Winter roads can be unpredictable, and not every car is built to handle the harsh conditions that come with snow and ice. Some vehicles, despite their popularity, struggle to provide the control and stability needed in challenging winter weather. Here’s a look at ten cars you might want to think twice about this winter.

Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass is often marketed as an off-roading vehicle, but it faces challenges on winter roads. Its all-wheel-drive system isn’t as reliable as others, especially in heavy snow. Plus, low ground clearance can lead to getting stuck in deep snow, which makes it less reliable when the temperature drops.

Honda Civic

While the Honda Civic is a reliable daily driver, its low ground clearance and absence of an all-wheel-drive system can be a headache in snowy conditions. The light build offers limited stability when navigating slick roads. A set of snow tires might help, but don’t count on it to conquer the worst winter roads alone.

Nissan Juke

This model includes an AWD option, yet it falls behind other vehicles when it comes to handling tough winter conditions. Its quirky design also means less-than-ideal ground clearance, leaving it vulnerable to getting stuck in deep snow or slush. The Juke is perfect for clear, dry roads, but winter driving demands a few modifications to handle the elements.

Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang struggles in snow due to its rear-wheel-drive layout. Though it can be equipped with snow tires, the Mustang’s low clearance and heavy build often make it prone to getting stuck in deep snow. As a result, this muscle car is best reserved for warm-weather adventures, not winter commutes.

Kia Soul

Due to its compact size and front-wheel drive, the Kia Soul doesn’t provide the stability needed to handle snowy roads. Although it performs decently in light snow, it’s not the vehicle you want in a serious winter storm. You’d do better with a larger, more stable vehicle to ensure traction on icy roads.

Mazda Miata

Compact and sporty, the Mazda Miata is an excellent car for summer drives. However, its rear-wheel-drive system and minimal ground clearance make it highly unsuitable for snowy roads. Snow tires might improve performance slightly, but this car is best left in the garage when winter hits hard.

Chrysler 200

The Chrysler 200 may seem like a great option for year-round driving, but its low clearance and all-wheel-drive system, which is functional for light to moderate snow, may struggle in deeper snow or icy conditions. For safer winter driving, consider a vehicle with higher clearance and more traction capabilities.

Toyota 86

Much like the Miata, the Toyota 86 is a rear-wheel-drive sports car designed for handling, not for winter weather. With limited traction on icy roads, the Toyota 86 requires extensive modifications to function reliably during snowstorms. It’s better to park this beauty when snow piles up—safety first in winter conditions!

Chevrolet Spark

On frozen roads, the Chevrolet Spark’s compact engine and front-wheel drive have a tough time holding their ground. Lacking the weight and traction of larger vehicles, it tends to slide easily on icy patches. Despite being compact and efficient, Chevrolet Spark is not ideal for the harshest winter conditions.

BMW 3 Series

Known for its sporty handling, the BMW 3 Series can face challenges in winter driving due to its rear-wheel-drive setup. While newer models come with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, older versions or those without AWD are more prone to losing control on snow and ice.