Canadian winters present severe challenges for vehicle performance, including extreme temperatures, snow accumulation, and ice-covered roads. Certain vehicles demonstrate inadequate design features or mechanical limitations, compromising safety and reliability during harsh winter conditions. Here are 20 vehicle models that consistently underperform in Canadian winter environments.
Smart ForTwo
The Smart ForTwo may be smart for tight urban parking, but it’s more of a brain freeze than a breakthrough when it comes to Canadian winters. This pint-sized city car struggles badly in snow and ice due to its short wheelbase, rear-wheel-drive layout, and featherlight curb weight of under 2,000 lbs. These factors make traction a constant battle, even with winter tires. Its low ground clearance, just over 5 inches, means it easily gets stuck in deeper snow or slush, and icy roads can turn even short commutes into skating rinks.
Toyota Prius (Early Models)
Eco-friendly? Yes. Snow-friendly? Not so much. Early model Priuses (2001-2009) had narrow tires, limited ground clearance, and traction control systems that were more annoying than helpful. The nickel-metal hydride battery pack also saw a dip in performance in sub-zero temperatures, reducing electric power availability when you need it most. Cabin heaters took forever to warm up because the fuel-sipping engine barely generated heat. And to top it off, regenerative braking could get squirrelly on icy roads. While newer Priuses have improved, the early models were built for sipping gas in California, not plowing through slush in Calgary.
Chevrolet Camaro
It’s built for speed, not slush. With its rear-wheel-drive setup, low ground clearance, and wide performance tires, the Camaro struggles mightily in snow, slush, and icy roads. The lack of AWD or 4WD makes it especially treacherous on inclines and unplowed streets (everyday realities from Montreal to Winnipeg). Also, its sport-tuned suspension and low-profile tires are better suited for dry pavement than frost-heaved roads and black ice. Even Consumer Reports and Edmunds point out Camaro’s poor winter drivability unless it is fitted with dedicated winter tires.
Dodge Challenger
Like its Camaro cousin, the Challenger’s power and rear-wheel drive don’t mix well with icy Canadian streets. And though the base SXT trim does offer all-wheel drive (AWD), it only has the V6 engine, which is not exactly what muscle car fans sign up for. According to Consumer Reports and CAA, vehicles like the Challenger with low-profile tires and performance-tuned suspensions are more prone to traction issues and underbody damage in winter driving. In short, If you’re living north of the 49th, this beast belongs in hibernation.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
It handles like a dream on dry pavement. Weighing in at just around 1,000 kg, the Miata lacks the heft needed for traction on slick surfaces—its featherlight frame is more likely to skate than grip. Add limited cabin insulation and a soft-top convertible roof (which isn’t great at sealing out cold or snow), and you’ve got a car more suited for California cruises than Calgary commutes. And, unless you swap in winter tires, avoid unplowed roads, and park it indoors, the Miata’s charm quickly turns to chill.
Tesla Model 3 (Early Builds)
EVs can shine in winter with instant torque and low centers of gravity. Still, early Model 3s faced cold-weather battery drains, frozen door handles, and charging cables stiffer than a hockey stick in January. Also, the regenerative braking system behaved erratically in snow, leading to traction control issues on slippery roads. Consumer Reports initially withheld a recommendation due to reliability concerns. While later revisions improved things, those with 2017–2019 models were often left scraping more than just their windshields.
BMW i3
This futuristic pod car excels in urban commuting but collapses in the cold. The i3’s all-electric range also plummets in freezing temperatures, often dropping by 30–50%, according to cold-weather EV testing by Consumer Reports and Natural Resources Canada. While the i3’s carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic body is innovative, it doesn’t protect against slush-caked roads, black ice, or frozen charging ports. And let’s not forget the Range Extender (REx) version: Its tiny gas engine can barely warm up in frigid temps before it’s time to refuel.
Fiat 500
Cute? Yes. Capable? Not in the snow. The Fiat 500 might charm urban drivers with its pint-sized personality and retro flair, but it quickly loses its appeal and traction in Canadian winters. Designed more for tight European alleys than icy Canadian roads, the 500 suffers from a low ground clearance and a lightweight build, which makes it prone to getting stuck in snowbanks and skating across black ice like it’s auditioning for “Dancing on Ice.” Plus, its standard front-wheel-drive setup and lack of all-wheel-drive options do little to inspire confidence when navigating slushy highways or steep driveways.
Jeep Wrangler (Stock Tires)
Surprise! The beloved off-roader makes the list when it’s running stock tires. According to Canadian Tire and Transport Canada advisories, winter tires with the snowflake symbol are essential for maintaining grip below 7°C, something Wrangler’s stock rubber can’t guarantee. Combine that with its short wheelbase and high center of gravity, and you’ve got a recipe for fishtailing in snowdrifts and sliding through icy intersections. And, while the Wrangler’s 4×4 system gives it an edge off-road, it doesn’t magically defy physics on ice without proper tires.
Nissan Leaf (1st Gen)
Early Leaf wilts in the cold. This EV’s Achilles’ heel lies in its limited battery range, especially in sub-zero temperatures where performance can drop by as much as 40%. Early models had a 24-kWh battery with no active thermal management system, meaning the cold just waltzed in and froze range, efficiency, and even charging speeds. Owners have reported that the ranges plummeting from 120 km to under 70 km in the deep winter are barely enough to make a round trip to Costco. While the Leaf was innovative, its frosty performance left many Canadians dreaming of snow tires and a gas heater.
