Buying Guide

Best Cars for Snow and Winter Driving in 2025

By Savvy Autos Editorial|March 31, 2026|1 min read

Key Takeaways

  • Tires matter more than drivetrain — winter tires on a FWD car outperform all-season tires on an AWD vehicle
  • AWD helps you GO in snow; it doesn't help you STOP or TURN — those are tire and ABS functions
  • Ground clearance matters if your area gets 6+ inches regularly — most sedans bottom out at 5-6 inches
  • Subaru (standard AWD on everything) and Toyota (extensive AWD availability) lead for winter vehicles

The Winter Driving Hierarchy

  1. Winter tires + AWD — the gold standard for snow country
  2. Winter tires + FWD — better than you'd expect, handles most winter conditions
  3. All-season tires + AWD — adequate for moderate winters, struggles in heavy snow
  4. All-season tires + FWD — manageable in light snow, dangerous on ice

Our Picks for Snow Country

1. Subaru Outback — Best Overall Winter Vehicle

Standard Symmetrical AWD, 8.7" ground clearance, X-Mode for deep snow, and the Wilderness edition for serious conditions. Plus wagon cargo capacity for ski gear.

2. Subaru Forester — Best Winter SUV

Standard AWD, excellent visibility (critical in snow), X-Mode, heated seats/steering wheel standard on most trims. New for 2025 with improved capability.

3. Toyota RAV4 — Best Winter Value

Available AWD, strong reliability for harsh-climate dependability, hybrid option for efficiency. Multi-terrain select on Adventure/TRD trims.

4. Subaru Crosstrek — Best Winter Commuter

Standard AWD, 8.7" ground clearance in a compact package, excellent fuel economy. The most affordable way into Subaru's AWD system.

5. Jeep Grand Cherokee — Best for Heavy Snow

Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II are among the most capable AWD systems on sale. Selec-Terrain management adjusts for snow, sand, and rock. Air suspension (available) raises ground clearance to 10.9 inches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need AWD for snow?
Not necessarily. Winter tires on a front-wheel-drive car provide better traction than all-season tires on an AWD vehicle. AWD helps with acceleration on slippery surfaces, but tires determine stopping and cornering grip. If your area gets heavy, frequent snow, AWD + winter tires is the safest combination.
Are Subarus good in snow?
Yes. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on every model and is one of the most capable AWD systems available. Combined with their relatively high ground clearance and X-Mode traction management, Subarus are among the best mainstream vehicles for snow driving.
Is FWD or AWD better for winter?
AWD provides better acceleration traction in snow and ice. FWD is adequate for most winter conditions, especially with winter tires. The bigger factor is tires — invest in a set of winter tires regardless of drivetrain.

Source: Savvy Autos Editorial Team | Editorial Policy | Data Sources

Vehicle specifications sourced from manufacturer data and verified databases. Last updated: March 31, 2026.