The Best Cars For Winter
The start of December means that meteorologically speaking Autumn is over and Winter has now begun. Now that the winter months are upon us and the weather has started to show its colder side, it may be time to rethink your Winter wheels. In this country we don’t get the extreme weather that a lot of other countries get, but it’s still nice to know you are prepared should an overnight snow flurry appear and it is time to commute to work.
With this in mind we’ve put together our guide to the best winter cars. Cars that will continue to soldier on when the wintery weather would rather you stayed at home, but this time we’ve included some that are a little bit more extreme, and some that are more sensible, depending on either your budget or how far you want to adventure out and about in the adverse weather conditions.
SUV’s
The obvious type of vehicle for the winter months is an SUV. But if you’re going to opt for an SUV, you may as well make sure it is something a bit different or is a standout vehicle for what it can do. It also helps if that SUV can actually keep going when the Winter weather sets in, not struggles with the slightest bit of slush. With this in mind we have selected an SUV that can still excite whatever the season, and one that can handle the worst of conditions, yet remains effortlessly stylish and luxurious.
Lamborghini Urus
Some would say that the Lamborghini Urus is the perfect one car garage. Not only does it offer space, practicality, seating for 4 or 5, luxuriousness and the latest technology. But thanks to a 4.0 turbocharged V8, it can outperform most sports and supercars at the same time. Hailed as the first super sports utility vehicle, the Urus seems to defy the laws of physics with its ability to handle like a supercar, despite its high riding position and additional weight. These days as well as the ‘base’ Urus S there is the even more driver focused Performante and the upcoming Urus SE, the first hybrid version. Not that being a hybrid means it is now focused on fuel economy, the Urus SE produces almost 800hp from its combined 4.0-litre V8 and electric motor set up.
But what does this mean for winter driving conditions. Well Lamborghini have ensured that the Urus isn’t just all go and no substance, with dedicated driving modes to cover sand dunes (Sabbia), off-road conditions (Terra) and even a snow and ice mode (Neve) the Urus is more than capable of continuing when the going gets tough. Those who have seen Jeremy Clarkson driving one up a mountain ski slope on an episode of The Grand Tour will have seen that even on road tyres, the Urus’ abilities were an impressive spectacle. The Urus may be the perfect car for all situations and conditions but it is also a king of residual value retention, as seen in our recent article post Top 10 Slowest Depreciating Cars of 2024. They may be around £200,000 to purchase when new, but few vehicles hold on to their worth as well as the Urus, with over 75% of the value retained after 3 years and 36k miles.
Range Rover
For those looking for something a bit more reserved and a little less lairy, there’s one of the oldest names in the game, the Range Rover. Proven off-road ability and the upmost in luxury and refinement means that whatever the weather throws at you, you know you will be more than okay in a Range Rover. The latest version is a masterpiece in comfort, luxuriousness, and capability, meaning that whilst you are climbing every mountain and fording every stream you can do so whilst getting a hot stone massage, catching up with your favourite TV programme or sipping from a chilled glass of champagne (though obviously not whilst driving). The original ethos of the Range Rover being a more luxurious way to go off-road has never been more impressive than it is today.
The feeling of being shielded from the elements no matter what the weather throws at you is something that the Range Rover manages to pull off better than almost everything. Even the headrests have noise cancelling technology these days to make the interior a place of calmness and serenity, whether you are forging a path through the snow or stuck in traffic on a rainy miserable day. With the introduction of the latest Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models, there are also some comparative bargains to be found if you cannot stretch to a new model. Thanks to the used car market seemingly readjusting and returning to pre-Covid levels, a ’21 plate Range Rover Autobiography with sensible miles can currently be found on Auto Trader for under £50,000, or a 3 year old Range Rover Vogue for just over £40k, whereas a similar age and mileage Range Rover Sport can be found from £34k upwards.
Sports Cars
You may think that sports cars are reserved for the summer months, or spring at a push, but there are a few examples that will continue to let you enjoy the driving thrills of a sports car even weather the weather takes a turn for the worse. An all-wheel drive sports car may not be a new concept but those who decide the assurance and surefootedness of all that grip is the right choice can continue to venture out all year round with less to worry about. Not only that, but some manufacturers have ensured that their sports cars can conquer places they really shouldn’t ought to. As is the case with the first Winter Sports Car below.
