Vehicles That Perform Well In Winter

Vehicle Families To Consider

Trucks, Jeeps, SUVs—these are generally going to outperform sports cars, vans, and luxury vehicles in winter. That said, there are some smaller cars that hold their own on the snow. In this writing we’ll cover a few different vehicular families of the “new school” to help give you an idea the sort of cars that will do good even in cold weather. 

The Toyota Highlander

2020’s Toyota Highlander is just as snow-strong as previous years. A few of these vehicles come equipped with a selection of multi-terrain options including sand, mud, and snow. There’s also one of those snazzy new rear-view cameras that are increasingly becoming a standard on newer vehicles; much to the chagrin of Boomers and Generation X. 

Look, it’s better to learn how to reverse without an aide, and then have the assistance, than to learn to rely on the camera. But hey, that’s just the opinion of this content writer. There is definitely some good use to a backup camera; it’s just that you want to know how to reverse yourself out of tough situations without it, too. 

The Jeep Wrangler

Here’s a classic you likely expected to be on the list if you’re any sort of gear-head. Jeeps were made with crazy weather and terrain in mind from the outset. With the Wrangler, you’ll get high clearance and 4-wheel drive. In general, any vehicle with 4-wheel drive is advisable for tough terrain and weather; but you’ve got to be careful.

Diesel trucks have four wheel drive, but the fuel gels when things get too cold, and they’re more susceptible to water freezing in fuel lines. So most who have diesel vehicles in cold weather are sure to keep them plugged in at night. When it gets cold enough, you want to do that generally. That’s an aside, though; we’re focused on the Jeep Wrangler. 

Locking differentials and swift heat-up help this car be good in the snow. Designed with varying attributes calibrated for off-road efficiency worldwide, Jeeps keep you safe and mobile throughout the winter. 

The Subaru Outback And Ford F-150

Subarus are designed for hard driving in tough situations, and due to their design, tend to do well in winter—though they perform best in temperate climates, they are made to take a beating and retain effective operation. 

The Ford F-150 is a classic wintertime vehicle, designed to be tough and handle anything. Though it’s worth noting you’re not going to get near the mileage you would prefer in a big truck. Still, if you get stuck in a small car, who pulls you out? Some massive four-by-four one-ton pickup, generally. A vehicle like the Ford F-150. 

A Car For All Seasons

Certainly there are smaller vehicles that perform well enough in winter; but look at what people drive in Alaska. It’s mostly trucks. The same is true in Wyoming, and other cold areas. So keep these sorts of vehicles in mind as you consider what to buy for the cold climate where you live.

To learn more about this and other key pieces of information pertaining to vehicular maintenance, choosing the right car for your area, and winterization, be sure to explore our blog at Anybody’s Autos!