Staying safe on the roads is challenging at the best of times. But during the winter, it is even more difficult. You have to navigate ice, slippery snow, and poor visibility, especially during night-time snowstorms. 

Fortunately, manufacturers are catching up and making improvements to their vehicles to make them more capable in these conditions. Companies are investing in state-of-the-art technology to protect you and your family on the road, giving you ultimate peace of mind.

But first, what features should you look for while winter driving? These will vary from vehicle to vehicle. But ideally, you want most of these to appear somewhere in your car’s technology stack.

The first is anti-lock braking systems. Fortunately, most vehicles have these nowadays. However, you sometimes find entry-level or economy models that don’t, so you’ll want to avoid these. 

Electronic stability control (ESC) is also worth having because it helps to keep all four wheels on the ground and prevent skidding. Usually, cars will have a button that lets you activate ESC or they will implement it automatically, running it constantly. 

This technology is most useful for icy, snowy mornings. It allows the vehicle to track better and reduces the risk of sliding (though not entirely). 

If you live in the far north, you may also require winter tire compatibility. These are critical for icy conditions and protect your vehicle over time. Most of these tires have studs on them that penetrate the ground and provide more grip. These tacks can wear off, so you’ll only want to use them on icy roads. Don’t drive them too much on gritted surfaces. 

Ground clearance of the new vehicle should also be high. This comes in handy for snowy roads and avoids turning your vehicle into a snow plow. 

Finally, you might want to look for some creature comforts, like heated seats and steering wheels. These let your car warm up faster, reducing the need to provide secondary heating solutions and making you more comfortable from the get-go. 

So, which cars do we recommend for winter safety? 

Top of the list of vehicles for ultimate safe winter driving is the Ford Edge. This unique machine comes with intelligent all-wheel-drive and superior crash-testing performance compared to most standard vehicles. 

The pickup also comes with heated options and adaptive cruise control. These make it ideal for early morning commutes and running long miles on the highway. 

While the Ford Edge is overkill for many people, it can reduce the risk of needing to go to an accident lawyer. As such a large and robust vehicle, injuries are less likely.

Next on the list is the Volvo XC90, a mid-size SUV with an enormous amount of onboard technology to make life on the road easier, including during winter time. 

Currently, the XC90 is one of the Swedish brand’s top-of-the-range models, offering its most advanced solutions, like Pilot Assist and City Safety features. These kick in when road conditions become hazardous, protecting drivers from dangers and ultimately making the driving experience more pleasant. 

The Volvo XC90 is also an AWD vehicle, reducing the risk of wheel spinning in slippery conditions. Drivers can look forward to exceptional performance from their front driveways.

The vehicle can also be equipped with technology to prevent drivers from turning it on or driving it away if they have had too much to drink. This technology is to reduce the number of people pulled over who then have to contact a DUI lawyer to clear their name. If the car can’t start in the first place, it eliminates the risk (or so Volvo’s thinking goes).

Another winter truck worth considering is the Toyota Tacoma. This impressive machine is durable and reliable, capable of handling the worst the winter can throw at it.

People love the Tacoma because of its versatility. It has a powerful motor and high ride clearing, allowing it to ascend snowy climbs without slipping or getting caught. 

The Subaru Legacy is another vehicle worth considering this winter if you want to stay safe on the roads. It is one of the few sedans (outside of Europe) with 4WD as standard across the range, making it ideal for putting down power on slippery surfaces. 

Subaru isn’t as well known as some other Japanese car makers. But this vehicle is unique in its ability to take on the winter and reduce the risk of collisions. It makes you feel firmly in control and doesn’t let you down, even when tackling slopes. 

Combining it with winter tires provides ultimate performance. The vehicle can maintain traction while driving around town, even in the most hazardous of conditions. 

You get EyeSight Driver Assist for extra safety as standard on the Legacy. This technology allows the car to see problems ahead and provide alerts if it thinks you might get into trouble. You can use the system during the day and at night for extra peace of mind, knowing that there are computers taking care of you on your journey. 

The Ford F-150 is another truck option for the winter. It has intelligent AWD and good crash-test ratings, meaning it can protect you to a high level if you get involved in a collision. 

Most people choose the F-150 for winter because of its compatibility with all-weather tires and engine torque. However, the vehicle is also becoming more luxurious as Ford focuses on appealing to high-end consumers looking for a runaround that will get them anywhere they want to go during the colder months, whether on-road or off. 

For this reason, the F-150 comes with an integrated steering wheel/seating heating system. These warm the car up before you even get inside, preventing cold bottoms on seats. 

The company also now integrates the F-150 with adaptive cruise control, something it is doing on many of its other vehicles. This makes highway driving a breeze and means you can arrive at friends' and family’s homes without feeling exhausted after a long festive journey. 

If you’re looking for a decent wagon for winter, then the Volvo V60 Cross Country could be the perfect choice. This vehicle offers a sedan-like experience but with a raised ground clearance and all-wheel drive. The vehicle feels incredibly smooth and is set up to handle most situations on the road, except snow drifts. 

Volvo, of course, includes most of its latest and most advanced technology on the V60, setting the vehicle apart from the competition. It warns when situations on the road are becoming dangerous and can even adjust protective parameters in the event of a collision. Additional features like auto-dimming headlights and ESC are helpful. 

The Subaru Outback is an option for those who want to combine winter driving prowess with off-road ruggedness. Famous for being a durable vehicle, this compact SUV has excellent ground clearance and special X-modes for dealing with challenging, snowy terrain. 

Subaru equips the Outback with an advanced computer that makes the magic happen. This system continuously processes data from the wheels and adjusts engine output to compensate for specific situations. This approach reduces under- and oversteer according to the brand, allowing the vehicle to track closer to where the driver wants it to go. 

Finally, the Honda CR-V with AWD trim is worth considering. This reliable vehicle is a winter stalwart and offers drivers excellent safety ratings compared to other cars in its segment, plus various winter driving features. 

Just ensure you don’t buy the regular version of the car for winter driving. It doesn’t offer four-wheel drive, making it more challenging to gain traction in difficult situations. 

Choose the Honda CR-V if you want ample cargo space for winter gear and emergency kits. Also use it if you’re looking for specific winter driving technologies that keep you on the road and safe.