Summer, sadly, is a thing of the past. We're now in the part of the year where the days grow shorter, the light more dim, and above all else, the days grow colder — which means ice and snow for many of us.
Dealing with winter's frozen precipitation is a major reason all-wheel-drive cars have become popular in recent years. That's been helped by the fact that AWD technology has improved to the point where it's light and compact enough to appear in all sorts of vehicles; indeed, all-wheel-drive is as likely to appear on your sport sedan these days as it is your crossover SUV.
Here, then, is our list of the best AWD vehicles by segment. Yes, this list is somewhat subjective; there are many other good choices in each category. But these are our favorites.
Best Sports Car: Porsche 911 Turbo S
Will Sabel Courtney
Porsche produces precisely engineered supercars, whose practicality distinguishes them from other manufacturers. Porsches are comfortable; Porsches are robust. Most 911 owners won’t use their car as a daily driver, but they could. Even the insanely powerful 911 Turbo S.
The 911 Turbo S will do everything you expect from a $205,000 sports car. It has 640 horsepower, and accelerates from 0-60mph in well under three seconds. But, with all-wheel drive, it can also go well beyond what you’d expect. The 911 Turbo S will not just get you to the ski slopes; it can drive up the slopes.
Engine: 3.8-liter turbocharged flat-six6 Transmission: 8-speed dual clutch automatic Horsepower: 640 hp Torque: 590 lb-ft Base Price: $203,500
Tesla is often in the headlines: you’ll frequently read about its dear leader, its stock price and its ad hoc methods of reaching production targets. Forget all that. We’re here to discuss the Model S, the sedan that redefined the electric vehicle. Tesla describes its acceleration as “Ludicrous,” which is an apt description; Motor Trend clocked its 0-60 mph time at 2.28 seconds. When not doing that, the Model S Performance can achieve a 348-mile range on a full charge.
Engine: Dual electric motors Transmission: 1-speed direct drive Horsepower: 680 hp Torque: 791 lb-ft Base Price: $94,990
The BMW M5 was one of the first vehicles to ever earn the sobriquet of "sport sedan," and in its current form, it's made clear that it deserves to hold that title still. The AWD speed machine packs a luxurious cabin for four inside, but enough performance to make them scream: a 0-60 mph time of three seconds or less, thanks to the all-wheel-drive grip, but with a Drift Mode for rear-wheel-drive antics when desired.
Engine: 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 Transmission: 8-speed automatic Horsepower: 617 hp Torque: 553 lb-ft Base Price: $111,095
Volvo is in the business of premium practicality. The Volvo buyer shares common concerns with the Subaru buyer, but needs a more sophisticated aesthetic and that little bit of extra pampering. The V90 Cross Country wagon hits that note perfectly. It’s like a Subaru Outback, but fancy.
The turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder T6 engine delivers ample power and torque, while its AWD system is tuned to master all reasonable terrains and weather conditions. A base price north of $50,000 isn’t cheap — but this car feels like it should be much more expensive.
Engine: 2.0liter turbocharged and supercharged inline-4 Transmission: 8-speed automatic Horsepower: 316 hp Torque: 295 lb-ft Base Price: $56,100
Mazda was once known as the zoom-zoom brand, but in recent years, it's set about bringing exceptional levels of refinement and features to its cars on top of their usual fun-to-drive characteristics. The Mazda3 would be one of the best regular sedans on sale even if it just came in front-wheel-drive form; the fact that you can get an AWD version, though, earns it a clear spot on this list.
Engine: 2.5-liter inline-four Transmission: 6-speed automatic Horsepower: 186 hp Torque: 186 lb-ft Base Price: $24,100
Car people don’t like crossovers. Cars that do everything decently tend not to do anything particularly well. Crossovers are functional but boring. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is the crossover for car people. It looks like an Alfa Romeo on the surface and is powered by a Ferrari under the hood.
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is the world’s fastest production SUV, with a sub-eight-minute lap around the Nurburgring. Getting from 0-60 mph in only 3.6 seconds, it's quicker off the line than its sedan sibling the Giulia Quadrifoglio. (Thanks, AWD.) And when you want to turn the volume down, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio returns to being a charming, comfortable and nimble kid hauler.
Engine: 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 Transmission: 8-speed automatic Horsepower: 505 hp Torque: 443 lb-ft Base Price: $80,500
When you need a hatchback, it’s best to stick with the classic that invented the category, the VW Golf. The Golf R is the hottest variant; it packs spot-on steering and handling, the option of a manual transmission, and tons of grip and go. Sure, you are spending $40,000-plus for a Volkswagen that doesn't look that much different from a standard Golf. But, there’s nothing wrong with keeping things low-key, especially when driving quickly.
Engine: 2.0-liter turbcharged inline-4 Transmission: 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic Horsepower: 288 hp Torque: 280 lb-ft Base Price: $40,395
Any list of all-wheel-drive cars would be incomplete without the the Subaru Outback. In many ways, the Outback was the ur-crossover: it combined the handling of a car with serious all-terrain capability. Considering Subaru’s now--standard EyeSight technology and the copious cabin and cargo space, the Outback is the ultimate practical family vehicle.