Porsche 911 Dakar
A radical departure for Porsche’s 911 sports car lineage is the Porsche 911 Dakar. Based on the iconic 911 Carrera 3.2 Paris-Dakar (953) that won the 1984 Dakar rally, the 992 Dakar claims to be the world’s first sports car that can also enjoy the extremes of off-roading. Taking the four-wheel-drive from the Carrera 4 variants of the 911, the stiffer mounts from the GT3, up to 80mm raised ride height, all-terrain tyres and more rugged bodywork styling, the 911 Dakar appears to have everything you’d ever need to accomplish any terrain. Quite why you would need to take your 911 off the road and pretend you are a rally driver remains to be seen, but isn’t it nice to know you can if you want to.
Even the options list takes the rugged factor further than you would imagine. There’s a roof basket with extra headlights, an additional fuel canister, recovery boards for soft sand, a folding spade to dig you out of trouble, roof tent, activity duffle bag and even graphics that evoke the styling of the original Paris-Dakar machine. Porsche have ensured that the 911 Dakar isn’t just a gimmick and for those serious about exploiting it’s off-road potential, it really can perform if it needs to. Most may end up parading around the streets of Kensington and Chelsea but isn’t it reassuring that it could continue to work if the going got tough. If the 911 Dakar isn’t enough of a paradox for you, Lamborghini have also turned their Huracan supercar into a very similar prospect with their ‘Sterrato’.
Audi TT RS
The Audi TT may have been discontinued after 600,000 being sold in over 20 years of production, but thankfully it has got better and better with every iteration and these days is a very accomplished sports car. The near 400hp 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine may take all the headlines in the TT RS with its rally inspired soundtrack and immense turn of speed, but the styling, interior, comfort and refinement are equally as impressive factors in the baby Audi. The hairdresser/cabin crew image that the original TT created is long gone now, and the RS ensures it is firmly forgotten with its snarling engine and astounding turn of speed.
The legendry quattro four-wheel-drive surefootedness ensures that the TT RS can perform in any conditions, whilst the luxurious interior and cocooned feeling to the cabin means that you feel shielded from whatever the outside conditions are throwing at you. In terms of value for money, the TT RS is a comparative bargain due to the fact that it can show cars at 3 or 4 times its price a thing or two on a twisty country road or even in a straight line. The 5-cylinder engine was always going to be a last hurrah for this iteration of TT, emission regulations and the ZEV Mandate was always going to mean it could not continue with this exciting engine. The fact that they are no longer made also means that purchasing one of the most fun sports cars money can buy could also be a sound investment.
Convertibles
Just because the summer weather has ended it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the pleasures of driving with the roof down. Many a crisp winters morning is celebrated by someone driving about in a convertible complete with hat, scarf and coat on, surely that’s what heated seats are for. These days with ‘Air Scarf’ heated neck warmers, heated steering wheels and even heated armrests in some cars, the idea of a Winter convertible isn’t as ridiculous as it once was.
Audi R8 Spider
For many, the Audi R8 is the perfect supercar that could be used every day. Comfortable, reliable, stunning to look at, easy to drive and with a V10 soundtrack that is truly addictive. Pick the R8 Spider and you can absorb even more of that incredible engine noise, and you will find yourself putting the roof down no matter the temperature outside just to hear more of it. With so many turbocharged, hybrid or electric cars around these days, you should be able to hear that howling engine noise even more than usual.
With that four-wheel drive assurance, typically German build quality and refinement, and not to mention the reliability, there’s no need to hide this supercar away when the winter weather sets in. Whilst many supercar owners only get to use their cars on the driest of days with no sign of impending rain, not that we get many of these in this country, the R8 continues to work in every type of weather and whether you use it every day or just at weekends. Another casualty of the impending combustion engine ban and stricter regulations, Audi has already stated there sadly won’t be another R8. Is now the perfect time to ensure that you can still get hold of one of the best sounding engines money can buy?
