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AUTHOR Robert Gillespie
August 21, 2018

10 Best Cars For Winter Driving

Well once again I had to scrape some frost from my windscreen before the commute to the office. The roads were just fine but it did get me thinking about what car is best for winter driving.

Last year my mid size, front wheel drive, 220BHP saloon was pathetic, this year I have a smaller, lighter hatchback so I am hopeful it will be better.

I have done some research so here are 10 Best Cars For Winter Driving. Here are my findings, in reverse order from 10 to 1.

10 – Dacia Duster

The Duster is a brand new model and has already received glowing reviews from drivers and the press. Particularly those looking for something on a budget, the Duster 4×4 starts from £11,000 meaning there are not many new cars on the market that can match its value and go anywhere attitude.

9 – Kia Sportage

The Sportage was crowned our 4×4 of the year in 2012 due to its mix of driver enjoyment, comfort and quality. The comprehensive seven-year warranty, extensive list of safety equipment and practical interior make it a versatile SUV. The Sportage offers a well-rounded package and is among the best cars for winter driving.

8 – Hyundai SantaFe

Although Hyundai is asking a £3,000 premium for the new Santa Fe over the old one, the revised SUV still represents good value. Standard kit is impressive, while the all-wheel-drive models offer a decent degree of all-weather grip.

7 – Subaru Outback

All Subarus offer all-wheel drive, and the Outback wagon is a tried-and-true car for winter driving. Check out the bottom of the range Outback 2.5i, which as the name implies is powered by a 2.5 litre engine, backed up by both the Symmetrical AWD system and Vehicle Dynamics Control.

6 – Honda CRV

Honda introduced Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System in 2012 which provides a degree of traction and peace of mind at an alluring price. All of this and more make this one of the best cars for winter driving so far in our countdown.

5 – Volkswagen Touareg

The VW Touareg will be cheaper to buy than most rivals and every version comes with lots of kit. The steering is sharp, the engines are smooth and strong, and the suspension gives a great balance of ride and handling.

4 – Audi A4 Quattro

The Audi A4 is a superb road car and especially for those who drive in wintery conditions when equipped with the Quattro all-wheel drive system. No other saloon cars will come close as one of the best winter driving cars.

3 – Jaguar XF Estate

Whatever the conditions XF’s All Wheel Drive System never compromises the sheer pleasure of driving a Jaguar. There is little penalty in terms of ride quality, agility, or driver enjoyment, with the same involving handling as any XF rear wheel drive model.

2 – Land Rover Discovery

Just turn the Terrain Response® switch to snow and you wont even realise the roads are slippery. This system takes care of everything for you. Just make sure you have your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes open.

1 – Range Rover

The Range Rover has been engineered from the ground up to be the most refined, most capable Range Rover ever. With the adoption of the latest body and chassis technologies, the vehicle’s all-terrain performance has moved on to another level, both in the breadth and accessibility of its off-road capability, and its on-road handling and refinement.

Now that you’ve got your eyes on some of the best cars for winter driving, check out some of our related blog posts on winter car hire for further inspiration:

Having worked in the car rental industry for over 15 years, he really knows his stuff. Rob heads up our marketing department and as a keen traveller, always has a new location to talk about. Particularly if there is a golf course nearby.

Robert Gillespie

Traveller

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