Best Family Vehicles for Winter Getaways This Holiday Season

The holiday season brings opportunities for family adventures, whether it’s a ski trip to the mountains, a cozy escape to a cabin, or a road trip to visit loved ones. Choosing the right vehicle is key to making these journeys comfortable, safe, and memorable. Winter weather can be unpredictable, with icy roads, heavy snow, and freezing temperatures challenging even the best drivers. Fortunately, several family vehicles are designed to handle these conditions while keeping everyone cozy and entertained.

Here’s a closer look at the best vehicles for winter getaways, offering the perfect mix of safety, performance, and comfort for every family adventure.

The Toyota Highlander is a tried-and-true favorite for families, delivering a perfect blend of reliability, safety, and comfort. With its available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, the Highlander confidently handles snowy and icy roads. Its spacious interior seats up to eight passengers, making it ideal for large families or those who love bringing friends along. The Highlander’s generous cargo space is perfect for packing snow gear, holiday presents, and travel essentials.

Inside, the Highlander is a haven of comfort. Heated front and rear seats provide warmth for everyone, and the optional heated steering wheel keeps the driver’s hands toasty. Tri-zone climate control ensures that each passenger can customize their comfort level, preventing arguments over temperature settings. On the road, Toyota Safety Sense™ offers a suite of advanced safety features, including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Lane Departure Alert, giving you peace of mind on winter roads. Reliable, safe, and family-friendly, the Toyota Highlander is an excellent choice for holiday adventures.

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a standout for families who value both style and substance. Its sleek design and premium features make every trip feel special, while its available HTRAC All-Wheel Drive system ensures confidence on snowy or slippery roads. The Santa Fe is built with versatility in mind, offering spacious seating for five and foldable rear seats to accommodate gear, luggage, or holiday shopping hauls.

Inside, the Santa Fe is packed with thoughtful touches that elevate the winter travel experience. Heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control keep everyone cozy, no matter how low the temperature drops. The panoramic sunroof is perfect for admiring snow-covered landscapes, and the intuitive infotainment system offers easy access to navigation and entertainment. Safety is also a top priority with Hyundai’s SmartSense suite, which includes features like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance. The Hyundai Santa Fe delivers a balance of comfort, capability, and safety for families embarking on winter road trips.

The Honda Odyssey redefines what a minivan can do, offering exceptional family-friendly features and surprising adaptability for winter travel. With its spacious interior and innovative seating configurations, the Odyssey ensures that no one feels cramped during long drives. The Magic Slide® seats make accessing the third row easy, even with bulky winter coats and gear, while the cavernous cargo space handles everything from luggage to sleds.

Winter road trips are more enjoyable with the Odyssey’s heated front seats, keeping the driver and co-pilot warm and comfortable. An available rear entertainment system transforms the back seat into a mobile theater, keeping kids entertained for hours. Remote engine start ensures a toasty cabin before you even step inside, and snow mode settings enhance traction on icy roads. With its combination of practicality, comfort, and technology, the Honda Odyssey is the ultimate winter road trip companion.

The Dodge Durango is a family-friendly SUV that combines power, performance, and comfort in one rugged package. Known for its robust towing capabilities, the Durango is perfect for families who want to bring along snowmobiles, trailers, or extra gear for their holiday adventures. With multiple engine options, including the 3.6L V6 and the 5.7L HEMI® V8, the Durango delivers the power needed to tackle tough winter conditions.

Inside, the Durango’s heated front and second-row seats ensure everyone stays warm, while a heated steering wheel adds a touch of luxury for the driver. The spacious cabin offers seating for up to seven passengers, and the fold-flat rear seats provide versatility for hauling cargo. Dual-zone automatic temperature control keeps the interior comfortable for all passengers, regardless of their preferences. The Durango’s available all-wheel drive and advanced traction systems make it a reliable choice for snowy roads, while its muscular design ensures you arrive in style. For families seeking a combination of utility and comfort, the Dodge Durango is hard to beat.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a versatile SUV that excels in both off-road capability and luxurious comfort. Designed for families who love exploring winter wonderlands, the Grand Cherokee features the Quadra-Trac™ 4x4 system, providing exceptional performance on snow and ice. Its ground clearance ensures that even deep snow won’t slow you down, and the Selec-Terrain® Traction Management System lets you adjust settings for different road conditions.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee is designed for comfort and sophistication. Heated leather seats and a heated steering wheel make cold mornings bearable, while the available dual-pane panoramic sunroof allows for breathtaking views of snowy landscapes. Advanced technology like the Uconnect® infotainment system keeps everyone connected and entertained, while safety features such as Blind-Spot Monitoring and Lane Departure Warning provide added peace of mind. Whether you’re heading to a ski lodge or navigating icy backroads, the Jeep Grand Cherokee offers the perfect balance of ruggedness and refinement.

The Ford Explorer is a reliable and versatile SUV that shines in winter conditions. Its Intelligent 4WD system and Terrain Management System™ make it easy to adapt to snowy roads, icy highways, or slushy trails, ensuring a safe and smooth ride. With seating for up to seven passengers, the Explorer is ideal for families of all sizes, offering ample legroom and comfort for everyone.

Inside, the Explorer’s heated front and rear seats, along with a heated steering wheel, make every drive cozy and enjoyable. The tri-zone climate control system allows passengers to set their preferred temperature, eliminating complaints about the cabin being too hot or too cold. For families with kids, the optional rear-seat entertainment system provides hours of distraction during long drives. The hands-free liftgate makes loading and unloading cargo effortless, even when your hands are full. With its combination of capability, comfort, and technology, the Ford Explorer is a top choice for winter road trips.

For large families or those traveling with extended relatives, the Chevrolet Tahoe offers unmatched space and versatility. This full-size SUV seats up to nine passengers and provides ample cargo space for luggage, gifts, or winter sports equipment. Its powerful V8 engine and robust 4WD system ensure that the Tahoe can handle snowy highways and mountain roads with ease.

The Tahoe’s interior is thoughtfully designed with family comfort in mind. Heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control keep everyone warm and comfortable. The Tahoe’s high ground clearance and advanced traction control systems provide added confidence on slippery surfaces, while its towing capabilities make it ideal for hauling trailers or additional gear. With a mix of luxury and ruggedness, the Chevrolet Tahoe is a reliable and spacious option for family winter getaways.

Before heading out on your winter adventure, make sure your vehicle is ready for the season. Install winter tires for better traction on snow and ice, and pack an emergency kit with essentials like blankets, water, snacks, and a flashlight. Check your vehicle’s fluids, including antifreeze, oil, and windshield washer fluid, and inspect your battery to ensure it’s in good condition. Drive cautiously, allow extra time for your trip, and always stay updated on weather conditions along your route.