Jaguar F-Type Convertible
Jaguar had already announced that they were to become an all-electric brand, yet their decision to stop selling any cars for the whole of 2025, their modern branding relaunch and the unveiling of their forthcoming luxury saloon does not seem to have gone down well at all. It is understandable that a company has to reinvent itself with the upcoming all-electric future but Jaguar have been more bold than anyone else and for Jaguar fans, so far it is a step too far. It remains to be seen whether the new direction will grow on people or lure new customers to the famous brand, but they have a long way to go as yet.
Thankfully their most recent cars are some of the finest in their history. If you’re looking for stylish good looks, a roaring soundtrack and all-wheel drive ability but on a tighter budget, look no further than the Jaguar F-Type Convertible. The F-Type was developed as the spiritual successor to the E-Type and although it may not have had quite the same impact, it is a great looking and performing sportscar. The mid-life refresh may not have changed the styling too much, but when the original car looks the way it does this wasn’t such a bad thing at all. If you can stretch to the F-Type R Convertible that also comes with 4-wheel drive, it can also continue to perform all year round. With a 5.0 litre Supercharged V8 engine producing 567bhp, the F-Type R offers supercar pace with sports car handling and saloon car luxury. With reasonable condition and mileage earlier models available from around £40k, it could be the best way to have a lot of fun for a comparatively reasonable amount of money.
Hot Hatchbacks
Audi RS3
The Audi RS3 combines the practicality of a family car, the refinement, comfort and latest technology of the Audi brand and the fearsome pace from a turbocharged 5-cylinder 2.5-litre engine that produces almost 400bhp as well as offering quattro four-wheel drive. The latest iteration is the best yet and has the pace and performance to embarrass some supercars, never mind other rival hot hatches. Not only that but it seems to have finally developed a sense of fun, something that many performance Audi’s have lacked in recent years, from the improvements to the handling, the iconic burble from that 5-cylinder engine and the fact that it now features rear-wheel drive ‘Drift Mode’.
Inside, the car is packed with the latest technology and offers a level of comfort and refinement that few rivals can match, especially in this sector. Which is somewhat wasted because you won’t care about any of that when you put the car in RS Performance mode and find out how quickly it can actually accelerate. The official figures put the 0-62mh time at 3.8 seconds but real world tests have achieved the same sprint in 3.5 seconds or less. In a hatchback! With the famed quattro four-wheel drive system on offer it also means the car is blisteringly quick no matter what the weather or the season.
Toyota GR Yaris
If any car came out of nowhere in recent years to offer so much more than would have been expected, it would be the GR Yaris. Inspired by Toyota’s ‘Gazoo Racing’ world rally team the GR Yaris is a return to the much loved and highly sought after homologation specials that manufacturers used to produce on abundance from the world of racing and rallying. This version offers all-wheel drive, a wider track, lowered roofline, a reduction in weight, a sophisticated suspension set up, and a 1.6-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that produces up to 280bhp. It is so much of a transformation in fact, that it would struggle to be further from the rest of the Yaris range.
The first iteration of GR Yaris was available from a very reasonable £35,000, yet the second generation has turned up the driver appeal even further and is now around £45,000. There is more power, stiffer and more durable components, more aggressive styling and even the interior has been tweaked to aid your driving experience even further. There are even rally inspired limited editions designed by the Toyota WRC drivers themselves for £60,000. It may seem like a lot of money for a small hot hatchback, but the GR Yaris remains one of the most fun ways to get around, and thanks to its sophisticated adjustable four-wheel drive system, it can be even more fun when the weather is less than optimal. If pretending to be on your own rally special stage is your thing, whether it is tarmac, mud, gravel or snow, the GR Yaris is the perfect car for the job.
Electric Cars
Electric cars have a bit of bad press when it comes to being used in the winter months. The cold weather means that the batteries are often not as efficient as they could be and thanks to the need to constantly use electrical heated items, the range often suffers more than it does in the summer. Thanks to the ever-expanding model ranges however, at least there are some cars that offer plenty of fun and capability when the winter weather sets in.
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
There’s a reason that the Taycan has become such a success for Porsche, it is because it is just like any other Porsche, and that is a very good thing. No compromises ‘because it is electric’ and no sacrifices in handling to do detriment to the Porsche name. Other than their excellent SUV’s, the Taycan is Porsche’s biggest selling model, and with a range of options to suit everyone it is clear to see why. The most adventurous and capable of these is the Cross Turismo. With a raised ride height, more rugged styling, estate car practicality and all-wheel drive drivetrain to tackle any conditions, the Taycan Cross Turismo is the electric car for every occasion. Find yourself at the Turbo S end of the range and your Cross Turismo can also out accelerate most supercars with an over boost function providing 750 bhp and 0-62mph time of just 2.9 seconds.
