Home Automotive AdviceMods, Tuning, and Performance Best Sports Cars For Snow – The Best All-Weather Sports Car?

Best Sports Cars For Snow – The Best All-Weather Sports Car?

by Jordan Harris
Best Sports Cars For Snow

Are you interested in purchasing a new car and you are looking for the best sports cars for snow? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because, in this article, there will be quite a lot to cover on the models that are off-road capable, more specifically for snow.

Buying a new car has never been more difficult because on the market there are hundreds of models that promise a lot but when it comes to delivering, they might not always hit the mark. So, this is why you need to do your own research and learn more about the best cars in this specific segment.

Especially in the sports car segment which is really crowded with different models. Some of them are really capable and some of them are not so much. And to be honest, when it comes to performance in the snow, a lot of sports cars are really lacking and do not deliver a great performance at all.

Most of them would get stuck or lose grip in the first corner. Especially if you don’t have the right tire mounted on them. This is why we are going to try to help you out. First, we are going to cover the definition of a sports car and learn more about what is a sports car in general.

Then, we will cover what type of features should a sports car have in order for it to work well on snow. After that, we will cover the best sports cars for snow list and we will take a look at what are the coolest models out there. So, if you want to learn more, follow along.

What Is A Sports Car

Now before we dive into the best sports cars for snow list, let’s first take a look at what is a sports car in general. A lot of people are confused when it comes to the aspect of what is the core concept of a sports car. So, we feel the need to clarify some stuff and elaborate more on this before we dive deeper into the matter.

So, what is a sports car? Well, the general concept of a sports car is a car that is usually a coupe. But in some cases, a sedan can also be a sports car, as well as SUVs since recent years. If you want that instead, we have a separate list of the fastest SUV under 20k, and the fastest SUV under 50k.

But the important bit when it comes to sports cars is the way they drive and the way they look. Sports cars usually have altered suspension components as well as altered engines.

Best Sports Cars For Snow

The suspension used in sports cars is a lot stiffer and set up in order for the car to handle the best when it comes to high-speed cornering. This type of suspension can be problematic for daily use. And that’s why a lot of people would rather prefer a standard sedan instead of a sporty sedan.

Also, the engines used in sports cars are a lot more powerful than the regular versions of these cars. And in recent years, with the help of turbocharging, we can see cars that easily develop 600hp or even more. Which is a crazy amount of power.

And also, what differentiates sports cars from regular cars is the looks. Sports cars always implemented an aggressive look that is designed to deliver the maximum airflow to allow better cooling of the engine and also the brakes. And on top of that, also to be aerodynamic and allow air to pass through quickly.

What Features Should A Car Have For Snow

So, we cleared the topic of what is a sports cars and learned that this is a car that has altered specs in order to deliver the maximum performance on the road. But what features should a sports car have in order to be really good at driving in the snow?

Well, the first thing is probably the tires. You just don’t want to drive in the snow with summer or all-season tires. It doesn’t matter how capable of a car you have, if the tires are junk, then your car would also perform really badly and you will get stuck.

That’s why you should consider getting the best tire for your car if you want to never end up stuck in the snow and in desperate need of a tow.

And the second most important thing is AWD. So, what is AWD? Well, AWD refers to all-wheel drive.

AWD is a special system installed on some cars that allow all of the wheels to engage depending on the road conditions.

This means that this system is not active all the time. But the car computer decides when to activate it. We need to clarify this because a lot of people are confusing this with 4WD. 4WD is a similar system where the driver can engage the system.

But this 4WD system is only available on off-road vehicles and not on sports cars. On sports cars you only have AWD.

And don’t get us wrong, AWD is great, the computer knows when to activate all four wheels. And if you are driving on snow, this system will engage 100% of the time if the computer notices that a wheel starts to slip. But what are the best sports cars for snow? More on that next.

Best Sports Cars For Snow

Now let’s discuss the best sports car for snow and learn more about the models that you can purchase right now.

What is important is that we are going to discuss new models. We will not list historic vehicles that once were available and you can get used. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our list of the best vehicles for the snow and the best car for snow.

Best Sports Cars For Snow #1: Dodge Challenger AWD

Now let’s discuss the first model on our list of best sports cars for snow. And this is the good old Dodge Challenger. So, what is the Challenger, and why we are listing this model?

Well, the Dodge Challenger is a really old model that was introduced in 2008 and will be produced until 2023, when the production will end because Dodge had an epiphany to switch to electric cars. So, they decided to stop production of the Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 after this model year. That’s all folks.

But what is good is that you can get yourself a Challenger AWD. As you can probably assume, this is the all-wheel-drive model of the Challenger. This model starts at $35,140 for the SXT trim and $38,440 for the GT AWD model. The GT is the better-equipped version of the AWD Challenger.

What is good about both is that they include the same powertrain. And this is the 3.6L V6 engine that is naturally aspirated. This engine can push up to 303hp and 268lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic. And when you pair this power with an AWD system, you get a really good performance in the snow.

The fuel economy is also very good. The Challenger AWD gets 18 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined.

