Why Renting an SUV is the Best Choice for Winter Travel

Anyone who’s taken a winter road trip knows the drill. Early-morning fog thick enough to feel like you’re on the sets of the movie Raaz, highways that get unexpectedly slick, and a group chat full of people debating whether leaving at 5 AM was genius or a terrible idea. Winter here may not always mean snow, but it definitely brings its own brand of unpredictability. 

Best SUV for Winter Driving

That’s exactly why choosing to rent a car—specifically an SUV—feels like giving yourself a seasonal upgrade. Whether you’re chasing mountain views, planning a cozy cabin escape, or simply visiting relatives who live on what appears to be an unmaintained tundra, renting an SUV can transform winter travel from “white-knuckled survival mode” to something genuinely enjoyable.

Traction and Control: Built for Winter Chaos

If winter roads had a personality, they’d be dramatic. One minute, it’s light flurries; the next, you’re navigating what looks like a snow globe someone shook a little too aggressively. SUVs, particularly the ones frequently found in rental fleets, are built to handle that drama.

Most modern SUVs come equipped with AWD or 4WD systems—key features in many models considered the best SUV for winter driving. AWD automatically adjusts power to the wheels with the most grip, while 4WD provides options for deeper snow or more rugged terrain. Both significantly improve control when roads turn slick or slushy.

And a small but important detail: rental agencies often swap to all-season or winter-rated tires during the season. Tires are an underrated powerhouse in winter safety. Even the best winter SUV won’t perform at its peak without the right tires. Better braking, surer cornering, and more stable acceleration all come down to the rubber meeting the very cold road.

Ground Clearance: The Quiet Winter Hero

Ground clearance doesn’t trend on TikTok, but it should. When the roads turn into uneven snowy trails, an SUV’s higher clearance helps you avoid scraping the underside of the car or getting stuck in deep drifts. If you’ve ever driven a low sedan after a fresh snowfall, you know the feeling of plowing snow unintentionally—and the fear of hearing a scratch you hope is “just ice.”

Higher clearance also means better visibility, which is priceless when snowbanks get tall and roads get narrow. Winter driving rewards the ability to see as much as possible, as early as possible.

Also Read: 9 Best SUVs for a Road Trip in India

Room for People, Gear, and All the Winter Layers

Winter travel comes with… stuff. Coats the size of duvets. Boots with questionable traction. Hats that do nothing to contain hair but are somehow essential. Add in skis, snowboards, weekend bags, holiday gifts, and a cooler full of snacks, and suddenly a compact car feels laughably insufficient.

That’s why people so often search for the best small SUV for winter driving—something nimble yet spacious. Small SUVs offer just enough room without feeling like you’re captaining a tank. Larger SUVs, meanwhile, give you maximum cargo space and flexibility. Both categories shine because they give you space to pack like a real human being in winter, not like a minimalist influencer who somehow survives with a single backpack.

Comfort Features That Make Winter Less… Winter

Once you settle into a warm SUV cabin, it’s hard to imagine winter travel any other way. Heated seats? Heated steering wheel? Climate control that doesn’t require negotiations worthy of a hostage situation? These features turn a cold-weather drive into something almost luxurious.

Modern SUVs also tend to be well-insulated, meaning less wind noise and fewer bone-chilling drafts. Many models considered the best SUV for winter driving have remote start, too, letting you warm the car before you step outside—a tiny yet life-changing indulgence.

Safety Tech That Actually Helps

Winter isn’t the time to test your reflexes; it’s the time to let technology do some heavy lifting. Most rental SUVs are newer models stocked with driver-assistance features like stability control, ABS, traction control, and advanced braking systems. Many also include blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alerts, and adaptive cruise control.

These aren’t just fancy extras—they’re sanity-preserving tools when snow reduces visibility or when a sudden gust of wind tries to rearrange your travel itinerary. When shoppers look for the best winter SUV, these features are often what seal the deal.

Freedom to Go Where Small Cars Fear to Tread

One of the biggest perks of choosing an SUV when you rent a car is the freedom it gives you. 

SUV flexibility becomes even more appealing in winter, when conditions can change rapidly. Instead of planning around your car’s limitations, you plan your trip based on what you actually want to do.

This is also where the appeal of the best small SUV for winter driving shows up—you get improved capability with easier maneuverability in tight or urban areas. It’s the winter travel sweet spot for many millennials who don’t want to feel like they’re steering an aircraft carrier through the snow.

Also Read: 5 Best Compact SUV Cars in India for Rental

Try the Vehicle Without the Commitment

One underrated benefit of renting is that you get to enjoy an SUV’s winter strengths without owning one year-round. Maybe your daily lifestyle fits better with a small hybrid, a city-friendly hatchback, or an electric vehicle. Renting lets you strategically swap into something more rugged only when you need it.

It also doubles as a low-pressure test drive. Many renters end up exploring models they’ve been curious about—sometimes even ones regularly ranked among the best winter SUV options. Renting turns your winter vacation into both a getaway and an extended comparison test.

Aesthetic Bonus: Winter Vibes Just Hit Differently in an SUV

Vibes matter. No shame in that. There’s something very main-character-energy about cruising in a warm SUV while snow drifts across the landscape. It has that cinematic feel—the one where you’re en route to a mountainside lodge, a cozy cabin, or a charming little town that definitely sells overpriced gourmet hot chocolate.

Winter is already atmospheric; an SUV simply matches the aesthetic.

When an SUV May Not Be Necessary

To be fair, an SUV isn’t always the most economical option. They can cost more to rent, and they typically use more fuel. If you’re staying within a highly urban area with quick snow removal and mild conditions, a sedan may work fine.

But for the vast majority of winter travel involving distance, gear, rural destinations, unpredictable weather, or hills? An SUV is simply practical.

Final Thoughts: Give Yourself the Winter Advantage

One of the best perks of choosing an SUV with Revv is that you get all the winter-ready power without committing to owning one year-round. Maybe your everyday life is better suited to a zippy little city car—totally fine. With Revv, you can just switch into an SUV exactly when you need it. Plus, it’s the perfect low-pressure way to try out models you’ve been curious about. Think of it as a winter getaway and an extended test drive rolled into one.