Smaller 4WD/AWD cars?
February 4, 2021 1:34 AM   Subscribe

What are some 4WD/AWD cars that are on the smaller size? I'm thinking sedan up to maybe a small crossover.

I'm researching my next car for whenever my current one bites the dust. 4WD or AWD is a must, but it's a little tough to find in a smaller sized vehicle. (I do know about Subarus already, but want to look at other brands as well).
posted by cozenedindigo to Travel & Transportation (34 answers total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
I drive a 2016 Nissan Juke, and that can be switched from front wheel drive to 4WD with torque vectoring, or to straight AWD with the switch of a button. It's 4 door, relatively roomy inside (my 190cm husband fits quite well) but the boot is tiny as a result. You have reprogrammed drive modes - Eco, Normal, and Sport (aka Granny, Normal, and Oh Shit!), but also have the option to dial up a custom mode if you want. It's a petrol motor, inline 4, auto CVT transmission and a tiny little turbo that makes the 1.5 litre engine really punch above its weight. I believe the newer models don't do the CVT transmission for whatever reason, but I like mine, although it takes a bit of getting used to. Very smooth ride, though.

I usually flip to 4WD with torque vectoring when the roads are slick or when I'm off road. Although it's a sport SUV, the centre of gravity is low enough to make it feel like a regular car when cornering (it also has traction control) and I've never managed to make it slip yet (more than I could say about my old Corolla).

Disclaimer: I live in Australia and have no idea how it's going to handle on snow. It does heated seats, if that helps.

I love my car! :)
posted by ninazer0 at 2:30 AM on February 4, 2021 [1 favorite]


If electric is an option, the Jaguar I-Pace, Mercedes-Benz EQC, and Audi e-tron are AWD. The I-Pace might be in your size range — it looks pretty close to a Subaru Crosstrek, maybe a little smaller.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 2:36 AM on February 4, 2021


There is now an AWD Prius. It has an extra, independent electric motor in the back instead if a driveshaft from the front, which should be much lower maintenance.
posted by rockindata at 3:33 AM on February 4, 2021 [4 favorites]


What's your budget?

CUVs are more likely to offer awd than a small car, since the height allows a driveshaft to the rear easier from an engineering perspective.

Hybrids (and electrics) as rockindata mentioned allow manufacturers to offer awd without having to run a driveshaft between the front and back. Although only toyota offers this so far to my knowledge.

The current rav4 hybrid has eAWD standard with it's hybrid system.
posted by TheAdamist at 3:43 AM on February 4, 2021


For many of these, it's an option or only with some configurations

Golf R, if you like zoomy and don't mind spendy. Can't get one in the US until later this year.
Nissan GT-R if you like BIG ZOOMY and are low-grade rich
Mazda 3
Dodge Challenger
Audi A4, A5
Kia Stinger (not as small -- like Accord sized)
Genesis G-70 (Accord sized)
BMW 2 series
Tesla Model 3
Acura TLX (Accord sized)
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 3:56 AM on February 4, 2021


We were in the same situation a couple of years ago: we wanted something sedan size or a little bigger with 4WD or AWD and ended up with a Hybrid rav4 which is a "compact" suv. The awd Prius was more expensive (ditto the plug in Crosstrek). The other thing on our list was a CRV (but we decided we wanted hybrid so we crossed that off).
posted by damayanti at 4:33 AM on February 4, 2021


We love our honda hrv which has awd, was the smallest we could go out of desire for fuel efficiency and parking in city streets, and has handled snowy roads on all seasons beautifully. Only complaint is that the engine is merely adequate and not sporty so some of the "fun to drive" factor goes down but it's served our family of four with two car seats very well.
posted by Karaage at 4:41 AM on February 4, 2021 [2 favorites]


Mazda CX3 has an AWD option. This model was my fave test drive out of trying a bunch of different things! The only reason we didn't go with it is limited trunk space, which maybe isn't an issue for you.

