Get an end-of-the-year deal on the best used cars for winter driving

These AWD sedans and SUVs will get you through the snow

Published: December 31, 2014 08:00 AM

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Is your old car leaving you stuck in the snow? If you live in the Snow Belt, you might not need to buy a brand-new car to get to a family gathering this winter. These 10 late-model used cars have great reliability, a good price, and all-wheel drive.

These best used cars for winter driving all exemplify how steep depreciation can be a boon to used-car buyers. Among the late-model used cars selling for the steepest discounts this month, we aimed for a broad selection of prices, body styles, and purposes. Each of the vehicles featured are rated as Good Bets in used cars, meaning they have at least average reliability for cars their age.

The best deals are three-year-old cars selling for nearly half off their original sticker price. In some cases, they might have carried big discounts when new, thereby impacting resale value. Configurations highlighted are those with the largest discount, but for most you can find similar savings on other variations. All vehicles listed have about average miles for their age, of about 12,000 miles per year. (See our latest used-car deals.) Keep in mind that tires are really the key to traction. And as these cars are all likely approaching time to replace the original equipment, be sure to select tires with excellent winter traction (check out Consumer Reports' tire ratings).

Whatever your needs, these best used cars for winter driving will give you a lot for your money in terms of comfort, features, and functionality. They are ranked by the amount you could save — from least to greatest — compared with what each model cost when it was new, assuming you purchase through a dealerhsip. Click on the vehicle names for complete details, including road test, pricing, and reliability.

Toyota RAV4

This RAV4 was our Top Pick in small SUVs when it came out in 2006, and minor updates for 2009 improved its handling further. The potent V6 makes the RAV extremely quick. Since gas prices went sky-high during the recession, small SUV buyers have gravitated toward fuel-efficient four-cylinder models. That may be why these V6 powerhouses sell with a big 28 percent discount. Yet the V6 also included a five-speed transmission (rather than a four-speed), keeping the V6 within 1 mpg of the four-cylinder model in Consumer Reports testing. Despite its tidy dimensions, the RAV4 has a roomy backseat; some even came with a small third row. Add in very good reliability, and the RAV4 is a smart small SUV choice.

Model	Percent savings off original MSRP	Average dealer sales price	MSRP when new
2011 Toyota RAV4 AWD V6 Base	28%	$18,400	$25,460

Honda Pilot

If you're looking for something roomier than the RAV4 that's still AWD, family friendly, and seats up to eight passengers, consider the Pilot. It's got sound driving dynamics, plenty of space inside, and a very good reliability record. The cabin is distinguished by ample room for the front rows, with comfortable seating. The third row is best reserved for kids. Tons of big cubbies throughout help make the Pilot a butch alternative to a minivan. At 31 percent off MSRP, a used Pilot is a great value.

Model	Percent savings off original MSRP	Average dealer sales price	MSRP when new
2011 Honda Pilot LX AWD	31%	$20,525	$29,645

Mitsubishi Outlander

An unsung contender when it was new, the Outlander remains a solid small SUV. While it was a little slow, the four-cylinder, with its CVT transmission got an impressive 22 mpg overall. Like the RAV4, the Outlander offered a little third-row seat for emergency duty ferrying kids' friends home from soccer games. Steering and handling feel nimble and responsive, and the Outlander has a handy split tailgate that's unique in the segment. A punchy V6 engine was also available, though its fuel economy isn't very good. Outlander reliability is excellent. While we like this Mitsubishi, and it sounds like a great deal at less than $16,000, they weren't very popular when new, so you may have to look hard to find one.

Model	Percent savings off original MSRP	Average dealer sales price	MSRP when new
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander SE AWD (4-cyl.)	35%	$15,825	$24,495

Toyota Tundra

When it comes to winter, finding the right ride isn't always about getting yourself around; sometimes it's about helping others. If you're looking for a used workhorse or plow truck, the Toyota Tundra is a great value in regular cab configuration. Through the 2014 model year, the Tundra offered a choice of two powerful V8 engines and a more efficient V6. Each engine is backed by a smooth, responsive five- or six-speed automatic transmission. With great reliability and a hefty 37 percent off its original sticker, the Tundra is a compelling used truck buy.

