When driving on snow, it is important to have a stable car that will give your a sense of security. If you live in an area where harsh winters happen, you will need to have a vehicle with high ground clearance and with all-wheel drive features, top-notch safety features, and great heating.
Best Suv's To Drive On Snow
1. The Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee happens to be one of the most amazing SUVs to drive on snow. It has a reliable four-wheel-drive that is in a position to tow not less than 7200 pounds which makes it a good fit to also haul trailers and campers on snowy roads.
This car comes with a V6 engine that has 295 horsepower. If you fancy a more powerful engine, it also has three V8 engines you can consider. It has a traction system that helps it a great deal when it comes to driving on snow and, therefore, being very good for offering a steady ride.
2. The KIA Sorento
The KIA Sorento is well respected because it is spacious with seven seats and a spacious cabin room. It comes with a unique Shift and Drive System that is able to automatically select the most appropriate drive mode in all weather conditions. It also comes equipped with an optional four-wheel-drive that makes it super safe to drive in the snow.
It also has amazing safety features that include blind-spot monitoring as well as rear parking sensors that make it super easy for driving in foggy conditions. This SUV is designed to deliver optimum value to the user since it is not as pricey as other models in the market and offers reasonable fuel economy.
3. The Toyota RAV 4
The Toyota RAV 4 happens to be among the best SUVs for snow owing to its unique features that are compactly packed. It is designed with a unique and roomy interior that makes it extremely easy to fit bulky gear without feeling cramped at all.
It also has front heated seats and steering, which are designed to add comfort and comfort even during the darkest days. The RAV 4 also has top-of-the-range safety features like lane assist as well as lane departure warning. It also comes accompanied by an optional all-wheel-drive that is also coupled with a multiple terrain select system. When on the upper trim level, it has an 8.6-inch ground clearance that is designed to deliver optimum results when on moderate off-roading activities. The most amazing thing about this car is the fact that it is reasonably affordable, with the price starting out at $26,050 in the United States.
4. The Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe has quite a reliable rating that makes it an excellent vehicle throughout the year. This vehicle shines most during the unpredictable driving conditions that are caused by snow. Made to accommodate eight people, it is a great option for big families or anyone requiring a lot of reliable cargo space.
It has a unique remote start that makes it possible for the owner to turn the heat on even before he has stepped out of the front door. It also has high trims that make it possible for the heated seats and steering wheel to pass the heat well.
Because of its big size and the four-wheel-drive feature, motor enthusiasts have proved that it is comfortable and secure to ride on icy or even snowy roads. It has extra features like the lane assist as well as the forward collision assist.
5. The Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is also a great model for driving in the snow. It is designed in a unique way that makes it look small and still spacious and has winter-ready amenities like the front-wheel drive. On top of these features, buyers are also allowed to buy an upgrade which makes it possible for the vehicle to have a full-time all-wheel drive.
It also has other add-ons that include automatic high beams as well as emergency brakes, lane assist, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel.
6. KIA Telluride
The 2020 KIA Telluride is a relatively new SUV model that comes with amazing features to make winter driving an easy task. When buying, motorists can choose a model that has a full-time all-wheel drive and also has the advantage of adding features like heated seats as well as the steering wheel.
7. Ford Expedition
The 2020 Ford Expedition SUV is well known when it comes to matters related to offering a spacious setting for all winter adventures. It has an amazing rear-wheel drive and also gives buyers the advantage of getting an all-wheel-drive by upgrading when buying. It has a good 9.9-inch ground clearance that makes it a super ideal car for navigating all snowy and rough terrains.
8. The 2019 Subaru Forester
The 2019 Subaru Forester comes equipped with 182 horsepower as well as other features that make it a super excellent model for driving on snow. It has an all-time four-wheel drive and the Eyesight Driver Assist Technology, as well as the vehicle dynamics control for the base trim. If a motorist decides to upgrade, he will definitely get more amenities and features to enjoy.
9. Toyota 4runner
The Toyota 4runner has been a favorite among SUV drivers for not less than two decades. It has demonstrated that it is a good choice for drivers in different snowy climates. It is built on a solid truck-based platform that allows it to go through any terrain with relative ease.
It is available in part-time and full-time all-wheel drive, with both of them having the Active Traction Control feature that offers a helping hand when the terrain gets too slippery. It is purposely built for road adventure, and the driver will have the advantage of approaching all terrains since it also has very reliable ground clearance.