Honda HRV has the famous Tardis trunk. But wow that thing is slow.
posted by ovvl at 5:01 AM on February 4, 2021 [1 favorite]


We have a 2017 VW Sportwagen that's AWD. It may be a little bigger than what you're looking for but it's definitely smaller than the Subarus my in-laws drive and it sits at sedan level. I find it feels more like driving our smaller Prius than any kind of truck or SUV. It's really good in the snow, decent creature comforts and MPG. We got it in red with black interior and though I say so myself it's pretty nice looking in that color combo.
posted by The Librarian at 5:15 AM on February 4, 2021


I had an AWD Kia Sportage Turbo that I loved. It’s in the same size range as many others listed here. Drove really well, never any maintenance issues, comfortable, lots of features, can fit a lot more in than you think. I put 80k miles on in three years, including three cross country road trips, so I had a lot of hours with it. Downside is that the gas mileage wasn’t great (I guess better in the non-turbo). I traded it in and went hybrid earlier this year. Like the new car, but still miss the zippiness of my Sportage.
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 5:28 AM on February 4, 2021


I made this search a couple of years ago. Here's a previous post of mine on the topic (and some more discussion around it that you may find useful): link to ask.mefi
posted by dbx at 6:23 AM on February 4, 2021


Nissan Altima's now come in AWD.
posted by my log does not judge at 6:23 AM on February 4, 2021 [1 favorite]


Fits and HRV's are wonderful cars if that's big enough for you (and they are biiiig inside with lots of cool ways to arrange the seats).
posted by ftm at 6:28 AM on February 4, 2021 [1 favorite]


The Toyota Camry is also AWD available now. You lose some fuel capacity as well as some fuel economy, but it's still a Camry. Avalon has optional AWD too now if you want it a little more cush and memorable.
posted by mattamatic at 6:56 AM on February 4, 2021 [1 favorite]


The Mini Countryman is available in AWD.
posted by primethyme at 6:59 AM on February 4, 2021 [1 favorite]


Hyundai Kona.
posted by kiwi-epitome at 7:04 AM on February 4, 2021


The new Kia Seltos comes in AWD. I've been looking at it as the AWD upgrade to my Kia Soul (which sadly, does not do AWD). The Hyundai Kona is also very frequently mentioned as being the a comparable option to the Seltos at this price point.
posted by cgg at 7:25 AM on February 4, 2021


We went up one step from a Honda Fit to an HRV, and it has handled pretty well in the large amounts of snow we recently got. We like the car a lot, the only quibbles we have with it are minor (cupholders and the back door handle design sometimes startles people because it's not where they think it should be. Although, we don't actually mind that.)
posted by PussKillian at 7:42 AM on February 4, 2021


I know you said you already know about Subies, but there's a reason you know about them. They just work. My wife went from heart-set-on-a-Civic-but-humoring-me-on-test-driving-the-Outback to heart-set-on-the-Outback-but-humoring-the-dealer-on-test-driving-the-Civic almost instantly upon trying out her Outback.
posted by notsnot at 7:44 AM on February 4, 2021 [1 favorite]


Mom drove a Toyota Corolla for 20 years until it finally gave out and she chose Hyundai Kona SEL and she loves it. Its got the same footprint as a Corolla and it sits just a tiny bit higher so that she can see better and she doesn't have to climb "down" into it like she had with the Corolla. Mom is 5' 3".
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 7:51 AM on February 4, 2021 [1 favorite]


I bought a 2016 Mazda CX-3 (3 years used) with AWD and I've been very happy with it. It does have small trunk space -- I don't have a lot of hauling needs and for anything that involves a lot of stuff my partner has a Nissan Rogue with AWD so we're set on both fronts. I love my Mazda.
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:01 AM on February 4, 2021 [1 favorite]


I set out on the same mission as you in 2019. I knew about the Subaru Crosstrek and tried out all the competing models from other brands. In the end, I bought..... a Subaru Crosstrek. I found them to drive the best, and had the best price for the features offered. As @notsnot mentioned, there's a reason why you know about them. They're just the best.
posted by soy_renfield at 8:09 AM on February 4, 2021 [1 favorite]


Not sure if it's available in the states, but maybe a Suzuki Jimny?
posted by aeighty at 8:35 AM on February 4, 2021


There’s also a safety factor in the Subaru brand - our older (2010) Forester was in a wreck (house-sitter using car while we were gone, with permission) that totaled the car. She was injured, but lived - something the insurance adjuster and police both said would not have been the case if it hadn’t been a Subaru.
posted by dbmcd at 8:47 AM on February 4, 2021


