Best Sedans for Snow for 2024
These are the best sedans for snow based on iSeeCars' analysis of each vehicle’s ground clearance and key features for driving safely in the snow
The best small and compact car for snow is the Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback (5.5 inches inches of ground clearance), with the Subaru Legacy being the best midsize car for snow (5.9 inches inches of ground clearance). The Toyota Avalon ranks #1 for the best large cars for snow (5.9 inches inches of ground clearance).
The best hybrid car for snow is the Toyota Sienna (hybrid) (7.0 inches inches of ground clearance), with the Polestar 2 being the best electric car for snow (5.9 inches inches of ground clearance).
Sedans may not be the best vehicles for taking on icy roads and winter weather, but with all-wheel-drive (AWD) technology, snow tires, and a bit of ground clearance, modern sedans can be remarkably adept on snow-covered roads. They also offer a better driving experience and superior fuel economy compared to an SUV, crossover, or pickup truck, making them an excellent choice for winter driving – as long as road conditions don’t involve exceptionally deep snow.
iSeeCars has identified the best sedans for snow and listed them below. The vehicles are organized by size and ranked according to ground clearance. But to even make the list a sedan has to offer an all-wheel-drive system as standard or optional equipment, along with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking driver-assistance technology on the base trim level. Available winter tires or all-season tires are also required to earn a spot on this page, along with at least 5.5 inches of ground clearance. When two sedans are within .5 inches of ground clearance iSeeCars uses the sedan’s safety score and iSeeCars overall quality score to break ties.
While a front-wheel-drive (FWD) or rear-wheel-drive (RWD) sedan, with proper tires, can actually be quite capable in cold weather, the best cars for taking on snowy conditions will leverage an AWD system for added confidence and control. These systems complement basic safety features, including anti-lock brakes, traction control, and stability control, that all recent model year cars offer as standard equipment. Car shoppers looking to take on serious snow driving, or off-road adventures, would be better served by a four-wheel-drive vehicle, but only trucks and SUVs offer that type of drivetrain.
Top-rated AWD vehicles will offer additional cold-weather features, including a heated steering wheel and side mirrors, heated front seats, and remote engine starting. Additional safety features, including automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, are not specific to winter driving, but do improve vehicle safety in all weather conditions. The best luxury sedans for snow have their own page, and will offer turbo engines with increased horsepower, plus even more amenities like heated rear seats and heated windshield wipers.
For each of the models listed below, additional information, including new car pricing, used car pricing, and mpg ratings, is included. Luxury models like the Audi A4 Quattro, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, can be found on the Best Luxury Sedans for Snow page. Mainstream models from brands like Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota are listed below. Buyers open to the idea of combining snowy driving with all-wheel-drive cars can browse the best sedans for snow below.
How We Rank These Cars
The best Cars for snow rank vehicles by their ground clearance and key features helpful to driving safely in the snow.
For a vehicle to make the iSeeCars Best Cars for Snow list, it has to have standard or optional four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and at least 5.5 inches of ground clearance. Vehicles that meet these requirements are ranked by their ground clearance, as higher ground clearance allows for safer and more effective travel over increasingly deep snow. When two vehicles are within 0.5 inches of ground clearance we prioritize by each model's safety score, then by key features for driving safely in snow, and finally by the iSeeCars Score, to break ties.
The iSeeCars Score is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