It also has an outstanding resale value with proven reliability with different connectivity features to make the driving more fulfilling.
10. The Landrover LR4
The Landrover is a big name when it comes to the most reliable vehicles for off-road driving. It features an all-time four-wheel driving system that makes it a good fit when driving on snow. It also comes accompanied by a manufacturer's Terrain Response System, which allows the driver to custom-tailor the vehicle for different terrain settings.
This vehicle is 3.0 liter supercharged with a V6 engine that churns out 340 horsepower with 332 lb of torque. All versions of the Landrover are equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission as well as an adjustable air suspension system that comes in handy when tackling big drifts.
Best Tips For Driving On Snow
Driving on snow is not for the fainthearted. If a driver is not well versed with the best tips for driving, it is very easy for him to cause an accident. Before driving on snowy roads, it is advisable for the driver to be adequately prepared. It is also wise that the driver prepares himself and his car.
How To Prepare Before Driving On Snow
a) Planning The Journey
Before setting off, it is important to plan the journey carefully and use a reliable route planner that guides and makes the journey as smooth as possible. By using the route planner, the driver will be able to know the highly snow-flooded areas and avoid them.
b) Leaving More Time For The Car
It is important that the driver leaves more time for the car as he would normally do without snow. Before embarking on the journey, the car should have clear windows and lights. In many countries around the world, driving a car with snow is an offense and could result in the driver breaking the law.
The driver will also need to de-ice the windscreen before starting the journey. The inside of the windscreen also needs to be cleared for optimum visibility. It is also prudent to carry a lock-de-icer since the driver can use it to clear the lock. If the locks get frozen, the driver can try warming the key or, better still, spraying an oil-based lubricant on the lock.
c) Checking The Wipers
The driver should ensure that the car does not have the automatic wiper control switched on because it is easy for the wiper control fuse to be blown up if it gets frozen on the screen. The wipers also need to be in good working order so that they can clean the windscreen effectively.
d) Checking The Tyres
The driver should make sure that the tires have adequate thread since tires with a poor grip will not do a good job when driving on ice and snow. If the driver lives in a place where snow is common, it is advisable to change the tires and replace them with those that have a deeper thread. If the conditions are not good, it is important to change to snow chains for a much reliable grip.
e) Checking The Screenwash
When driving on snow, it is important to consider using a good quality screenwash that is able to protect at least 35 percent of the water from freezing. If the driver does not do that, it will be synonymous to rendering the windscreen wipers useless in extreme conditions.
f) Packing For The Worst
An experienced driver will make sure that the car is equipped with the following; a high-beam torch, a demisting pad, a high visibility vest, a blanket to keep him warm, some foods and drinks, an ice scraper, a blanket, a shovel, a map, a phone charger, a warning triangle, a first aid kit and some jump leads. It is also advisable to have a spade and a square of a thick carpet that can be put under the drive wheels when in the event he gets stuck in the snow.
It is important to have a fully charged mobile phone and with an active breakdown provider mobile phone number so that in the event the driver gets stuck; he can always call for help.
How To Drive On Snow
- Wear dry and comfortable footwear
- Remember to accelerate gently using low revs and change up to high gears as swiftly as possible
- Move off in second gear since it will play an integral role in avoiding wheel slipping. There are cars that have winter mode that does a good job as well
- Get the speed right and maintain the correct stopping distance between the car in front
- Prepare for an uphill and leave plenty of room by maintaining a constant speed without feeling the need to change gears
- Always use low gear for going downhill and avoid unnecessary braking
- When approaching a bend, brake before the actual running of the wheel happens
- In the event a skid is encountered, the most advisable thing is to steer gently into it
- When driving in heavy snow, it is advisable to use dipped headlights
- If the visibility drops to 100 meters, it is advisable to put the fog lights on. They should only be turned on when the visibility improves
- All controls should be operated slowly and smoothly
- It is advisable to keep the speed down and allow the car to have more time to steer and stop
- Finally, it is advisable to take the environment one is driving on into serious consideration. There are microclimates that appear on the road that tend to stay icy when the rest of the road isn't. For example, bridges are the first to freeze but typically, the last to thaw
The car should be kept clean since the salt used to clean cars can cause corrosion to the car over time. The car should be regularly cleaned through the winter months.