Wrong.
“When snowstorms hit, people who have all-wheel drive become overconfident,” says Russ Rader, spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. People drive faster than they otherwise would. Yet all-wheel drive doesn’t help them stop quicker.
“It’s not a safety system,” Rader says. “It’s a system to keep you from getting stuck.”
David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports‘ Auto Test division, agrees.
“The problem with four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is that because you have the traction to get going,” he says, “you don’t have the sense of how slippery it is underneath.”
In addition to all-wheel or four-wheel drive, experts urge buyers to look for cars with these extras: electronic stability control (ESC), good ground clearance and a low center of gravity. On our list of 15 Best Cars for Snow, all have these as well as added cold-weather amenities and enhanced safety features.
Topping it? The Subaru Outback, the Volvo XC90 and the Subaru Tribeca.
Toughest Tires
There is another way, say experts, to improve the traction, performance and safety of any vehicle traveling in snow: winter tires.
Champion explains that the need for winter tires is greater than before because the tires commonly installed on new vehicles have been getting wider.
“Unfortunately, the wider the tread, the more difficult it is to dig down through the snow,” he says. “It’s actually a detriment to grip.”
Snow tires are especially important for anyone who lives in the Snow Belt, says Mark Cox, director of the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, Colo., because they provide roughly one-third better traction that all-season tires. The best ones use a softer compound and a molded-in sipe–a strategically placed groove in addition to the normal tire tread to help carry the water out.
“Rubber actually sticks to ice,” says Cox, “if you can get rid of the water.”
Vehicles that most need winter tires, says Champion, are those that come with low-profile performance tires or “all-season” tires that carry V or W speed ratings. Both sacrifice performance on slippery roads, he says.
Top Shopping Tips
Make sure there are snow tires available for your vehicle before you buy it, says Cox, since there are a few high-performance sport sedans and sports cars for which no winter tires are made.
Shoppers should also check with their insurance agent prior to purchasing a particular vehicle, since cars with snow tires may be eligible for vehicle safety discounts, which in many cases are established on the basis of winter accident and claims rates.
You should also consider specifically how much driving you plan to do in deep snow before deciding whether you need all-wheel drive. If you’ll be frequently encountering 10 inches of snow and still need to get to work, then all-wheel drive is the way to go. For four inches or less, your best option is a front-wheel-drive vehicle with snow tires, which will offer better fuel economy on milder days.
Ground clearance is also a concern. “When you get off of the plowed roads, then you have other needs,” says Cox, “like ground clearance. SUVs are great with their higher clearance, but that also means a higher center of gravity.” That can decrease stability in fast turns.
And while some people believe a heavy vehicle is better for snowy or slippery roads, Cox says they’re wrong. Lighter definitely is better.
“If you have more weight, you have a better contact patch to get moving, but then you have that much more weight to stop,” he explains. “You also have that much more centrifugal force. … It’s actually harder to regain control.”
In other words, while a heavier vehicle can get a deeper grip, more mass is going to be more difficult to stop and to steer.
To help address such problems, 87% of all new SUVs now come standard with ESC systems. These can reduce rollover risk by 80% or more.
“We don’t have any specific research comparing SUVs with and without electronic stability control in winter-road conditions,” says Rader. “But we would anticipate that it would help.”
And when whiteout conditions make spotting other motorists a challenge, visibility–both seeing and being seen–is crucial. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, 2.7% of all driver fatalities occur in situations where vision is obscured.
Winter drivers must remain relaxed but focused and alert. To that end, some new vehicles come with features that add comfort and relieve stress, including heated mirrors, heated steering wheels, headlight washers, heated washer nozzles and heated windshields. Champion says most of these conveniences tend to help, especially the heated windshields, which speed up the defogging process and eliminate some of the need to scrape; the headlight washers, which help keep away grime and dirt for bright beams; and heated washer nozzles, to help keep the windshield clear.
If you need a vehicle for extensive driving in deep snow, Cox recommends one of the more car-like SUVs, called crossovers.
“Some of the crossovers have good ground clearance and also a low center of gravity,” he says, which makes them better choices than truck-based SUVs.
Overall, if driven responsibly, a vehicle with all-wheel drive, decent ground clearance and a relatively low center of mass is best, confirms Champion.
Vigilance is the key word here. Staying out of trouble on winter roads is determined more by attitude and driving style than by the car you drive. Good, safe winter driving requires careful changes in direction and smooth braking, respecting and maintaining precious traction. Once you lose it, you may not get it back.
Advises Champion, “Always drive as if you have a cup of coffee on the dash.”
15 Best Cars For Snow
Ground clearance: 8.4 inches
Curb weight: 3,375 pounds
Cold-weather features: Heated front seats, heated fold-away mirrors, front and rear wiper de-icer
The Subaru Outback has a few more inches of ground clearance than the Legacy Wagon, which makes it a perfect choice for those who have to venture out into fresh powder. It’s long been a favorite among skiers because of its road-oriented all-wheel-drive system and combination of good ground clearance and sure handling.
Ground clearance: 8.9 inches
Curb weight: 4,356 pounds
Cold-weather features: Heated front seats, headlamp washers
The XC90 is quite heavy, but it has great ground clearance-the best of our top picks, at 8.9 inches–and the smooth new in-line six introduced last year makes it a joy to drive. Heated seats and headlamp washers are optional, as part of the Climate Package.