Our driveway + snow make this a requirement. I dearly loved an AWD CRV from 2001, which I was sorry to retire after 220K miles. Ideally the HRV has picked up there. I now have an early Crosstrek, which is decent overall and have had no issues with 4WD. Both of these had/have manual transmission if that detail is of interest.
posted by childofTethys at 8:51 AM on February 4, 2021


Subaru Crosstrek.
posted by oozy rat in a sanitary zoo at 9:43 AM on February 4, 2021


We purchased a 2019 Volvo XC40. The T5 and T6 trims are AWD, but not the T4. Now comes in hybrid.
posted by photovox at 11:41 AM on February 4, 2021


I have a 2015 Mitsubishi outlander sport I believe this is the cheapest crossover 4wd on the market. It is very basic and gas mileage is only mediocre. That being said it's a pretty comfortable car and does great in the snow. I've done back to back 600 mile round trips in it and have no complaints. If you are on a tight budget this vehicle is a good value.

I also have a Mazda CX5 it's a well designed AWD car, it handles fine in the snow. It's a comfortable vehicle with lots of amenities, but it may be a little bigger than you like. You could check out the new Mazda CX30 it feels closer to a sedan than other crossovers.
posted by jmsta at 11:59 AM on February 4, 2021


Chiming in with a recommendation for the Mazda CX-30. I had similar requirements, and love mine. It's essentially the body of a Mazda 3, lifted a few inches, and with a little more trunk space than the 3 hatchback. I was going from a Nissan Versa, and really didn't want to go much bigger, but did want to sit a bit higher and have AWD for the winter. It was less expensive than most of the other crossovers I looked at and, in my opinion, looks and feels higher end than many of them.
posted by loren004 at 3:45 PM on February 4, 2021


I have a Tesla Model 3 AWD, and it has the benefit of being a sedan, but also being spacious.
Watch a video of its ability to drive off rollers to get a sense of the benefits of electric motor AWD systems. Plus, you get to no longer use gasoline!
posted by birdsquared at 4:50 PM on February 4, 2021


Here's a list of all vehicles going back to 2018 that offer AWD/4WD, belonging to a selection of small/compact/midsize vehicle segments as delineated by JD Power:

