Navigating roads covered in snow, slush, and ice is part of winter driving. But motorists who believe the worse the weather, the faster they can drive only make matters worse.
One way to make winter driving a little easier is to buy the right car. Here’s a hint: the right vehicle is not any of the 15 popular vehicles on this list.
Chevrolet Camaro
According to Edmunds, The 2024 Chevrolet Camaro is “the best-driving muscle car of its segment.” The company gives it a 7.4/10 rating.
While well-received, its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration and low ground clearance don’t cut it for winter driving. If slipping and sliding is your thing, do it on a race track.
Ford Mustang
Car and Driver says the 2025 Ford Mustang has the “classic pony car style and the muscle to match.” It’s another exciting model year for the iconic car brand, but you’ll want to avoid driving the Ford Mustang in the winter. Instead of galloping on the road, you’ll be skidding all over the place like a deer on ice.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Time sure flies quickly in the automotive world. One example is the Miata, which is now 30+ years old. While the small sports car has a large and vocal fan base, the fanboys and girls tend to quiet down when it comes to winter driving…and for good reason.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is small, light, and equipped with RWD. However, when you add low ground clearance to the list, it’s clear the Mazda MX-5 Miata should hibernate in the garage during the cold winter months.
Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper gets grumpy when it’s cold outside. One Reddit commenter says their 2008 Mini Cooper S “gets grouchy and makes a little more noise once it drops below ~35F.” That said, the commenter adds the vehicle “runs fine, handles well, and quiets down once it warms up.”
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is an example of a vehicle not built for the winter or cold weather. Although it’s more of a spring/summer car, early fall should be okay. RWD and low ground clearance don’t make for a capable vehicle during the winter months. Throw in some slick road conditions, and you’ll wish you were traveling on foot instead.
Jeep Wrangler
Before Jeep enthusiasts get hot under the collar, there’s a qualifier for this one. Older Wranglers had some problems that caused problems in the winter. Specifically, the heaters lacked the punch to heat the cabin on particularly chilly days. And the short wheelbase made navigating slick roads challenging.
Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen Beetles are among the select breeds of vehicles that everybody recognizes. That’s saying a lot at a time when almost all crossovers look the same and where many carmakers don’t dare venture outside the box.
A Volkswagen Beetle looks like a Volkswagen Beetle…and it’s easy to spot them on the road. But they can struggle when it gets too cold. One owner says in an online forum that “the stock heat system is decent at best.” It seems to be a common refrain from owners.
Hyundai Veloster
The Hyundai Veloster has an interesting asymmetrical design that owners love. It’s a hatchback highly regarded for its power, performance, and handling. But it’s not known for performing well in cold weather. Its low-profile tires can make winter driving difficult.
Ford Focus RS
The Ford Focus RS is a sporty hatchback. While it’s well-received, its low ground clearance doesn’t make it the best option for winter driving. If a Ford Focus RS is your daily driver, park it and use a beater car in the winter months.
Subaru BRZ
What’s a Subaru doing on this list? That’s a good question, given that the Japanese automaker’s vehicles typically feature all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrains. But the Subaru BRZ is the exception to the rule—it’s a RWD vehicle. It simply doesn’t drive as well in the snow as its Subaru AWD counterparts.
Honda S2000
The Honda S2000, a RWD roadster, wasn’t made for winter driving. If you have or want one, forget about driving it in the winter.
Audi R8
A two-seat sports car, the Audi R8 should be confined to the garage during the winter months. If you have one and want to take it for a spin in icy conditions, odds are it’ll be taking you for a spin…a spin around the road as you struggle to gain control.
Toyota MR2
Not every car is a winter car; the Toyota MR2 is no exception. Although the RWD vehicle is confident and reliable for much of the year, it doesn’t perform well on icy roads.
Mazda3
The Mazda3 debuted in 2003 as a 2004 model, and the reception has been pretty good. According to one source, Consumer Reports gave the vehicle a perfect 5/5 score for reliability for the 2014-2018 model years.
Chevrolet Trax
A small SUV equipped with AWD, the Chevrolet Trax should be at home rather than on winter roads. With an AWD system that’s not as good as its rivals, traction can be a problem on slick surfaces.
Honorable Mention: EVs in General
Why doesn’t this list include electric vehicles? Considering how much range they lose in cold weather, they are among the worst-performing vehicles in the winter. This is especially true if your EV has barely enough range during the summer months.
Not Every Vehicle is a Winter Vehicle
Cold weather can be a challenge no matter what vehicle you have. However, some cars are less capable than others in cold conditions. If yours isn’t cutting it, get a good set of winter tires or, even better, buy a beater vehicle that’s more at home on snowy roads.
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