Canadian winters are brutal and unforgiving. Temperatures dip far below freezing, roads are covered with layers of snow and ice, and salt chews away at anything made of metal. While some vehicles are built to thrive in these conditions, others collapse under the pressure. Low ground clearance, rear-wheel drive, fragile electronics, or powertrains not designed for extreme cold make some cars miserable to own when the snow starts falling. These vehicles may be fun in the summer, stylish in the city, or thrilling on dry pavement, but when Canadian winter arrives, they struggle badly. Here are twelve cars that reveal their weaknesses as soon as the snow hits.
Smart Fortwo
The Smart Fortwo is ideal for urban driving in warm weather, but Canadian winters expose its flaws immediately. With a wheelbase shorter than some snow shovels, the car lacks stability on icy roads. Its rear-wheel-drive layout provides little traction, and the car’s low weight means it doesn’t dig into snow the way heavier vehicles do. On top of that, its tiny 1.0 litre engine and small battery struggle with subzero starts, leaving many owners stranded on the coldest mornings. Road salt also attacks its underbody components quickly, making it one of the least winter-friendly vehicles you can buy.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro is an icon of American muscle, but it’s utterly impractical once snow covers the road. Its rear-wheel-drive layout, wide summer-oriented tires, and heavy rear end make traction nearly impossible in icy conditions. Even with winter tires, Canadian drivers complain about constant fishtailing and a lack of confidence on slippery roads. Ground clearance is also a major problem, with even a few inches of snow scraping the undercarriage. For this reason, many Camaro owners treat their cars as summer-only toys and store them during the winter months.
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang faces the same challenges as its rival, the Camaro. Rear-wheel drive and lots of horsepower are fun on dry pavement but dangerous on ice. The Mustang’s chassis is tuned for performance, not stability in snow, which makes winter driving unpredictable even with snow tires. The low stance means it bottoms out easily in deeper snow, and its steering becomes twitchy on icy surfaces. In provinces like Quebec and Manitoba, where roads are often covered in snow for months, the Mustang is almost useless without proper storage.
Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger’s bulk and wide tires make it one of the worst cars for snow. Its rear-wheel-drive versions are notorious for sliding out, while even the optional all-wheel-drive models don’t fully solve its problems due to the car’s sheer size and weight. With ground clearance so low, the Challenger struggles in snowy conditions common across Canada. Owners often rely on them as summer cruisers, keeping them in garages once the snow starts falling.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The MX-5 Miata is a joy to drive in summer but turns into a nightmare in winter. With rear-wheel drive, a curb weight of under 2,500 pounds, and almost no ground clearance, it has no chance in snowy conditions. Even with winter tires, the Miata tends to get stuck easily, and its small cabin isn’t particularly comfortable in freezing weather. For many Canadian drivers, the Miata is strictly a summer toy, stored away once the first snowflakes arrive.
Volkswagen Beetle (Modern Versions)
While the original rear-engine Beetles had surprising snow ability thanks to their weight distribution, modern Beetles don’t share that magic. The front-wheel-drive layout helps somewhat, but ground clearance is too low, and electronics often misbehave in extreme cold. Road salt accelerates rust, especially in older models, and interior heating isn’t as strong as rivals. For Canadian winters, the Beetle simply can’t compete with sturdier, more capable small cars.
Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is stylish and fun in the city, but its weaknesses in winter are glaring. Its short wheelbase and light weight make it unstable on icy highways, and traction is limited even with winter tires. In subzero conditions, the 500’s battery and electronics are prone to failure, and cabin heating often struggles to keep up. Canadian drivers in colder provinces quickly discover that while the Fiat 500 may look cute, it’s not cut out for months of snow and ice.
Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper’s small size and sporty setup are great for city agility but terrible in snowy conditions. Its low ground clearance means it bottoms out easily, while its stiff suspension makes it uncomfortable on icy, uneven roads. The interior is also small and less insulated than many rivals, meaning frosty mornings are especially noticeable. While all-wheel-drive versions like the Countryman fare better, the classic two-door Minis are far from winter-friendly.
Tesla Model 3
On paper, the Tesla Model 3 should handle Canadian winters well thanks to its advanced traction control. However, cold weather cuts its range by as much as 40 percent, making it unreliable for longer commutes. Charging times increase dramatically in freezing weather, and public chargers can become frustrating when multiple drivers are waiting in subzero temperatures. While traction is fine, the practical issues of battery performance in cold climates make the Model 3 one of the toughest cars to live with in a Canadian winter.
Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z is a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with wide summer-oriented tires and little ground clearance. In snowy or icy conditions, it becomes nearly undriveable. Owners report constant slipping and sliding, even with winter tires. The stiff suspension, while great on dry pavement, makes it unstable on ice. Canadian enthusiasts love the 370Z for summer fun, but most tuck it away once winter arrives.
BMW 2 Series (RWD Versions)
BMW’s rear-wheel-drive 2 Series coupes struggle in Canadian winters. Without xDrive all-wheel drive, traction is limited, and the cars slide easily on icy surfaces. Ground clearance is minimal, and performance tires only make things worse. While xDrive-equipped versions fare much better, RWD 2 Series models are among the least winter-friendly cars BMW offers in North America.
Toyota Supra
The modern Toyota Supra, sharing its platform with the BMW Z4, is built for speed and handling, not snow. With rear-wheel drive, high horsepower, and a low stance, the Supra struggles in even light snow. Owners who attempt to drive them in winter often complain about constant fishtailing and traction control working overtime. In most of Canada, the Supra is simply a fair-weather machine, best kept stored until spring.
Why These Cars Fail in Canadian Winters
Winter driving in Canada demands more than just snow tires. Cars need ground clearance to avoid bottoming out, weight distribution that supports traction, heating systems that cope with subzero temperatures, and drivetrains that can handle slippery conditions. The cars listed above may shine in warm weather or on summer roads, but they fail when faced with snow, ice, and endless salt. For Canadian buyers, these are reminders that not every fun or stylish car is cut out for real-world winter life.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
