Five of the Best Cars for Driving in the Snow

Looking for the best cars to conquer the snow this winter? Check out our top five picks, all equipped with features that make them perfect for winter tyres.

It’s no secret that many sports cars end up well and truly stuck as soon as the first flakes fall, and the truth is that many factors affect how well it copes in the snow. If your car has low suspension, rear-wheel drive, wide wheels or a powerful engine, chances are you’ll find yourself in a pickle should you fancy a snowy spin. 

The ultimate car for winter driving in the UK would be a four-wheel drive fitted with winter tyres, which can improve stopping performance by up to 10% in the rain and 20% in the snow. However, you can (and should) add winter tyres to almost any vehicle to benefit from their highly improved traction. Rear-wheel drive cars may still struggle in heavy snowfall, but front-wheel drives are likely to fare well, as most of the car’s weight (the engine) is positioned over the drive wheels.

Nonetheless, not all four-wheel drives are created equal and the overall design will affect a car’s handling in snowy conditions the most. Here are five cars that are proven to take on the snow like champs, but don’t forget to take heed of using winter tyres when the UK gets frosty to ensure that you travel safely all season. 

Porsche Macan

We wouldn’t recommend taking your 911 out for a Sunday drive in the snow, but the Porsche Macan is a different story. Car reviewers report that this roomy 4x4 handles like a dream in off-road conditions, plus you can switch to sport mode to sharpen the steering or tighten up the suspension with Porsche active suspension when it matters. The Porsche Macan also has an electrical system that improves its stability, so although one of these cars will cost you a pretty penny, it will be invaluable when you need to hit the roads in winter.

Mitsubishi Outlander

A more affordable alternative to the Porsche Macan is the Mitsubishi Outlander, an at-best seven-seater 4x4 that can transport your whole family, your neighbour and their dog safely over the snow. It’s got a soft suspension that will make driving in poor road conditions more comfortable, and though it’s more focused on practicality than excitement, the safety features such as electronic skidding control under braking make it worth swapping your fun-mobile for a few months.

Mazda CX-5

The sleek Mazda CX-5 will appeal to environmentally-minded drivers as it comes with Skyactiv technology, which produces cleaner emissions and also makes it cheaper to drive. The CX-5 is a strong and solid-feeling crossover SUV with plenty of clearance to traverse well in heavy snowfall, and the all-wheel drive system pairs nicely with winter tyres to keep traction stable and prevent wheelspin.

Mercedes GLA

If you don’t love the beefy bodywork of a typical 4x4, you might prefer the Mercedes GLA, a sleeker version of the A-Class that won’t leave you standing in the snow. The Mercedes GLA grips the road well, responds promptly to steering and is packed with safety features including skidding and brake locking prevention and even accident detection. All this makes it very reassuring when the weather starts to turn. It’s also incredibly efficient on fuel, so you won't burn through fuel driving it in the snow-free months of the year.

Land Rover Discovery

We couldn’t possibly put together a list of great cars for driving in the snow without including the ‘big daddy’ – the Land Rover Discovery. Sure, a Land Rover Discovery can set you back quite a packet (though not as much as a range rover), but you’re paying for more than just prestige with these cars as they offer the ultimate in stability, safety and comfort, plus they’re more than capable of going off-road on even the most rugged of terrains.

If you’re looking to improve your stability in winter conditions, LK Performance is the UK’s most trusted aftermarket car part marketplace. Our collection of winter tyres are the most cost-effective range in the UK for brands such as Yokohama, Continental and Goodyear. We even give quality ratings for each tyre to give you additional information about the noise levels, fuel economy and wet grip. Simply enter your tyre specs and start searching today.