Model	Percent savings off original MSRP	Average dealer sales price	MSRP when new
2011 Toyota Tundra 4WD Base, Regular Cab	37%	$18,275	$29,130

Acura MDX

A luxury car for seven, the MDX has long been one of our top-rated SUVs. It's quiet and plush inside; its punchy V6 engine is slick, and handling feels particularly responsive and secure. With a six-speed automatic transmission, fuel economy is decent, though the premium fuel requirement is a definite bummer. Inside, the MDX has every amenity you'd expect in a luxury SUV. Adults will find plenty of space, though the third row is mainly meant for kids. Plus, it has a great reliability track record. While smaller luxury SUVs have come into vogue, a used MDX offers a lot for the money, with discounts of 37 percent off sticker.

Model	Percent savings off original MSRP	Average dealer sales price	MSRP when new
2011 Acura MDX AWD Advance	37%	$32,700	$52,205

Acura TL

Not all winter cars have to be SUVs. If you're looking for all-wheel drive, the best deals are often on sedans. The third-generation TL delivers a near-ideal blend of comfort, convenience, and sportiness, especially at its now reduced price as a used car. Plus, the SH all-wheel-drive package adds all-season traction to an already really capable, coddling sedan. This TL gets Acura's standard smooth, powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine and six speed transmission. Reliability is also first rate.

Model	Percent savings off original MSRP	Average dealer sales price	MSRP when new
2011 Acura TL SH-AWD (w/Technology Package)	40%	$25,700	$42,585

Mercedes-Benz C300

The C-Class has long been one of the most engaging Mercedes sedans to drive. With all-wheel drive, even snowy roads don't slow it down. The V6 engine in the C300 sounds sporty and has plenty of pep, brakes pop you to a quick stop, and the steering feels lively and communicative. The suspension can be choppy, but we found the Luxury trim to have a steady ride and agile handling. While service visits can be scary with some Mercedes models, the C300 has decent reliability. So if you're looking for prestige on a budget, the C300's 41 percent discount is pretty compelling.

Model	Percent savings off original MSRP	Average dealer sales price	MSRP when new
2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 AWD Luxury	41%	$22,500	$37,910

Honda Accord Crosstour

The Accord Crosstour gets a bad rap for being neither fish nor fowl: Its big fastback design doesn't have enough cargo room to compete with traditional SUVs, and it compromises visibility. Based on an elevated Honda Accord, it is less nimble than a sedan or a small SUV. Still, the Crosstour has its assets, especially at the right price. Passengers will appreciate the high seating and spacious interior. The V6 powertrain is smooth. Really good reliability, combined with a hefty 43 percent off the sticker price, may put this tweener over the top.

Model	Percent savings off original MSRP	Average dealer sales price	MSRP when new
2011 Honda Accord Crosstour EX-L AWD	43%	$19,625	$34,140

Lincoln MKZ

A bargain, the Lincoln MKZ provides the luxury amenities of much more expensive imports, while being engaging to drive. Most drivers will find plenty of room all around, and the steering wheel provides good tilt and telescope range. Strong reliability means its drivers aren't spending days in the shop—or spending the kind of money European sports sedan owners often do on repairs. Three years on, these Lincolns sell at just over half their original price.

Model	Percent savings off original MSRP	Average dealer sales price	MSRP when new
2011 Lincoln MKZ Base AWD	47%	$19,325	$36,220

Ford Fusion

If the 2011 Lincoln MKZ seems a great deal, consider the 2012 Ford Fusion. For less money than the Lincoln, you can get essentially the same car a year newer, with fewer miles. While the rest of our top bargains turned out to be 2011 models with about 50,000 miles on them, this 2012 Fusion has only 40,000. Depreciation has hit the Fusion as hard in two years as it did in three years for some other cars on this list. All-wheel drive was available with the V6, and most models came fully loaded with Ford's advanced-though-buggy MyFord Touch system. That gives the Fusion voice-command, Bluetooth, and navigation systems normally found on expensive luxury cars. Even its reliability has been decent. Overall, a used Fusion is one of the most affordable ways to get AWD and that's why it's one our best used cars for winter driving.