Driving in the snow can be a nightmare. Whenever it snows, transportation suffers, and there are numerous sights of cars sliding backwards downhill and chaotically abandoned vehicles ghostly parading what are normally busy highways. The first advice experts will give you is not to drive in the snow. But you can’t hibernate in your house all winter when there are responsibilities to attend to. The next best option is to get yourself a vehicle built to thrive in the snow.

Plowing through the snow like a tractor requires a machine with an effective drivetrain and transmission, the right tires, and various safety and driver-assist tech goodies. We have previously featured the best AWD sedans to carry you through the snow. As we gradually move towards a fully electric automotive future, we need to build vehicles that will cruise effortlessly through the snow. Manufacturers are actually a thoughtful bunch, and we already have numerous EV options in the market that are capable of driving in harsh winter conditions.

10 Rivian R1T & R1S

Rivian R1T
Rivian

Rivian markets the R1T as an electric truck ready for whatever you decide is a road for the unlimited electric adventure. That’s high confidence in the futuristic R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV that features four electric motors with a combined 835hp, snappy acceleration and a lengthy 314 miles of driving range. The e-motor setup will take torque vectoring to new heights.

The front of an R1S in the snow, dark green, roof-mounted accessories
Via: Rivian

It also features a ridiculous 6.5-inches of ride height adjustment, which can lift it to a towering 14.9-inches, making the Rivian a breeze to drive on snow. Thanks to the long battery range, you will still have plenty left after the inevitable loss due to cold temperatures.

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9 Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3.
Via tesla.com

Many experts consider the Tesla Model 3 the best Tesla for snow driving. All-wheel-drive comes standard, which helps with traction on slippery roads. The car also features an advanced traction control system, and the battery placement improves stability by lowering the center of gravity.

Tesla Model 3 In Red Via Tesla
Via Tesla

Slapping on a set of winter tires, like the Michelin X-Ice, turns the Model 3 into a beast in the snow even while in the RWD guise, and AWD drive does well when the snow is about six to twelve inches deep.

8 2023 Subaru Solterra

Subaru Solterra 2023
Via Subaru

Subaru is now set to unleash its first all-electric vehicle on the market with the 2023 Subaru Solterra Electric. This car will usher in a new lineup. The Japanese automaker claims the Solterra will be the most technologically advanced Subaru yet, built upon their all-new e-Subaru Global Platform. This car isn’t an electrified Forester, but it keeps the legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive that makes the gasoline-powered Subarus great at plowing through snow.

Rear of Subaru Solterra
Subaru

The Solterra is actually closely related to the Toyota bZ4X, and both have 8.3 inches of ground clearance. Add the Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud options of the X mode, and you have a serious performer in the snow.

7 Mercedes-Benz EQC

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC
Via Mercedes-BenzWorldWide

The Mercedes-Benz EQC was unleashed to the public at the 2018 Paris Motor Show as the first member of the all-electric Mercedes EQ lineup. Since hitting the market, it has proven an adept family SUV, with top-of-class luxury and refinement. While the cold is every EV's enemy, the EQC doesn’t seem to suffer much compared to other EVs.

Mercedes-Benz EQC AMG
Via Mercedes-Benz

Also, with extensive testing done in Sweden’s snowy landscape before it was unleashed on the market, the Mercedes EQC is pretty much more stable and agile than conventional vehicles when it comes to winter drivers.

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6 Audi E-Tron Quattro

Audi Q4 E-tron Quattro.
Via audi

Audi introduced the Quattro system in 1980 on their four-wheel-drive Audi Quattro model. The legendary rally car would dominate the Group B rally championship between 1982 and 1984 to set a successful foundation for the Quattro system. Audi will be keeping this system alive as we head to an all-electric future, with the e-Tron and Quattro forming a formidable combination for powerful performance and high efficiency. One area of excellence is in winter conditions.

