The chilly weather sweeping the U.S. doesn’t have to put a damper on driving. With the right vehicle, drivers can still enjoy hitting the road — even if it’s covered in snow. Autotrader editors have compiled their list of Top 10 Coolest Cars for Winter 2019 based on the most searched-for, winter-friendly vehicles that also provide standard or optional four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
“The list of fun-to-drive vehicles for winter keeps getting better each year as automakers look to meet consumer demand for trucks and SUVs,” said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader. “For the ultimate ride, it’s hard to beat the F-150 Raptor in any season. For a practical family hauler, there are plenty of great options, ranging from the Chevrolet Tahoe to an all-wheel drive version of the Toyota Sienna minivan.”
Autotrader 10 Coolest Cars for Winter 2019
| Rank | Vehicle | Sample of Autotrader’s Editor Commentary |
| 1 | Ford F-150 | The Ford F-150 is America’s best-selling pickup truck because it’s tough, reliable and offers variety within its lineup. For winter, the best model is easily the F-150 Raptor, a living legend for its performance both on- and off-road with standard four-wheel drive, ferocious looks and advanced technology. |
| 2 | Jeep Wrangler | The list wouldn’t be complete without the Jeep Wrangler. For obvious reasons, a hardtop is recommended during the winter months. All new for 2018, the JL Model features a nicer interior, more modern technology and more safety and convenience features. But most importantly, the Wrangler has better road manners than ever without sacrificing a shred of its off-road capability. |
| 3 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | The Silverado now offers a roomier back seat in the quad-cab models, making it a better family vehicle. For the best winter model, we’d recommend any Silverado equipped with the Z71 off-road package, which includes off-road suspension, hill descent control, skid plates, a locking rear differential and all-terrain tires. |
| 4 | GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 | The all-new 2019 GMC Sierra ushers in a new off-road sub-brand for GMC called AT4 that’s worth checking out for winter. The new Sierra AT4 is similar to the new Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss trims with four-wheel drive and off-road kit with a more premium aesthetic plus the distinction of the industry-exclusive MultiPro six-function tailgate. |
| 5 | Chevrolet Tahoe | People love the Chevy Tahoe for being an SUV that can handle big families in need of cargo room and towing capabilities, but its truck-like architecture and available four-wheel drive make it a great family hauler for all seasons, including winter. One of our favorite Tahoe special editions for 2019 is the Z71 Midnight Edition with its cool black aesthetic and off-road package. |
| 6 | Ram 1500 | The Ram 1500 is another full-size pickup that’s all new for 2019. The Ram’s makeover was a huge upgrade aesthetically, mechanically and technologically. Our favorite new Ram for getting through snowy winter is the Rebel, which has four-wheel drive, an off-road aesthetic, all-terrain tires, factory lift and locking rear differential. |
| 7 | Toyota RAV4 | The Toyota RAV4 got a big upgrade for 2019 and has quickly gone from the middle of the pack to the front offering for the best value in compact crossovers today. All-wheel drive RAV4 models now come standard with multi-terrain select which gives you four different driving modes, Normal, Mud and Sand, Rock and Dirt, and Snow, making it perfect for all seasons. |
| 8 | Honda Passport | When you think of a Honda off-roader, you probably think of a Honda ATV, but the Passport is back in the form of a new mid-size, five-seat crossover SUV. What makes the Passport great for winter is that every 2019 Passport — including the FWD models — comes with Snow mode that optimizes traction for snow driving. |
| 9 | Ford Ranger | The all-new 2019 Ford Ranger midsize pickup is finally here. It provides a nice balance of capability, efficiency, comfort and value. Equipped with customization options and accessories available for every Ford Ranger, drivers can outfit it for almost any adventure. The available four-wheel drive makes it a beast in snow. |
| 10 | Toyota Sienna AWD | You may not have been expecting a minivan on this list, but the Toyota Sienna has the distinction of being the only minivan on the market available with all-wheel drive. An AWD version of the Sienna provides a big traction advantage over its FWD-only rivals, along with having the comfort and convenience a minivan offers, like space and sliding doors. All-wheel drive is only available on the range-topping Sienna Limited trim, which is a little pricey by minivan standards. |
Autotrader’s Coolest Cars for Winter 2019 list features the 10 most-searched new, used and certified pre-owned trucks and SUVs on Autotrader’s website from July 1, 2018, to Jan. 25, 2019 (ranked by search volume). To learn more about the Coolest Cars for Winter from Autotrader’s expert editors, including full coverage and available inventory, visit the link below.
Links:
Autotrader
Cox Automotive