Advice
Best cars for snow 2024
Winter's not done yet and, whether for home or the winter road trip abroad, here are our top cars for driving in the snow
Words by: Erin Baker
Additional words by: Mark Nichol
Last updated on 4 December 2023 | 0 min read
For a few days every winter, the UK gets hit with the sort of snowfall that makes driving more challenging. But with a few tips and a bit of preparation, most snowfall shouldn’t stop you from driving safely to where you need to be. We’ll give you some tips here, but if you really want to be in the best position to deal with the annual snowfall, some cars are better than others. Below is a list of the good ones.
While an all-wheel drive car or SUV has obvious advantages in slippery conditions, winter tyres can make an even bigger difference. (It is worth remembering that not all ‘SUVs’ are four-wheel drive, though. Many crossover-SUVs are two-wheel drive.) It really is worth considering a set of winter tyres. Sure, it’s an upfront cost, but it means that your ‘summer’ tyres will last much longer because, of course, they can't wear down when they’re not on the car. Winter tyres use different rubber compounds and tread patterns to dig into the snow for better traction and improve your car’s ability to drive in snow-bound areas by improving the braking and overall grip of your car. Winter tyres are usually recommended when the temperature drops below seven degrees and, in some parts of Europe, are compulsory if you’re driving in snowy conditions so check before you travel. Recommended: Should I buy winter tyres for my car? Here’s our top pick of the best cars for snowy conditions, plus some general snowy driving tips…
While an all-wheel drive car or SUV has obvious advantages in slippery conditions, winter tyres can make an even bigger difference. (It is worth remembering that not all ‘SUVs’ are four-wheel drive, though. Many crossover-SUVs are two-wheel drive.) It really is worth considering a set of winter tyres. Sure, it’s an upfront cost, but it means that your ‘summer’ tyres will last much longer because, of course, they can't wear down when they’re not on the car. Winter tyres use different rubber compounds and tread patterns to dig into the snow for better traction and improve your car’s ability to drive in snow-bound areas by improving the braking and overall grip of your car. Winter tyres are usually recommended when the temperature drops below seven degrees and, in some parts of Europe, are compulsory if you’re driving in snowy conditions so check before you travel. Recommended: Should I buy winter tyres for my car? Here’s our top pick of the best cars for snowy conditions, plus some general snowy driving tips…
Suzuki S-Cross
The S-Cross is a no-frills, family SUV that offers plenty of space for you to fit your winter-essentials kit and other bits and bobs comfortably.
It ranks top of our cars for snow list because of its unbeatable amount of safety features that come as a standard on this SUV. The S-Cross also offers all-wheel drive in its upper-level trim (Ultra), which can get you moving quickly on chilly days. Other features include heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, a double opening panoramic roof, and a manual or automatic gearbox option. Best of all, the SUV has an impressive low cost of ownership due to its low VED and insurance costs. You can read our full expert review of the S-Cross.
It ranks top of our cars for snow list because of its unbeatable amount of safety features that come as a standard on this SUV. The S-Cross also offers all-wheel drive in its upper-level trim (Ultra), which can get you moving quickly on chilly days. Other features include heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, a double opening panoramic roof, and a manual or automatic gearbox option. Best of all, the SUV has an impressive low cost of ownership due to its low VED and insurance costs. You can read our full expert review of the S-Cross.
Volkswagen T-Cross
Another compact SUV that has made our list is Volkswagen’s T-Cross. It’s not as affordable as the Suzuki S-Cross, but it comes at three different price levels to suit different budgets.
The T-Cross’s light and small design make it easier to control and stop when driving in snow. A decent amount of ground clearance also means it’s less likely to get stuck. Other features that make the T-cross ideal for icy conditions are its front fog lights with a cornering function, six airbags as a standard and a collision-avoidance system that automatically applies the brakes when it detects a potential collision with an object in front.
The T-Cross’s light and small design make it easier to control and stop when driving in snow. A decent amount of ground clearance also means it’s less likely to get stuck. Other features that make the T-cross ideal for icy conditions are its front fog lights with a cornering function, six airbags as a standard and a collision-avoidance system that automatically applies the brakes when it detects a potential collision with an object in front.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
If safety is your number one priority when driving in snow, the electric version of the Volvo XC40 is the car for you. Twin-motor versions have four-wheel drive, and in keeping with the brand’s safety-conscious traditions it comes with an emergency call button and tracking service, a front-collision warning system with emergency braking, and active collision avoidance that can detect cyclists and pedestrians on the road.
The EV version offers ‘preconditioning’ – a functionality that allows you to warm up the car beforehand so you can drive comfortably in the cold weather. The car also comes with a heated steering wheel and heated seats.