Chevrolet Corvette
Rear-wheel drive, low clearance, and more torque than a Zamboni on espresso? Hard pass. Even the 2020+ mid-engine models with better weight distribution still can’t fight physics, especially when riding an inch off salt-covered roads. According to Canadian Tire and CAA, rear-wheel-drive sports cars are among the worst winter performers unless heavily modified with snow tires (and maybe a snow plow).
Chrysler 200
The Chrysler 200 may look ready to cruise through a snow globe, but it folds faster than a beach chair in a blizzard when it comes to surviving a proper Canadian winter. Despite its sleek design, this mid-size sedan is plagued by underwhelming ground clearance, sluggish all-wheel drive (on select trims only), and a transmission that seems to get stage fright in sub-zero temperatures. Owners across Alberta and Quebec have reported the 9-speed automatic “hunting” for gears like it’s lost in a snowstorm, while others complain of engines that cough like a smoker in January.
Mini Cooper (Base Model)
While it’s perfect for squeezing into Toronto’s micro-parking spots or zipping down Vancouver’s rain-slicked roads once snow hits the ground. Things get…slippery. Its front-wheel-drive setup, low ground clearance (just 4.5 inches!), and skinny all-season tires turn snowy driveways into Olympic bobsled runs. According to Consumer Reports and Canadian Driver, Minis often struggle with icy starts and lack the robust insulation needed for -30°C mornings in Winnipeg. Also, the Base Model’s light frame means it gets blown around like a paper bag on open highways, and the heating system? Let’s say it prefers to warm your soul, not your feet.
BMW 2 Series (RWD versions)
Luxury coupe or four-wheeled sled? The RWD 2 Series with performance tires feels like you’re skating uphill. The 228i and M235i (RWD variants) might zip through dry tarmac, but add a few centimeters of slush, and they’re stuck faster than you can say “CAA tow truck.” Canadian drivers often opt for the xDrive all-wheel-drive versions instead because waking up to -25°C and praying your car doesn’t fishtail into the neighbor’s hedge isn’t a daily ritual they enjoy.
Toyota MR2 Spyder
This one’s rare, but if you see one in winter, call for help. With its rear-wheel drive and featherlight body, the MR2 handles like a dream… on dry pavement. But toss in a snowflake, and you’re suddenly starring in your figure skating routine—minus the medals. Also, its low ground clearance means even a modest snowfall can turn your commute into a full-blown snowplow audition. Canadian winters laugh in the face of this convertible cutie. Mechanic forums across Alberta echo the same advice: “Park it till May.”
Ford Mustang (Pre-AWD models)
It’s a Canadian classic gone sideways (literally). The Mustang suffers from power overload and traction deficit like other muscle cars. Traction control? Sure. But physics doesn’t care if your pony badge looks cool. In icy conditions, these cars don’t drive—they figure skate. According to Consumer Reports and winter driving forums, older Mustangs are best left in the garage until spring unless you’re auditioning for Fast & Frozen.
Volkswagen Beetle (Modern Gen)
If you’re driving a modern-gen Volkswagen Beetle through a Canadian winter, you should be sledding with a shopping cart. While adorable and retro-chic, this iconic bug isn’t exactly built for our ice-blasted reality. Its low ground clearance scrapes the underbelly of every snowy speed bump. The front-wheel drive helps a little, but once you hit slushy hills or deep snowbanks, you’ll wish you’d made friends with a Subaru. Even with winter tires, traction can be hit or miss, and visibility? Those curved windows fog up like a sauna.
Hyundai Veloster
The Hyundai Veloster may look like it belongs in a Fast & Furious sequel, but come Canadian winter, it performs more like Slow & Questionable. This quirky three-door hatchback struggles when the snow hits the fan. Its low ground clearance means even a modest snowbank can turn it into a driveway ornament. Combine that with front-wheel drive and stock tires that grip like a toddler holding a wet popsicle, and you’ve got a recipe for seasonal slippage. So, check yours before you slide into regret!
Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ
These twins were built for track days, not snow days. With barely 200 horsepower and all-season tires from the factory (technically tires but practically frozen hockey pucks below –7°C), they’re infamous for fishtailing at the hint of slush. Ground clearance? It’s about as low as a Timbit on the sidewalk. Even Consumer Reports and owners on forums like NASIOC and FT86Club warn winter rookies: Don’t do it without proper snow tires, weight in the trunk, and nerves of steel. The FR-S/BRZ twins are a blast in dry weather, but they become unintentional drift machines when it snows.
Cadillac CTS-V (RWD)
A luxury missile with Corvette DNA. Unfortunately, all that power becomes a liability on snow. With all that torque funneling to the back wheels and a curb weight of nearly 4,100 lbs, it’s a torque-happy sled with no idea how to steer straight on slush. Add to that performance summer tires (why not make it worse?), and you’ve got a luxury land missile that’s more stranded than stunning come January. Even Cadillac has admitted that RWD models don’t pair well with snow without the right tires and nerves.
22 Times Canadian Ingenuity Left the U.S. in the Dust
When people think of innovation, they often picture Silicon Valley. However, Canada has a history of innovation, too. Whether it’s redefining sports, revolutionizing medicine, or just showing America up at its own game, Canadian inventors, thinkers, and dreamers have had their fair share of mic-drop moments. Here are 22 times Canadian ingenuity left the U.S. in the dust.
22 Times Canadian Ingenuity Left the U.S. in the Dust
