5 Cars Built for Canadian Winters

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Toyota’s RAV4 has been Canada’s best-selling SUV every year since 2016, with over 60,000 units sold in 2022 alone. Its available all-wheel-drive system offers 8.6 inches of ground clearance, useful for clearing deep snow on unplowed roads. The Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD system can send 50% of the engine's power to the rear wheels and then distribute it between the left and right wheels as needed, providing stable traction in icy conditions. This reliability and capability makes it a common sight from Vancouver to Halifax.

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Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system powers every Outback sold in Canada, a feature dating back to the model’s 1994 introduction. This system continuously distributes power to all four wheels, rather than engaging only when slippage is detected. The Outback provides 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which helps it navigate over significant snowdrifts or icy ruts. Its standard X-MODE with Hill Descent Control further enhances traction on slippery inclines and declines, making it a dependable vehicle in challenging winter weather.

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Jeep’s Grand Cherokee offers several advanced 4x4 systems designed for severe conditions, including Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II. These systems can transfer up to 100% of available torque to a single rear wheel if needed for traction. Standard models provide 8.6 inches of ground clearance, while those equipped with the available Quadra-Lift air suspension can raise the vehicle to 10.9 inches for deep snow. Over 22,000 Grand Cherokees were sold in Canada in 2022, underscoring its appeal for winter capability across various trims.

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Dodge’s Grand Caravan, primarily assembled in Windsor, Ontario, became a staple on Canadian roads for over 35 years, with millions sold. While newer models no longer offer all-wheel drive, earlier generations did, providing crucial traction for families navigating winter roads until 2004. Its robust design and high-volume production meant readily available parts and experienced mechanics, which contributes to its perceived reliability in harsh conditions. This made it a practical choice for Canadian families needing ample space and durability against snow and ice.

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Ford’s F-150 has been Canada’s best-selling vehicle for 57 consecutive years, a streak unmatched by any other model. Pickup trucks, especially with 4x4 systems, handle snow and ice with their high ground clearance and robust powertrains. Ford sells over 100,000 F-150 units annually in Canada, with a significant portion opting for the four-wheel-drive configuration. This capability allows the F-150 to manage deep snow on rural roads and haul equipment through winter storms, making it essential for many Canadian businesses and individuals.

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