For those who are not interested in a massive, all-wheel drive truck, finding a car or crossover SUV that’s safe in the snow can be a challenge. We’re here to simplify your Car Search with this list of the best vehicles for winter driving, from snow to slush and beyond. Better yet, these all-wheel drive models offer the best value for your wallet as we head into the cool season.
The Best Sedans For Snow (Under $30,000)
2025 Subaru Legacy
Base Price (with all-wheel drive): $26,065
Fuel Economy: 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway
Ground clearance: 5.9 inches
Reliability Rating: 3/5 according to Consumer Reports
Satisfaction Rating: 3/5 according to Consumer Reports
Why It’s Great For Winter: This is the go-to all-wheel drive sedan for under $30,000. The Legacy has grown from a low-volume, small sedan to the larger, more popular sedan it is today. With excellent fuel economy, decent clearance for a sedan, and Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive, all shoppers in the market for a car with AWD should consider the Legacy.
See Subaru Legacy listings with local market data.
2025 Mazda3 Sedan
Base Price (with all-wheel drive): $30,595
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway
Ground clearance: 5.5 inches
Reliability Rating: 3/5 according to Consumer Reports
Satisfaction Rating: 3/5 according to Consumer Reports
Why It’s Great For Winter: The Mazda3 sedan offers something that’s increasingly rare: standard all-wheel drive on a sedan at a good price. From the Carbon Edition trim level and up, all-wheel drive is included, providing drivers with greatly improved traction in the snow.
See Mazda3 sedan listings with local market data.
2025 Kia K5
Base Price (with all-wheel drive): $29,195
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway
Ground clearance: 5.3 inches
Reliability Rating: 4/5 according to Consumer Reports
Satisfaction Rating: 3/5 according to Consumer Reports
Why It’s Great For Winter: The Kia’s of today hardly resemble those of yesterday. On top of great looks, the K5 sedan has optional all-wheel drive starting at under $30,000. According to Consumer Reports, the Kia K5 has excellent reliability ratings too. Equipped with winter tires, the K5 would do excellent in the snow, as long as higher ground clearance isn’t a must.
See Kia K5 listings with local market data.
2025 Tesla Model 3
Base Price (with all-wheel drive): $44,370
Range: 363 miles
Ground clearance: 5.5 inches
Reliability Rating: 3/5 according to Consumer Reports
Satisfaction Rating: 4/5 according to Consumer Reports
Why It’s Great For Winter: ICE-powered cars are no competition for electric all-wheel drive. Reaction times and traction control capabilities are noticeably quicker in an AWD EV.
Despite slim ground clearance, the considerably more expensive Tesla Model 3 is an unbeatable value. For those who can claim the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and drive enough to realize fuel savings, the Model 3 starts to look like more of a bargain.
Configure your Model 3 at Tesla.com, or see used Tesla listings with fair price data.
The Best Crossovers and SUVs For Snow (Under $40,000)
2025 Subaru Forester
Base Price: $31,115
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway
Ground clearance: 8.7 inches
Reliability Rating: 4/5 according to Consumer Reports
Satisfaction Rating: 4/5 according to Consumer Reports
Why It’s Great For Winter: The Forester gets an upgrade for the 2025 model year. In addition to the added room and features, buyers will see a higher pricetag. On the bright side, Subaru is known for largely avoiding dealer markups, making it easier to get the Subaru you want at a fair price.
Why not the Crosstrek? You simply get more for your money with the Forester. Most will appreciate more cargo volume, and more room for passengers with the Forester.
Browse Subaru Forester listings with local market data.
2024 Subaru Ascent
Base Price: $35,740
Fuel Economy: 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway
Ground clearance: 8.7 inches
Reliability Rating: 3/5 according to Consumer Reports
Satisfaction Rating: 3/5 according to Consumer Reports
Why It’s Great For Winter: The Ascent is perfect for those who need a larger SUV with standard all-wheel drive. The 2024 Ascent has three rows of flexible seating for 8 passengers, something that other models on this list can’t match.
Ground clearance is excellent, meaning that you’ll have no trouble pushing through snow (with proper tires, of course). Fuel economy is less than desired, but that’s what you get with a large SUV.
Browse Subaru Ascent listings with local market data.
