5 Affordable Cars for All-Weather Driving
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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If you live somewhere with extreme weather conditions, you need something reliable to get you from point A to point B — and something that fits into your budget. Some of the best vehicles for all-weather driving are those with all-wheel drive (AWD). This is essentially when all wheels are being powered at the same time.
Vehicles with all-wheel drive tend to have better traction for improved handling than those without it, making them a smart choice for challenging — or slippery — terrain. Four-wheel drive is also a good choice, especially for those who live in areas with extreme winter weather conditions.
While your needs might be different from the next person’s, it’s important to choose a vehicle that can handle anything you throw at it — including intense bouts of weather. You’ll want to pick something that also has solid overall handling and modern safety features that make for a reliable ride.
These are some of the top affordable vehicles for all-weather driving.
2024 Nissan Altima
- Starting price: $27,510
The 2024 Nissan Altima comes with an all-wheel drive option. It’s reliable and offers great steering for vehicles at this price point. It also has a responsive braking system and 19-inch wheels that can grip even slippery roads.
Although it may not be the sportiest or fastest vehicle out there, it’s still a good choice for all-weather driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave this vehicle 5 out of 5 stars for overall safety.
2024 Kia EV6
- Starting price: $43,975
Available in either all-wheel drive or rear-drive, the 2024 Kia EV6 is a reliable electric car that performs well in most weather conditions. The NHTSA gave the AWD model 5 out of 5 stars for overall safety.
It is a little more expensive, but leasing a 2024 Kia EV6 could qualify you for a $7,500 tax incentive. Plus, the potential gas savings could make this vehicle a bit more affordable. The rear-wheel model gets up to 310 miles on a single charge, while the all-wheel drive version gets around 230 miles.
2024 Ford F-150
- Starting price: $38,960
The 2024 Ford F-150 can quickly become expensive, depending on what you opt for, but it has a reasonable baseline price.
Many trucks, including this one, can handle various weather and road conditions. This particular vehicle comes in either rear- or four-wheel drive. It also comes with a “snow mode” option, which offers better traction and stability on slippery surfaces.
One particular option to consider is the Tremor model. It has 33-inch all-terrain tires and an upgraded suspension. You can also opt for a 10-speed automatic transmission, though this will bump the base price up to $51,200.
The NHTSA gave this vehicle 5 out of 5 stars for overall safety.
2025 Honda CR-V
- Starting price: $31,450
If you are looking for a reliable vehicle for everyday use, consider the latest Honda CR-V. This SUV crossover comes in either all-wheel or front-wheel drive, so it can tackle various road and weather conditions.
This vehicle also has a hill-descent control that makes it easier to drive down slippery or steep declines at lower speeds. The mileage is pretty decent at 34 MPG on the highway and 28 MPG in the city. There’s also a hybrid option, which could get you better mileage and save you money on gas.
The AWD version gets 5 stars out of 5 for overall safety, as per NHTSA standards.
2025 BMW X1
- Starting price: $42,125
If you don’t mind a slightly higher price point, the 2025 BMW X1 is worth checking out. It’s a good entry-level luxury vehicle, one that comes equipped with all of the standard safety features you’d expect with a modern-day vehicle. It also has great handling and can tackle most surfaces and weather conditions.
In these vehicles, all-wheel drive is standard. These cars offer smooth handling and highly responsive brakes, though you can also opt for the M Sport package for additional safety and performance features.
The NHTSA gave the 2025 BMW X1 4 stars out of 5 in overall safety.
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