crosstrek
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Subaru has consistently worked on improving the capabilities of its lineup and XV Crosstrek is a perfect example of the same.
The Crosstrek has been an above-average performer in the winter months, which has given this car a leading position in the segment specially designed for snow terrain.
It delivers a much taller wheelbase than the Impreza due to which it is one of the most potent cars in the wagon body style segment.
It delivers an outstanding gas mileage of 23 mpg in city while it improves to 30 mpg on highway. The four-cylinder engine unit of the Crosstrek delivers 148 hp maximum power and coupled with a CVT.
For the ones who do not need more power in the winter, Subaru Crosstrek is also available in the hybrid version.
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15. Subaru Forester
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Almost every car from the Subaru stable is capable of taking on the snow terrain and Forester is not an exception.
The Forester is powered by a 2.5-litre V4 unit that is capable of delivering a maximum power output of 170 hp and peak torque of 170 lb-ft.
In the XT edition, the Forester is equipped with a 2.0-litre turbo four cylinder engine that is rated at 250 hp maximum power and 258 lb-ft peak torque.
The XT model comes with a CVT while the stock model car has a six-speed manual transmission. It can achieve a top speed of 166 mph, which makes it one of the fastest cars in its segment.
So, these were some of the most competent cars for snow that are backed with powerful engines and advanced features to give you unmatched driving experience.