And if you live North or in Canada, owning this Challenger would be a true blessing since you will be able to tackle any blizzard that will come across while you drive. Now let’s move on to the next best sports cars for snow.

For reliability’s sake, especially if you’re buying a used example, remember to look up whether Dodge Challengers are reliable… Or, not. And, if you’re willing to sacrifice AWD for ultimate muscle, our guide on the Hellcat Charger vs Hellcat Challenger might be handy, too.

Best Sports Cars For Snow #2: Porsche 911 Carrera 4

Now let’s cover something more exotic on our list of best sports cars for snow. And this model is the Porsche Carrera 4. So, why specifically this model?

Well, mainly because the Carrera 4, Carrera 4S, and Carrera 4 GTS are the AWD versions of the 911. And when it comes to handling the snow, nothing handles better than AWD Porsche. You can drift the car in the snow all day and have a lot of fun, or learn how to drift a car.

Not to mention that this is a really new model that was released in 2019. And in terms of looks and overall refinement, we can say that this Porsche is the best yet, so you should really check it out if you have the budget.

Since this is not a cheap car. And the waiting list is very long. The base Carrera 4 starts at $114,850, while the 4S starts at $131,000, and the GTS start at $151,000.

In terms of powertrains, the Carrera 4 comes with a 3.0L flat-6 engine that produces about 379hp and 331lb-ft of torque. The Carrera 4S is the more potent version that makes 443hp and 390lb-ft of torque. And the GTS produces 473hp and 420lb-ft of torque. The transmission used in this car is the 8-speed automatic transmission.

The fuel economy is also decent in the Carrera 4, this model delivers 18 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined. So, if you want something sporty and efficient, the base Carerra 4 is the way to go. Now let’s continue with the next sports cars for snow.

Best Sports Cars For Snow #3: Nissan GT-R AWD

The next on our list of best sports cars for snow is the Nissan GT-R. So, why did we decide to add the GT-R to our list?

Well, mainly because it is a really unique vehicle and a benchmark for what Nissan is capable of. This is also an old model that was introduced in 2007 and is still sold today. And the good thing is that the GT-R comes in AWD as standard.

This means crazy fast acceleration on any surface possible. Especially on snow, where you can have a lot of fun with this model.

The model comes equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.8L V6 engine that during its history was improved quite a bit. So, if in 2007, the model produced 480hp, nowadays, the standard model produces 565hp and some special models like the Nismo can even push up to 600hp.

This model comes paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. And, if you’re wondering about how much is a GTR R35, the price of the GT-R starts somewhere at $115,000. So, we can put it in the same context as the Carrera 4. This is not an entry-level AWD sports car, that’s for sure.

If your wallet isn’t that deep, you could even consider getting a used GTR R33 for much less. Alternatively, if you’re patient enough until the 25-year ban is up, you could otherwise get its successor. So, head over to our write-ups on how much is a R34 GTR and is a Nissan Skyline R34 even legal in the US to learn more.

Now let’s move on to the next on our list of best sports cars for snow.

Best Sports Cars For Snow #4: BMW 4-Series M440i xDrive Coupe

The next on our list of best sports cars for snow is the BMW 4-Series 440i xDrive. But why this specific model? Well, mainly because it is a high-end sports model. And secondly, because it is an xDrive model that is basically BMWs way to refer to AWD.

Nevertheless, the 440i is a coupe version of the 3-Series. And the 4-Series and 3-Series share a lot of the same components, including the engines and transmissions. This is why if you are looking for an AWD-capable model, you might also want to check the 330i xDrive version as well.

Best Sports Cars For Snow

Nevertheless, the M440i xDrive coupe comes equipped with a 3.0L turbocharged gasoline engine. This engine produces about 382hp and 369lb-ft of torque. Which is plenty when it comes to having fun in the snow. The transmission that comes paired with this engine is the 8-speed automatic that performs really well.

The fuel economy is also really good on the BMW. The BMW gets 22 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined.

And this model is our personal favorite because it is affordable and delivers excellent performance. The starting price of the model is only $61,245. Which in our opinion is a really nice deal for what you get. If you are into more affordable sports cars that are not crazy expensive, this is the car to go after.

Although, if your budget isn’t that high but you still want a 4-series, the BMW 430i also has an xDrive AWD variant. But if you want to be even more careful, our guides on the most reliable BMW engine, the most reliable BMW model, as well as looking at are BMW reliable ought to be insightful.

Best Sports Cars For Snow #5: Subaru WRX AWD

The next car on our list of best sports cars for snow is the Subaru WRX. The WRX as you probably know is a completely separate model now. It is not connected with the Impreza, even though they are basically the same vehicle. But the WRX screams performance, especially AWD performance which is key when it comes to driving on snow.

This model is the second generation of the WRX, this model debuted in 2021, and 2022 was the first model year. Which means that the car is still brand new. This is why we can recommend it to you if you want to get something really recent and avoid getting an outdated model.

This model comes equipped with a 2.4L turbo boxer engine with four cylinders. This engine develops about 271hp and 258lb-ft of torque. In terms of transmissions, you can choose between getting a 6-speed manual with overdrive, and a CVT automatic.