Ground clearance: 8.4 inches
Curb weight: 4,190 pounds
Cold-weather features: Front heated seats, wiper de-icer
The Tribeca can track its mechanical roots to the Outback, though it’s considerably taller and more like an SUV. It combines similar road holding, a good ride and impressive all-weather traction with a spacious, versatile interior that can seat up to seven.
Ground clearance: 8.3 inches
Curb weight: 4,705 pounds
Cold-weather features: Heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, headlamp washers
The M-Class feels quite car-like, and it’s one of the better vehicles for taking on snowy roads. But it has the capability for even more, with a 4Matic permanent four-wheel-drive system and an array of electronic aids that are likely to help as much in deep snow as on an off-road course. What’s more, it’s available in a wide range of models, including the M320 CD, which includes an economical turbo-diesel V-6.
Ground clearance: 8.3 inches
Curb weight: 5,086 pounds
Cold-weather features: Heated front and rear seats, heated power folding mirrors, heated washer nozzles
The Volkswagen Touareg may be one of the heaviest SUVs on this list, and one of the heftiest in terms of towing and hauling ability. But with its 4XMotion permanent four-wheel-drive system and impressive interior comforts, it has the goods for all-weather driving on snowy roads and for tenacious off-roading as well.
Ground clearance: 8.2 inches
Curb weight: 4,414 pounds
Cold-weather features: Power heated side mirrors, heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats
The MKX looks a little fancy and chrome-laden to be a serious winter-driving contender, but as soon as we remind you it’s from Detroit–the home of frost heaves–it warrants some respect. While we can’t say the chrome-laden exterior will maintain its luster through road salt, the front seats in particular, which are ventilated and heated/cooled, will keep you very comfortable.
Ground clearance: 8.1 inches
Curb weight: 3,360 pounds
Cold-weather features: Heated front seats
With a full-time all-wheel-drive system and a curb weight near the low end of the spectrum, the Forester feels downright zippy in the snow and makes a great city vehicle for those in often-snowbound climes. Electronic stability control is only offered on the XT models, which also bring a more powerful, 224-horsepower turbocharged version of Subaru’s flat-four.
Ground clearance: 8.1 inches
Curb weight: 4,045 pounds
Cold-weather features: Heated front seats, heated side mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer
The Highlander has a comfortable ride and secure, sedan-like handling. It also has a very roomy interior with third-row seating, generous ground clearance and all-wheel drive that, with help from the wiper de-icer, will help get you out to the market easily and quickly, after a major snowfall.
Ground clearance: 7.9 inches
Curb weight: 4,288 pounds
Cold-weather features: Heated front seats
Ford’s new Edge feels sportier on the road than other so-called crossover SUVs or CUVs. An available road-oriented all-wheel-drive system makes it an ideal choice for families living in areas prone to frequent heavy snows. You’ll need to step up to the SEL or Limited to get the heated front seats.
Ground clearance: 7.9 inches
Curb weight: 4,112 pounds
Cold-weather features: Heated front seats, heated folding power mirrors
The Taurus X, which was called the Freestyle last year, now has a more powerful “Duratec 35″ V-6 engine and sportier six-speed automatic for better overall performance. Luckily, Ford hasn’t changed much else about the roomy wagon. The Taurus X remains one of the most spacious and practical designs for families, and with the available all-wheel drive, it’s a great vehicle for the snow.
Ground clearance: 8.1 inches
Curb weight: 3,223 pounds
Cold-weather features: Heated front seats
Jeep’s most car-like model is also arguably its best one for snowy roads. It’s also the most economical, with EPA fuel economy ratings of 25 city, 29 highway. Its compact size makes it a very maneuverable city vehicle that’s also good in country snow. The base price, at less than $19,000 including destination charges for the four-wheel drive is quite a deal.
Ground clearance: 8.0 inches
Curb weight: 3,251 pounds
Cold-weather features: Heated front seats
The Patriot shares its mechanical components with the Compass, yet it retains a familiar, boxy Jeep look that some people may find appealing. It brings a little bit more off-road credibility as well, with an available Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package that includes skid plates, tow hooks and several electronic off-road aids that may come in handy in deep snow.
Ground clearance: 7.9 inches
Curb weight: 3,776 pounds
Cold-weather features: Heated front seats
With a relatively low step-in height, the Equinox feels very much like a car. It has a lower center of mass than truck-like SUVs yet has just as much clearance for snow and slush. It’s also got a decent all-wheel-drive system. You’ll need to step up to the LT to get heated seats. Worth considering: the optional engine block heater, which provides serious warmth.
Ground clearance: 7.9 inches
Curb weight: 3,776 lb
Cold-weather features: Heated front seats
The Torrent has a slightly sportier outward appearance than its GM cousin, the Equinox, though much of its equipment is the same. The Torrent offers an engine block heater. On the top GPX model, there’s an optional remote vehicle start system, which allows you to start and warm up the vehicle ahead of time on frigid mornings.
Ground clearance: 8.1 inches
Curb weight: 4,022 pounds
Cold-weather features: Heated front seats, folding power heated mirrors
Its name may evoke thoughts of mild weather, but the Santa Fe is surprisingly good up north as well. With ground clearance that’s among the best and an Electronic Interactive Torque Management system for finessing in slippery situations, the Santa Fe has what’s needed for snow-covered roads.
