As the winter is just around the corner, you will need a safe and reliable form of transport that you can depend upon to take you wherever you need to be safely and securely. But you know that driving during harsh winter weather is a bit tricky, and the last thing you want is to get stranded in the middle of nowhere because your car could not handle such conditions.
We have gathered a few tried and tested cars that we believe will be the most suitable for such conditions. These cars provide the best compromise between price, features, and capabilities. There is a car in every price range so that you will be able to find the best one for you.
2018 Mazda 3
The Mazda 3 is an excellent compact sedan that has been in the market for a few years now. The facelifted 2018 Mazda 3 was one of the most popular sedans in the market when it launched. The popularity was largely due to the near-perfect balance between price, performance, and features, and due to its simple yet elegant design, which has stood the test of time and looks rather fresh even in 2021.
It came equipped with numerous safety features such as a collision warning and mitigation system and many more as standard in all trims. In the crash conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it earned a 5/5 star rating, and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a commendable ‘Good’ rating for all types of impacts. It has a J.D. Power rating of 82/100 for quality and reliability, which is a testament to the bullet-proof reliability of Mazda engines.
The Mazda 3 has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 155 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 150 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. It is paired with the optional 6-speed automatic transmission. The 3 produces a decent amount of power throughout the powerband, so the engine feels sporty. But it returns a very good fuel economy of 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.
2013 Hyundai Elantra
The 2013 Hyundai Elantra is an affordable family car that looks stylish and has a very spacious and comfortable interior. It has a lot of cargo space, and it is highly fuel-efficient, making it a practical car for someone looking for a cheap car that has a low cost of maintenance and is cheap to insure.
It scored a five-star rating in the crash test conducted by the NHTSA, and it scored the highest rating of ‘Good’ in almost all criteria in the crash test conducted by the IIHS. As a result, it was named IIHS’ Top Safety Pick+. Safety features such as ABS, Stability Control, and Brake Assist were offered as standard in the Elantra making it an ideal choice for winter weather.
The Hyundai Elantra is equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with the optional 6-speed automatic transmission. The Elantra has a silky-smooth ride and performs the best in the 2,500-4500 rpm range. The ride is composed and stable as the suspension does a good job of soaking up most imperfections. It returns a fuel efficiency of 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway, which is exceptional considering its age.
2017 Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is a large sedan that possesses exceptional driving dynamics which is backed by a powerful engine under the hood. It has a voluminous interior that feels premium and upmarket. The 300 feels composed and grounded through winding roads and remains comfortable and smooth on the highway. Vibrations in the cabin and road and wind noise are kept to a minimum, thanks to the excellent insulation and build quality.
In the crash test conducted by the IIHS, the 300 earned the top rating of ‘Good’ Front overlap, Side-impact, Rear crash, and Roof Strength tests but got the second-highest score of ‘Marginal’ for the Small Overlap Front Driver Test. In the crash test conducted by the NHTSA, it managed to garner an overall score of 4/5 stars. And it has several safety technologies such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.
The 3.6-liter V6 produces 292 horsepower at 6350 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4800 rpm, which powers the rear wheels. It is plenty powerful under most situations. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is rated for fuel efficiency of 19 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The 2017 model is perfect if you are on the lookout for a spacious sedan with excellent performance. It is available at an affordable price, but it does not feel as dated as many other rivals in this segment.
2018 Ford Fusion
The 2018 Ford Fusion is a stylish four-door sedan that offers a lot of value for the money. It has a spacious interior and decent cargo space. The ride is very refined and comfortable over bumps and potholes. Handling is almost as good as a sports car. The interior also is quite good and offers plenty of modern features. The car remains stable at all speeds, and the suspension provides a lot of confidence through turns. The steering is light and responsive.
In the crash test conducted by the IIHS, the Fusion earned a ‘Good’ rating for all types of impacts, and as a result, it was named a Top Safety Pick. It earned 5/5 stars in the crash test conducted by NHTSA as well. It has several safety features, such as a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. According to J.D.Power, it has a quality and reliability score of 83/100, which is exceptionally good.
It is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which can produce 181 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox. It has a fuel economy of 23 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The Fusion is a reliable and practical car with decent performance and a long list of features.
