Winter Warning: SUV Experts Say to Skip This Season

Many drivers believe SUVs are always safe in winter, but experts say this isn’t true. Some SUVs perform poorly in cold weather due to weak traction, poor braking, heating issues, and high maintenance costs. Snow and icy roads expose these flaws, making the wrong choice risky and expensive. Choosing the right SUV before winter is essential for safety and reliability.

Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass has a rough reputation, yet it fails to live up to its expectations in winter. A lack of consistency in All Wheel Drive response, ground clearance, and transmission hesitation on ice roads is cited by experts, and all make it less reliable in heavy snow.

Ford EcoSport

You simply can’t drive the Ford EcoSport in such wintry weather, as its wheelbase is short and its suspension is very stiff. Motorists complain about terrible balance on wet roads and bad cabin heating, which may be uncomfortable and hazardous in an extended cold climate.

Chevrolet Trax

They advise against people using the Chevrolet Trax in winter because it does not have a strong grip. It has lightweight construction, low engine power and simple traction control that can cause snow-covered, steep roads to be tricky to navigate with ease.

Nissan Kicks

Front-wheel drive only. The Nissan Kicks is widely considered winter-avoidable. It has a low ground clearance and limited power,  so it is easy to get stuck in snow or the slushy streets of the city.

Hyundai Venue

The Hyundai Venue has weaknesses in the winter despite being practical in cities. Professionals point to its little tyres and basic drivetrain, both of which leave it less stable and less equipped to brake on snowy highways or in the countryside.

Toyota C-HR

The trendy-looking Toyota C-HR is a vehicle with a high price in winter. Snow offers poor rear visibility, stiff suspension and spotty traction control. It is difficult to handle when little can be seen of the slick pavement.

Renault Duster (Older Models)

The older Renault Dusters are also criticised due to the ageing AWD systems. Experts observe the disproportion of power and lack of reliability during extreme cold temperatures, particularly in vehicles that have high mileage.

Chevrolet Captiva

Chewy suspension tuning and slow throttle reaction have seen the Chevrolet Captiva being flagged as performing poorly in winter performance. These problems may diminish the confidence of the drivers during acceleration or cornering on the icy road.

MG ZS (Petrol Variant)

The petrol MG ZS should not be used during winter due to low delivery of torque delivery. The snowy slopes with slow acceleration and a mediocre traction system may turn winter driving into an even more stressful experience than anticipated.

Tata Nexon (Base Variants)

Base versions of the Tata Nexon might not be very effective in the winter because of a lack of superior traction options. The absence of electronic aids means additional care and experience to control a situation on the icy roads.