2017 Jeep Renegade
$17,995 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10
The 2017 Jeep Renegade is an affordable and nimble subcompact SUV with inclement weather capability worthy of its Jeep badge. Two all-wheel drive systems are available, and both feature an electronic traction management system that tunes the vehicle's systems for challenging driving conditions.
In addition to holding a high spot in our rankings of subcompact SUVs, the 2017 Renegade was a finalist for our Best Subcompact SUV for the Money and Best Subcompact SUV for Families awards.
The Renegade Trailhawk and Deserthawk trims come with an all-wheel drive system that includes low-range gearing for extremely challenging terrain, increased ground clearance, and additional skid plating to protect vulnerable underbody components.
2018 Honda CR-V
$24,150 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
The 2018 Honda CR-V is the most popular SUV in America, and it holds a spot at the top of our rankings of compact SUVs. It can carry five in comfort, with plenty of room for all of their stuff in its cavernous cargo area. It was comprehensively redesigned for 2017.
Buyers will want to go one step above the CR-V’s lowest trim level to score a host of additional features, including an efficient 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, the Honda Sensing Suite of advanced safety and driver assistance features, and a touch-screen infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Rare for this class is the CR-V’s available heated steering wheel, which, along with heated seats, is a great feature to have on cold winter mornings.
If things go horribly wrong, the CR-V has excellent crash test scores, including a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
$36,670 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
The 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid isn't the least-expensive model in the midsize SUV class, but it comes standard with a number of features that are pricey options on most rivals. Every Highlander Hybrid comes standard with all-wheel drive and a slew of advanced safety features.
Its all-wheel drive system is different than the setup found on most other vehicles. Instead of using a mechanical driveshaft, which requires a tunnel that takes up interior space, the hybrid uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels when additional traction is needed.
The Highlander Hybrid is one of the top-rated vehicles in our rankings of midsize SUVs. It earns EPA fuel economy estimates of up to 30 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
The Toyota Safety Sense system comes standard on the crossover. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Note that when snow covers the sensors in most vehicles equipped with advanced safety systems, the technology will alert you that it is unable to function.
2018 Audi Q5
$41,500 | U.S. News Score: 9.4/10
The 2018 Audi Q5 is fully redesigned for the new model year. Every 2018 Q5 comes with Audi’s venerable Quattro all-wheel drive system, an improved infotainment system, a number of advanced safety features, and excellent safety scores. It holds a top spot in our rankings of luxury compact SUVs.
The NHTSA has awarded the Q5 with a five-star overall crash test rating, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has given it a Top Safety Pick award (one notch down from its best rating.)
Standard advanced safety systems include forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking at up to 52 mph, and a rearview camera. Available features include rear cross traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, and vehicle exit assist that alerts you to traffic coming from behind the car as you prepare to open a door.
2018 Toyota 4Runner
$34,410 | U.S. News Score: 7.4/10
The 2018 Toyota 4Runner is a traditional truck-like SUV that has been updated with a number of traction management technologies that give it exceptional capability in snowy or muddy conditions. In fact, the 4Runner makes a better extreme-weather vehicle than an everyday commuter car.
Equip the 4Runner with its optional part-time four-wheel drive system and you’ll get 9.6-inches of ground clearance to conquer all but the tallest snowdrifts. The TRD Off-Road and TRD-Pro trims gain a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select (which allows a number of the vehicle’s mechanical systems to be tuned for specific driving conditions), and Crawl Control. Crawl Control works like a low-speed cruise control system to maintain traction at each individual wheel under the most challenging conditions.
In our rankings of midsize SUVs, the 4Runner rates near the bottom due to its marginal fuel economy, weak safety scores, and lack of advanced on-road driver assistance options. However, if you’re buying a vehicle for off-road or inclement weather performance, you should consider the 4Runner.
2018 Acura MDX
$44,200 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
If you’re looking for an SUV with all-around good performance, a number of standard advanced safety and driver assistance features, and an excellent available all-wheel drive system that can get you to the ski slopes with ease, take a look at the 2018 Acura MDX.
The MDX comes standard with adaptive cruise control, parking sensors in the front and rear, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. It drives like a car, with a smooth ride and lithe handling for its size. Depending on the interior configuration, it seats either six or seven.
In our rankings of luxury midsize SUVs, the MDX holds a spot just above the halfway point. While it doesn’t have the cargo capacity of some rivals, its interior is comfortable and well equipped, with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included on all models.
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe
$47,450 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe can carry up to eight in the worst weather Mother Nature can throw at it when you equip it with its available four-wheel drive system. One of a dwindling number of truck-like body-on-frame SUVs available, the Tahoe has a long track record of excellent inclement weather performance.
