7 Vehicles That Can’t Handle Colorado Winters
Colorado’s winter landscape transforms into a challenging terrain of snow-packed roads, icy conditions, and mountain passes that demand vehicles capable of handling extreme weather. For residents and visitors alike, choosing the right vehicle can mean the difference between safely reaching your destination and being stranded in dangerous conditions. While many cars advertise winter capabilities, some simply can’t deliver when faced with Colorado’s harsh winter reality. Understanding which vehicles to avoid could save you from costly mistakes and potentially hazardous situations.
1. Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Cars
Rear-wheel drive sports cars like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Dodge Challenger become nearly unusable during Colorado winters. Their performance-oriented design prioritizes speed and handling in ideal conditions, not snow navigation. The weight distribution leaves little over the drive wheels, creating a perfect recipe for spinning tires and losing control.
The low ground clearance compounds these problems, causing these vehicles to become easily high-centered in even moderate snowfall. While some owners attempt to mitigate issues with winter tires, the fundamental design limitations remain. The combination of powerful engines and rear-wheel drive creates a dangerous tendency to fishtail on slippery surfaces, making these vehicles particularly treacherous on mountain roads.
2. Compact Economy Cars
Many budget-friendly compact cars, such as the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, or Mitsubishi Mirage, struggle significantly in Colorado winters. Their lightweight frames lack the necessary traction to navigate snow-covered roads effectively. The small tire footprint provides minimal grip, while their low ground clearance means they quickly become snowbound.
These vehicles typically come with basic all-season tires, inadequate for genuine winter conditions. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, vehicles need proper snow tires or all-wheel drive capabilities to navigate mountain passes safely during winter months. Economy cars also tend to have less powerful heating systems, making them uncomfortable and potentially dangerous during extreme cold snaps.
3. Electric Vehicles with Limited Range
While electric vehicles continue to improve, many models still face significant challenges in Colorado winters. According to AAA research, battery range can decrease by 20-40% in cold temperatures. This range reduction becomes particularly problematic on mountain drives, where charging stations may be sparse.
Models like the Nissan Leaf or Mini Cooper SE, which already have limited ranges, have become especially impractical. The combination of battery inefficiency in cold weather, energy-draining cabin heating needs, and the power demands of climbing mountain passes creates a perfect storm for range anxiety. Additionally, regenerative braking systems can behave unpredictably on icy surfaces, requiring drivers to adapt their driving techniques.
4. Low-Clearance Luxury Sedans
Luxury sedans like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, or Audi A8 may offer comfort and prestige, but their low ground clearance makes them poorly suited for Colorado winters. Despite often featuring all-wheel drive systems, these vehicles can easily become high-centered in deeper snow.
Their sophisticated electronic systems and air suspensions can also be problematic in extreme cold. The complex components are more susceptible to weather-related failures, potentially leaving owners with expensive repair bills. Additionally, their wide, performance-oriented tires provide less bite in snow compared to narrower alternatives, even when equipped with winter rubber.
5. Minivans
Despite their family-friendly reputation, most minivans struggle significantly in Colorado winter conditions. Models like the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, and Toyota Sienna (pre-AWD versions) feature a combination of front-wheel drive and weight distribution that creates handling challenges on snow and ice.
Their boxy, high-sided design makes them susceptible to crosswinds on mountain passes, while their sliding doors can freeze shut in extreme cold. The long wheelbase and typically mediocre ground clearance mean these vehicles easily become stuck when encountering deeper snow. Their weight distribution also creates braking challenges on descents, making mountain driving particularly hazardous.
6. Convertibles of Any Type
Convertibles face unique challenges beyond just traction issues. Their soft tops provide minimal insulation against Colorado’s sub-zero temperatures, creating uncomfortable driving conditions and straining heating systems. The roof mechanisms can freeze or malfunction in extreme cold, potentially causing damage.
Even hardtop convertibles suffer from compromised structural rigidity and additional seams where cold air can penetrate. Models like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, BMW Z4, or Mercedes-Benz SLC become particularly impractical during winter months. The combination of typically rear-wheel drive configurations and lightweight designs creates a vehicle category fundamentally unsuited to winter driving conditions.
7. Older SUVs Without Modern Safety Features
While SUVs are generally considered winter-capable, older models lacking modern safety and traction control features can be surprisingly dangerous. Vehicles like early-generation Ford Explorers, Jeep Cherokees, or Chevrolet Blazers from the 1990s and early 2000s may have four-wheel drive but lack the sophisticated stability control systems that prevent rollovers and skids.
Their higher center of gravity and outdated suspension designs create a dangerous tendency to slide in corners. Without anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control, these vehicles can quickly become unmanageable on icy roads. The false confidence provided by their rugged appearance often leads drivers to overestimate their capabilities in winter conditions.
Winter-Ready Alternatives Worth Considering
Consider options specifically designed for challenging conditions rather than struggling with vehicles ill-suited for Colorado winters. Modern all-wheel-drive crossovers with adequate ground clearance, like the Subaru Outback or Toyota RAV4, provide excellent winter performance. For those needing more capability, properly equipped pickup trucks or purpose-built SUVs with true four-wheel drive systems offer traction, ground clearance, and stability.
The key winter performance factors include ground clearance, appropriate drive systems, modern safety features, and proper tires. Remember that even the most capable vehicle requires winter tires to perform optimally in snow and ice. Investing in a winter-ready vehicle isn’t just about convenience—it’s about safety for you and your passengers during Colorado’s challenging winter months.
Have you ever been stranded in a vehicle that couldn’t handle winter conditions? Share your experience and what you learned from it in the comments below!
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Travis Campbell is a digital marketer/developer with over 10 years of experience and a writer for over 6 years. He holds a degree in E-commerce and likes to share life advice he’s learned over the years. Travis loves spending time on the golf course or at the gym when he’s not working.