10 Awesome and Unconventional Vehicles to Tackle Winter Being Sold on AutoTrader

Requirements for a winter vehicle usually boil down to one thing: all-wheel drive (AWD). Power going to all four wheels provides better traction and control in harsh weather conditions. Most modern crossovers have AWD, and will do fine in difficult winter conditions as long as they have winter tires.

A winter vehicle doesn’t have to be limited to a conventional crossover, however, and can come in different shapes and sizes, ranging from cheap to expensive, exotic and often a little crazy. Here are some of the most awesome and unconventional winter warriors we found on AutoTrader.

1. 1983 Audi Quattro

If you want to handle snow and ice like rallying royalty, the Audi Quattro is for you. The Quattro’s success is deeply rooted in rallying, with the racing version being the first AWD car to win the manufacturer's title for World Rally Championship in 1982. All-wheel drive was revolutionary to rallying; with power going to all four wheels, the Quattro could grip on loose surfaces better than any two-wheel-drive car. This modified version of the Quattro features a 2.1L turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine that's been upgraded with the exhaust and turbocharger from an Audi RS 2. While we do not recommend daily driving such a valuable collectible in winter, it's certainly cool to know that it can.

2. GMC Sierra 3500 with Tracks

Even the toughest and most robust four-wheel-drive vehicles can sometimes get stuck in the snow. Tackling heavy snow is a difficult challenge, but why not start where the vehicle makes contact with the ground, the wheels? Instead of round tires, why not try a set of tracks, or perhaps four of them? This 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 does exactly that, swapping out four wheels for four independent tracks. It also comes with a manual transmission and a 12-foot bed. Surprisingly, it's also immaculately clean both inside and out. Looking at a vehicle like this, it's hard to imagine anything it couldn’t tow, or a snowbank it cannot climb.

3. Mitsubishi Delica

A van may not be the vehicle that initially comes to mind when thinking about tackling rough weather, but Mitsubishi has a lot of experience with rallying and going off-road. Vehicles like the Lancer Evo and Pajero have seen great success in races like the World Rally Championship and Dakar Rally. If you want to go off-road and have somewhere to comfortably sleep, however, then the Delica might be a great option. The Delica is a factory-lifted van that Mitsubishi sells in international markets, and it has become a popular van to import, especially for camping conversions. The Delica is a rare example of a cool minivan, and this one is outfitted with very 1990s patterned seats. Its combination of space, ground clearance, and overall cool factor makes it an ideal vehicle to take a nap in while waiting out a winter storm, even though it would have no problem trekking through it.

4. Volkswagen Iltis

The Volkswagen Iltis was a light-duty military truck used by the Canadian Army. Globally, it was produced from 1978 to 1988, but between 1984 and 1986, Bombardier earned a license to built them in Valcourt, Quebec. The Iltis was a capable light-duty truck and was used by Canadian Armed Forces until the mid-2000s. The Iltis was as utilitarian and as barebones as one would expect army transport to be. For all the creature comforts the Iltis lacks, it makes up for in simple ruggedness. The powertrain available was a 1.7L gasoline four-cylinder, and naturally, it was four-wheel drive (4WD). It's also very light, weighing in at just 1,300 kg (2,900 lbs), meaning it's less likely to get bogged down in snow. The Iltis we found on AutoTrader also comes with a matching camouflage trailer, always a plus that adds to its cool factor.