Acura NSX 21 Coupe Hybrid
Acura NSX 20 Coupe Hybrid
Acura NSX 19 Coupe Hybrid
Acura NSX 18 Coupe Hybrid
Acura RLX 20 Hybrid
Acura RLX 19 Hybrid
Acura RLX 18 Hybrid
Acura TLX 21 Sedan
Acura TLX 20 Sedan
Acura TLX 19 Sedan
Acura TLX 18 Sedan
Alfa Romeo Giulia 21 Sedan
Alfa Romeo Giulia 20 Sedan
Alfa Romeo Giulia 19 Sedan
Alfa Romeo Giulia 18 Sedan
Audi A3 20 Sedan
Audi A3 19 Convertible
Audi A3 19 Sedan
Audi A3 18 Convertible
Audi A3 18 Sedan
Audi A4 21 Sedan
Audi A4 21 Sedan Hybrid
Audi A4 20 Sedan
Audi A4 19 Sedan
Audi A4 18 Sedan
Audi A5 21 5-Door
Audi A5 21 5-Door Hybrid
Audi A5 21 Convertible
Audi A5 21 Convertible Hybrid
Audi A5 21 Coupe
Audi A5 21 Coupe Hybrid
Audi A5 20 5-Door
Audi A5 20 Convertible
Audi A5 20 Coupe
Audi A5 19 5-Door
Audi A5 19 Convertible
Audi A5 19 Coupe
Audi A5 18 5-Door
Audi A5 18 Convertible
Audi A5 18 Coupe
Audi A6 21 Allroad Hybrid
Audi A6 21 Sedan Hybrid
Audi A6 21 Wagon Hybrid
Audi A6 20 Allroad Hybrid
Audi A6 20 Sedan Hybrid
Audi A6 19 Sedan Hybrid
Audi A6 18 Sedan
Audi A7 21 5-Door Hybrid
Audi A7 21 5-Door Plug-In Hybrid
Audi A7 20 5-Door Hybrid
Audi A7 19 5-Door Hybrid
Audi A7 18 5-Door
Audi A4 21 Allroad Hybrid
Audi A4 20 Allroad
Audi A4 19 Allroad
Audi A4 18 Allroad
Audi Q3 21
Audi Q3 20
Audi Q3 19
Audi Q3 18
Audi R8 21 Convertible
Audi R8 21 Coupe
Audi R8 20 Convertible
Audi R8 20 Coupe
Audi R8 18 Convertible
Audi R8 18 Coupe
Audi TT 21 Convertible
Audi TT 21 Coupe
Audi TT 20 Convertible
Audi TT 20 Coupe
Audi TT 19 Convertible
Audi TT 19 Coupe
Audi TT 18 Convertible
Audi TT 18 Coupe
BMW 2-Series 21 Convertible
BMW 2-Series 21 Coupe
BMW 2-Series 20 Convertible
BMW 2-Series 20 Coupe
BMW 2-Series 19 Convertible
BMW 2-Series 19 Coupe
BMW 2-Series 18 Convertible
BMW 2-Series 18 Coupe
BMW 2-Series 21 Gran Coupe
BMW 2-Series 20 Gran Coupe
BMW 3-Series 21 Sedan
BMW 3-Series 21 Sedan Plug-In Hybrid
BMW 3-Series 20 Sedan
BMW 3-Series 19 Sedan
BMW 3-Series 19 Wagon
BMW 3-Series 18 Sedan
BMW 3-Series 18 Wagon
BMW 3-Series 19 Gran Turismo
BMW 3-Series 18 Gran Turismo
BMW 4-Series 21 Coupe
BMW 4-Series 21 Coupe Hybrid
BMW 4-Series 20 Convertible
BMW 4-Series 20 Coupe
BMW 4-Series 19 Convertible
BMW 4-Series 19 Coupe
BMW 4-Series 18 Convertible
BMW 4-Series 18 Coupe
BMW 4-Series 20 Gran Coupe
BMW 4-Series 19 Gran Coupe
BMW 4-Series 18 Gran Coupe
BMW 5-Series 21 Sedan
BMW 5-Series 21 Sedan Hybrid
BMW 5-Series 21 Sedan Plug-In Hybrid
BMW 5-Series 20 Plug-In Hybrid
BMW 5-Series 20 Sedan
BMW 5-Series 19 Plug-In Hybrid
BMW 5-Series 19 Sedan
BMW 5-Series 18 Plug-In Hybrid
BMW 5-Series 18 Sedan
BMW 6-Series 18 Convertible
BMW 6-Series 19 Gran Coupe
BMW 6-Series 18 Gran Coupe
BMW 6-Series 19 Gran Turismo
BMW 6-Series 18 Gran Turismo
BMW 8-Series 21 Convertible
BMW 8-Series 21 Coupe
BMW 8-Series 20 Convertible
BMW 8-Series 20 Coupe
BMW 8-Series 19 Convertible
BMW 8-Series 19 Coupe
BMW X1 21
BMW X1 20
BMW X1 19
BMW X1 18
BMW X2 21
BMW X2 20
BMW X2 19
BMW X2 18
BMW i8 20 Convertible Plug-In Hybrid
BMW i8 20 Coupe Plug-In Hybrid
BMW i8 19 Convertible Plug-In Hybrid
BMW i8 19 Coupe Plug-In Hybrid
Buick Encore 21
Buick Encore 20
Buick Encore 19
Buick Encore 18
Buick Encore GX 21
Buick Encore GX 20
Buick Regal Sportback 20 5-Door
Buick Regal TourX 20 Wagon
Buick Regal Sportback 19 5-Door
Buick Regal TourX 19 Wagon
Buick Regal Sportback 18 5-Door
Buick Regal TourX 18 Wagon
Cadillac ATS 19 Coupe
Cadillac ATS 18 Coupe
Cadillac ATS 18 Sedan
Cadillac CT4 21 Sedan
Cadillac CT4 20 Sedan
Cadillac CT5 21 Sedan
Cadillac CT5 20 Sedan
Cadillac CT6 20 Sedan
Cadillac CT6 19 Sedan
Cadillac CT6 18 Sedan
Cadillac CTS 19 Sedan
Cadillac CTS 18 Sedan
Cadillac XT4 21
Cadillac XT4 20
Cadillac XT4 19
Cadillac XTS 19 Sedan
Cadillac XTS 18 Sedan
Chevrolet TrailBlazer 21
Chevrolet Trax 21
Chevrolet Trax 20
Chevrolet Trax 19
Chevrolet Trax 18
Dodge Challenger 21 Coupe
Dodge Challenger 20 Coupe
Dodge Challenger 19 Coupe
Dodge Challenger 18 Coupe
Ferrari GTC4Lusso 20 3-Door
Ferrari GTC4Lusso 19 3-Door
Ferrari GTC4Lusso 18 3-Door
Ferrari SF90 20 Coupe Hybrid
Fiat 500X 21
Fiat 500X 20
Fiat 500X 19
Fiat 500X 18
Ford Bronco Sport 21
Ford EcoSport 21
Ford EcoSport 20
Ford EcoSport 19
Ford EcoSport 18
Ford Focus 18 5-Door
Ford Fusion 20 Sedan
Ford Fusion 19 Sedan
Ford Fusion 18 Sedan
Genesis G70 21 Sedan
Genesis G70 20 Sedan
Genesis G70 19 Sedan
Genesis G80 21 Sedan
Genesis G80 20 Sedan
Genesis G80 19 Sedan
Genesis G80 18 Sedan
Honda HR-V 21
Honda HR-V 20
Honda HR-V 19
Honda HR-V 18
Hyundai Kona 21
Hyundai Kona 20
Hyundai Kona 19
Hyundai Kona 18
Hyundai Santa Fe 18 Sport
Hyundai Tucson 21
Hyundai Tucson 20
Hyundai Tucson 19
Hyundai Tucson 18
INFINITI Q50 21 Sedan
INFINITI Q50 20 Sedan
INFINITI Q50 19 Sedan
INFINITI Q50 18 Hybrid
INFINITI Q50 18 Sedan
INFINITI Q60 21 Coupe
INFINITI Q60 20 Coupe