Our personal favorite is the 6-speed manual transmission because it is the most fun to drive. And if you are a car guy, you will enjoy it too. Not to forget that the maintenance will also be a lot cheaper in comparison to the CVT.

The base price of the manual transmission WRX is only $30,000. Which is a steal of a deal. Though, if you have more cash to spend, you could even consider comparing the WRX vs the racier STI. Also, to ensure that you’re not saddled with issues, be diligent and research the best Subaru WRX year, too.

Now let’s move on to the next on our list of best sports cars for snow.

Best Sports Cars For Snow #6: Jaguar F-Type AWD

The next on our list of best sports cars for snow is the Jaguar F-Type AWD, we just had to include the Jaguar since it is so good in terms of performance. Especially the off-road performance of the AWD model.

What is interesting about this model is that it was introduced in 2013 and is produced until this day. It is quite old but Jaguar is regularly updating the car with the newest features and the best tech. You pay the premium and you also get the premium experience.

This model comes equipped with a 5.0L V8 engine that is supercharged. The engine produces 444hp and 428lb-ft of torque. The transmission used in the Jag is the 8-speed automatic. And this transmission delivers extremely smooth and snappy shifts.

The fuel economy is also quite decent. The F-Type gets about 16 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined. The price of the AWD model starts at $85,000. Which in our opinion is a good deal for what you get.

If you are into a British sports car, we can say that the F-Type will be perfect for you. However, for anyone getting a used example, it’s wise to look up whether Jaguars are good cars, just so you know what to expect. Let’s now move to the next best sports cars for snow.

Best Sports Cars For Snow #7: Audi TT AWD

The next model on our list of best sports cars for snow is the Audi TT. More specifically the third generation of the model and also the last model year of the TT ever. Yes, that’s right, after 2023, there will be no TT anymore and you will have to choose something else.

Nevertheless, this is a really proven model. It comes with a 2.0L inline-4 which is turbocharged. This engine develops 228hp and 258lb-ft of torque. It comes with a 7-speed auto-shift manual transmission.

The fuel economy of the TT is excellent. It easily gets 23 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. The model starts at $53,295. So, If you want to get one of the best sports cars for snow, this is the way to go. Just be wary of the Audi TT model years to avoid, as some of them can be rather problematic.

Best Sports Cars For Snow #8: Audi A4 S-Line 45 TFSI Quattro

And the last car on our list of best sports cars for snow is the Audi A4 Quattro. So, why specifically this model?

Well, mainly because it is rather capable in terms of AWD. It is very unlikely that there is something better than the Quattro AWD system that is packed in these Audi models. And also, they are really cheap in comparison to other sports cars.

And the A4 45 is packing a lot of power under the hood. The engine that is included is a 2.0L inline-4 turbocharged gasoline engine. This engine develops 261hp and 273lb-ft of torque. The transmission included in this model is the same 7-speed shiftable manual transmission included in the TT model.

The fuel economy is also really good. The A4 gets 24 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined. The model is also quite affordable for an Audi. It only starts at $48,000. And if you want something really capable and also fun in the snow, this is one of the best cars for snow out there.

If you’re willing to pay for something a bit bigger and more well-appointed, you could compare the Audi A4 vs its bigger sibling, the A5. On top of that, it’s a good idea to study the Audi A4 reliability, in addition to past issues like the 2011 Audi A4 problems as a guideline to figure out what you need to look out for.

Best Sports Cars For Snow: In Conclusion…

In this article, we covered the best sports cars for snow. First, we learned what are sports cars and the main characteristics of a sports car. Then we learned what should a car needs to have in order to be very capable in terms of off-road use.

After that, we learned the best sports cars for snow. We shared our list of 8 sports cars that you can purchase right now for a really good price. We focused to include cars for everyone’s budget. Our personal favorite when it comes to the price-to-performance ratio is the Subaru WRX.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.

Is Front Wheel Drive Good In Snow

Front-wheel drive is really good in snow. But is not the best of all the layouts. Still, if you can choose, FWD is a much better option than RWD in this aspect, that’s why we recommend it.

Is All Wheel Drive Good In Snow

Yes, all-wheel drive is basically the best of all the options when it comes to snow use. When the computer notices that one of the wheels loses traction, it will activate the front or rear wheels to adjust the traction and make sure that the car does not slide or completely lose traction.

Is Rear Wheel Drive Good In Snow

RWD is the worst when it comes to driving on snow. You can easily lose the rear wheels on a RWD car and end up in a ditch if you are not careful. That’s why if you drive a lot through snow, we would not recommend getting a RWD car.

What Cars Are Good For Snow

AWD or 4WD cars are the best in terms of tackling snow. With this type of power delivery, you can expect the best performance possible. Also, FWD is a really good alternative as well. RWD performs the worst.

Is Sport Mode Good For Snow

Definitely not. With a sport mode, you get a more responsive throttle and in snow, this is the thing you don’t want because on little press on the gas pedal can make you lose control.

What Is High Clearance Vehicle

High ground clearance vehicle is the SUV. These are vehicles that have 7+ inches in terms of ground clearance and these vehicles perform the best in off-road conditions.

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