The Best Vehicles for a Snowcation (+Driving & Rental Tips)
The one time of the year that is known for hazardous driving conditions is in the winter. During the winter, there can be ice, rain, snow, and slippery mud. You commonly hear about people visiting warm places during the winter as their vacation destination, but some like to visit cold and snowy places too.
Those who visit places that are known for being colder in the winter have to take a different set of precautions instead of those visiting warmer areas. Despite being majestically beautiful to the eye, ice, snow, and rain make poor driving conditions.
So people vacationing in colder places in the winter must know the best cars to rent to drive on roads in snowy areas. Aside from that, you have to be sure the rental car insurance you purchase best covers you while visiting and driving within a snowy town. Even if you are using pay-as-you-go auto insurance, you have to be sure it protects you from circumstances that only a snowy or icy road could put you in.
Unfortunately, many do not entirely consider the fact that they will need a specific type of rental car when vacationing in these areas, but this guide could help you make a wise rental car decision if you are one of those people.
#1 - Chevrolet Spark
If you are vacationing with your significant other or with a tiny group of people, then the Chevrolet Spark is an ideal brand to rent in your snowy vacation city. It is a compact car that gets you to where you are going with its projector headlights. These headlights are great when driving in snowy areas because it may be hard to see when snow is falling down, and those LED lights can guide you through the frost.
Another neat feature within this brand is its heated side-view mirrors. This means you can conveniently clear away snow, ice, and fog from your mirrors without having to stand in the cold and remove it manually. Aside from being self-heating, they are power-folding side mirrors as well. So to merely avoid ice building upon them, you can automatically fold them whenever you park.
#2 - Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is an ideal rental car when you know you will be visiting places with more massive snowfall because of its innovative All-Wheel Drive system. Its Dynamic Torque Control creates full traction when navigating slippery surfaces like icy and snowy roads. You also do not have to worry about being cold during your commute because the seats are heated. So as the rest of your car warms, your body will be nice and toasty because of the heated cushions in the seat.
#3 - Ford Escape
Renting a Ford Escape when having to tote large skiing material can save you tons of money on gas. This SUV is cost efficient with its EcoBoost engines and Auto Start-Stop Technology that helps lower fuel during longer drives and when toting larger items. The car’s hands-free liftgate also provides a sense of convenience when transporting your winter activity gear because all you have to do is kick your foot under the bumper to open your trunk.
#4 - Jeep Grand Cherokee
A Jeep Grand Cherokee is an SUV that is equipped to handle the most scenic roads in Norway during colder months because it can handle slippery and icy roads. It has an advanced 4x4 system that helps the car tread through areas where most cars can’t. So driving through snowy areas is a breeze in this car, especially with the heated exterior mirrors making it more visible for the driver.
Winter Car Driving and Rental Tips
You don’t always have to rent a big and sporty utility vehicle when visiting areas that will be snowy, muddy, or icy, but you should take caution when looking for the right vehicle to rent in these areas. You also want to purchase insurance that will fully cover you if the worst-case scenarios were to happen, like an accident caused by black ice.
Here are some other tips to use when finding and operating a rental car for your cold vacation:
Tip #1 - Check the Wheel Frames and Tires
The choice between front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and rear-wheel drive is one of the most important decisions you will make when choosing a rental car within a snowy town. No matter what type of car you are renting, a four-wheel drive (or 4x4) is the best choice for driving in poor conditions like rain, sleet, ice, and snow.
Though all-wheel-drive systems are next best when it comes to operating vehicles in these conditions, which makes the Toyota RAV4 an ideal rental car for winter vacations.
Tip #2 - Slow Down While Driving
When visiting a snowy area, it is essential to drive slow and cautiously, especially when operating a small and compact car. Roads with high elevations like Beartooth Highway tend to have snow storms even in the summertime. High elevations plus snow storms usually result in strong winds that can blow and move a compact car easily. This can result in the driver losing control of the vehicle and crashing.
You should drive slow no matter what car you are driving, though. In such driving conditions, there should at least be a six-second gap between your vehicle and the car in front of you. So when driving at 55 miles per hour, you will have 486 feet in between you and the other vehicle.
Tip #3 - Check the Rental’s Features Before Renting
As explained earlier, four-wheel drive, heated mirrors, and hands-free liftgate are all features that can help make your trip smoother when vacationing in a snowy and cold area. Even if your rental car is similar to the one you drive at home, it is best to check the features to make sure they are ideal for the circumstances you will be facing on this vacation.
Snowy towns are usually located near or within mountains, and if they are anything like the Iron Mountain Road, which has 314 curves, you will need as many features on your vehicle to ensure a safe arrival and departure. GPS, alarm systems, and blind-spot detectors are all other key features to look for when renting.
 | Imani Francies is a travel writer for the auto insurance comparison site, AutoInsurance.org. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media and specializes in various forms of media marketing. |