2025 Mazda CX-50
Base Price: $31,720
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway
Ground clearance: 8.3 – 8.6 inches
Reliability Rating: 4/5 according to Consumer Reports
Satisfaction Rating: 3/5 according to Consumer Reports
Why It’s Great For Winter: The CX-50 features standard all-wheel drive and 8.3 to 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making this a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want a Subaru. Mazda reliability ratings are rising as the brand continues to transition towards a more premium reputation. Hoping for better MPGs? For 2025, a hybrid CX-50 is joining the lineup.
There’s a CX-50 for everyone. Mazda’s lineup offers a range of well-equipped trims, from the base 2.5 S Select for just $30,300 to the premium-natured 2.5 Turbo Premium starting at $41,300.
Browse Mazda CX-50 listings with local market data.
2025 Honda CR-V
Base Price (with all-wheel drive): $31,450
Fuel Economy: 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway
Ground clearance: 8.2 inches
Reliability Rating: 4/5 according to Consumer Reports
Satisfaction Rating: 4/5 according to Consumer Reports
Why It’s Great For Winter: It’s #2 in America in terms of SUV sales, but the CR-V is a clear winner for SUVs under $40,000. With all-wheel drive, the CR-V LX starts at a base price of $31,000.
The CR-V AWD is ideal for those who are okay with all-wheel drive that is only engaged when it’s needed. The rest of the time, the CR-V is front-wheel drive.
See Honda CR-V listings with local market data
The Best Hybrid SUV For Snow
2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Base Price (with all-wheel drive): $43,615
Fuel Economy: 35 miles per gallon combined
Ground clearance: 8.0 inches
Reliability Rating: 4/5 according to Consumer Reports
Satisfaction Rating: 4/5 according to Consumer Reports
Why It’s Great For Winter: There’s a lot to love about the Highlander Hybrid AWD: eight inches of ground clearance, 35 miles per gallon, and all-wheel drive on top of excellent reliability at a reasonable price.
Smaller hybrid SUVs like the Hyundai Tucson or Honda CR-V are excellent for winter when equipped with AWD, but serious winter drivers know that ground clearance matters in a snowstorm.
The only downside is limited inventory. See our latest inventory update.
Browse Highlander Hybrid listings with local market data.
The Best EV For Snow (Under $50,000)
Tesla Model Y
Base Price (with all-wheel drive): $49,370
Range: 308 miles (expect 20% less range in the winter)
Ground Clearance: 6.6 inches
Reliability Rating: 41/100 according to Consumer Reports
Satisfaction Rating: 4/5 according to Consumer Reports
Why It’s Great For Winter: Owning an electric vehicle is full of perks, but winter driving is not one of them. How so? EVs lose driving range in cold weather. It’s a matter of battery chemistry. On top of that, charging speeds can be slower in extreme cold without battery preconditioning capabilities.
Tesla, being the EV originators that they are, took these challenges into consideration as they built their brand. The Model Y has access to the largest and most reliable EV charging network in North America, the Tesla Supercharger network. That’s a huge help considering that the highway range in winter weather can drop below 250 miles on a full charge.
Better yet, Tesla models have battery preconditioning built into route planning. This means that when you navigate to a charging station, the car will automatically warm the battery to the ideal temperature for faster charging. Battery preconditioning is an essential for EV ownership in cold climates.
When it comes to all-wheel drive, electric vehicles, including but not limited to the Model Y, have a big advantage over ICE vehicles: near-instantaneous reaction times. Everything is computer-based in an EV. Torque and traction control features are adjusted to maintain control far quicker than is possible in a traditional gas-powered vehicle. So range and charging can be tough in the winter, but EV traction is superior.
Tires Matter Most
Sliding on flurries in your all-wheel drive vehicle? Before you blame the car, check your tires. Too many drivers forget the importance of winter-ready tires before venturing out in the snow. Unlike their summer counterparts, winter tires are specially designed with a different rubber compound that stays pliable in colder temperatures. This flexibility provides better grip on icy surfaces and shorter braking distances. The tread patterns on winter tires are also tailored to dig into snow and slush, channeling it away from the tire’s contact patch and enhancing traction.
Simply put, having winter tires is like equipping your vehicle with the right gear to conquer winter’s toughest terrain. All-wheel drive alone will NOT be enough to stay safe. Be sure you have tires that are suitable for winter before the first snowflakes fly.
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