Shopping for a new vehicle is different when you live in an area that gets plenty of blustery winter weather. Wind, snow, and ice create dangerous driving conditions, and while traction control likely tops your list of must-haves, you need more than just good tires. Finding an SUV that delivers reliable performance and comfort amenities can be challenging. So before you head to the dealership for a test drive, check out our guide and learn which automotive manufacturers make the best SUVs for snow.
Ford Bronco Sport
The 2022 Bronco Sport is fully capable in the snow, thanks to its five selectable drive modes. These go-anywhere terrain settings include an option designed for slippery conditions. In addition, this SUV’s standard four-wheel drive capability keeps you on the road with added traction and minimal wheel slip. Exploring scenic regions during the winter is an exhilarating experience, and the Badlands variant will get you there with 8.8 inches of ground clearance.
The Bronco Sport outperforms top rivals with snappier acceleration, better fuel economy, and more standard driver assistance tools. These advanced safety features all play important roles when it comes to battling Mother Nature. You’ll appreciate forward collision warning, which will give you more time to brake when you need to brave a storm, and lane keep assist when sleet keeps you from seeing the white lane markings.
Subaru Outback
Climb inside the 2022 Outback’s upscale cabin and enjoy the cockpit. The interior is quiet and does an excellent job of muffling wind noise. The dashboard’s pair of sleek 7-inch touch screens provide access to comforts like climate controls, drive modes, and driver assistance features, making it easy to adjust settings while keeping your eyes ahead. The Outback also offers 75.7 cubic feet of cargo space for snowboarding gear or a winter-ready emergency car kit. That’s more storage space than many compact crossovers.
This Subaru SUV also comes equipped with standard symmetrical all-wheel drive across the lineup, so no matter which trim you pick, you’ll feel confident traveling during the stormy months. This setup provided better handling and a quicker response to changing conditions than competitors. Its longer wheelbase also helps improve stability on slippery pavement.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
While the Jeep Wrangler is the ultimate choice if you’re just looking to plow through the snow, the new 2022 Grand Cherokee lets you enjoy the cold, slushy, and icy drive in style and luxury. It’s no secret that Jeep designs its vehicles to tackle the road less traveled, and this model is famous for its performance capabilities and pampering passengers inside its posh cabin. Blowing snow can cause low visibility, and the Grand Cherokee’s high driver’s seat helps provide an expansive view of the way ahead.
Jeep completely redesigned the Grand Cherokee for the new model year. It’s the most awarded SUV ever for many reasons, including an available 4xe plug-in hybrid model. It’s not the most economical choice on our list of recommendations, but it’s packed with luxury and high-tech goodies. The Grand Cherokee comes with a larger, 8.4-inch touch screen, a head-up display, and a Wi-Fi hotspot to keep you connected wherever your winter-weather drive takes you.
Honda Pilot
When the forecast calls for snow, you’ll feel confident behind the wheel of the 2022 Pilot. This practical midsize Honda SUV won’t break the bank, and it delivers on nearly all fronts. So get out of the icy slush and into its attractive interior with three rows of seats, a large cargo hold, and attractive touches. It also touts a new tri-zone automatic climate control for the 2022 model year, so all of your passengers can stay warm and comfortable on the way.
The new Pilot made our list of one of the best SUVs for snow because it offers winter drivers a nice blend of handling prowess and good ground clearance. You’ll also appreciate available all-wheel drive for every trim. Honda also introduced the TrailSport trim to the 2022 lineup. This dash of off-road attitude comes with increased ride height and trim-specific tires that you’ll notice when navigating slippery road surfaces.
Chevrolet Suburban
The next best SUV for snow has to be the Chevy Suburban. With available all-wheel drive on every trim level, this gigantic vehicle is well-equipped to deal with winter weather. It will get you over icy terrain, whether you’re embarking on a road trip for the holidays or commuting to the office. It’s a top choice for large families that live in a snowy climate because it’s so versatile.
For 2022, Chevy treated the Suburban to more standard tech and safety features. Even the entry-level LS trim is a great place to start, with amenities like keyless entry and remote start for those chilly mornings, plus LED headlights with automatic high beams to light your way through the darkest storm.
Not only does it perform well in a blizzard, but its towing capacity and passenger space are hard to beat. This cavernous SUV seats nine people and can tow 8,100 lbs with all-wheel drive. While you might think this stout SUV guzzles the gas, its powerful 3.0-liter turbo-diesel earns a surprising 27 mpg on the highway.
Toyota RAV4
When the weather outside is frightful, you’ll also want to take a closer look at the 2022 Toyota RAV4. As one of the top-selling compact SUVs on the market, the RAV4 is available in a variety of configurations to meet your needs from the fuel-efficient RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid to the more rugged RAV4 TRD Off-Road. This terrific all-around SUV offers the warmth of dual-zone automatic climate control, plus it’s easy to get in and out of both rows, even when your passengers are wearing bulky winter jackets and boots.
There are a ton of factors that go into the best SUV for snow. If you still can’t decide which SUV is perfect for your next winter warrior, take a test drive at your local dealership. After all, the best one is the model that’s perfect for you.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
