These five winter-hardy vehicles at a variety of price points – including one that offers a massage – are worth a second look if you need or want to drive in the snow.

By Keith Griffin

Fierce weather seems to be the way of life around these parts recently. Yes, I’m looking at you, 17 inches of snow! Fortunately, there are some good vehicles ready to fight old man winter. Here are five worthy of consideration.

Subaru Outback

OK, so pretty much anything Subaru is a smart choice for winter, but the 2026 Subaru Outback seems to be the best choice. 

Celebrating its 30th year on sale with more than 3 million models sold in the U.S. alone, the all-new 2026 Subaru Outback combines all-new technology and versatility with the biggest styling updates in the model’s history.

It’s roomy, comfortable, and tackles snowy roads with ease thanks to its always outstanding all-wheel-drive system. On-road parking on snow-narrowed streets wasn’t an issue because the right wheels could be planted in the snow. There were no traction issues.

The Outback’s improved interior design delivers a significant increase in interior volume and cargo capacity, with a taller, boxier profile that emphasizes its spaciousness and durability. The extra space is welcome in winter when passengers are wearing bulkier clothing. Behind the rear passenger door, a wider rear roof pillar communicates the SUV’s strength.

The all-new infotainment display and digital instrument cluster are aligned for convenience and accessibility, while the upper dash panel and interior layout are aligned for continuity and everyday use. The climate controls have their own dedicated hard-button and knob controls. The center console cupholders are designed for easy use, and bottle holders in each door now offer enough room for 32-ounce water bottles.

The starting MSRP is $34,995.

Lincoln Navigator

When it comes to luxury, Lincoln deserves a lot more respect than it garners. Plus, its size makes it easy to bust through any snowy conditions.

The vehicle that created the premium full-size SUV category nearly three decades ago is elevating it once again. Lincoln’s flagship SUV – the all-new 2025 Navigator – arrives with a bold, new design, a reimagined interior, signature features and new connected experiences that will create the ultimate sanctuary.

Feeling stressed by the weather? The Navigator offers massage therapy that is better than any human has ever provided me. You’ll enjoy the journey regardless of the road conditions.

The Navigator’s new interior combines premium materials with connected features like the Lincoln Digital Experience that comes to life through an immersive 48-inch panoramic display that spans the length of the horizontal instrument panel.

How’s this for luxury? Lincoln Rejuvenate helps create the ultimate retreat in your vehicle by combining sight, sound, touch and scent to help drivers recharge during long road trips or after a busy day at the office. The multi-sensory experience in Navigator can help reduce stress and provide relaxation inside the Navigator.  

While in park, a tap of the touchscreen activates a five- or 10-minute Rejuvenate experience. The driver’s seat slides rearward, reclines, warms slightly, and begins massaging. The steering wheel moves up and away. And calming visuals fill the center stack and panoramic display, complemented by ambient lighting and soothing sounds as a subtle fragrance fills the cabin. The standard Lincoln Digital Scent feature is class-exclusive in the all-new Navigator SUV.

New driver-assist features for Navigator include Turn Signal View, which projects a camera view of the adjacent lane on the 48-inch panoramic display when the turn signal is engaged. Intersection Assist can help detect oncoming traffic when turning left. If the system detects an oncoming vehicle, it provides an audible alert and applies the brakes.11

A twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 440 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, standard four-wheel drive, and adaptive suspension with continuously controlled damping make the Navigator meet any motoring challenges. 

The Lincoln Navigator has an MSRP starting at $91,995.

Kia Sportage X-Pro

While it may not be as luxurious as a Navigator, the 2026 Kia Sportage continues the recent tradition of providing a lot of value for the money. Especially potent in the battle against winter is the X-Pro edition.

Sportage X-Pro Prestige has off-road hardware to match its design elements, including: B.F. Goodrich all-terrain tires; 17-inch matte black off-road wheels; active All-Wheel Drive System with Terrain Mode (Snow, Mud, Sand); LED fog lights and LED Projector headlights; heated windshield and wiper washer nozzles; and exclusive two-tone roof design. The nice thing about the Sportage X-Pro is that it drives nicely on the road, too.

The Sportage has advanced driver-assistance systems that make it a much safer vehicle for its occupants and other road users. Standard auto emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist, and car detection uses sensors and a camera to scan the road ahead for potential hazards and automatically applies the brakes when a collision is imminent.

Another important feature is Hands-on Detection (HOD). The direct HOD sensor is designed to determine whether the driver is holding the steering wheel and to issue warnings when necessary. This system really doesn’t like the way I drive, which reflects poorly on me. I need to keep both hands on the wheel or else the Sportage thinks I am falling asleep.

The 2026 Kia Sorento has an MSRP of $32,390.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Don’t be fooled by its name. The Range Rover Sport isn’t necessarily sporty, but it does have the pedigree to handle any snow conditions.

Maybe now is a good time for a caveat. As good as any of these SUVs are, no vehicle is good on ice. Most can tackle snow with ease, but ice is a different story. Heed the calls to stay inside if ice is in the weather forecast.

The Range Rover Sport is a true off-road vehicle. It has a standard air suspension that provides up to 11 inches of ground clearance. It may be shod with all-terrain tires or ballistic-worthy skid plates, but it can go many places other midsize crossovers can’t. On-road handling is acceptable. Once again, like the Outback, you can park it confidently on snowy streets.

The big problem with the Range Rover Sport is that it’s not that spacious inside. Beefier Americans may feel pinched in the driver’s seat. Rear legroom can be tight, too. Remove those bulky winter coats before setting out. (Put them in the cargo area, which is above average for the midsize segment.)

Heated and ventilated front seats with memory settings and heated and reclining rear seats are standard. The cabin is tastefully designed,

The entry-level 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE has an MSRP of $83,700 and uses the standard 355-horsepower inline-six.

Ford F-150 Tremor

I’ve spent a lot of time with the F-150 Raptor over the years and love it, except for its price tag. The 2026 Ford F-150 Raptor starts at $84,115 and quickly flies north of $100,000 depending on the trim and options.

Enter the much more affordable Ford F-150 Tremor with its MSRP of $70,690. It’s going to annihilate any snowstorm it encounters thanks to its ts General Grabber ATX tires and off-road tuned front and rear suspension (including 1.7″ twin-tube dampers) and selectable Rock Crawl and Ford Trail Control. Will the Tremor tackle the  Baja 1000? No, but it will defeat any terrain in Connecticut!

The Tremor is equipped with the standard 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology. Yes, it takes a stab at fuel efficiency!

Inside, the Tremor has all the creature comforts one expects. It delivers an overall quality ride. Give it a consideration if you want a pickup that can truly handle almost any road condition with lots of comfort.

Keith Griffin, a West Hartford resident, is a longtime automotive journalist and past president of the New England Motor Press Association.

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