The recent waning in demand for certain electric models and the fact that the used car market is seemingly back to normal means that there are a plentiful supply of Taycan models on the market currently, and some at very reasonable prices. Prices for a 3-year old model start at around £50k whilst if you look towards £60k you can pick up a low mileage Performance or Performance Plus model (for additional range from the batteries), a car that started at over £90k just 3 years ago and were more like £100k once a few options had been selected.
Audi SQ8 E-tron
If you prefer your electric car with the high driving position of an SUV there’s the Audi SQ8 E-Tron. Offering a more dynamic set up than most electric SUV’s, the SQ8 E-tron is Audi’s answer to the popular SQ8 combustion engine car, offering performance, technology, luxury and efficiency in one package. The car is even built at their all-new carbon neutral factory to add to its eco credentials. Equipped with Audi’s legendary quattro four-wheel drive system, the SQ8 E-tron is more than capable of dealing with the worst the British weather can throw at you. Thanks to 500 bhp from its electric motors and a range of up to 284 miles, it should also be able to provide fun at the same time as practicality.
A nearly new non-S version of the Q8 E-Tron can be picked up for just over £50k for those requiring an all-electric solution for the winter but not necessarily with the performance of offer from the hotter ‘S’ version, yet with the same refinement and technology blend that Audi do so well. With a range of up to 290 miles and the possibility to charge to 80% in just over 30 minutes from a rapid charger, as well as up to 30 miles of range in just 4 minutes, the Q8 E-Tron is one of the most useable all-electric SUV’s currently available.
Estate Cars
BMW M5 Touring
Fans of the flagship load-lugging estate car from BMW have had to wait 14 years for a new version of the M5 Touring, and the new model is quite the prospect. Quite why BMW have let Audi and Mercedes Benz have it all to enjoy on their own for the past few years for performance estate cars is puzzling, but this time they are back with a bang. As with many new performance models these days, the M5 Touring adopts electrical assistance to be the most powerful M car yet. With a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 combined with electrical assistance, the M5 Touring produces 717bhp, a a staggering amount of power. Much has been said about the weight that hybrid assistance has meant the M5 Touring is now carrying along for the ride, almost half a tonne more than the outgoing M5 to be exact, meaning the car now weighs more than a Bentley Continental GT and their own X5 M. Yet in terms of bhp per tonne, it actually matches that of the M3 Competition.
The fact remains that the M5 Touring is likely to be one of the most in demand estate cars money can buy, much like the M3 Touring has been since it was also relaunched. With the RS6 and E63/53 AMG not yet being reinvented for the hybrid performance age, BMW have gone from the only ones not offering a performance estate car to the only manufacturer now at the table. How long that will last remains to be seen, but its ability to offer supercar performance combined with SUV practicality, and all-wheel drive capability along with up to 40 miles of electric only running, means that the M5 Touring is the estate car to be seen in for this and, so far, any other Winter.
BMW 330e Touring xDrive
Whereas the M5 and M3 Touring take all the headlines as the flagship estate cars of the BMW range, the 330e has received so many plaudits for being such a capable all rounder. With the ability to offer up to 60 miles of all-electric driving, a claimed efficiency of over 300mpg, almost 300bhp from its combined hybrid drivetrain and the space, refinement and latest technology that BMW have in abundance these days, the 330e is a very desirable prospect indeed. Also, in M Sport trim it looks every part a performance BMW and a very stylish car that proves driving an estate doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice looks.
With the xDrive all-wheel drive version, it also ensures that it can continue to transport the family and all of their luggage when the weather takes a turn for the worse too. If the M3 and M5 Touring models show that an estate can drive like a sports car and keep up with the very best performance cars, the 330e Touring could well be the ultimate all-rounder. With the estate car having a bit of a resurgence these days, there’s a reason you see so many BMW Touring models around on the roads. They offer so much more than just a vehicle with a lot of space, they are the perfect car for every situation.