The similar 2017 model has an above-average predicted reliability score.
In our rankings of large SUVs, the Tahoe earns a spot just below the segment leader. Its available four-wheel systems include an “Auto” setting that allows the vehicle to shift in and out of four-wheel drive as it senses wheel slippage. That allows the Tahoe to get its best possible fuel economy when the road is clear, while having enhanced traction the moment it is required.
An available Z71 off-road package includes black tow hooks, additional skid plates, hill descent control, an enhanced off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, and fog lamps. Hill descent control pulses the brakes at each individual wheel without your foot on the brake pedal to keep you in control on the slipperiest of hills.
2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
$65,650 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
The 2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport blends a lavish interior with off-road abilities that are phenomenal. It includes some of the most advanced traction and suspension management systems that you can find on any vehicle, at any price. Five engine options are available, including a refined and efficient turbodiesel.
In our rankings of off-road SUVs, the Range Rover Sport currently holds a spot at the top of the list.
Full-time four-wheel drive comes standard on all Range Rover Sport models, as does a four-mode terrain response system that manages a number of vehicle systems for optimal performance in challenging conditions ranging from snow to rock crawling. Hill descent control and a low-traction launch system can make you look good by gently keeping the SUV in complete control.
The Range Rover Sport features an air suspension with can provide between 8.4 and 11.3 inches of ground clearance, depending on your needs.
2017 Jeep Wrangler
$23,995 | U.S. News Score: 7.2/10
Look up refinement in the dictionary, and you probably won’t see the 2017 Jeep Wrangler. The mission of the Wrangler is to get you anywhere you want to go, while leaving its rivals behind. It's a purpose-built off-road SUV that sacrifices on-road smoothness for incredible off-road prowess.
Part-time four-wheel drive comes standard on every Wrangler, though the best off-road performance comes with the Rubicon trim level, which has a heavier-duty suspension, an electric sway-bar disconnect, and a locking rear differential.
The Wrangler is available in two body styles. The two-door Wrangler seats four, while the longer four-door Wrangler Unlimited holds five. A removable soft top comes standard, with a hardtop and multiple door styles available.
There's a completely redesigned 2018 Jeep Wrangler on the way, so watch our new car deals page for manufacturer incentives on the outgoing 2017 model. For most Wrangler owners, the initial cost of the vehicle is just a down payment. There are thousands of aftermarket parts available for the SUV, so the price of your Wrangler can test the depth of your wallet.
2018 Subaru Forester
$22,795 | U.S. News Score: 8.2/10
Looking for a utilitarian SUV that just keeps going and going with no drama? You should consider the 2018 Subaru Forester, which comes standard with all-wheel drive and is available with a host of advanced safety and driver assistance technologies. Its boxy shape provides excellent cargo capacity for its compact footprint.
The Forester holds a spot in the top half of our rankings of compact SUVs.
Available on the Forester is Subaru’s Eyesight suite of safety technologies. The system uses an optical system that is not as susceptible to getting covered by snow as the bumper-mounted sensors found in most rivals. Subaru Eyesight provides adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, and lane-keeping assist. A separate sensor on the rear of the car enables automatic reverse emergency braking, helping to prevent drivers from backing over people or objects behind the vehicle.
The Forester drives in a more carlike manner than many rivals, with a lower seating position. Its all-wheel drive system includes hill-descent control and X-Mode on automatic-transmission-equipped models for enhanced performance in challenging traction conditions.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
If you didn’t see a winter-capable SUV that fits your year-round needs on the previous slides, be sure to explore our rankings of new cars and our SUV reviews. You can use our vehicle comparison tool to see how models stack up head-to-head.
Before you head to the dealership, take some time to look for money-saving new car buying or leasing incentives. The expert researchers and journalists of U.S. News Best Cars scours the market to find the best new car financing and cash back offers, which we present on our car deals page. Lease customers can find the best new car lease deals on our lease incentives page.
Whether you choose to buy or lease, using our Best Price Program can save you thousands of dollars off the sticker price of your new winter-ready SUV. On average, buyers save $3,279 when they used the program.
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SUVs That Get You Through the Worst Winter Weather
Winter has arrived in full force, with bone-chilling temperatures and slippery, ice-covered streets. Life goes on, however, and you still need to get to work, to school, and to the mountains for that epic snowboarding adventure. You need a vehicle that can get you there with safety and confidence.
SUVs and crossovers are excellent choices for winter driving. Equipped with all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive, they can get moving when two-wheel-drive vehicles struggle. Equip them with a quality set of winter tires, and they can take you wherever you need to go with plenty of traction, extra ground clearance, lots of cargo space, and a commanding view of the road.
Take a look at the following slides to see some of the best choices to keep you mobile when the snow flies.d