INFINITI Q60 19 Coupe
INFINITI Q60 18 Coupe
INFINITI Q70 19 Sedan
INFINITI Q70 18 Sedan
INFINITI QX30 19
INFINITI QX30 18
Jaguar E-Pace 21 Hybrid
Jaguar E-Pace 20
Jaguar E-Pace 19
Jaguar E-Pace 18
Jaguar F-Type 21 Convertible
Jaguar F-Type 21 Coupe
Jaguar F-Type 20 Convertible
Jaguar F-Type 20 Coupe
Jaguar F-Type 19 Convertible
Jaguar F-Type 19 Coupe
Jaguar F-Type 18 Convertible
Jaguar F-Type 18 Coupe
Jaguar XE 20 Sedan
Jaguar XE 19 Sedan
Jaguar XE 18 Sedan
Jaguar XF 20 Sedan
Jaguar XF 20 Wagon
Jaguar XF 19 Sedan
Jaguar XF 19 Wagon
Jaguar XF 18 Sedan
Jaguar XF 18 Wagon
Jeep Compass 21
Jeep Compass 20
Jeep Compass 19
Jeep Compass 18
Jeep Renegade 21
Jeep Renegade 20
Jeep Renegade 19
Jeep Renegade 18
Kia K5 21 Sedan
Kia Seltos 21
Kia Sportage 21
Kia Sportage 20
Kia Sportage 19
Kia Sportage 18
Kia Stinger 21 Sedan
Kia Stinger 20 Sedan
Kia Stinger 19 Sedan
Kia Stinger 18 Sedan
Lamborghini Aventador 20 Convertible
Lamborghini Aventador 20 Coupe
Lamborghini Aventador 19 Convertible
Lamborghini Aventador 19 Coupe
Lamborghini Aventador 18 Convertible
Lamborghini Aventador 18 Coupe
Lamborghini Huracan 21 Convertible
Lamborghini Huracan 21 Coupe
Lamborghini Huracan 20 Convertible
Lamborghini Huracan 20 Coupe
Lamborghini Huracan 19 Convertible
Lamborghini Huracan 19 Coupe
Lamborghini Huracan 18 Convertible
Lamborghini Huracan 18 Coupe
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 21 5-Door
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 20 5-Door
Lexus ES 21 Sedan
Lexus GS 20 Sedan
Lexus GS 19 Sedan
Lexus GS 18 Sedan
Lexus IS 21 Sedan
Lexus IS 20 Sedan
Lexus IS 19 Sedan
Lexus IS 18 Sedan
Lexus RC 21 Coupe
Lexus RC 20 Coupe
Lexus RC 19 Coupe
Lexus RC 18 Coupe
Lexus UX 21 Hybrid
Lexus UX 20 Hybrid
Lexus UX 19 Hybrid
Lincoln Continental 20 Sedan
Lincoln Continental 19 Sedan
Lincoln Continental 18 Sedan
Lincoln MKZ 20 Sedan
Lincoln MKZ 19 Sedan
Lincoln MKZ 18 Sedan
Maserati Ghibli 21 Sedan
Maserati Ghibli 20 Sedan
Maserati Ghibli 19 Sedan
Maserati Ghibli 18 Sedan
Mazda3 21 5-Door
Mazda3 21 Sedan
Mazda3 20 5-Door
Mazda3 20 Sedan
Mazda3 19 5-Door
Mazda3 19 Sedan
Mazda CX-3 21
Mazda CX-3 20
Mazda CX-3 19
Mazda CX-3 18
Mazda CX-30 21
Mazda CX-30 20
Mercedes-Benz A-Class 21 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz A-Class 20 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz A-Class 19 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 21 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 21 Sedan Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 20 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 20 Sedan Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 19 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 19 Sedan Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 21 Convertible
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 21 Coupe
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 21 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 20 Convertible
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 20 Coupe
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 20 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 19 Convertible
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 19 Coupe
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 19 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 18 Convertible
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 18 Coupe
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 18 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 21 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 20 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 19 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 18 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 21 Sedan Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 20 Sedan Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 19 Sedan Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 18 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 21 All Terrain Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 21 Convertible Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 21 Coupe Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 21 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 21 Sedan Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 21 Wagon
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 20 Convertible
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 20 Convertible Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 20 Coupe
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 20 Coupe Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 20 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 20 Sedan Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 20 Wagon
