Best Vehicles With AWD to Buy in the Winter of 2017

Score Superb Savings on These Snow-Ready Standouts

With winter in full swing, many people have an all-wheel drive vehicle on their holiday wish lists. All-wheel drive is just one way to make driving in snow and ice less of a white-knuckled experience. Though, with so many options on the market, it can be hard to find a car that can handle winter weather for a price you can afford.

Using data from Kelley Blue Book and Automotive News, we have crunched the numbers for you and found some great options. SUVs are the usual go-to for winter weather driving, but there are also sedans and hatchbacks you may not realize can be reliable commuting partners in snow and ice.

Whether you want a high-riding SUV, a rough-and-tumble off-roader, or a classic sedan, this list has something for every buyer. Even if you don’t live in the Snow Belt, all-wheel drive can assist with traction in rain and help improve grip on dry roads as well.

Click through the following slides to find a new car to bring home this holiday.

• Read the 2017 Jeep Renegade Full Review
• See 2017 Jeep Renegade Photos
• See Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is one of the best compact SUVs on the market today. With a spacious and upscale interior coupled with excellent driving dynamics, the Sportage should be on any buyer’s shopping list.

The 2017 redesign has done wonders for Kia, as Sportage sales are up 57 percent so far in 2016 compared to this same point a year ago. Although Sportage sales have improved for Kia, total annual sales still put it toward the bottom of the class. This means dealers are likely more willing to give you a better-than-average price in an effort to boost sales numbers for the end of the year.

A base Sportage with all-wheel drive will cost you $24,490, which is about average for the class. The Sportage’s long list of available features mean you can get a lot for your money. For more savings, consider the 2016 model and take advantage of model year-end clearance events.

Look at this month’s Kia deals for more saving opportunities, and use the U.S. News & World Report Best Price Program to find the dealership in your area with the best price.

• Read the 2017 Kia Sportage Full Review
• See 2017 Kia Sportage Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

Chevrolet Traverse

The Chevy Traverse is considered a midsize SUV, but if you need a lot of cargo space for a little money, the Traverse should be on your list. Not only does the Traverse have more cargo space than all other midsize SUVs; it has more cargo space than some large SUVs.

Year-to-date sales for the Traverse are down 4 percent compared to last year. Compared to the rest of the class, Traverse sales are middling at best. The good news is that declining demand means you can likely negotiate a better price at the dealership.

A base model Traverse with all-wheel drive starts at $33,300, which is about average for comparably equipped competitors. If you are looking for a lower price, consider the 2016 model instead and take advantage of model year-end clearance events. For all the best financing and lease offers, click over to our Chevy deals page. Then use the U.S. News & World Report Best Price Program to find the dealer in your area with the best price.

• Read the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse Full Review
• See 2017 Chevrolet Traverse Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

Subaru Impreza

The Subaru Impreza is a unique option on this list, as it is one of the few compact cars available with all-wheel drive.  Subaru has made it a staple of their business to have almost all of their vehicles come with standard all-wheel drive.

Sales for the Impreza are down 17.5 percent so far this year compared to sales at this point a year ago. The Impreza is also outsold by the majority of the class.  This low demand, coupled with the all-new 2017 model already taking up space in showrooms now, means you can likely negotiate a price below sticker at the dealership.

A base Impreza sedan with an automatic transmission is $19,295. Add $500 for the hatchback model. This is competitive when compared to the rest of the compact car class, especially considering the standard all-wheel drive.

Don’t forget to use the U.S. News & World Report Best Price Program to find the dealer in your area with the best price. This month’s Subaru deals can help you save as well.

• Read the 2016 Subaru Impreza Full Review
• See 2016 Subaru Impreza Photos
• See Compact Cars Rankings

Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V is a popular and versatile option in the growing subcompact SUV class. Abundant space along with a comfortable and attractive cabin should make it a solid contender on any shopper’s wish list.

The HR-V is one of the cheapest options in the class. Equipped with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, an HR-V will cost you $21,465. This price includes a healthy amount of standard features like a multi-angle rearview camera and Honda’s Magic Seat, which allows for a more flexible cargo area.

Many Honda dealers still have 2016 models available, meaning more savings for you during model year-end clearance events. This month’s Honda deals can likely help you save too. You can also use the U.S. News & World Report Best Price Program to find a Honda dealer in your area with the best price.

• Read the 2017 Honda HR-V Full Review
• See 2017 Honda HR-V Photos
• See Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is just as fun to toss around a twisty road in the summer as it is a solid winter-weather warrior. The sports-car-like quality found in the CX-5 is rare among most other compact SUVs. 

So far this year, the Mazda CX-5 has registered nearly identical sales numbers as last year. However, it still lags well behind class sales leaders like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.  You can use the CX-5’s low demand to your advantage and likely negotiate a lower price at the dealership.

A CX-5 with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive will run you $24,445. Step up to the 2016.5 midcycle refresh version and add $450 to that price. This is still below average for the class and priced well below comparably equipped competitors like the RAV4 and CR-V. Plus, the impending debut of the all-new 2017 model will likely drive 2016 pricing down even further.

Check out this month’s Mazda deals for all the best financing and lease offers available. For the best price in your area, use the U.S. News & World Report Best Price Program.

• Read the 2016 Mazda CX-5 Full Review
• See 2016 Mazda CX-5 Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Renegade has comfortable road manners that make it a great commuter car during the week, as well as off-road capabilities that can’t be beat, making it a great weekend warrior. This subcompact SUV is also the only option on this list that has four-wheel drive.

A base model Renegade with four-wheel drive and an automatic transmission starts at $19,995, which is low for the class. However, be aware that the base model omits creature comforts such as a rearview camera and air conditioning.

Right now, the Renegade is the best-selling vehicle in the class, and year-to-date sales are up 81.1 percent compared to last year. However, there are still savings to be found.

Consider a 2016 model and take advantage of model year-end clearance events at your local Jeep dealership. This month’s Jeep deals could help you find even more savings. Finally, make sure you use the U.S. News & World Report Best Price Program to find the dealer in your area with the best available price.

• Read the 2017 Jeep Renegade Full Review
• See 2017 Jeep Renegade Photos
• See Subcompact SUVs Rankings