The 12 best cars for winter driving
It might be the start of a new year, but winter is still with us for a couple more months, and some of the harshest weather lies ahead. Are you prepared? Do you have a set of winter tyres, or four-wheel-drive, or both? Do you have a torch, piece of matting for grip, scraper, rug and hi-vis jacket in the boot? Accessories aside, here are our pick of the best cars for winter.
Kia Sorento
It’s big, it has permanent four-wheel drive and Korean reliability but most importantly, in GT Line spec, it has a heated steering wheel to go with those heated seats. Our very favourite option on a car.
Alpine A110
Ok, so basically it’s just because of the name. But picture the scene: the snow has cleared, the air is frosty, the sun is out and the mountain roads above Nice are all yours. Fun times.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
There is simply no other way to get to your ski-in ski-out chalet on the upper slopes of Courcheval. Immense traction from the impeccable four-wheel-drive system, and an optional glass window behind the rear seats to keep the cabin toasty when the boot is open.
Range Rover Evoque Convertible
Speaking of Courcheval... we drove one of these across its downy slopes when it was launched, in the sun, with the roof down and snowflakes skittering off its flanks in the cold air. We're not sure we've had a finer experience in a car.
Bentley Bentayga
It seems like old hat now the Cullinan and Urus are out, with Aston and Ferrari offerings due this year, but the Bentayga remains the venerable custodian of luxury SUVs with actual off-road capability.
Lamborghini Urus
Not only good for the ski slopes, but also the school-run mum. Stylish, rare and Italian. Tick, tick, tick. Oh, and Audi electronics so less chance of a prima donna hissy fit in the Dolomites. Twin-turbo V8 replaces the glorious naturally aspirated V10 of old, but you can't have everything.
Land Rover Discovery
It remains the king of tricky, slippery driving conditions on and off road. You can pre-heat it via the Land Rover Connect app for those frosty early morning starts and sit on the split tailgate to take your boots off post walk.
Volvo XC40
It’s small, light and nimble for skipping over the powder, but with raised ride height. Voted European Car of the Year for good reason – feels like a quality offering with a much higher price tag than it actually has. Or do Care By Volvo and just rent it on a monthly subscription.
Honda CR-V
The new hybrid powertrain joins the range this year for this oft-overlooked model. What you lose in a higher price you make up for with strong residuals from a brand known for its engineering prowess. Lots of space inside and decent performance and economy.
Lexus RX-L
Luxury specification, space for seven and Lexus’s intelligent self-charging (ie not plug-in) hybrid system. Here’s a reason the RX SUV has been so popular for so many years – a great combination of all the attributes families look for.
Audi A4 Allroad
Something very satisfying about an estate with four-wheel-drive, slightly raised ride height for better approach and departure angles and a bit of under armour. Ticks the box for those who want a car to handle like a car rather than a wagon.
Subaru Forester
A thousand farmers can’t be wrong. Disappointingly looks more like a conventional SUV now than the strange jacked-up estate of old, but still a delightful oddball choice for those in the know. All-wheel-drive, 2.0-litre boxer engine, a proper workhorse.
Best of
Kia
Sorento
Alpine
A110
Rolls-Royce
Cullinan
Land Rover
Range Rover
Evoque
Bentley
Bentayga
Lamborghini
Urus
Discovery
Volvo
XC40
Honda
CR-V
Lexus
RX
Audi
A4
Subaru
Forester
