Whether you’ve got the whole family with you or you’re on a solo mission, having a vehicle that can safely get you through often predictable winter weather is important. That’s where Chevy comes in. Any Chevy SUV dealer will tell you that there are a lot of options available when it comes to picking out a model that is ready and able to handle snow and slush.
Chevy is a company that has a long history of producing some of the most capable long-lasting models on the market. From cars to trucks and SUVs, Chevy is known for its powerful engines and great performance features. Making sure you buy a vehicle that fits your needs is important because, regardless of where you live, winter typically means snow, ice, freezing rain, and biting winds. Make sure you’re prepared for whatever mother nature unleashes this year.
Chevy has a lot to choose from, so we’ve decided to take some of the guesswork out of it by highlighting four of our favorite top-performing Chevy models for winter driving. We’re looking for power, four-wheel drive, ground clearance, and top-notch driver assist and safety features that will get you and your family where you need to go safely when roads get wintery.
#1 – Chevy Tahoe
Chevy’s SUV and crossover family is made up of full-size to compact crossover SUVs, meaning it’s easy for drivers to find what they’re looking for without compromising desired features or performance. We’re going to start off big by checking out the Chevy Tahoe. This full-size beast is ready for snow, icy roads, sleet, wind, and anything else winter decides to drop on us. The Tahoe has made a name for itself for being a comfortable, safe vehicle that’s great for large or growing families. While it delivers when it comes to luxury, if you have a winter road trip planned, you can bet the Tahoe is up for the job. The Tahoe has a couple of key features we want when it comes to winter vehicles:
- Heavy body
- Available four-wheel drive
- Great ground clearance
- Powerful engine
- First-class safety features
And that’s just to start. We love that the Tahoe offers interior features like heated seating, dual-zone climate control, and a spacious cabin, but the Tahoe offers even more when it comes to giving drivers the confidence and peace of mind they need to take on winter driving. Let’s face it, driving during a snowstorm or on icy roads can be stressful and unless you live in a tropical paradise, you’re bound to run into some less-than-optimal road conditions during the winter months. You can drive confidently knowing their Tahoe offers a V8 engine, four-wheel drive, ABS, and a combo of stability and traction control. This makes the Tahoe responsive and easy to handle on slick roads. While its ground clearance and weight help it tackle deep snow, making it less likely to skid, roll, and get stuck.
#2 – Chevy Traverse
The second Chevy SUV on our radar is its midsize three-row model, the Chevy Traverse. This isn’t just a good-looking SUV that can fit the entire family, it also offers plenty of safety, power, and performance when needed. While the Traverse looks very similar to the Chevy Equinox, it’s larger, offers more seating, and is a heavier vehicle. Features that give the Traverse a slight edge over SUVs like the Equinox are things like:
- Its size/weight
- Available all-wheel drive
- Snow mode
- Ground clearance
- Premium driver assist & safety features
The midsize SUV is heavier, which makes breaking up road ice easier, plus drivers will have more ground clearance for getting through accumulated snow. Get the most from your vehicle when you add all-wheel drive. The systems you want are StabiliTrak and the traction control system. These features offer drivers increased protection against slippery roads, monitoring wheel speed, throttle position, and steering, all while providing extra grip when you need it.
One feature that sets the Traverse apart from other SUVs is Snow Mode, which, especially if you have a front-wheel drive vehicle, can make all the difference when driving on winter roads. Snow Mode controls the torque, effectively giving you more stability while limiting slipping. Snow Mode is also priceless if you find yourself stuck. Snow Mode goes to work, slowing the wheels to let you steadily ease out of the muck and slush without digging yourself into a deeper hole.
#3 – Chevy Silverado 1500
Our first pick probably won’t surprise you because it’s also one of Chevy’s best-selling models, the Silverado 1500. This light-duty truck is the Swiss Army Knife of the automotive world. Whether you’re on the job site or running the family around the town, the Silverado’s premium features and top performance make it a truck for every season, including winter.
You want a truck that can perform when you need it, and if you’re using it as a family vehicle, dependability is very important. Luckily for you, the Silverado 1500 has a solid reputation as a nonstop beast that goes and goes long after other trucks have given up. More than that, it’s a truck that can handle itself when it comes to rough, slippery, or snowy terrain. Key features that give the Silverado high marks for winter driving include:
- Available four-wheel drive
- First-Class steering with responsive handling
- Powerful engine choices
- Off-roading potential
The Silverado 1500 is a truck that’s built to take drivers anywhere at any time, so do you really think a little snow will slow it down? The Silverado’s engine choices vary yearly, from V6s to V8, turbo engines to diesel ones. Whatever engine you end up with, you know it’s going to be made with Chevy’s world-class engineering, so you won’t be disappointed. When you get a Silverado equipped with an off-roading package, you can bet your truck will be ready when the snow starts to fall. Additional safety and driver assist features lend extra traction and control to the truck, making it a dependable, versatile vehicle that’s capable of tackling a variety of situations, on or off the road, in all kinds of weather.
#4 – Chevy Colorado
The last truck we’re going to mention is the Chevy Colorado. This midsize truck is known for its flexibility and long-lasting performance, making it a great vehicle that offers miles of trouble-free driving. While it’s smaller and lighter than the Silverado 1500, the Colorado is still a great truck for urban, suburban, and rural driving in all seasons. Drivers can expect impressive performance features and driver assist systems when they get behind the wheel. A few things we love:
- Great ground clearance
- Traction control system plus additional driver assist features
- Powerful V6 engine and torque
- Available four-wheel drive
The Colorado was designed to deliver a safe and fun driving experience, no matter the road condition. To make sure you use all the Colorado has to offer, make sure you level up to four-wheel drive for increased grip in a variety of situations, from mud to slush to ice to snow. StabiliTrak comes standard on the Colorado, so drivers can expect more balance and control during slippery situations, while the truck’s traction control gives your tires the extra grip they need.
Winter Driving Just Got a Whole Lot Easier
It only comes once a year, but even so, winter sticks around for months at a time, often throwing drivers curve balls (or snowballs) when they least expect it. Making sure you have a safe and durable vehicle for you and your family is important. When you get behind the wheel of a Chevy, you’re not just getting a great winter vehicle but a tremendous all-year-long vehicle. Chevy creates its SUVs and trucks to be flexible and adaptable so that no matter the situation, drivers can stay in control and feel confident behind the wheel, even when the snow is falling.
Whether your winters consist of snow, ice, sleet, or cold winds and frost, having a vehicle you can depend on is priceless. Chevy’s entire family of cars, trucks, and SUVs is ready to help you take on whatever winter has in store this year. Don’t stress when the flakes start coming down; prepare from behind the wheel of a Chevy.