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 19 Convertible
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 19 Convertible Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 19 Coupe
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 19 Coupe Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 19 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 19 Sedan Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 19 Wagon
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 18 Convertible
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 18 Coupe
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 18 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 18 Wagon
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 21
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 20
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 19
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 18
Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class 21
Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class 20
Mini Cooper Clubman 21
Mini Cooper Clubman 20
Mini Cooper Clubman 19
Mini Cooper Clubman 18
Mini Cooper Countryman 21
Mini Cooper Countryman 21 Plug-In Hybrid
Mini Cooper Countryman 20
Mini Cooper Countryman 20 Plug-In Hybrid
Mini Cooper Countryman 19
Mini Cooper Countryman 19 Plug-In Hybrid
Mini Cooper Countryman 18
Mini Cooper Countryman 18 Plug-In Hybrid
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 21
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 20
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 19
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 18
Nissan Altima 21 Sedan
Nissan Altima 20 Sedan
Nissan Altima 19 Sedan
Nissan GT-R 21 Coupe
Nissan GT-R 20 Coupe
Nissan GT-R 19 Coupe
Nissan GT-R 18 Coupe
Nissan Rogue Sport 20
Nissan Rogue Sport 19
Nissan Rogue 18 Sport
Polestar 1 21 Coupe Plug-In Hybrid
Polestar 1 20 Coupe Plug-In Hybrid
Polestar 2 21 Sedan Electric
Porsche 911 21 Convertible
Porsche 911 21 Coupe
Porsche 911 21 Targa
Porsche 911 20 Convertible
Porsche 911 20 Coupe
Porsche 911 19 Convertible
Porsche 911 19 Coupe
Porsche 911 19 Targa
Porsche 911 18 Convertible
Porsche 911 18 Coupe
Porsche 911 18 Targa
Porsche Taycan 21 Sedan Electric
Porsche Taycan 20 Sedan Electric
Subaru Crosstrek 21
Subaru Crosstrek 21 Plug-In Hybrid
Subaru Crosstrek 20
Subaru Crosstrek 20 Plug-In Hybrid
Subaru Crosstrek 19
Subaru Crosstrek 19 Plug-In Hybrid
Subaru Crosstrek 18
Subaru Impreza 21 Sedan
Subaru Impreza 21 Wagon
Subaru Impreza 20 Sedan
Subaru Impreza 20 Wagon
Subaru Impreza 19 Sedan
Subaru Impreza 19 Wagon
Subaru Impreza 18 Sedan
Subaru Impreza 18 Wagon
Subaru Legacy 21 Sedan
Subaru Legacy 20 Sedan
Subaru Legacy 19 Sedan
Subaru Legacy 18 Sedan
Subaru WRX 21 Sedan
Subaru WRX 20 Sedan
Subaru WRX 19 Sedan
Subaru WRX 18 Sedan
Tesla Model 3 21 Sedan Electric
Tesla Model 3 20 Sedan Electric
Tesla Model 3 19 Sedan Electric
Tesla Model 3 18 Sedan Electric
Tesla Model S 21 Sedan Electric
Tesla Model S 20 Sedan Electric
Tesla Model S 19 Sedan Electric
Tesla Model S 18 Sedan Electric
Toyota Camry 21 Sedan
Toyota Camry 20 Sedan
Toyota Prius 21 Hybrid
Toyota Prius 20 Hybrid
Toyota Prius 19 Hybrid
Volkswagen Arteon 21 5-Door
Volkswagen Arteon 20 5-Door
Volkswagen Arteon 19 5-Door
Volkswagen Golf 19 Alltrack
Volkswagen Golf 19 Wagon
Volkswagen Golf 18 Alltrack
Volkswagen Golf 18 Wagon
Volkswagen Golf R 19 5-Door
Volkswagen Golf R 18 5-Door
Volkswagen Tiguan 21
Volkswagen Tiguan 20
Volkswagen Tiguan 19
Volkswagen Tiguan 18
Volkswagen Tiguan 18 Limited
Volvo S60 21 Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo S60 21 Sedan
Volvo S60 20 Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo S60 20 Sedan
Volvo S60 19 Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo S60 19 Sedan
Volvo S60 18 Cross Country
Volvo S60 18 Sedan
Volvo S90 21 Sedan
Volvo S90 21 Sedan Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo S90 20 Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo S90 20 Sedan
Volvo S90 19 Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo S90 19 Sedan
Volvo S90 18 Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo S90 18 Sedan
Volvo V60 21 Cross Country
Volvo V60 21 Wagon Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo V60 20 Cross Country
Volvo V60 20 Wagon Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo V60 19 Wagon
Volvo V60 18 Cross Country
Volvo V60 18 Wagon
Volvo V90 21 Cross Country
Volvo V90 21 Wagon
Volvo V90 20 Cross Country
Volvo V90 20 Wagon
Volvo V90 19 Cross Country
Volvo V90 19 Wagon
Volvo V90 18 Cross Country
Volvo V90 18 Wagon
Volvo XC40 21
Volvo XC40 21 Electric
Volvo XC40 20
Volvo XC40 19
posted by axiom at 5:15 PM on February 4, 2021 [1 favorite]


