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Winter driving poses significant challenges, especially when some vehicles are less equipped to handle icy conditions than others. A recent study by MNH Injury Lawyers analyzed crash data, safety systems, and protection ratings to determine the most dangerous cars for winter driving. Surprisingly, both trucks and sedans dominate the list, with various shortcomings depending on their design.
The composite score evaluates vehicle safety during winter driving by combining key factors like fatal crash rates, safety system effectiveness, and occupant protection for adults and children. It also considers how well a vehicle protects pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. By weighting these elements, the score provides an overall measure of a vehicle’s safety and reliability in challenging winter conditions. Here’s how the data breaks down.
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Pickup trucks: popular but perilous
Pickup trucks are built for strength and utility, but their front-heavy frames and work-oriented designs don’t always translate to safety in icy conditions. Three of the top five most dangerous winter vehicles are pickups, each with notable drawbacks in crash statistics and safety metrics.
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Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2024 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Bison
Chevrolet
Topping the list is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, a popular workhorse for many drivers. Unfortunately, it recorded 127 fatal crashes per 100,000 units sold, the highest among all vehicles studied. Its safety system rating of 76% and a composite score of 88 reflect its challenges in winter driving, where the heavy frame and potentially slower braking make it more difficult to handle.
Ford F-150
2024 Ford F-150
Ford
The Ford F-150 comes in second, with a slightly better track record, but it still faces significant winter hazards. It recorded 70 fatal crashes per 100,000 vehicles sold and earned a composite score of 63. Despite an 82% child occupant safety rating, the F-150 struggles with pedestrian safety, scoring just 70% in vulnerable road user protection.
Ram 1500
2024 Ram 1500 TRX
Stellantis
The Ram 1500 ranks fifth overall and has its own set of challenges. With 36 fatal crashes per 100,000 units sold and a composite score of 55, it highlights how even highly capable pickups aren’t exempt from winter risks. Its child occupant safety rating of 64% is among the lowest, raising concerns for families driving in cold-weather conditions.
While pickups often boast workload capabilities and durability, they can struggle with traction and stopping distances on icy roads. Drivers should exercise extra caution when navigating winter terrain in these vehicles.
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Sedans and hatchbacks: compact but risky
Sedans and hatchbacks are typically lighter and more nimble than trucks, but that doesn’t guarantee better winter performance. Their lower ground clearance and reliance on smaller tires make them vulnerable to icy and snowy conditions.
Honda Accord
2025 Honda Accord SE
Honda
The Honda Accord ranks as the third most dangerous car for winter driving. Despite its reputation as a reliable sedan, the Accord recorded 69 fatal crashes per 100,000 vehicles sold. Its vulnerable road user safety score of just 54% highlights additional risks, as does its composite score of 62.
Hyundai Elantra
2024 Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai
Fourth on the list is the Hyundai Elantra, which has the lowest adult and child occupant safety ratings among all vehicles studied, both at 60%. With a composite score of 58, it emphasizes how compact sedans can struggle to provide adequate safety in winter conditions.
Toyota Camry
2025 Toyota Camry SE
Toyota
The Toyota Camry ranks sixth overall, with 47 fatal crashes per 100,000 units sold and a composite score of 55. While it performs slightly better than the Elantra in occupant protection, its safety system rating of 74% leaves room for improvement.
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Suzuki Swift
2025 Suzuki Swift
Suzuki
The Suzuki Swift is another compact car that struggles in winter. With a safety system rating of just 62%, it ranks seventh on the list. Its composite score of 46, combined with limited crash mitigation features, makes it less suitable for icy conditions.
Honda Civic
2025 Honda Civic
Honda
Despite strong safety credentials, the Honda Civic ranks eighth on the list. Its high adult occupant protection rating of 89% and child occupant safety rating of 87% don’t entirely offset its winter crash rate of 52 fatal accidents per 100,000 units sold. Its composite score of 45 reflects how even well-rounded vehicles can face challenges on icy roads.
Sedans may offer better fuel efficiency and handling in normal conditions, but their design can leave them at a disadvantage during harsh winters.
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SUVs and Crossovers: not immune to winter risks
SUVs and crossovers are often marketed as all-weather vehicles, but even these designs have their weaknesses in extreme winter conditions. On average, their safety system rating is lower than that of trucks or compacts, but the category also boasts the lowest fatal crash rate of any body type on the list. Keep in mind: that figure could shift if you were to include more than the two SUVs on the list.
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Ford Escape
2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid
Ford
The Ford Escape ranks ninth, with 41 fatal crashes per 100,000 vehicles sold and a composite score of 44. Its safety system rating of 73% is exactly average, emphasizing the importance of investing in winter-specific features like better tires.
Mazda CX-5
2025 Mazda CX-5
Mazda
Rounding out the list is the Mazda CX-5, with the lowest composite score of 37. While it excels in occupant protection, its safety system rating of 59% is the weakest among all vehicles studied. This lack of advanced safety features makes it less capable of handling icy roads despite its crossover appeal.
Final thoughts
No vehicle is completely immune to winter challenges. While pickups, compacts, and SUVs each have unique strengths, understanding their limitations is key to navigating icy roads safely. Drivers should prioritize winter tires, regular maintenance and cautious driving habits to lower the risks of driving on wintery roads—and maybe just keep the truck at home until warmer months come around.
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