Future Classic
Why should winter motoring mean you can’t also enjoy a future classic at the same time. Driving a car that can handle winter conditions doesn’t mean you have to forgo style, pedigree or have to resort to driving something uninteresting. The following couple of cars offer both winter functionality, exciting driving and are well on their way to achieving future classic status.
Ferrari FF
The Ferrari FF combined the exotic and performance of a Ferrari supercar, with the practicality and functionality that a weekend away on a skiing trip may entail. Long before the world went luxury SUV mad and Ferrari had even considered creating something as far from their roots as the Purosangue, the FF was the most stylish way to also be practical. Together with its follow up model, the GTC4 Lusso, the FF combined a 690bhp 6.2 litre V12 engine with a shooting-brake body style and seating in the upmost comfort for 4 people, to create the ultimate grand tourer with the space and storage of an estate car.
Thanks to their first four-wheel drive system the FF (and following GTC4 Lusso) could not only transport you to the snow-covered mountains, but continue to work whilst you are there, and all with the symphony of a Ferrari V12 engine. Such is the rarity and the desirability of both the FF and GTC4 Lusso that surely it will become a future classic, and not just any future classic, a future classic Ferrari. What more could you want for something that you could genuinely use any time of year rather than have to wait for the summer weather and temperatures to return.
Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Winning six consecutive Word Rally Championships means that the Lancia Delta HF Integrale should be able to handle a light dusting of snow or that little bit of a frost of the British wintertime. The late 80’s and early 90’s icon showed the world that hot hatchbacks were the best way to conquer any terrain at speed and apart from the Impreza/Lancer Evo years the WRC has been agreeing with them ever since.
With four-wheel drive, a 200bhp turbocharged engine and legendary rally pedigree, the HF Integrale is a highly desirable and collectable car that is already appreciating in price year-on-year. With not only genuine all-weather capability and the practicality of a hatchback, the HF Integrale has the retro cool factor and iconic status in spades.
An Extreme Winter
But what if the ‘Beast from the East’ becomes more beastly than usual, what if this winter is a comparative ice age compared to those that have gone before, what could you drive to ensure you can battle through it all? The following options are for just those moments.
Mercedes Benz G63 AMG 6×6
Built initially for the Australian army, this 6-wheel drive twin-turbocharged V8 pick-up truck is anything but subtle. Mercedes Benz themselves describe it as ‘the most spectacular cross-country vehicle of all time’. They aren’t joking. An extended, raised, more robust version of their ‘standard’ G63 AMG, the 6×6 really is built to tackle any imaginable terrain. But not just tackle it, waft over it surrounded by a quilted leather interior, ambient lighting, climate seating and all the creature comforts you can imagine.
But it isn’t just all go and no substance, the 6×6 can really back up its looks with its performance. With five differentials, on board tyre pressure control system, the ability to wade through a metre of water, ground clearance half a metre higher than a regular G-Class thanks to something called a portal axle drive, as well as a 5.5 litre bi-turbo V8 engine producing 530bhp and 760Nm of torque. All this extreme motoring doesn’t come cheap by any means, but if you find yourself in need of a vehicle that you need to take you absolutely anywhere, you’d be hard pushed to find one more capable whilst remaining as luxurious as this one.
Ariel Nomad
For those looking for something a bit less complicated and luxurious yet just as capable, there is an equally extreme alternative, the Ariel Nomad. Ariel made their name with their more than stripped out track car, the Atom, and continued along a similar theme with the Nomad. What looks basically like a roll cage with wheels, the Nomad offers lightweight construction with the most rugged of off-road capability and equally impressive performance. Designed to, according to Ariel, ‘open up a new dimension to having fun on four wheels’, the Nomad is built to perform on absolutely any terrain.
Almost everything is either customisable or changeable in order to cater your Nomad to any extreme. It may not offer doors or a roof or any creature comforts to speak of, and even the windscreen is optional, so a warm winter coat, hat, scarf, and gloves would be essential on any trip, but one thing is for sure, you won’t be getting stuck anywhere. The rugged off-road tyres, adjustable suspension and ability to fit anything from a winch to roof lights, nudge bars, carriers and so much more, mean that the Nomad is probably the most capable off-road machine that remarkably is also road legal.
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