The EV version offers ‘preconditioning’ – a functionality that allows you to warm up the car beforehand so you can drive comfortably in the cold weather. The car also comes with a heated steering wheel and heated seats.
Land Rover Defender Hard Top
If you’re looking for a commercial vehicle to drive in winter, the Land Rover Defender Hard Top is a great choice.
Essentially a Defender converted into a van by removing the rear seats, it's a proper off-roader and available in both three-door 90 and five-door 110 forms, the latter being the longer of the two. The three-door 90 version looks more like a typical commercial vehicle because the rear windows are replaced by panels, although its actual cargo space is significantly smaller: 1355 litres, as compared to 2059 in the 110 model. Either way, the Hard Top's Defender underpinnings mean it drives like a luxury car - not something you can say about a Ford Transit. It’s great in the snow too, especially the 90 model because its shorter wheelbase makes it feel a little more agile and manageable. A high level of safety kit is standard.
Essentially a Defender converted into a van by removing the rear seats, it's a proper off-roader and available in both three-door 90 and five-door 110 forms, the latter being the longer of the two. The three-door 90 version looks more like a typical commercial vehicle because the rear windows are replaced by panels, although its actual cargo space is significantly smaller: 1355 litres, as compared to 2059 in the 110 model. Either way, the Hard Top's Defender underpinnings mean it drives like a luxury car - not something you can say about a Ford Transit. It’s great in the snow too, especially the 90 model because its shorter wheelbase makes it feel a little more agile and manageable. A high level of safety kit is standard.
Skoda Kodiaq
The Skoda Kodiaq is a great SUV for when you’re planning a winter trip with the family and need a bigger space to fit more people and winter gear.
There is a wide range of Skoda Kodiaqs to choose from, including five- or seven-seater versions, an all-wheel drive option, and even a proper 'off-road' version with plastic bumpers that are less likely to get chipped or damaged. It's more affordable than counterparts from Hyundai, Kia and Land Rover and it has all the typical safety features you’d expect from a family car. And like all Skodas you even get an ice scraper stored in the fuel filler cap so you’ll always be equipped for those cold starts.
There is a wide range of Skoda Kodiaqs to choose from, including five- or seven-seater versions, an all-wheel drive option, and even a proper 'off-road' version with plastic bumpers that are less likely to get chipped or damaged. It's more affordable than counterparts from Hyundai, Kia and Land Rover and it has all the typical safety features you’d expect from a family car. And like all Skodas you even get an ice scraper stored in the fuel filler cap so you’ll always be equipped for those cold starts.
Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass is a medium-sized SUV with impressive off-roading abilities.
The SUV comes with the Jeep Active Drive – a variable all-wheel drive system that sends power to the wheels that most need it when it detects loss of grip. That makes driving in the snow much easier. The Compass isn't the most affordable SUVs in the market, but the plug-in hybrid version - called Compass 4xe - helps lower the total cost of ownership and provides tax savings.
The SUV comes with the Jeep Active Drive – a variable all-wheel drive system that sends power to the wheels that most need it when it detects loss of grip. That makes driving in the snow much easier. The Compass isn't the most affordable SUVs in the market, but the plug-in hybrid version - called Compass 4xe - helps lower the total cost of ownership and provides tax savings.
Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V started life as a quirky hatchback designed in the 'off-roader' style back in 1998; the HR-V was often called a 'soft-roader' because it wasn't really made to go off-road, and the 'crossover' genre of cars hadn't been formalised at that point.
Today's HR-V, the third generation model, has leaned much more into being a modern crossover, like a Skoda Karoq or a Toyota C-HR, but its raised ride height (all 19cm of it) means it's great to drive over thick snow. There's no four-wheel drive option, though, so for maximum traction you'll want to get a set of winter tyres. That applies to any car when it comes to winter driving, really.
Today's HR-V, the third generation model, has leaned much more into being a modern crossover, like a Skoda Karoq or a Toyota C-HR, but its raised ride height (all 19cm of it) means it's great to drive over thick snow. There's no four-wheel drive option, though, so for maximum traction you'll want to get a set of winter tyres. That applies to any car when it comes to winter driving, really.
Subaru Outback
The name alone of this Subaru conjures up an image of a car comfortable in the trickiest of situations. They might as well have called it the Subaru TerrainMaster 3000. It’s not a 4x4 in the mould of an old Land Rover Defender or new Ineos Grenadier – no ladder frame chassis, diff locks or low ratio gearbox, and it’s styled like a jacked-up estate car rather than an SUV. But permanent four-wheel drive, an automatic gearbox and a selection of terrain modes (including Snow and Deep Snow) make driving a Subaru Outback in the snow as easy as can be.