Chicago roads are icy in the winter. So you will need a car with all-wheel drive and traction control to keep it on the road. You will also need a vehicle with good safety features and driving assistance to help you drive through heavy traffic.
In addition, you will need to consider the car’s fuel consumption because Chicago’s gasoline prices are among the country’s most expensive.
Here are some of the best cars to drive in Chicago.
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Honda CR-V Hybrid
The Honda CRV is a hybrid SUV that provides a comfortable ride in Chicago. It provides a smooth ride and has one of the best fuel economies compared to other hybrid SUVs. This vehicle can handle snow well, thanks to its unique elements.
Its high ground clearance allows you to drive comfortably. Another thing that makes it best for handling icy roads is the real-time All-wheel drive system that transfers torque to all wheels when driving.
It also has traction control, vehicle stability assist, an anti-lock braking system, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, and comfort-enhancing features.
Honda Accord Hybrid
The Honda Accord Hybrid is a fun car to drive around. The Honda hybrid has an EPA estimate of 48 mpg in the city and 47 mpg on the highway. This ensures you drive for long around Chicago without having to stop for gas.
This vehicle has a ground clearance of 5.8 inches that can tackle only light snow. It performs best in the snow when equipped with additional snow gear like winter tires.
It also has safety features like an anti-lock braking system, brake assist, and electronic brake distribution. The vehicle stability assist and traction control help keep the vehicle on the road.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The Toyota RAV4 hybrid is one of the best-selling vehicles designed to meet the needs of people who love compact SUVs. It has a ground clearance of 8.4 inches to run smoothly through the snow.
This vehicle can handle up to 5 inches of snow and up to 6 inches when equipped with the right snow gear. The passive safety features include traction control and enhanced vehicle stability control.
Additionally, the vehicle has a lane departure alert with steering assistance to help drivers from making unintentional deviations from their lanes, lane tracing assists, road sign assists, and a full-speed range dynamic radar cruise.
Under the hood is a 2.5L four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, which produce 219 horsepower. The presence of the electric motors also results in a fuel-efficient powertrain, 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
The Hyundai Tucson leads the way in progressive designs. It takes you to the furthest places using less fuel.
The fuel consumption of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid with standard all-wheel drive is estimated at 37 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
The Tucson is excellent in snow, thanks to the high ground clearance of 6.4 inches and the impressive safety features. It also boasts of ABS, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. These features have won Tucson a five-star safety rating.
Toyota Venza
The Toyota Venza is beyond the ordinary. Not only do you enjoy elegance but also decent fuel efficiency, estimated at 40 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The driver-assist features help keep drivers safe on Chicago roads.
These features include forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic head beam headlights, and a rear-view camera.
The Toyota Venza comes with all-wheel drive as standard, which makes it reliable when winter comes and there is ice on the roads. With a good pair of winter tires, the Venza will have no trouble conquering even deep snow, thanks to its 7.7 inches of ground clearance.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Toyota Highlander hybrid has no trouble snogging through the icy roads. The all-wheel-drive system alters the transmission and sends more torque to the rear axle, making the traction control more aggressive.
Best 3 Rows Medium Size Hybrid SUVs
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It also has superb fuel economy with an EPA estimate of 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway for front-wheel drives and 35 mpg in the city and highway for all-wheel drive.
It has quality safety features to help the drivers maneuver through Chicago roads. Those features include a lane departure warning, automatic high beam headlights to see through the foggy weather, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control.
Kia Sorento Hybrid
The Kia Sorento Hybrid is an incredible SUV. It is efficient enough to produce up to 40 mpg in the city. The front-wheel drive has an EPA estimate of 39 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel drive has 36 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
The PHEV can cover 32 miles and return 72 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Kia Sorento Hybrid features like stability control, anti-lock brakes, and traction control make driving through the snow much easier.
We cannot forget the driver and front passenger’s heated cushion and the back front seats that add to the comfort during chilly weather. The 6.9 inches of ground clearance can also handle snow.
Read: Kia Sorento in Snow and Winter Driving
RAM 1500 EcoDiesel
The RAM 1500 EcoDiesel safety features are some of the best in the market, and they are perfect for heavy traffic conditions.
The blind-spot monitor is a great safety feature that helps you avoid accidents, and the cross-traffic alert system is perfect for keeping an eye on traffic behind you. In addition, the RAM 1500 EcoDiesel comes with a backup camera, which is perfect for safety in Chicago. The camera helps you see what is behind you when you are backing up, and it is a great safety feature in any city.
It comes with a 4×4 system and high ground clearance to help this truck get through the snow. The truck has a great fuel economy with an EPA estimate of 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
Final words
These are some of the best cars for the Chicago lifestyle. They are reliable, efficient, and safe to get you through the winters and heavy traffic conditions.
Choose the best car for you and your lifestyle, and enjoy driving in Chicago.
