Given the choice between staying home — sitting by the fire, listening to music and sipping warmth-enduing libations — or doing battle for traction out on an icy, snow-swept road, we’d most certainly choose the former. But even in the thick of winter, life doesn’t stop — the kids still need to get to school, you have to go to work, and the groceries don’t deliver themselves when prepping that tori-nabe (or alternatively, those grilled cheese sandwiches).
Fortunately, today’s breed of SUVs are as rugged as their forbearers while retaining a level of sophistication and refinement not unlike that leather wingback you keep by the fireplace. Supple leather, heated seats and steering wheels and high-end sound systems are to be expected, but they’re at their finest in these seven SUVs that run the gamut from relative bargain to absurdly opulent. Old Man Winter, do your worst.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4X4
Best Value: For those looking to get the most bang for their buck, Jeep’s Gand Cherokee Summit might be the best value in the mid-size SUV market. For just over the $50,000 mark you get a fully loaded car. Luxury features like Jeep’s supple Natura leather, open-pore wood, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof and Harmon Kardon audio all come standard. What’s more, to keep from getting stuck, the Summit also comes standard with Jeep’s Select-Terrain traction control with snow mode, as well as Quadra-Lift suspension for clearance needs on unpaved roads.
