Cars That Are Not Made for Winter

Some cars are great for winter driving in the snow, and others are better left at home, only making things worse for you.

If you live in an area where you’re going to face the cold white stuff and winter weather every year, you’ll want to drive a vehicle that makes sense. If you drive one of the vehicles on this list, you will want a backup vehicle that can handle winter weather better because these are the worst models for you to drive when wither weather arrives.

Sports Cars are a Bad Idea

It should go without saying, but some people have saved up and choose to leave all of their driving needs to the sports car they love. If you’re driving one of the following cars, you should park it in your garage until the spring arrives and find a cheap sedan or SUV to drive during the months when it’s cold, wet, icy, and dangerous out on the roads.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

While amazing on the track, it’s nearly impossible to take the Porsche 911 GT3 RS out in the snow for a drive. The low ground clearance, wide performance tires, and rear-engine layout make this car difficult to handle during wet conditions. Why would you want to drive this car in the winter? Don’t let a little snow ruin your Porsche.

Lotus Exige 260 Cup

Another expensive and lightweight sports car that you should not take out in winter is the Lotus Exige 260 Cup. Actually, any vehicle from the Lotus brand should avoid being driven in the wet and cold conditions that winter brings. Put your Lotus in the garage and wait until the pleasant weather arrives to bring it back out.

Chevrolet Corvette

Yes, even the not-so-exotic sports cars of the world should be put away in the winter and allowed to rest until the warmer weather arrives. There will be plenty of time for you to drive your Corvette after the freezing rain, icy conditions, and snow melts and leave your area for the seasons. Be patient and take care of your Corvette by leaving it at home during winter.

Some Trucks are Terrible in the Snow

When you think of pickup trucks, you think of capability, power, toughness and expect them to be able to get through just about anything. If you’re looking at a truck and expecting it to be great in any weather, think again. Here are a few that just won’t pass muster when you take it home and get ready to bring it out in the winter.

Dodge Ram SRT10

This is a bit of an older truck, but if you’re looking in the used truck market and this model catches your eye, you might want to avoid it. If you want a performance truck that is fast, the Dodge Ram SRT10 is great. If you want a truck that can pull a heavy load, handle off-road fun, and be one of the best cars to drive during the winter months, leave this one at the lot, it’s not a good choice.

Chevrolet SSR

There is a chance you’ll look at the Chevrolet SSR and not think of it as a truck. This is a vehicle that was made before the 2008 automotive crisis, and it showed just how far some brands went to try and fit into every niche. Many models of the SSR are convertible small, low trucks that have covers on the bed and very little in terms of actual truck performance. Forget this model for your winter driving, it’s not going to get the job done.

Ford Ranger Tjin Edition

Thankfully, you won’t likely come across this version of the Ranger, but if you do, don’t expect much of it during your winter driving. This is a truck that was built for the 2019 SEMA show with its impressive wheels, wide stance, and bright paint job. This Ford Ranger is low and was not made for driving around in the winter. It’s a cool truck, but you won’t want it when you’re faced with rough weather.

Some SUVs You Should Not Drive in Winter

You expect SUVs to be some of the best cars to drive in the winter, but there are several that you should leave at the dealer. Even though a vehicle is marked as an SUV doesn’t mean that it’s going to give you the performance you need every day, especially when the weather turns cold and bleak.

Fiat 500X

This is a fun little SUV that has the items needed for some light trail riding, but it will be absolutely useless when the winter weather arrives. Don’t take this SUV out in the snow, it’s going to leave you stranded and frustrated. If it’s the only vehicle you own, consider selling it and finding one that is going to handle the white winter weather for you.

Chevrolet Trax

There isn’t much room between the ground and the bottom of this SUV, which makes it one of the worst that you can drive in the winter. There are only 6.2 inches of space, which can quickly be taken up by snowdrifts when you’re hit with a blizzard and tons of wind. If this is the only vehicle you own, it might be a good idea to have a work-from-home plan for those days when you’re not going to get out of your driveway.

BMW X1

Small, expensive, and awful in the wet weather, the BMW X1 is better kept as a vehicle that you can show off to your friends and family as a status symbol and not one you expect to handle bad weather. This is easily one of the worst cars for you to drive in the winter, especially if you end up denting it when you slide across some ice. Forget this BMW (and any other BMW) when the winter weather arrives.

Stay away from the vehicles on this list and find a model that will handle your driving needs when the winter weather arrives.