5. 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Overland Build

The first-generation Porsche Cayenne is a surprisingly capable off-roader. It shares  a platform with the rugged first-gen Volkswagen Touareg, and, as a result, both vehicles have become popular platforms to modify for aftermarket overland builds like this one. The AutoTrader listing says this build is powered by a 4.8L twin-turbo V8 making a massive 500 hp. The Cayenne receives a custom lift kit, lightbar, roof rack, and off-road bumpers to give it more ground clearance. The appearance has also been changed with a striking classic-looking green Porsche racing livery and vintage-inspired 911 rims, which make this particular Cayenne build look as if it could have come straight from the factory. Unlike some other off-road builds, this Cayenne seems to have been created very intentionally with a very specific vision in mind, which makes this build especially unique.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

6. Volkswagen Touareg V10

The regular Volkswagen Touareg is an unassuming SUV that provides little excitement unless it's packing a hidden feature, a mighty 5.0L V10 diesel engine. In the 2000s, Volkswagen was famous for putting some wild powertrains in very normal cars, and this Touareg V10 is a perfect example of this. This engine makes 310 hp, but more importantly, 553 lb-ft of torque. These are very impressive figures for a family SUV from the mid-2000s. The torque figure is the real highlight, and provides the grunt needed to push through snow. The Touareg also benefits from being subtle, so if you don’t want to stand out but still have a special snow-beater, the V10 Touareg is an excellent combination of both.

7. Isuzu VehiCross

You may have never heard of the elusive and odd-looking Isuzu VehiCross. The VehiCross was produced from 1997 to 2001, and was only sold in North America from 1999 to 2001. Just under 6,000 units were produced, with about 4,100 units being sold in North America, making this 25-year-old Isuzu a truly rare sight. It is also a decently capable crossover, featuring good ride clearance, four-wheel drive, and a low-range gearbox. It is powered by a sturdy 3.5L V6 producing 215 hp and 230 lb-ft, which may not be a lot, but enough for an SUV this size. The VehiCross is certainly one of the most unique winter drivers on this list.

8. Mercedes G550 4x4²

The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen needs no introduction; it's a renowned off-roader that usually never ventures outside fancy shopping centres. However, its capability shouldn’t be dismissed, especially with the G550 4x4². This particular G-Wagen is truly special and got significant improvements to the drivetrain. The 4x4 utilises the portal axles and suspension used in the wild Mercedes G63 6x6. This upgrade moves drivetrain components further up into the body, which allows for a significant improvement in the G-Class’s ground clearance. The regular G-Class has a ground clearance of 205 mm (8.1 inches), while the 4x4 increases that figure to 438 mm (17.24 inches) when equipped with off-road tires. The track is also widened by about 15 cm (6 inches), making this particular G-Wagen an unstoppable, luxurious off-road toaster.

9. Fiat Panda 4x4

Finding subcompact four-wheel-drive hatchbacks is tricky, as most are front-wheel drive. To tackle snow, a lightweight car is ideal, as a lower weight means a lower likelihood of getting bogged down in softer snow. The Fiat Panda 4x4 meets all of these criteria and is a capable little off-road hatchback with very few additional thrills. The Fiat Panda was very successful in Europe, as customers loved the combination of practicality and frugal engine options. Surprisingly, one of these European masterpieces was imported into Canada, and we think it would make a great winter driver.

The interior of the Panda is extremely basic, with a plastic dashboard and manual windows. Its curb weight of less than 1,000 kg makes it extremely light, which is good because it has only 60 hp coming from its 1.2L engine. With its five-speed manual transmission, the Panda makes a fun mini rally car, though definitely not a fast one; zero to 100 km/h takes around 20 seconds. This makes the Panda 4x4 the least crazy car on this list, but what it lacks in performance, it makes up for in uniqueness.

10. Jeep Gladiator 6x6

If you are the type of person who thinks the regular Jeep isn’t off-road capable enough, then this may be the vehicle for you. Apocalypse is a tuning company that specializes in making Jeep and Ram products even more outrageous. This particular example starts with a standard 2023 Jeep Gladiator, adds two extra wheels and replaces the V6 engine with a supercharged Hellcat V8, with the builder claiming it makes 750 hp. The Apocalypse Gladiator also receives custom front and rear bumpers as well as a custom bed cover, which makes the 6x6 look as if it's ready for a zombie apocalypse, just as the name suggests. The combination of six wheels and 750 hp is likely more than enough performance you’d ever need to get through a snowstorm or a field of the undead.