Traction in snow conditions is phenomenal, thanks to the weight of the car and the all-electronic AWD system. Select Sport mode, and you will be drifting on the snow in a controlled and safe manner.

5 BMW iX

BMW iX EV In Beige Via BMW
Via BMW

The iX is BMW’s first purpose-built electric vehicle since they released the i3 in 2013. It is also the fourth offering in the "i" sub-brand, coming in the form of a mid-size luxury crossover. Reviews have shown the iX to be eagerly playful in the snow, even with its heavy stance.

2023 BMW iX M60 front third quarter view
Via: Press.bmwgroup.com

Also, BMW did extensive tests in the Alps and beyond the Arctic Circle to prove its capabilities and reliability in the most brutal winter conditions. Traction was no issue with the BMW iX equipped with a proper set of winter tires on top of the AWD system with variable torque distribution.

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4 Jaguar I-Pace BEV

Jaguar I-Pace
Via Jaguar

The Jaguar I-Pace SUV is the first battery-electric vehicle from Jaguar-Land Rover, and it comes with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system setup. It handles well, is quite powerful with about 394 hp, and comes with a decent 230-mile range from the 90-kWh battery pack.

All-Electric 2021 Jaguar I-Pace
Via: MediaLandRover

After testing a shortlist of the best new vehicles in 2020, the New England Motor Press Association voted the Jaguar I-Pace the best-in-class battery-electric vehicle for winter. In the dead of winter, the I-Pace flexes with its 7.8-inches of ground clearance thanks to the adjustable suspension.

3 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford Mustang Mach-E
Via ford.com

While modern Mustangs can be driven on snow thanks to new technology like traction control and winter tires, America’s beloved pony car isn’t the best for snowy weather. But that seems to change with the first all-electric offering, the Mach-E, which performs exceptionally well in the snow, even while wearing its all-season Michelin tires.

Ford Mustang Mach-E
Via: Ford

Traction on the Mach-E on snow is pretty decent, with virtually zero wheel spin in the standard “Engage mode”. But the car gets incredibly playful when you switch to the “Unbridled Mode”, its sportiest setting. Accelerate hard around a corner, and the rear will slide out quickly yet controllably.

2 Polestar 2 Arctic Circle EV

Polestar 2
Via polestar.com

Polestar started as Volvo’s performance sub-brand, but it evolved into an electric marque. Earlier in the year, the Swedish company came to the Superbowl with banter on their minds, throwing jabs at Elon Musk and Volkswagen in their ad marketing the 100% electric Polestar 2. Now they have taken inspiration from rally cars to build a special version of the Polestar 2 hatchback called the Arctic Circle, and it is ready to conquer snowy and icy conditions.

Polestar 2 Arctic Circle wheels tires
Via Polestar

The Arctic Circle is based on the Polestar 2 Long Range dual-motor trim featuring the Performance package and was raised by 1.2-inches and fitted with a custom studded 245/35R-19 Winter tires. It also features 30% softer springs, tuned Öhlins dampers, and strut braces at the front and rear to increase torsional rigidity and steering responsiveness.

RELATED: 10 Affordable AWD Cars You'll Have A Blast Driving On Snow

1 Porsche Taycan

Porsche-Taycan_Turbo_S_Sport_Turismo-2022-1280-02
Via Porsche AG

The Porsche Taycan is far from the perfect EV on the market, but a blend of driving dynamism and performance stamina makes it one of the most engaging EVs. One area it excels in is winter conditions. A dual motor all-wheel-drive setup and 670hp on tap in the Turbo trim make drifting in snow nothing short of electrifying.

Porsche-Taycan_Sport_Turismo-2022-1280-0c
Via Porsche AG

Also, the Taycan features a decent battery range, and a recent drive by Tim Stevens of Cnet showed the car beat its official EPA range even in winter weather.

Sources: cnet.com, torquenews.com, caranddriver.com, greencars.com, cleantechnica.com, hotcars.com