Driving in snow can be really tricky – poor visibility, cold temperatures and slippery roads can prove treacherous in the wrong car, and if you live far enough north to be affected by big snowdrifts and closed roads then you’ll certainly want something that can handle some serious weather.
If you regularly tackle snow, or just don’t want to be stranded the next time old Saint Nick brings a flurry of the white stuff, then you might want to make your next car one that can manage snow with ease.
A good snow car is usually one with four-wheel drive. Lots of ground clearance helps, especially in deeper snow, and you don’t want anything too performance-focused – slick tyres are great on a track day but useless when it’s slushy outside. Every car we’ve chosen here has four-wheel drive, though it’s worth noting that a set of good winter tyres is much more effective in the snow. In our testing, a front-wheel drive car with winter tyres had more grip than a four-wheel drive car on summer tyres, so consider switching out your rubber before upgrading your car.
We’ve got a selection ranging from affordable hatchbacks right up to some of the best SUVs you can buy – and petrolheads, don’t worry, there are a couple of performance cars that can handle the snow in here too…
Best snow cars 2025
- Skoda Kodiaq
- Land Rover Defender
- Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks
- Volkswagen T-Roc
- Subaru Outback
- Porsche 911 Dakar
- Suzuki Ignis
- Toyota GR Yaris
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Dacia Duster
1. Skoda Kodiaq
The Kodiaq is one of those cars that just does it all. It’s a fantastic family car, an efficient motorway cruiser, and comfortable to sit in over hours of crawling traffic. Opt for the four-wheel drive model and a decent set of tyres, and it’s great in the snow too.
The Kodiaq has a good amount of ground clearance and a well-proven four-wheel drive system which make it capable of tackling a lot more than you’d think. There are even dedicated driving modes for the snow, which help to apply power smoothly without the wheels spinning.
You can only have four-wheel drive with the diesel engine, but that is no hardship as it’s quiet, efficient and powerful. Plus, you can have seven seats – and there’s even a built-in ice-scraper to get your journey off on the right note.
2. Land Rover Defender
The best 4×4 by far… or so we’re told. The truth is that while the Land Rover Defender may not be quite as rough-and-tumble as it used to be, it’s still among the best off-roaders you can buy and its capability to take you anywhere, in any conditions, and in sumptuous comfort is truly remarkable.
Land Rover even gives you something called ‘All-Terrain Progress Control’ which is like cruise control for off-roading – simply set your desired speed and let the car work out how to keep you moving. All you do is point the wheel and relax.
Whether you opt for the charmingly awkward-looking Defender 90, the family friendly Defender 110 or the massive Defender 130, you can be sure that this car will get you where you need to go regardless of the weather.
4. Volkswagen T-Roc
Normal cars with four-wheel drive are few and far between these days – even if you’re buying an SUV. The Volkswagen T-Roc is rare in that you can still buy one with all four wheels driven, which while it doesn’t make this family car a mud-plugging off-roader should mean it stands rather more of a chance in the snow than a regular SUV.
The T-Roc isn’t bad to drive either, while its interior is roomy, comfortable and packed with sensible tech.
Better yet, there’s nothing that really shouts about the fact that this car has four-wheel drive. If you’d rather blend into the crowd, this is a great option.
5. Subaru Outback
Subaru built its legacy on a few things – safety, flat ‘Boxer’ engines, and permanent all-wheel drive. Few manufacturers have stuck to their guns like Subaru, and so while the Outback estate may not be the most modern car, or the best to drive, it’s one of the best cars you can buy if your commute takes you off the beaten track.
The brand’s famous ‘symmetrical’ all-wheel drive is more sturdy than the part-time systems employed by most alternatives and gives the Outback a real sense of stability and solidity even on slippery roads.
The gentle power delivery of its naturally-aspirated engine – plus a suite of well-judged off-road assistance tech – makes this an even better option if you want a car that’s great to drive in the snow.
6. Porsche 911 Dakar
Talk about the left-field – well, this is a Porsche that’s more than happy to cross it, or any field you care to mention. ‘Dakar’ refers to the legendarily challenging Paris-Dakar rally, and Porsche’s success with a specially modified 911 back in 1984.
The latest model gets four-wheel drive, chunky tyres and raised suspension, but retains its athletic driving position, and 480hp flat-six engine mounted at the rear. It’s a sports car that thinks it’s a farm vehicle, and we can’t think of many more fun vehicles to drive in the snow.
Of course, with only a few available for sale and a price tag of nearly £180,000, the Dakar isn’t exactly accessible. The good news is that you can get a regular 911 with four-wheel drive too – and while it doesn’t get the off-road tyres or raised ride height of the Dakar, it’s still a seriously accomplished all-weather sports car.
