The 9 Best Sports Cars for Snow
Car covered in snow by AgnosticPreachersKid — CC BY-SA 3.0
Picture your favorite sports car commercial. What do you see? Don’t let us put words in your mouth, but we’re guessing it looks something like this: an athletic-looking two-seater (probably in red) is tearing down a sun-drenched highway, kicking up sand blown in from the nearby beach.
There are palm trees in the background, and the driver is almost definitely wearing sunglasses. There might even be a shot of the searing pavement, complete with the wavy reflection of heat bouncing off the black pavement. Did we get a bingo?
Sports cars over the years have somehow become synonymous with summer fun. And, of course, they are. But that doesn’t mean that’s all they’re good at. Some brilliant vehicle designer somewhere along the line asked, why can’t we drive sports cars in winter?
We tip our hat to this proverbial car guru whose dream set the scene for what we think are some of the greatest sports cars on the market today. Here are our picks for the 9 best sports cars for snow.
What to Look for in a Snow-bound Sports Car
Here are some must-have features if you’re going to take your sporty speed-racer on snowy roads.
- All-wheel or 4-wheel drive. Of course. Sports cars are generally very light and with a low center of gravity, making them excellent at speeding down flat, dry highways. But this also means that sometimes they need a little extra help in dealing with the looser ground like gravel or snow. AWD or 4WD is a must.
- Ground clearance. Don’t expect to reach heights that compete with SUVs. But do expect your winter-ready sports car to stand taller than its fair-weather-only counterpart. These vehicles need a fighting chance at being able to clear a snowbank, and a taller ride height will give it to them. The best sports cars for snow can’t afford to be belly-draggers.
- A cozy interior. Many sports cars on the market opt for a spartan interior that saves valuable pounds and gives you extra speed in a straightaway. And this is all fine if you’re driving with the top down in 70+ degree weather. But creature comforts like comprehensive environmental controls are an essential feature for your cold-weather car to have.
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Best Sports Cars for Snow
Audi R8 V10 - $145,895
Out of the corner of your eye, you might think this superb sports car was a Lamborghini. Lucky for your wallet, you get all that power and supercar styling for about a third of the cost (assuming you go for the base model.) At around 6 inches off the ground, the ability to mount a snowbank is lacking, but the Audi makes up for this in raw power.
602 HP drives the massive V10 and makes you virtually unstoppable on snowy streets with the help of chains or snow tires. Plus, heated seats and automatic climate control keep you cozy while tearing through your winter wonderland.
BMW i8
What is that thing? I don’t know, but I want it! This BMW is a work of art that feels like it should be hanging on a gallery wall, surrounded by waspy onlookers sipping wine. In reality, this vehicle is perfectly at home taking on the harshest winters you can throw at it. And it’s a hybrid!
You might think that this would be a detriment, but having an electric engine means more torque ready to go at a moment’s notice and help you tackle slushy pavement. The Beemer also features heated seats, heated side mirrors, and an auxiliary water heater for those extra-cold days.
Porsche 911 Carrera 4s
In snow? Really? Yes! The Carrera is the first on our list to come equipped with all-wheel drive, meaning this iconic sports car is intended to take on rough winter weather. At just 4 1⁄3 inches off the ground, she’s a little short but a force to be reckoned with when all four wheels are engaged.
Comfort features include standard heated seats and mirrors, but Porsche takes it a step further with heated windshield fluid dispensers so that you can stay safe on a snowy day at the track.
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Nissan GTR
Standard AWD number 2! The GTR was “built from the ground up” to handle any road, from dry to wet to frozen over. As usual, heated seats, mirrors, and dual-zone automatic climate control are standard. Still, Nissan does you one better and offers a no-extra-charge winter package for serious snow bunnies.
This offer includes all-weather tires and coolant specifically formulated for colder climates. They’re just begging for you to take this vehicle snow-drifting. And so are we!
Kia Stinger
Who knew a Kia could be such a beast if you hooked up an AWD drivetrain? The Stinger lets you know right out of the gate what it’s all about. With a mean-looking face and sharp edges (it’s also in the name, right?), the 5 inches of ground clearance makes it a little on the lower side. However, as seen from the other vehicles in our list of best sports cars for snow, a powerful engine and all-wheel drive make that a thing of least concern.
Jaguar F-Type AWD
Reviewers describe the Jaguar’s optional AWD drivetrain as “intelligent,” and praise the F-Type for its ability to take on snow while remaining “drop-dead gorgeous.” The external style of this vehicle pays a subtle homage to its predecessor, the E-Type, but take all 575 of its horses for a ride on icy streets, and you’ll immediately forget that there were any other Jags before this one. One review does complain that the interior feels a little cramped. But honestly, will you care?
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Dodge Challenger GT AWD
The American has entered the building! At just over $36,000, this vehicle is one of the cheapest on our list by nearly half. But that doesn’t make it any less exhilarating than the other cars. With 4078 lbs of muscle, it is one of the heaviest, making it a little slower, but this also means it’s easier to handle on slippery, slushy, or snowy surfaces.
Standard comfort features include a heated steering wheel, heated seats, and heated side mirrors. And if you feel like splurging, you can ask for the auto start option, which will get the car warmed up before you set foot outside your home.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
With the rear-wheel drive and a powerful V8 engine, many would think that the Corvette Stingray won’t be a good winter sports car, but the opposite is true. The Corvette Stingray features excellent drivability, low ground clearance for stability, traction control, and super-responsive handling, making it more than a capable sports car for snow.
However, like most of the best sports cars for snow, you’ll have to change the default summer tires to winter or all-season tires, appropriately rated for an ultra-high-performance car like the Stingray. This gives you the traction to safely navigate snow roads.
Subaru WRX
You don’t even need the range-topping WRX STI to navigate the snowy weather; the WRX’s turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive combo should provide enough power and control. Throw in the sure-footed handling that the WRX is known for, and you’ve got a solid recipe for tackling snowy roads. If you have the WRX STI, that’s even better because it’s an ice racing favorite.
The WRX is also a popular car to customize, which means you won’t have a hard time finding gear such as snow tires, tire chains, snow socks, etc.
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