Pros With Automotive Careers Agree: These Are the Best Vehicles for Winter Driving

With winter weather settled in for the season, and a number of cold snaps taking place across the country, it is more important than ever that drivers are behind the wheels of vehicles that are well-equipped for winter driving.

While any vehicle can be made more suitable for winter weather conditions with modifications like snow tires and new wiper blades, some vehicles go above and beyond in terms of winter driving performance. Keep reading to learn about a few of the best choices for winter driving, according to automotive professionals.

These Cars Will Thrive in Winter Conditions Throughout Your Automotive Career

Just because cars can be smaller than other vehicles like SUVs and trucks doesn’t mean they can’t handle getting around in the winter. Cars with all-wheel drive and adequate ground clearance can work very well as winter vehicles, especially for urban and suburban drivers who need a vehicle that works in tight spaces and who will not often be driving on rough rural roads. These cars are top picks for winter driving:

• Toyota Acura TLX: This vehicle can be fit with a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine or a 3.5-litre V-6 engine. The car also comes equipped with an all-wheel drive system. Called Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, this system includes torque-vectoring control for increased steering control.
• Subaru WRX STi: This manual-transmission vehicle has an all-wheel drive system that allows the driver to balance torque between the front and rear wheels, which can further improve the car’s winter driving abilities.

Drivers of These Trucks Will Fare Well With Winter Driving Challenges

During your automotive career, you’ll quickly see that many trucks can serve as excellent winter driving options for customers, so long as they have the basic requirement of all-wheel drive. Some trucks, however, go above and beyond this requirement for a truly optimal winter driving experience.

• Honda Ridgeline: This vehicle includes an Intelligent Traction Management system that automatically adjusts the multi-mode driving system, which includes a dedicated Snow setting. The truck can also come with a heated steering wheel and front seats, as well as a rear-view camera.
• GMC Canyon: This truck comes equipped with Wrangler DuraTrac tires; an automatic locking differential for smooth traction; and heated seats, exterior mirrors, and steering wheel.
• Ford F-150: This vehicle is extremely popular in Canada and even across the rest of North America—and with good reason. While there are plenty of features to love, one particularly useful one for winter driving is the snow/wet setting in the truck’s operational modes.

See the Best SUVs for the Winter Roads as You Pursue an Automotive Career

Finally, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are the go-to choice for many drivers, offering a perfect combination of space and efficiency. With the right engine and structure, an SUV can help make winter driving more pleasant. In fact, you’ll likely see plenty of SUVs roll into your shop after automotive service technician school, including these top choices for navigating winter weather.

• Mitsubishi Outlander: The relatively low price of this three-row seating SUV gives it excellent value for the budget-savvy driver, and its all-wheel drive option and continuously variable transmission provide a smooth and safe winter ride.
• Volkswagen Tiguan: This SUV can come equipped with the Volkswagen 4MOTION all-wheel drive and electronic stability control systems, which provide optimal safety for winter driving. Additionally, drivers can add heated seats and roof rails for comfort and fun in the cold season.

No matter the vehicle, though, proper tires and maintenance is essential to seasonal safety. With the right automotive training, you can ensure that your clients are road-ready for all the challenges that come with driving in the winter.

Are you interested in making winter roads safer for drivers and passengers?

Contact us at Automotive Training Centres to learn how to become a mechanic!