{"id":14765,"date":"2019-07-23T13:38:53","date_gmt":"2019-07-23T20:38:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/turo.com\/blog\/?p=14765"},"modified":"2025-04-02T23:39:46","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T06:39:46","slug":"the-best-vehicles-for-driving-in-the-snow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/turo.com\/blog\/buzz\/the-best-vehicles-for-driving-in-the-snow\/","title":{"rendered":"The best vehicles for driving in the snow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cars for staying safe and comfortable on the road this winter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This season\u2019s heavy snowfall might have you reaching for a cozy blanket and a cup of hot chocolate, but if you\u2019re one of the millions of drivers that need to be on the road, it can also be a little scary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t live in a region where it snows regularly and you decide to head up to the mountains to enjoy a few days of skiing, driving in the snow can be even more nerve-wracking. With white-out conditions, slippery roads, and even black ice, it\u2019s important to be prepared before you head out to face Old Man Winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safe and comfortable vehicles for snowy conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From trucks to wagons, and everything in between, there\u2019s a plethora of options to choose from when looking for the best vehicle for the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trucks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Nick’s 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon (Reno, NV)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trucks have always been a preferred choice for adventure seekers for a couple of reasons. Most models can come with all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive to keep drivers in control even in the worst conditions. On top of that, you\u2019ll have space in the truck bed for snowboards, skis, and whatever else you need to bring along with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trucks with double cabs are exceptionally comfortable if you\u2019re planning on bringing the family or the gang up to the snow with you. And modern trucks<\/a> \u2014 like the Jeep Gladiator<\/a>, Toyota Tacoma, Ford F-150, and Chevy Colorado \u2014 have become much more reasonable when it comes to fuel consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n

Browse trucks on Turo<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n

SUVs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Brian’s 2015 Toyota 4Runner (Denver, CO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Many SUV models are obvious choices for the snow because they combine four-wheel drive functionality and spacious comfort. What\u2019s the best SUV for the snow? Of course there are a ton of options, but some of the classic wintertime favorites include the Toyota 4Runner, Land Rover Defender<\/a>, Toyota Land Cruiser, Ford Explorer, and Jeep Wrangler<\/a>. In fact, most any Jeep model <\/a>will handle some frigid roadways nicely.<\/p>\n\n\n

Browse SUVs on Turo<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n

Sedans<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Felix’s 2018 Subaru WRX (Salt Lake City, UT)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

AWD is no longer limited to SUVs or trucks. With AWD and a proper set of winter tires to enhance traction in the snow, you\u2019ll find a sedan can take you where you want to go, whether it\u2019s across town or up to the slopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sedans with proven AWD systems<\/a> like the Subaru Impreza and Audi A6 will be more than capable in hauling you and your buddies up to the slopes.<\/p>\n\n\n

Browse sedans on Turo<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n

Wagons<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Eric’s 2018 Volvo V60 (San Diego, CA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a car that\u2019s jam-packed with practicality but oozing with style and quirkiness, then you may want to check out a wagon for your next snow-filled adventure. A wagon equipped with all-wheel drive can keep you steady over slick, snowy roads or on a steady incline to your snow cabin up the mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With several wagon options to try out, you\u2019ll want to start with a Subaru<\/a>. This brand has made driving a wagon cool and relevant despite the growing number of SUVs and sedans out in the market. With its ground clearance and AWD, the Subaru Crosstrek is one of the best vehicles for snow adventures. It\u2019s fast, but not too fast, responsive, and handles the curves of a mountain quite easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want something fancier than a Subaru Crosstrek, a wagon to consider is the Volvo V60. With AWD and a bit of ruggedness, the V60 Cross Country is a perfect car to drive up the mountain in luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 tips for driving up to the mountains for ski season<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Safe driving begins before you even get on the road. Having the right car and the right equipment can go a long way in preparing for winter driving. In the winter, your car\u2019s condition matters a whole lot more, so check to see how your car battery is doing, wipers, headlights, brake lights, coolant, and tires before heading out. You\u2019ll be glad you did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Slow down and pay attention<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Snowy and icy conditions can make the roads extra slippery, making it harder for you to slow down when you need to. So instead of waiting to test your reaction time and brakes, simply leave earlier than usual, drive slowly, and pay extra attention to the speed of drivers around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Understand what anti-lock brakes do<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of brakes, do you know what happens when you suddenly hit a patch of ice, and your first instinct is to slam on the brakes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just about all new and newish cars have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), which typically stops your tires from skidding if you stomp on the brake pedal too fast. This system will certainly help in the event of an adrenaline-filled panic-brake situation, but even with ABS, it\u2019s easy for tires to break traction if you try to stop quickly on ice. Even if your vehicle has sophisticated traction control and ABS systems, be aware they won\u2019t always save you in every circumstance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Don\u2019t depend on your tires too much<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For the most part, all-weather or all-season tires are not cut out for true winter conditions. Snow tires are a wise investment if you find yourself driving on icy, wet, and snowy roads with any regularity \u2014 many people find a good set of winter tires trumps four wheel drive with regular tires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But don\u2019t forget that tires are just tires. Even the best snow tires don\u2019t function properly if the person steering them doesn\u2019t use them smartly \u2014 drive slowly and stay attentive on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Go easy on the pedals<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In general, avoid stopping and reaccelerating whenever possible, and instead be content with crawling at consistent speeds in traffic or in parking lots. Applying extra gas can cause your wheels to spin, and as soon as your tires aren\u2019t gripping the road, you\u2019re out of control. Same goes with braking too hard \u2014 you\u2019ll lose traction that way too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Listen to the weather forecast<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Yes, the Weather Channel is not always right, but sometimes it is. If the news says that road conditions are getting dangerous, take a break and stay home instead. The snow will still be there tomorrow, and your visibility, as well as your safety and peace of mind, might be better suited if you wait it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try out some different options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The snow season lasts several months in North America, giving you a good long while to drive into the mountains to enjoy a snowy weekend or a day of snowboarding and skiing. It also means that you can book a different car to take you there each time to see what works best for you. Filter for all-wheel drive on Turo and peruse around for the perfect vehicle for all your snowy adventures.<\/p>\n\n\n

Browse AWD vehicles<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cars for staying safe and comfortable on the road this winter This season\u2019s heavy snowfall might have you reaching for a cozy blanket and a cup of hot chocolate, but…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14779,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[227],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14765","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t