When considering purchasing a used car, you have a lot of decisions to make. You need to consider price, size, gas mileage, how much cargo space you need, and of course the appearance of the car as well. And if you live in a rainy area, you’re also going to have to think about how well your vehicle will perform when the downpours start.
With that in mind, we have considered several used vehicles. From the outset, we eliminated anything that wasn’t an all-wheel drive, and finally narrowed our choices down to the Subaru Impreza, Toyota Rav4, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Matrix, and Kia Sportage
Subaru Impreza: There are more expensive sedans that offer all-wheel drive (AWD) – you could, for instance, choose an Audi or a BMW, but why spend more if you don’t have to? The Impreza more than holds its own, with great safety features that will give you peace of mind on even the slickest roads.
Toyota RAV4: The RAV4 is a great mid-size SUV that offers a variety of trim levels, and it has long been known to perform very well in wet conditions. It’s also stylish, and offers all the navigational features you need to get to where you’re going.
Toyota Sienna: If you need a roomy interior and ample storage space in addition to great performance in inclement weather, consider the Toyota Sienna minivan. It is available in AWD, and can seat up to eight people. Or, you can fold down or remove the seats to give you more cargo space.
Toyota Matrix: The Matrix is actually a hatchback version of the perennially popular Corolla, and it is available in AWD. Anti-lock brakes also offer additional safety, and if you should happen to have the misfortune to have an accident in rainy conditions (perhaps due to the actions of another driver who isn’t driving quite as stable a rig), you can rely on side curtain airbags to protect everyone in your vehicle.
Kia Sportage: This drivable crossover is available in AWD, and you’ll find it very drivable. It’s also an attractive vehicle, and it’s loaded with features. The anti-skid feature provides additional safety.
Your best vehicle in rainy conditions is always an AWD, and you can’t go wrong with any of the five topping our list.
