I’m a Car Expert: These Are the Most Unreliable Vehicles for the Winter
Winter is here, which means many parts of the U.S. have started to or are about to get snow. Even areas where snow is a rarity can still have slippery or icy roads around this time of the year, which is why it’s good to have a reliable vehicle for your winter driving.
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But sometimes, to narrow down the best vehicles, you need to first know about the worst ones. Here are some of the most unreliable vehicles for winter, according to experts.
Also see seven items under $20 to prepare your car for winter.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is perhaps one of the most unreliable vehicles for winter driving, at least according to Joe Giranda, car expert and director of sales and marketing at CFR Classic.
“While it’s a fantastic sports car in terms of performance and style, it’s not built for cold weather conditions,” he said. “The rear-wheel drive system makes it prone to slipping on icy or snow-covered roads. Its low ground clearance also increases the likelihood of getting stuck in deeper snow. I think it’s better to save the Camaro for fair-weather driving and rely on something more robust for winter.”
The 2024 Chevrolet Camaro has a starting MSRP of $32,495.
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Ford F-150 (Rear-Wheel Drive)
Trucks can be a solid choice for those winter roads, but not all are created equal. Such is the case for the Ford F-150 with rear-wheel drive.
“Rear-wheel drive trucks are not good on the snow in general. There’s typically very little weight in the bed of a pickup truck, as the truck’s heavy working parts are over the front wheels,” said Melanie Musson, an auto industry expert with CarInsurance.org. “The F-150 has experienced several issues with reliability over the years, so unless you’re driving a new model, there’s a significant chance you’ll face a mechanical issue during the winter.”
The 2025 Ford F-150 also has a starting sticker price of $39,345. This isn’t too far off what you’d get with other trucks, but keep in mind that trim and other upgrades can increase the price. Plus, if you want to stay safe on icy or snowy terrain, that alone might be reason enough to steer clear for now.
Nissan Leaf
If you’ve ever driven a Nissan Leaf on windy, mountainous roads, you already know that it’s not the sturdiest of rides. And as an electric vehicle, it’s even less reliable for snow, slush and ice.
“Electric vehicles lose a significant amount of their range when it’s cold outside, and the Leaf loses even more than average,” Musson said. “If you depend on a car to get you where you need to be, it has to be able to perform. You don’t want to get stuck in a Leaf when traffic backs up on slippery roads, and you’re worried your battery won’t last long enough to get you home.”
The 2025 Nissan Leaf has a starting MSRP of $29,280. It is a smooth ride when it’s not winter, so don’t discount this vehicle in fair-weather conditions.
Reliable Winter Cars To Consider
Just as there are unreliable winter vehicles, there are also reliable ones.
Giranda suggested the Subaru Outback as one reliable winter vehicle if you’re in the market for a new SUV. It has all-wheel drive, so you get that traction even on slippery roads. It also has more ground clearance than your average car, so it can more easily drive over slush or other buildup.
“Beyond that, Subaru has a reputation for building durable, dependable cars, and the Outback lives up to that legacy with great reliability scores year after year,” he said.
Another alternative is the Toyota Rav4 all-wheel drive, according to Musson.
“The Rav4 is one of the most dependable cars on the market, and it performs well in the snow,” she said. “Owners can put the car in ‘snow mode,’ and the vehicle operates in a way that’s best for slick roads.”
The Subaru Outback’s starting MSRP is $30,430. The Toyota Rav4 has a starting MSRP of $30,245.
Editor’s note: All starting MSRP figures were sourced from Car and Driver.
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