The Best Cars For Winter

Now that the winter months are upon us and the weather has got colder, 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 at the very top of the tree. 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 650 bhp from 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.

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). 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 also is the current king of residual value retention, as seen in our recent blog post Top 10 Slowest Depreciating Cars of 2023. They may be almost £200,000 to purchase when new, but no vehicle holds on to its worth as well as the Urus, with over 73% 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 ok in a Range Rover. The latest version is a masterpiece in comfort, luxuriousness, and capability, meaning that whilst you climb every mountain and ford every stream you can do so whilst getting a hot stone massage, catching up with your favourite TV programme and sipping from a chilled glass of champagne (though obviously not whilst driving).

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 sensibleness, a ’21 plate Range Rover Autobiography can currently be found on Auto Trader for around £50,000, or a 3 year old Range Rover Vogue for mid £40k, whereas a similar age Range Rover Sport can be found from £40k 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.

Porsche 911 Dakar

A radical departure for Porsche’s 911 sports car lineage is the recent 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.

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. 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. Keen to not let Porsche grab all the headlines with an off-road sports car, Lamborghini have also released the Huracan Sterrato, an even more extreme off-roading version of their popular supercar.

Audi TT RS

The Audi TT may be scheduled for the chop after 600,000 being sold in over 20 years of production, but it has got better and better with every iteration and these days is a very accomplished sports car. The 400bhp 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 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 is 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.

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.

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.

Jaguar F-Type Convertible

If you’re looking for similar 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 400bhp as well as 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 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 a 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 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 268bhp. The fact that all of that is in such a small package makes the GR Yaris one of the finest handling and fun to drive cars, and all for a reasonable price of £25k.

The acclaimed reviews causing such unprecedented demand for the model mean that Toyota are currently not taking any more orders for the GR Yaris, and used car prices are currently hovering around list price or above. Despite this there are plenty on the used market so if you are looking for the ideal hot hatchback that you can have fun in and that will continue to keep going no matter what the weather throws at you, then look no further than this pocket rocket.

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 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 fall in demand for certain electric models and the fact that the used car market is finally readjusting post-Covid 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.

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. As with its follow up model, the GTC4 Lusso, the FF combined their 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 (initially with the FF) the 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 the GTC4 Lusso that surely it will become a future classic, and not just any future classic, a future classic Ferrari.

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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