Best Winter Cars for Every US Region

Fairbanks, Alaska
Duration of wintry weather: 250 days
Average low temperature: -11° F

Why mush the dogs when you can mash the accelerator? Fairbanks has four months of average temperatures in negative territory, an all-time low of minus 66 degrees Fahrenheit and an average snowfall of almost 68 inches. That's pretty extreme. Consequently, you need an extreme vehicle. We present the Mattracks H3 Hummer. Karlstad, Minn.-based Mattracks manufactures track systems that turn mortal, light-duty 4-wheelers into gods of the snow. Think of the domination over the frozen tundra you will enjoy while taking in the northern lights, ice fishing or chasing polar bears.

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Aspen, Colo.
Duration of wintry weather: 316 days
Average low temperature: 9° F

Trendy Aspen demands style and substance from its motoring public. You need red-carpet cachet and serious winter capability to make the grade. The upscale Range Rover HSE Supercharged gets a straight-A report card with its seductive styling, extravagant 20-inch rolling stock, 510-horsepower V8 engine, grippy permanent 4-wheel drive featuring Rover's impressive Hill Descent Control, and a sinfully lavish interior. The city's 7,908-foot elevation makes the supercharger a must, as high elevations rob power from normally aspirated engines. The HSE will impress locals and visiting celebrities alike.

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South Beach, Miami, Fla.
Duration of wintry weather: zero days
Average low temperature: 61° F

The only frost in Miami is found around the edge of a margarita glass. It has the least overall temperature variation of any city on this list. Winter weather isn't mild in South Florida — it's nonexistent. So a 4x4 is a mite excessive. But that doesn't mean excess isn't called for, as South Beach is known for good-looking people living a lavish lifestyle. Locals will appreciate the intimidating Euro-chic status of the GTC as you roll down Ocean Drive with the top down and the tunes cranked.

Bing Images: Bentley Continental GTC

Bozeman, Mont.
Duration of wintry weather: 250 days
Average low temperature: 13° F

They don't call them the Badlands for nothing. With a typical cold season consisting of two months in the low-20-degree range sandwiching three months in the teens, there will be plenty of ice and snow in Montana to test the 2012 Jeep's Trail Rated Command Trac 4WD drivetrain. And thanks to its 3.6-liter 285-horsepower Pentastar V6 engine, the Wrangler is powerful enough to handle the harshest conditions and winter jobs, such as pulling a snowmobile or pushing a snow plow.

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Santa Monica, Calif.
Duration of wintry weather: zero days
Average low temperature: 51° F

The coldest temperature on record in Santa Monica isn't even below freezing; it's 32 degrees, recorded in 1952. Basically, the surf is up year-round, and so is the disposable income. Thus, we're breaking out the aptly named Ferrari California. This seductive, long-nosed, Gran Turismo hardtop convertible has enough saliva-generating qualities to make Pavlov jealous. The 460-horsepower V8-motivated roadster will prance from zero to 62 mph in four seconds and top out at 193 mph. It's the perfect machine to drive up the coast on a brisk, 60-degree winter day.

Bing Images: Ferrari California

Austin, Texas
Duration of wintry weather: 137 days
Average low temperature: 41° F

Austin is known for its hip music scene and excellent food, and its winters are mild and relatively dry. For the entire year, the city averages 88 days below 45 degrees and 18 days when the minimum temperature falls below freezing. Snowfall is rare, but Austin has been known to suffer ice storms that freeze roads. So is a 4x4 necessary? Yes, Austin is in Texas, for goodness sake. The Chevy Silverado has the American muscle to be at home on the range, yet it projects enough sophistication for life in the big city.

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Portland, Maine
Duration of wintry weather: 200 days
Average low temperature: 12° F

Founded in 1632 on Casco Bay, Portland is known for its deep fall colors, regal brick buildings and active seaport. It is also nestled in prime antiquing territory, so locals need a vehicle that can survive three months of temperatures in the teens and come out the other side ready for treasure hunting. The Suburban has a hefty cargo hold that can accommodate that Victorian-era armoire, haul the kids to soccer practice and conquer snowdrifts in equal measure.

Compare: Chevrolet Suburban vs. Toyota Sequoia vs. Volvo XC90

Lincoln, Neb.
Duration of wintry weather: 192 days
Average low temperature: 14° F

Lincoln can dish out quite a winter season with three consecutive months in the teens and an all-time low of minus 27 degrees. Snowfall is respectable; most of Nebraska receives between 25 and 35 inches annually. Nothing brutal. But its spring and summer months are tough, complete with tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Thus, a sturdy 4x4 is in the cards. The Midwest expects a lot out of a truck, and the Ford F-150's refined interior, engaging engine options and numerous body styles means there's an F-150 for every season.

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Seattle, Wash.
Duration of wintry weather: 115 days
Average low temperature: 36° F

Seattle — the birthplace of grunge rock, where flannel is high fashion, zombie marches reign and the Space Needle stands tall — has always embraced the Subaru nameplate. The Outback, with its symmetrical all-wheel drive, is tailor-made for the soggy climate, and its generous cargo capacity and sturdy roof rack appeal to the active, outdoorsy lifestyle that many Seattleites enjoy. Plus, its 170-horsepower 4-cylinder boxer engine is powerful enough to handle the hilly terrain.

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Phoenix, Ariz.
Duration of wintry weather: 45 days
Average low temperature: 39° F*

With a population of 1.44 million, Phoenix is the most populous city on our list, and its metro area — Scottsdale, Mesa and Glendale — is the 12th-largest in the country, with 4.1 million residents. And at 517 square miles, the Valley of the Sun is a lot to navigate. When a trip across town can be an all-day affair, you need to move fast and remain at ease. The Porsche Cayenne combines the fleetness of a 911 with the comfort and versatility of a luxury SUV. The Turbo pumps out 500 horsepower as its refined, contemporary cabin soothes away the miles.

*Figures courtesy of the 2011-2012 Farmer's Almanac

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For more information on any vehicle in this slideshow, click the links below:

- Mattracks Hummer
- Range Rover HSE Supercharged
- Bentley Continental GTC
- Jeep Wrangler
- Ferrari California
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Chevrolet Suburban
- Ford F-150
- Subaru Outback
- Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Compare: All 10 cars

Evan Griffey served as an editor of Turbo & High Tech Performance, a pioneering publication about sport-compact tuning. Today Griffey freelances for Import Tuner, Sport Compact Car, Car Audio and Siphon.

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