Hills, back roads and lake-effect bands make winter driving here its own sport. Here's how to choose.
AWD, 4WD or front-wheel drive?
- All-wheel drive (AWD) sends power to all four wheels automatically. Great for mixed snow and slush on paved roads. Common on crossovers like the Subaru Forester and Crosstrek, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue.
- Four-wheel drive (4WD/4x4) is built for deeper snow, unplowed roads and towing — think Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee, Chevy Tahoe, Toyota 4Runner and pickups.
- Front-wheel drive with good winter tires handles most plowed roads well and costs less to buy and run.
Tires matter more than drivetrain
AWD helps you go; it doesn't help you stop. A set of winter tires on any vehicle shortens stopping distances on snow and ice.
What to look for in a used winter vehicle
- Rust on brake lines, rocker panels and the frame — salt is hard on vehicles here
- Tread depth on all four tires (AWD systems prefer matching tires)
- A strong battery and a working rear defroster
- Heated seats and remote start are nice — but reliability comes first
Shop our winter-ready inventory
See every AWD and 4x4 vehicle on our lot right now, all reconditioned in our shop and covered by our powertrain warranty.
Updated October 2026 by the Skook Auto Sales team. General information, not legal or financial advice.