The only trouble with the Outback is, it’s a vehicle made to get you to your fun, not to provide any of its own. Upgrading to the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine found in XT versions makes things a little more enjoyable, at least on the straightaways — but you’ll pay up both front and at the pump by comparison.
Engine: 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four Transmission: CVT Horsepower: 260 hp Torque: 277 lb-ft Base Price: $34,995
This is one of our picks for the best reading chairs you can buy thanks to its exceptional mid-century design and comfort. It's a chair you can sink into.
The Nike Blazer is a sneaker icon. Pare it back and make it a low top and it has instantly become the best shoe you can wear this spring and summer. It will go with anything and is durable for daily wear.
These Bose headphones are some of Gear Patrol's favorite noise-cancelling headphones of the past year, owing to excellent design and top-notch sound quality. Don't like this color? The black and white colorways are both on sale for $330.
Otterbox's Venture cooler features integrated injection-molding and high-grade cooling technologies, anti-slip rubber feet and interior separators for wet and dry goods. Don't sleep on this, cookouts are coming.
A set of Adirondack chairs is a timeless pairing for any backyard, patio or balcony. These are made from faux wood, giving them exceptional durability and weather-resistance.
If you want a mask with more protection and versatility than a simple cloth mask, check out this one from Outdoor Research. It has adjustable straps to keep your fit dialed and comes with three replaceable filters that block out 95 percent of particles.
These runners from New Balance look great and crush on light trails. Made from New Balance's Fresh Foam, they are supremely comfortable and durable enough to take a beating.
This is an outrageous deal on an excellent Bluetooth speaker. It features eight hours of battery life, has integrated Siri and Google Now and looks good in any room, to boot.
Here you go, the perfect boot for spring. Todd Snyder always brings it when it comes to collaborations and this is no exception; this silhouette comes straight from the Sebago archives.
These water- and sweat-proof earbuds are our pick for the best workout earbuds. They have 6-hour battery life and are MIL-STD 810G certified, which means they have passed repeated shock, vibrations, drop, and crush tests as well as extended exposure to tropical humidity, hurricane-force water and desert sandstorm conditions.
Patagonia's Black Hole Duffel is one of the best packs around, so whenever it is on sale, we jump at the chance to snag one, even if it is purple. The 40L iteration is a versatile size ready for a weekend getaway or an extended trip.
For three years running, we’ve awarded the top slot to Mountain Hardwear’s Super/DS StretchDown jacket, and right now, at arguably the best time to buy a jacket, it’s on sale for 40 percent off. If you don't like the orange, there are other colors on sale at a lesser discount, as well.
Aether makes some of the best technical wear in the biz. This waterproof jacket is packed with features, including a removable hood, numerous pockets, fully-taped seams and a powder skirt.
Flint and Tinder's bestselling jacket almost never goes on sale — usually only once a year, if you're lucky. Immensely warm and tough-as-nails, this is a heritage piece that you'll have forever. Now is the time to pick up this weather-resistant jacket for the cheapest price you'll ever see it.
Filson has been making some of the best gear to come out of the Pacific Northwest, and probably the whole country, for years. This tote is tough-as-hell and water-resistant — perfect for weekend trips to the farmers' market.
This is a perfect layer for spring. Just about everything NYC-based Todd Snyder makes is quality and damn good looking, but this definitely takes it up a notch. If you want to use it as a liner underneath a topcoat, it is an excellent choice, but it also pairs exceptionally well with a sweater or t-shirt.
Originally a tennis shoe in the 80s, the Killshot 2 has become one of Nike's most coveted kicks. After years of only being available through J.Crew, they are now available in multiple colorways directly from Nike. They sell out almost every time they go on sale, so act fast to get yourself a pair.
Spring is coming and we're thinking hard about our next trips out into the wilderness. When it comes to backpacking gear, a good sleeping pad is one of the more important pieces you can have in your pack, so it is best to opt for quality. This insulated pad keeps you warm and cozy when the ground gets cold.
Apple's premium AirPods have been hovering around $200 for a while now, which is a great deal. Competition is now fierce in this headphone category, but the quick pairing and native integration with Apple devices still makes the AirPods Pro tough to beat.
The Eco-Drive from Citizen is powered by light, so you never need a battery. This diver is highlighted by a date display at 4 o'clock, a luminous dial, and a dual-tone bezel.
When looking back on life and thinking hard about every travel mug and thermos you've seen, odds are high that most of them are made by Stanley. This classic brand has made some of the best insulated mugs for years, so picking one up is a no-brainer.
Staub's enameled cast iron is versatile, distributes heat evenly, and works with any heat source, including induction. This is one of our favorite pieces of cookware.
Huckberry and Timex threw it back to the 70s and 80s with this collaboration. Starting with a blank slate, the brands led with the iconic cola colorway, added a military-inspired dial and finished it off with a woven stainless steel bracelet and aluminum timing bezel.
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