Best Cars for New Hampshire Drivers
Even if you live in an area of the country that sees a heavy dumping of snow and ice each winter, it's not necessary to ride out the frigid temperatures behind the wheel of a crossover or an SUV. There are a number of passenger cars out there that offer the all-wheel drive traction and winter credibility needed to brave the elements and emerge unscathed in the spring
Not only are all-wheel drive cars easier to maneuver than SUVs, they are also typically more comfortable and more fuel efficient, which makes them well worth investigating.
Here are some of the best cars for New Hampshire drivers!
Ford Fusion
The Ford Fusion is an ultra-stylish take on the mid-size family sedan concept, offering not just striking exterior looks but also a passenger compartment that is head and shoulders above that of the previous-generation Fusion in terms of quality. All-wheel drive is available when ordering the top-tier Titanium trim level of the Ford Fusion, which comes with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine.
This unit, which is rated at 231 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, provides respectable fuel economy of 22 mpg in stop and go driving and 31 mpg on the highway. A six-speed automatic transmission is the sole gearbox available with the 2.0-liter engine, which is also the most powerful engine available with the sedan.
Ford Explorer
It's easy to see why Ford's handsome new Explorer has been a smash hit since its debut late last year. With a starting price of around $30,000 including all-wheel drive, the SUV offers a generous list of standard features that includes curtain side airbags, an antiskid system with rollover sensors, steering wheel audio controls and remote keyless entry - plus an all-important third row of seats.
Toyota Sienna
Despite increasing demand for all-wheel drive, Toyota's popular Sienna is the only minivan that offers the feature.
That's good news for minivan-seeking families, though, because the recently redesigned Sienna happens to be one of the best vans available. Its muscular 266-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 - the only engine offered in all-wheel drive models - manages to deliver up to 22 miles per gallon on the highway, while standard features include power sliding doors, steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth, satellite radio, 18-inch alloy wheels and even a rearview camera - all for around $32,000.
That makes the Sienna a great alternative to an SUV for families worried about harsh winter weather.
Subaru Legacy
The Legacy and Outback are perfect winter cars for families who don't want to make the switch to an SUV or minivan. With starting prices of around $20,000 for a Legacy sedan or just over $23,000 for an Outback wagon, the Subarus don't carry any premium over rivals like the Toyota Camry.
But they do include the year-round benefit of all-wheel drive, which Subaru combines with increased ground clearance to ensure drivers will never have a problem in any weather condition. The Legacy and Outback also offer generous list of standard features and reasonably priced options, meaning drivers don't have to make sacrifices for all-weather capabilities.