What is the Best Mid-Size Car For Driving In The Snow?

Although the polar vortex and the frigid conditions experienced in North America in late 2013 and early 2014 are mostly over, many people still remember the difficulty in driving when the roads were covered in ice and snow. Since not everyone is able to move to Florida, Mexico or Costa Rica for the winter, it is useful to know which cars are adequate for driving in snowy road conditions.

Traction is the most important factor when choosing a vehicle that can perform adequately in the snow. To this end, it is important to remember that rear-wheel drive cars tend to be the least adequate in the snow. This means that owners of some luxury and sports cars, particularly classic American muscle cars, will have a harder time driving in the snow unless they equip their vehicles with special winter tires.

Jeeps and other four-wheel drive vehicles that have been specifically manufactured for rugged, outdoor use tend to be perfect for the snow. But what about midsize passenger cars? In this regard, some models tend to perform better than others.

<strong>Audi, Saab, Subaru, and Volvo</strong>

In the last few years, these esteemed manufacturers have stood out for their all-wheel drive (AWD) passenger cars that are essentially a cross between a sports utility vehicle and a station wagon. To this end, some of their best midsize cars for snow driving include:

Audi Allroad
Saab 9-3 SportCombi XWD
Subaru Outback
Volvo SC70

The four cars listed above have recently gotten high marks for their looks, comfort and high performance in winter conditions. These vehicles are excellent not only in terms of traction and handling but also overall appeal. There’s more to driving in the snow than just a solid AWD system to keep the car from slipping and sliding; these cars are also highly esteemed in terms of keeping passengers safe, comfy, warm, and entertained.

Drivers who are looking for more affordable cars than those listed above should consider modern sporty AWD models such as the Subary Impreza WRX, the Ford Fusion SE, the Honda CR-V EX, and the Nissan Rogue. Once again, getting ready for winter is more important than the car itself; even front-wheel drive vehicles can be driven safely during the winter with the right snow tires installed.