I'm looking at the same thing, and I'm mostly considering the Crosstrek, Mazda CX30 and the new Nissan Juke, which is now Nissan Kicks and got the highest safety rating among the comparisons I saw.
posted by Pax at 11:59 AM on February 5, 2021


Response by poster: Not sure if it's available in the states, but maybe a Suzuki Jimny?

Ha, I currently drive a Suzuki Kizashi and I love it! But sadly Suzukis are no longer made here.

Thanks everyone for the responses! A lot to think about. And spitbull, thanks for the informed comments re: snow tires. I will have to look into that.
posted by cozenedindigo at 2:26 PM on February 5, 2021


Just to add a bit to spitball's food for thought:

I have Michelin Cross-Climate Plus tires on my AWD Model 3. As long as your winter conditions are occasional, as opposed to months long (I live in Burnaby, and have the AWD and all weather tires to go up to the local ski mountain, as well as whenever it actually snows in metro Vancouver, since the streets stay snow covered for a while when that happens). I totally agree that the tires are a hugely important component of the analysis, but with all weathers (essentially, the Cross-Climates are close to summer performance tires with 3 peak mountain snow flake symbol - meaning they don't lose traction in the cold weather (another aspect of usually needing to switch tires in the winter) and they are much better than all seasons on snow and ice, though obviously not as good as dedicated snow tires) you can avoid the issue of deciding when to switch tires, avoid storage issues for the extra set of tires (and rims, if you go that route), and not worry about a sudden cold snap, or alternatively, in the winter, a sudden warming that clears the roads and makes your winter tires a tad 'mushy'.

It all depends on why exactly you are insistent your vehicle have AWD... or to put in in the inevitable pun form: Your mileage may vary.
posted by birdsquared at 9:58 PM on February 5, 2021


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