Best Used Cars for Snow

Contact Us Used Car Inventory

When Old Man Winter rears his head, it could mean you're in for a few snowy commutes. Snow is one of the biggest things that can affect your daily drive, but life doesn't always stop just because there are a few inches on the roads. If you still need to get to class or work, there are a handful of used cars that perform well in the snow.

Powerful, well-equipped, and designed to confidently take on various road and weather conditions, these are definitely some of the best used cars for snow. Learn more about each one below to figure out which one is best for you and then contact Val-U-Line^® to schedule your test drive.

The best used cars for the snow include:

• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Nissan Pathfinder
• Subaru Impreza
• Toyota Highlander
• Ford Explorer
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Honda CR-V
• Ford Ranger

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep is known for all-terrain capability. Their vehicles have some of the most advanced 4x4 systems. Whether the snow lies on the road or on the side of a mountain, it's no match for a used Jeep. The question is: Which Jeep is best for the snow? Our pick is the Grand Cherokee.

Inside and out-and especially under the hood-a used Jeep Grand Cherokee is built to take on the snow and cold weather. You'll find used models equipped with one of several engines. The most common is the 3.6L Pentastar^® V6. You could also get these following performance features:

• Quadra-Trac I^® Full-time 4WD
• Quadra-Lift^® Air Suspension System
• Selec-Speed^® Control
• Selec-Terrain^® Traction Management System
• Over 7,000 pounds of towing capacity

When you find yourself out in deep snow, the available Quadra-Trac^® II 4WD system can automatically distribute torque to the wheel with the most traction. That will really help you dig out of the deep powder. It can be coupled with Selec-Speed^® Control, which keeps you moving at a consistent low speed so you can focus on taking on the snowpack.

Browse our used Jeep Grand Cherokee inventory here.

Nissan Pathfinder

The Pathfinder is one of Nissan's more adventurous models. Whether you're traveling solo or taking the kids to the slopes on the next snow day, it's great for taking on winter roads. Most used models come with a potent 284-horsepower 3.5L V6. In adverse weather, you can take advantage of several performance features, such as:

• All-Mode 4x4-i intuitive 4WD system
• Hill start assist
• Hill descent control
• Vehicle Dynamic Control

The Nissan Pathfinder is a sizeable SUV that can seat up to seven passengers, making it a spacious family car that's ready for snow and the cold. Heated front and rear seats are available along with a heated steering wheel to keep you warm and toasty. Tri-Zone Automatic Temperature Control is also standard with most models.

Do you need to carry some cargo? Whether you're stocking up on the essentials before the big storm or packing up the sleds after it's over, the Pathfinder has about 16 cubic feet of space behind the third row. You can also fold down all the rear seats to open about 79 cubic feet.

You can find a used Nissan Pathfinder here.

Subaru Impreza

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive makes just about every used Subaru on the market a good winter car, but the Impreza is more than just capable. It's also compact and versatile. Available in both a sedan and hatchback option, a used Impreza can be both a great off-road adventurer and an efficient commuter car.

Who wants to stop at the gas station in the middle of a blizzard? A used Impreza will keep you moving past it with about an EPA-estimated 28 city/37 highway MPG.* It's all thanks to the efficient powertrain elements available with most model years. They include:

• 0L SUBARU BOXER^® engine
• Lineartronic^® CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
• Adaptive Control
• Dual Active Valve Control System

The Subaru-exclusive EyeSight^® Driver Assist Technology is designed to give you peace of mind on every road, but it especially inspires confidence when you head out into the snow. It comes with the features like a Pre-Collision Braking System along with Lane Departure and Sway Warning.

Browse our used Subaru Impreza inventory!

Toyota Highlander

Do you have a growing family that loves to hit the sledding hills in the snow? The Toyota Highlander may be for you. On winter roads, you'll have the confidence of the Dynamic Torque-Control AWD System-available with most models. It evenly distributes power from front to rear while also managing the braking system to provide sure-footed control.

