If the thought of winter driving leaves
you feeling cold, take one of these 2002 sleds for a spin on
your favorite snow-covered road. Tolerable? At least. Safe?
You bet. Fun? Listen to the man.
Winter driving doesn't need to be a white-knuckle experience,"
says
Mark Cox. "In fact, it can be fun." That's a pretty bold
statement, but then again, Cox's employer is the Bridgestone Winter
Driving School, so the guy could be a trifle biased. But still …
fun?
Maybe, maybe not, but there's little doubt that winter driving can
at least be tolerable, and more importantly, safe, if you have the
right ride. The rise of the SUV has brought attention to the
benefits of all-wheel-drive systems, and manufacturers are now
stepping beyond the boundaries of yesteryear, designing
all-wheel-drive vehicles with personalities to match any driver,
and traction to tackle nearly any road surface with confidence.
The SUV still reigns supreme, but it's more refined than ever. In
fact, many new models offer carlike levels of comfort, handling,
and overall polish. Even pickup trucks have learned some streetwise
moves, gaining versatility, and therefore, value. And never before
has such a variety of all-wheel-drive cars been available.
What follows is a diverse five-pack of our favorite new winter
driving rigs, rated on a scale of 1 to 10 by our own automotive
experts - you'll even see a couple of ratings-busters in the bunch.
We've included one car, two SUVs, one pickup, and one, well, we're
not sure what to call it. But it's cool.
JEEP LIBERTY
$17,000 - $26,000
(800) 925-5337 or
www.jeep.com
Street Smarts: 8
Appetite for Chilly Adventure: 10
Style: 8
Versatility: 8
Value: 8
The all-new Liberty is a winner when the going gets
tough.