Looking for the Best Vehicle for Winter Driving? – SUVs, Trucks or Sedans, Here’s What You Need to Know
Blog Aug 11th, 2024Canada is well-known for its brutally cold winters with icy roads, heavy snowfalls, and super low temperatures. At such times, choosing the right vehicle becomes paramount to ensuring both safety and comfort. Be it a family, singles, couple, or even a newcomer to Canada, finding a good car to drive during Canadian winters becomes an informed decision to make.
Here we list out some of the best vehicles for winter driving with their average prices, features and suitability to cater to respective demographics.
Which are the Top Rides to navigate the harsh Winter in Canada?
It’s essential to consider some important factors like ground clearance, winter tires, heated seats and steering wheel features, remote start before choosing your best car for Canada winter. Let’s check out some top cars that excel in these areas:
1. Toyota RAV4:
A classic entry into top-five lists, the Toyota RAV4 sports great fuel economy, loads of interior space, and reliable All Wheel Drive. It’s big enough for a family, plenty for a couple, and ideal for newcomers.
Average cost: between $31 000 and $45 000
Ground Clearance: 8.4 to 8.6 inches
Seating: 5 seats, 2-row SUV
Cargo: 37.6 cubic feet behind rear seats; 69.8 cubic feet with rear seat folded
Toyota is reputed for its reliability robust build quality. Users choose this AWD as it is engineered to resist in extreme cold conditions. Even when it’s bitterly cold, Toyota Rav4 can get you comfortably on the road in its well-insulated interior and heated seats/steering wheel.
Its TSS (Toyota Safety Sense) System helps drivers to keep the vehicle centered in its lane. This feature is incredibly helpful for driving in challenging winter conditions reducing the risk of skidding or losing control. TSS also features maximizing visibility. In Canada, as daylights get shorter and weather conditions can be foggy or snowy in the winter; automatic high beams optimize lighting conditions.
In a season when so much depends on the weather, it is just right to first consider which model can handle winter at its worst. The popularity of the Subaru Outback in Canadian winters comes from the fact that it has AWD as standard, excellent ground clearance, and reliability.
Average cost: between $30,000 and $45,000
Ground Clearance: 8.7 inches
Seating: 5 seats, 2-row SUV
Cargo: 32.6 cubic feet behind rear seats; 75.6 cubic feet with rear seat folded
The symmetrical AWD of Subaru system gives power evenly to all four wheels ensuring stability on snow-covered roads. Subaru Outback comes with heated seats and steering wheel ensuring winter driving comfort. Many Subaru dealerships offer winter tire packages that are specifically designed for the Outback.
Latest models of Outbacks come with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise-control, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. These features are very helpful in avoiding accidents in harsh winter conditions.
3. Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V just happened to be one of Canada’s most popular SUVs. The reasons are just many. It offers a highly effective AWD system that is very useful during winter. Honda CR-V also has ample cargo space with a silky-smooth ride.
Average cost: between $31,000 and $45,000
Ground Clearance: 7.8 inches
Seating: 5 seats, 2-row SUV
Cargo: 39.3 cubic feet behind rear seats; 76.5 cubic feet with rear seat folded
In Canadian freezing days, Honda CR-V features a robust heating system that quickly heats up the cabin making all travelers just warm and comfy. Its Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM) helps prevent the vehicle from leaving its lane, and its Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) helps the vehicle maintain its position at the center of the lane.
4. Ford F-150
For those who need a heavy-duty, winter-tough truck able to stand up to heavy loads, the Ford F-150 is the leading choice. If any truck is up for the task of taming Canadian winters, it will be this one, backed by its solid powertrain selection, 4×4 capability, and a decent ground clearance rating. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel are available on most trims.
Average cost: between $36,965 – $78,440
Ground Clearance: 8.8 to 9.4 inches
Seating: 3, 5, 6 to choose from regular, SuperCab or SuperCrew
Bed configuration: 6.5ft or 8ft
Cargo: 77.4 cubic foot
Ford F-150 are also equipped with heated exterior mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer that help maintain visibility by preventing ice buildup. The remote start system which allows its engine to warm up before you get in, and it features powerful engine and towing capabilities. These are some specialties making Ford F-150 one of the best vehicles for winter driving.
5. Mazda CX-5
Sleek in design, and practical—these are two of the key reasons for the CX-5 continuing to top the charts when it comes to winter driving in Canada. AWD, responsive handling, and heated features allow for a comfortable, safe drive in the dead of winter. High-quality interior and infotainment system make the model even more appealing.
Average cost: between $29,900 to $35,200
Ground Clearance: 7.6 inches
Seating: 5
Cargo: 30.8 cubic feet behind rear seats and 59.3 with the rear row folded down
Mazda’s i-ACTIV AWD system is built to monitor road conditions and adjust power distribution based on the needs of each wheel. Its Sg-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) improves handling and help prevent accidents by alerting drive to potential hazards.
Undoubtedly, Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the best vehicles for winter in Canada for its off-road capabilities and brawny performance. Its 4×4 system with high ground clearance guarantees that the vehicle will easily be able to go through the most ruthless winter conditions.
Average cost: between $38,290 to $66,088
Ground Clearance: 8.6 inches
Seating: 3, 5, 6 (based on models)
Cargo: 37.7 cubic feet behind rear seats and 70.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded flat
AWD Systems like Quadra-Trac and Quadra-Drive II, which provide exceptional traction on slippery roads. These help the Jeep Grand Cheroke driver drive with stability in snowy roads. The feature of hill descent control is specifically designed to help drive navigate icy, steep heels and slopes. Including its tire pressure monitoring system, Jeep Grand Cheroke is one of the best vehicles for winter driving.
7. Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 is among the best vehicles for winter in Canada, with its Scandinavian design combined with leading safety features. Its seating with available heated windshield and seats, as well as an AWD system, makes it a joy to drive in freezing Canadian winter. The spacious interior, first-class materials, and ample legroom make sure that this isn’t just another shell for commuters.
Average cost: between $58,695 to $93,450
Ground Clearance: 9.3 inches
Seating: 5
Cargo: 85.7 cubic feet
Volvo XC90 comes is one of the most reliable cars for winter in Canada, as it also features lane keeping aid, slippery road alert, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross traffic alerts, powerful engine options and hills descent system.
Which Car is Good for Saskatchewan Winter?
Saskatchewan’s winter is notorious for being one of the longest and coldest in Canada. With high snowfall rates and bone-chilling temperature, Saskatchewan winter demands perfect preparation from singles, families and specially new-comers in Canada. So, your best bet would be to look for cars with really good AWD or 4×4, high ground clearance, and heated features.
If you’re in Saskatchewan, you can turn to local car dealers in Saskatoon. For new or used vehicle, Saskatoon car dealerships will find that perfect car. If you want to give it a try with a model before buying a brand new one, or if you’re dealing with budget issues, a used auto in Saskatoon is worth checking into.
So when thinking of the best all-terrain warrior to get behind the wheel of, in Canadian winter, you should consider what your needs will be. Some of the vehicles covered in this article make excellent choices than the others in protecting their occupants against tough wintery conditions in Canada.