Families love used Toyota Highlander SUVs because most models also come with the Star Safety System^™. It provides that extra bit of confidence parents need on slick streets. It includes:

• Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control
• Traction Control
• Anti-lock Brake System
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution
• Smart Stop Technology^®

Looking for something that offers more fuel economy? Test drive a used Highlander Hybrid. Its engine is paired with an electric motor for optimal power and efficiency. Overall, you can expect most pre-owned Highlander Hybrid models to get an EPA-estimated 27 city/28 highway MPG, so you can skip the gas station and stay in the warm car.*

Find your used Toyota Highlander!

Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is built to help you get away. Whether you're escaping the snow or venturing deeper into it, this SUV has the capability needed to reach your destination confidently. An EcoBoost^® engine powers most models. It's coupled with the optional Intelligent 4WD system that works alongside the Terrain Management System^™. It includes the following drive modes:

• Grass/Gravel/Snow
• Sand
• Mud/Ruts
• Normal

Hill Descent Control^™ is integrated into the Terrain Management System^™ on board most used Ford Explorer SUVs. It regulates your speed on steep inclines by adjusting engine torque and gently applying brake pressure so you can confidently descend a slippery slope without sliding in the snow.

If your family's young motorist is heading out into the snow, newer used models may come with MyKey^®. It lets you set speed limits and block calls and texts from coming through the infotainment system. This will help encourage safe driving habits, not just on slippery roads but all the time.

Find a used Ford Explorer in our used car inventory.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe is another one of the best used cars to take on a snowstorm. Inside and out, it's versatile and well-equipped for foul weather. It could come equipped with an advanced all-wheel drive system that's specially designed to limit under- or over-steer through tight curves to keep you on the intended path.

Connectivity is a strong suit of any used Santa Fe. Whether you need to phone home, listen to your favorite holiday tunes, or just check the weather-the snow has to stop sometime-most used models come with advanced features that can do it all. Some of them include:

• Bluetooth^® hands-free phone integration
• Navigation
• Infinity^® Logic 7^® Surround Sound system
• Hyundai Blue Link^®
• SiriusXM^®

There's nothing quite like a hot cup of coffee during that cold morning commute. If you accidentally spill some on the seat, no sweat. YES Essentials^® stain-resistant cloth comes standard in most model years, so it will be a breeze to clean up. Psst, it also works on the kids' hot chocolate.

Browse our used Hyundai Santa Fe inventory.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is one of those jack-of-all-trades vehicles. It has the versatility needed for a growing family and the efficiency needed by commuters. What do they both have in common? When it snows, they need a vehicle that prioritizes safety on slick streets. When equipped with the optional Real Time AWD, a used CR-V can answer the call.

The Honda Sensing^® suite is available with some newer used CR-V SUVs. It helps provide more confidence all year long, and it's especially good at putting your mind at ease when traversing snowy streets. It could come with the following technologies:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System^™
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Honda LaneWatch^™
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Warning

When school calls a snow day, take the kids out to the slopes. There's plenty of cargo room in a used Honda CR-V, so load up your sleds, snowboards, and a couple extra coats. A power tailgate is available with some models. It opens with the touch of a button. That will come in handy when your hands are full.

Ford Ranger

Just about any used truck equipped with 4-wheel drive is going to be a natural in the snow. One of the top picks is a used Ford Ranger. It's one of the most efficient used trucks out there. It's capable of about an EPA-estimated 22 city/27 highway MPG.

A used Ranger could come with the power of an available V6 engine. That strength is amplified with several all-terrain features that keep this truck ready for off-road trails and slick roads covered in snow. Most models come with:

• Electronic shift on the fly
• Rancho^® heavy-duty shocks
• 3 skid plates
• Limited-slip rear differential

There are people looking to have their sidewalks shoveled. Take the job with a Ford Ranger at your side. A standard 6-foot bed and a payload of over 1,100 pounds means this truck is ready to carry your snow blowers, shovels, and a few bags of salt. Mrs. Oswalt might thank you with a plate of her famous holiday cookies. Yum!

What Are the Best Used Cars for a Winter Wonderland?

Whether it's a few inches or just a dusting, you can count on any one of these used cars to get you through any snow day.

For a closer look at the best used cars for snow, schedule a test drive at one of the Val-U-Line^® used car dealers located nationwide.

* EPA-estimated MPG. Actual mileage will vary.