Who knows better than Canadians what it is like to live through our winter? It really has to be about fun and happy moments, like making a snowman, Christmas shopping, and, of course, the inevitable joy of shoveling the driveway. We hope this made you smile because winter should be fun. So should the winter driving.
To make sure our driving stays worry-free this coming winter, we need to be road-ready. In this article, we look at some of the best cars for winter in Canada.
Cadillac CT series is all about a combination of power, luxury, and user experience. It offers sufficient 237 horsepower to plow through the snow, yet with the great fuel efficiency of 7.3 L/100Km.
The automatic 10-speed transmission allows for smooth winter driving, and the cold weather package, including heated front seats and the steering wheel, comes as a standard. The heated side mirrors and 4-wheel anti-lock are also available in more expensive trims. Although only RWD is available, CT5 makes a great winter car for Canada. And an extensive drive-assist and safety feature set just add the icing on the cake.
Toyota Sienna can accommodate 7 to 8 passengers, depending on the trim. This is why this minivan is a perfect family vehicle, especially for winter.
Sienna’s infotainment system is enough to make a long winter trip more fun for passengers, at the same time letting the driver focus on the road. For greater driving confidence you have a reliable safety system with ABS, traction control, brake assist, and vehicle stability control. The higher-end trims additionally offer Blind spot monitor system, Wide-angle back-up camera, and Rear cross-traffic alert. Even though the heated front seats are not offered in base trims, the heated side mirrors come as a standard. Toyota Sienna is available with a choice of FWD/AWD to accommodate the required level of safety.
RAV4 has been on the market long enough and doesn’t need an introduction. This is why we didn’t hesitate to put this car on our list.
RAV4 has proven to be a reliable workhorse, suitable both for city and rural driving. This is especially true for AWD modifications featuring Multi‑Terrain Select for better traction on different types of road surfaces, including snow.
The safety of this crossover SUV is backed up with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 system and the Star Safety System. The standard package includes heated front seats and exterior mirrors for all RAV4 trims. The heated steering wheel is only available with XLE, Trail, and Limited versions. Heated rear seats are extra and only available with RAV4 Limited trim.
Volvo V60 Cross Country is a beautiful combo of an SUV and a wagon with a touch of laid-back elegance. The V60 Cross Country is greatly suited for winter driving thanks to its advanced AWD system with Instant Traction as standard. Two great features that Cross Country offers are Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control to assist drivers on steep and slippery roads, allowing drivers to focus more on steering. More winter comfort is added by prolonged heating after engine shut-off and remarkable comfortable heated front seats.
The interior is equipped with a great set of convenience and technology features to make the driving stress-free. If you decide on V60 Cross Country, don’t forget to add a Volvo Winter Wheel Kit specifically designed for Canadian winter temperatures and road conditions!
So far, we’ve talked about large-sized cars, but many sedans these days are also becoming winter-ready. Nissan Altima 2021 is one of the lightest sedans in its class, and all of its trims come equipped with the intelligent AWD system.
The following features are also standard for all trims: Hill Start Assist, Active Brake Limited Slip, Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control System, Remote Engine Start System, and heated front seats. For extra perks, like the heated steering wheel and ProPILOT Assist, you’ll need to look higher than the base SE trim.
With all this said, Nissan Altima 2021 SE alone can give you enough for safe winter driving, and at an affordable price.
Our review would never be complete without Subaru Impreza. The great thing about Impreza 2021 is its extensive selection of trims that can suit any demand.
Each of the three trims, Convenience, Touring, and Sport, is available in four combinations of two parameters: transmission – CVT or manual, and the body – 4 or 5 doors. Full-time symmetrical AWD is standard for all Impreza trims, which makes any of them a perfect winter solution. While a manual transmission is best suitable for more experienced drivers who want more control, the CVT models come with the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. Subaru Impreza is less comfort-oriented but has a great deal of focus on the actual driving performance. This is why the base trim is MSRP’d under $20K.
As can be seen, different tastes and needs can be satisfied with a variety of good winter cars available in Canada. Whatever vehicle you choose, CarEvo has all of the shopping steps covered, from selecting a car to securing a car loan.
CarEvo offers a great online car shopping experience, especially if you don’t feel like stepping out into the cold to hit those dealerships. We do it from your phone to your home. And always remember: technology is a great deal when it comes to assisted driving, but real safety starts with the driver. Have a great winter and drive safe!
