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12 Best Cars for Driving in Rain

Wet weather can lead to dangerous road conditions if you don’t have the right car.

By Jenny Cohen

Edited by Chris Kissell

Updated Dec. 17, 2024

Living in rainy cities such as Seattle or hurricane-prone states like Florida can be an issue if you don’t have the right car.

In such places, you might need something that has all-wheel drive to deal with slick roads or that offers a decent amount of clearance to get through standing water.

Which cars are going to do the best job for you in the rain? If you are trying to make money moves that will pay off over the long haul, you might want to consider buying one of the following cars that are great for driving in wet conditions.

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Honda CR-V

Traction issues can sink you if you’re driving in the rain, so it’s important to have features like all-wheel drive that can grip the road and help you through.

Take the Honda CR-V, for example: It has available real-time all-wheel drive that can automatically adjust control when you are driving in rain-slicked or wintery weather conditions.

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Lexus RX

The Lexus RX line of SUVs includes an all-wheel drive option to help you stay on the road in wet conditions.

You also get anti-lock brakes to help you stop if your car begins to skid on slippery roads in rain or snow.

Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander gives you the option of all-wheel drive to help you navigate treacherous roads.

The Highlander also gets top safety marks from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), which should give you more confidence when driving in inclement weather.

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Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender is a luxury SUV with great features that help you drive in slick weather conditions.

The Defender comes with all-wheel drive to get you over slippery roads and also offers off-road features that can be helpful when the weather turns wet.

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Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek is packed with off-road capabilities that can come in handy when you are driving on rainy roads.

The Crosstrek also includes 8.7 inches of ground clearance to get you through large puddles and standing water.

The vehicle’s LED steering responsive headlights can help you navigate dark conditions. The headlights respond to your steering wheel and point in the direction you are steering into as you drive.

Audi A6

Audi includes its Quattro all-wheel drive on several models, including the midsize Audi A6 sedan. It gives you better traction in the rain.

The A6 also has a heads-up display that projects relevant information onto your windshield to help you keep your eyes on the road in tough road conditions.

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Nissan Altima

It’s possible to get a car that’s a great vehicle in the rain without having to shell out extra cash for additional features.

Try the Nissan Altima, for example, which is a midsize sedan with an affordable MSRP of $26,000.

The sedan includes Intelligent AWD that monitors road conditions and can quickly adjust to changes in the road, such as wet surfaces.

Cadillac XT4

The Cadillac XT4 has several features that make the SUV work well in all conditions, including stormy weather.

The SUV has all-wheel drive to help with traction and vehicle control in slick conditions. You also get IntelliBeam automatic high beams to help you see better without the distracting need to switch from high to low beams as you drive.

Ford Explorer

Try out the Ford Explorer in bad weather conditions and you will discover great features such as automatic high beams to adjust to changing weather conditions.

You also get a blind-spot detection system to help you see what’s around you even when the weather is wet.

You have the option to choose an Explorer with four-wheel drive that can offer extra help to stay on the road in slippery conditions such as rain or snow.

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BMW X1

The BMW X1 is a great SUV if you want a sophisticated vehicle with safety features that help in slippery conditions.

The X1 includes all-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes on all four wheels, and dynamic stability control that can adjust to changing roads as conditions change when you are out driving.

Dodge Durango

The Dodge Durango is a full-size SUV that can get you through bad weather conditions. It also features an available third row for passengers.

The Durango has automatic high beams that can adjust while you are driving and an option for all-wheel drive that can help you navigate slick roads.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a luxury sedan with a luxury price tag. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) comes in at $114,500 for the cheapest model.

But if you have the money to spare and can buy this car without injuring your financial fitness, it can be a good option.

The S-Class includes features such as automatic windshield wipers that sense rain and turn on without driver input and automatic lights that allow other drivers to see you in rainy conditions.

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Bottom line

If you live in a city where rain is a big part of life, consider buying one of the cars on this list.

By shopping carefully, you might land a bargain on one of these vehicles. And you can cut your costs even further by shopping around for coverage so you can save money on car insurance.

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