If you live in a cold climate, likely one of your biggest concerns when you are considering which used vehicle you should buy is how well it will perform in snowy, icy conditions.
We have evaluated a number of used vehicles keeping that in mind, and we have determined that the best used vehicle choices for cold climates are the Jeep Wrangler, Volvo XC90, Audi Allroad, Mercedes Benz G-63, and Subaru XV Crosstrek.
Jeep Wrangler: This vehicle has practically no limitations. It can navigate the harshest rocky terrain, get you through the mud, and take you up a sand dune. Snow and ice are no problem for this workhorse. It may not be the most comfortable rig on the road, but when it comes to dealing with whatever Mother Nature wants to dish out, you can rely on the Wrangler.
Audi Allroad: The Allroad is based on the A4, but offers greater ground clearance and is equipped with Quattro AWD. You can rely on it to get you through the snow. It may not be able to navigate a mountain trail, but if the way up the mountain is paved, the Audi Allroad will get you to the top.
Mercedes Benz G-63: This durable rig was originally used as a military vehicle. In 1979, it became a civilian rig, but it is still used by the Swiss Armed Forces as their preferred off-road vehicle. Given the snowy conditions in Switzerland, this seems to us like a pretty good indication of the G-63’s ability to handle winter driving conditions.
Volvo XC90: The XC90 is built in Sweden, so this is another vehicle that delivers the goods when it comes to performing in snow and sub-zero weather. It has plenty of ground clearance and a low center of gravity. It also has a lot of cargo capacity, so it’s the perfect vehicle for a winter road trip.
Subaru Crosstrek: Almost any Subaru is great in winter conditions, but we do have a partiality to the Crosstrek. It is based on the Impreza, but it’s a few inches higher. Think of this as the Impreza on steroids – it can handle somewhat rougher terrain, and higher snowfalls. We also like the heated mirrors and windshield de-icer, which are standard features on the XV Crosstrek.
