Most cars can handle winter driving conditions, whether it’s ice, snow, or just cold weather, as long as they are equipped with proper tires. If a vehicle has adequate tires, it’ll easily be able to traverse a small to moderate amount of snow.
Sufficient ground clearance is another factor in winter driving. Fortunately, all Porsche models can deliver a confident snow driving experience. Porsche also offers a lot of all-wheel-drive models and 2 SUVs to further increase the brand’s snow driving capabilities.
The Porsche Cayenne and the Macan are likely to be the very best Porsche snow driving options. Even though a typical Cayenne owner is not big into off-road driving, the car itself certainly is capable of handling lots of unforgiving road surfaces.
The Macan is a compact SUV, but still SUV-ish enough for most driving conditions. Some 911 4S all-wheel-drive models are also considered daily winter-beaters, and they offer amazing all-round driving characteristics, no matter the season.
Porsche Cayenne
No car system is without its issues, but Porsche does offer lots of superior software and hardware solutions for specific driving environments. Even though no one ever really takes a $100k+ Porsche Cayenne off-road, the Cayenne is quite capable of such a task.
All Porsche Cayenne models come equipped with a factory all-wheel-drive system and a fairly dependable Porsche traction management system. You can also equip the Cayenne with additional driver assistance programs to further increase the car’s capabilities.
A Porsche Cayenne offers a 210mm maximum ground clearance, which means that the Cayenne SUV is capable of fairly deep snow driving. If you want to achieve the maximum snow grip and safety, the Porsche Tequipment store offers a dedicated Cayenne snow winter and tire combo.
Proper winter/snow/ice tires are a key piece of equipment when it comes to snow driving. No matter if the car is all-wheel or rear-wheel drive, a set of proper tires is necessary to achieve the highest level of grip, even in the iciest of conditions.
Porsche Macan
The Porsche Macan is a compact sports SUV, and the cheapest entry into Porsche ownership. But the Macan is not a poor man’s Porsche. Rather, it is an equally capable all-wheel-drive Porsche SUV. Paired with Porsche’s air suspension and traction management systems, the Macan is also very capable in the snow.
The Macan has up to 200mm of ground clearance, which is more than plenty for an all-year-round daily driver. Porsches are not made for specific winter expeditions, but if you consider the power and the reliability of this Porsche, they might as well be.
No matter the surface, the Macan always offers a soft and composed ride quality. Just like any other car, a proper tire compound is key when it comes to off-road/snow/ice driving. A Macan with a set of summer tires is less capable in the snow than a hatchback with a decent set of winter tires. Winter tires are a must-have.
In addition to a proper set of winter tires, other fairly important aspects of winter driving are an all-wheel-drive system and decent power. And the Macan is available with upwards of 400hp, and a permanent all-wheel-drive system.
Porsche 911/Boxster/Cayman/Panamera
As mentioned previously, if you have enough ground clearance, any car with proper tires will be able to handle most snowy conditions. A clear benefit of a 911 platform is the fact that the engine sits above the rear tires, which helps the 911 put its power down without any issues.
The Porsche Cayman/Boxster isn’t equipped with all-wheel drive, which means that a it is the one of the least capable in snowy conditions. But if equipped with proper snow tires, even the least powerful rear-wheel-drive Cayman/Boxster models are good enough in snowy conditions.
The Porsche Panamera is an executive Porsche sedan flagship model that is aimed at offering superior luxury, comfort, and driving experience compared to lots of other sedans on the market. The Panamera offers a wide range of engine options and an all-wheel-drive system that is also capable of great snow driving capabilities.
Even though all three of these are fairly limited when it comes to ground clearance, with a set of proper tires they will easily plow through a fair bit of snow. They are not designed to go off-road, so don’t try to test these cars too much, or you might end up stuck in a snowbank.
Tips for winter driving
What makes a good snow-driving car?
A capable car in the snow offers great weight distribution (like the 911), great ground clearance (like the Cayenne), and a longer wheelbase (like the Panamera). A heavier car is also likely to perform better in snowy conditions, as increased weight also increases the car’s traction.
An all-wheel-drive system, locking differentials, beefy snow tires, underbody protection, low-range gearbox, and ample power and torque are also fairly valuable in snow driving. But these are only necessary if you plan on traversing really deep snow. Otherwise, all Porsche models will do for regular snow-plowed roads.
What are the tips for snow driving?
Well, the first tip would probably be to stay home. Only go out if necessary. This is not because you are not well prepared for snow driving, it’s mostly because other drivers on the road might not be, and it’s certainly not worth the risk.
You should always drive slowly, keep a safe distance, and know how much road you need to come to a complete stop. If you are going up a hill, don’t power through it, and you shouldn’t also stop while driving up. Just be careful and anticipate what will happen next, and you should be just fine.
Can I keep snow tires on throughout the entire year?
It might seem a lot cheaper and easier to keep your snow tires on your car throughout the entire year. period. However, this is a bad idea.
Winter tires are not meant to be driven in warm temperatures. The heat will increase the wear of the tires considerably, as they are made of a rubber compound mix made specifically for cold environments. The tires will soften and can make you more at risk of a blown-out tire.
A good idea for knowing when to take off your winter tires is to keep track of when the temperate rises above 7 degrees C for a few days consistently.