10 of the best unexpected snow cars

With winter closing in, and the likelihood of snowfall rising every day, it’s a good idea to start thinking about some winter-specific transport. Something with all-wheel drive, but not too big and not too heavy so that you can stay in control on slippery roads. Land Rovers and Land Cruisers are obvious choices but what are the ten best cars for driving on snow that you might not think of…?

1. Fiat Panda Cross

Wait till the first snowfall of the year, and then watch the second hand values of the Fiat Panda Cross — or the old Fiat Panda 4×4 — go up and up and up. This is possibly the ultimate winter snow car, as the Panda is cheap enough to buy and leave sitting around for half of the year, but it has the kind of ground clearance and grippy 4×4 ability that makes mincemeat of snowy roads. And even the odd snowy field. The downside is that by Panda standards, they’re incredibly thirsty (expect 35mpg) but if it’s keeping you mobile when everyone else is slithering, you probably won’t mind so much.

2. BMW 120d xDrive

This was a short-lived model, based on the old rear-drive BMW 1 Series hatchback, but it was seriously good on snow and ice, especially when fitted with optional winter tyres. The 1 Series always had inherently good chassis balance and steering feel, and the addition of all-wheel drive didn’t affect that. The xDrive system is rear-biased, so it’s still fun to drive on a dry road, but the best bit is swooshing effortlessly past all those stranded X5 drivers, who didn’t change to winter tyres and are now finding out the limitations of a big, heavy, SUV with low-profile rubber.

3. Dacia Duster

The doughty Duster has been re-invented in 2024, with stylish new looks and a more upmarket (relatively speaking) cabin. Don’t worry though; it’s still cheap so even buying one new you’d not be bothered about using it as a ‘Winter Beater.’ Get the 130hp four-wheel drive Extreme version, which comes with standard all-season tyres, and you’ll be pretty much unstoppable no matter what the weather does. The only downside is the clunky manual gearshift, but you’d get used to it.

4. Toyota GR Yaris

Now, hear us out. Yes, the GR Yaris has gone from being very expensive to wildly expensive, and it’s a rare rally homologation special that you really should be putting in an air conditioned shed and waiting till it becomes a six-figure classic. But it’s a proper little rally car with four-wheel drive, and it’s so small that if you get a bit sideways between the snow drifts, you’ll still not be touching the verges. Fit one of these with the right tyres and you’ll have more fun in the snow than a kid with a sledge.

5. Suzuki Swift AllGrip

The Swift AllGrip is like the korma to the Toyota GR Yaris’ phal. Yes, you really can still buy a brand new Swift — complete with its frugal little 1.2-litre hybrid engine — with four-wheel drive, and Suzuki knows a thing or three about making good 4×4 systems. It’s not a fast car, by any means, but the combo of sharp steering, small size, and the traction generated by the four-wheel drive setup means that the Swift will keep going where bigger, heavier cars will falter. And it’s great fun to drive, too — after all, when it’s slippy out the Swift’s 82hp feels like 800hp. If a new one is too expensive, the previous Swift was available with four-wheel drive but it might take some time to hunt one down…

6. Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester doesn’t sell all that well as a new car anymore, as the thirsty flat-four engine — tuned more for American tastes — doesn’t quite chime with British sensibilities anymore. However, on a snowy winter’s day, the Subaru truly comes into its own, with staggering grip and traction when others would falter, and enough ride height to cope with big snow-and-ice ruts when needed. The relaxed power delivery of the flat-four also helps at snowy times like this, making it less likely that you’ll skid. A new Forester would be nice, but really any Forester — and you can find old ones for four-figure sums — will do the job just as well.

7. Volvo Cross Country

Volvo made a whole series of four-wheel drive Cross Country models, based on the V70 and latterly the V90, starting way back in 1997 with the original V70. As well as four-wheel drive, Volvo gave its Cross Country (sometimes badged XC) models extra ride height, and you’d be amazed at the difficult terrain these mutant estate cars can tackle. The more recent V90 models are properly plush, while the older V70 versions are a little more overtly rugged, but all will make short work of snow days.

8. Audi TT

If you’re going to drive on snow, you may as well have fun. The original Audi TT may have been based on the stodgy chassis of the VW Golf MkIV, but with 180hp or 225hp engines, and Quattro four-wheel drive, they’re actually mega on snow — just as a good Quattro should be. Make sure you get the updated version with the stuck-on spoiler on the back. Yes, it spoils the lines but it also keeps you safe and stable at motorway speeds. For proper snowy use, you’ll also want to fit some decent winter tyres.

9. Toyota RAV4

The current RAV4, with its hybrid four-wheel drive system, is entirely good as a snowy-road car, but we’re thinking more of a 1990s original here, which had a proper mechanical four-wheel drive system and a rev-happy 2.0-litre VVTI petrol engine. Get a short-wheelbase three-door version and it’s only about the same size as a modern Yaris Cross, but it’s also one of the best Toyotas to drive, ever, and with that 4×4 system it’ll keep you mobile when it’s all white out.

10. Jeep Renegade

The littlest Jeep — at least until the Avenger came along — has never been a big sales hit in the UK, in spite of our recent obsession with all things SUV, but as a winter hack it’s a great buy. You just need to track down one of the original Trailhawk models, which came with extra ride height and four-wheel drive. Unlike the school-run front-wheel drive versions of the Renegade, these Trailhawks were designed to meet Jeep’s toughest off-roading standards, proven across the inhospitable terrain of Utah and California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Just make sure you dress it up properly with roof-mounted spot lights and a winch for the full effect.

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