Whatever you’ve heard about Canadian winter is either true or slightly exaggerated. But one thing is sure, driving in the winter here can be tricky. That’s why having the right cars is essential, and sport utility vehicles are ideal for this terrain. So, which SUV is best for Canadian winter?
It’s hard to determine the best SUV for Canadian winter. But when it comes to suitability, the best SUV is the Nissan Armada. Other options are Subaru Impreza, Toyota RAV4, Jeep Compass Sport, Jeep Wrangler, Ford Ecosport, Nissa Pathfinder, Mitsubishi RVR ES. Honda HR-V LX AWD, and Mazda CX-3 GS.
All these SUVs have the qualities you need in a car for the winter season, such as cost, reliability, space, ground clearance, ruggedness, and comfort. In this article, we discuss the best SUVs for the Canadian winter.
Quick navigation
1. Nissan Armada
Is there a better way to tackle a snowstorm except with an Armada? Perhaps not. This rugged SUV is best-in-class for navigating the winter in Canada. It has 9-inch ground clearance, but that’s not all. Its safety features such as blindside detection, AWD, and ABS make it comfortable to drive no matter what nature has in stock. In addition, the car is quite spacious with enough room for eight people, and it’s capable of handling off-the-road terrains. While it might not be the most luxurious SUV, this is a vehicle worth investing in if you have a large family and want to brace yourself for the Canadian winter.
2. Subaru Impreza Touring with Eyesight
This vehicle is an impressive drive for navigating the snow. It’s quite affordable and comes with a 152hp BOXER engine with smooth acceleration. The car is a Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and has dominating traction. Subaru Impreza is amazing because of its high trim level, heated seats, and driver-assist technology. Of course, its infotainment features ensure you stay safe and have a good time on your ride.
3. Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 is a remarkable all-season vehicle and one of the most popular in Canada. Its LE AWD model is even more amazing as it offers comfort, convenience, and ease of use. It has heated front seats with a reliable 203hp engine. The Active Torque AWD ensures great traction to keep you on the road even in slippery conditions. The car also has Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 technology, including Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot monitoring.
The SUV has a good ground clearance ideal for light off-roading. It’s a reliable car you can trust to deliver in the winter. The RAV4 has a rugged design to tackle the snow and is luxurious inside.
4. Honda HR-V LX AWD
This is one of the best subcompact crossover vehicles. Here’s a vehicle with a smooth acceleration of a car but the capability of an SUV when you put it on the road. It has several safety features ideal in the winter, such as Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Collision Mitigation Braking. The vehicle’s interior is very comfortable with its heated front seats and nice infotainment features. The Honda HR-V is an AWD that comes with an Intelligent Control Unit. The low price point further makes it a good deal for anyone looking for the right winter SUV in Canada.
5. Mitsubishi RVR ES AWC
The Mitsubishi All-Wheel Control is the kind of vehicle you can bet on for the winter. This compact SUV isn’t limited and offers everything you need to trudge through the snowy conditions. It has a 2.0L MIVEC four-cylinder with CVT transmission. Its interior is also comfortable with heated front seats like the other vehicles on the list, along with plenty of hands-free functions.
6. Jeep Compass Sport 4×4
Jeep is a name synonymous with SUVs, and over time, it has proven itself to be reliable in all weather conditions. While it’s slightly expensive even for an entry-level vehicle, it offers you all you need in an SUV for winter conditions. It has a 2.4L four-cylinder engine with 6-speed manual transmission. In addition, it has all the safety features of the iconic Jeep brand, and its ruggedness isn’t contestable.
7. Ford Ecosport SES
This affordable SUV is just perfect for the Canadian winter. It has the Intelligent 4WD system of Ford with its unique features. The car comes with alloy wheels, a clearance well above ground level, heated steering wheels, heated front seats, and Intelligent Access. Its low price point makes it a good choice for those who need an SUV suitable to navigate Canadian winter without breaking the bank.
8. Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep brand is iconic enough to have more than one SUV on this list. The Jeep Wrangler has a rugged design that perfectly captures its ability. This is an SUV for adventure, so driving through the snowfall in Canada will be a breeze for you inside a Jeep Wrangler. It’s built for off-road trips and exploring the great outdoors. With an 8.3 inches ground clearance, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and optional 4WD, this is a vehicle that’ll drive through snowy and icy trails like a hot knife through butter. The car is ideal for all seasons with its removable doors and top.
9. Nissan Pathfinder
This is perhaps the best winter vehicle developed Through the Renault-Mitsubishi-Nissan alliance. Although its 7 inches of ground clearance might look a little low compared to its competitors, the car has an incredible 6,000 pounds towing capability, which can be of great use to you in the winter. It’s a 3.5-litre 260hp V6 engine that also enables it to deliver in all terrains coupled with its All-Mode intelligent 4 x 4 for better traction, hill descent control and hill start assist. The Nissan Pathfinder is an SUV that can easily find its path in colder climates.
10. Mazda CX-3 GS I-ACTIV AWD
Heated front seats, 8.8-inch ground clearance, Mazda Connect display sensitivity to gloved hands are a few features that prove this vehicle was made for Canadian winter. In addition, the car is fuel-efficient and delivers top performance. It also has intuitive traction, and you can get it for less than $30,000.
In Conclusion
Driving in Canadian winters can be tricky with snowstorms, fog, and slippery roads. Fortunately, all the SUVs above can handle their own in those conditions. However, it’s important to check the weather forecast and stay updated as to the conditions when outside during the winter.