The Best 2025 Hybrid and Electric Vehicles for Winter Driving in Ontario

Winter in Ontario can be harsh, with icy roads, heavy snowfall, and sub-zero temperatures. These conditions demand vehicles with robust all-wheel-drive systems, cold-weather technology, and safety features designed to improve traction and visibility. For those interested in hybrid and electric options, these models offer winter-specific capabilities, from remote climate control to battery warmers and advanced AWD systems. Below is a list of some of the best 2025 hybrid and electric vehicles suited for Ontario's winter, each with its unique features that can handle icy and snowy conditions while keeping you comfortable.

2025 Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2025 Cadillac LYRIQ is a luxury all-electric SUV that comes equipped with Cadillac's advanced dual-motor all-wheel drive system, available on select trims, providing power to all four wheels for enhanced winter traction. The motors power both axles, sending instant torque and 515 horsepower of combine power to the road, ensuring immediate and constant traction. The LYRIQ also offers remote climate preconditioning, allowing you to warm up the cabin and battery before driving—a critical feature in Ontario's cold winters. The LYRIQ’s electric powertrain gets its energy from the Ultium Battery Platform that creates a low centre of gravity and a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution which helps with stability in low-traction environments. Additionally, Cadillac’s connected services include the ability to check battery status, range, and vehicle location, all accessible through the Cadillac app.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV is an affordable all-electric compact SUV designed with winter driving in mind. It is available with an optional AWD system that enhances stability and traction on icy roads. With the myChevrolet app, drivers can remotely start the vehicle and precondition the cabin, making it comfortable before you step in. The Equinox EV also features heated exterior mirrors and an efficient heat pump to improve cabin warmth and battery efficiency in cold weather. Chevrolet's Super Cruise hands-free driving technology is also available, which can be beneficial for longer winter highway drives by reducing driver fatigue.

2025 Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV

The 2025 Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV combines a plug-in hybrid powertrain that delivers impressive power. With 288 hp, the R/T accelerates with confidence, but in winter what you will notice first is the near perfect 50/50 weight distribution which ensures stable, confident handling even on icy or snowy roads. The Hornet R/T PHEV's AWD system is constantly moving torque to the axle that needs it and, in the process, preventing a loss of traction before you even feel the wheel slip. With Uconnect services, the driver can remotely start the engine and set the cabin temperature before leaving the house, and the car includes features like heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

For those looking for a fuel-efficient sedan, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid offers impressive fuel economy and several winter-friendly features. While the Elantra Hybrid is front-wheel drive only, it is equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense safety suite, which includes lane-keeping assist and forward-collision avoidance—useful for low-visibility winter driving. The BlueLink app allows drivers to remotely start the car and control cabin temperature, a welcome feature on chilly mornings. While it doesn’t have AWD, the Elantra Hybrid is a solid choice for urban areas with less severe winter conditions.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a fully electric SUV that offers an optional dual-motor AWD setup, providing strong traction in winter conditions. Improved this year, the 2025 Ioniq 5 also offers more all-electric range which means that even with cold weather, you will always have enough power to get home. Moreover, a heat pump system improves range and efficiency in colder weather. Through the BlueLink app, drivers can preheat both the battery and cabin in order to improve efficiency and preserve battery range on the road.

2025 Toyota Sequoia

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV with a hybrid powertrain and standard four-wheel-drive, perfect for rugged winter driving in Ontario’s snowy regions. Its terrain-based drive system lets you adjust traction settings to match road conditions, whether it’s icy or snowy. The Sequoia also features Toyota's Connected Services, which include remote start and climate control, allowing you to warm up the cabin in advance. Moreover, the Sequoia offers the Safety Connect system which means you are always one push of a button away from help should you need it.

2025 Toyota RAV4 PHEV

The 2025 Toyota RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid SUV that combines AWD with an electric motor, making it a fuel-efficient option for winter driving. Toyota’s AWD-i (intelligent AWD) system adapts to road conditions, improving traction on snowy or slippery roads. The RAV4 Prime also offers remote climate control via the Toyota app, allowing you to preheat the cabin and battery. Additional winter features include heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and the Toyota Safety Sense suite for enhanced safety.

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e

The all-new 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e plug-in hybrid SUV not only offers the most range of any luxury PHEV model, it also combines luxury with winter readiness. Its 4MATIC AWD system provides excellent handling on icy roads, distributing power to maintain stability in lightning-quick fashion and taking full advantage of the electric motor’s immediate torque distribution. The Mercedes me app offers remote start and cabin preconditioning features, while a heat pump helps maintain battery efficiency in the winter. The GLC 350e also includes features like heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and advanced driver assistance systems, but also unique features that you won’t find elsewhere such as heated arm rests.

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is an all-electric luxury SUV equipped with 4MATIC AWD. This system dynamically shifts torque between front and rear axles, making it ideal for slippery conditions. The EQE SUV includes preconditioning options that allow you to heat both the cabin and battery remotely. In addition, Mercedes’ high-efficiency heat pump helps extend driving range in colder temperatures, while the MBUX infotainment system provides navigation and real-time traffic updates for safer winter journeys. Moreover, the EQE SUV’s navigation system with Electric Intelligence will factor in outside temperature to provide a real estimate of remaining range, a crucial bit of information for EV owners in winter. This makes it so much easier to plan your winter drive.

2025 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 is a compact all-electric SUV available with AWD, designed to handle winter conditions thanks to its available 4Motion all-wheel drive system. The Volkswagen ID.4 has been improved recently to deliver more range, and you can preheat the cabin when you are connected to a charger in order to use the energy source, not the battery, to warm the cabin before departure using the myVW app enables remote preconditioning, so you can warm the cabin and battery before departure. Moreover, the Car-Net connected features include a “find my car” feature which is great for quicky locating your ID.4 in a parking lot. That means you won’t be wandering around in the cold looking for your vehicle, especially if it is covered in snow. The ID.4’s electronic stability control and traction control systems provide extra stability on snowy roads.

2025 Ford F-150 Lightning

The 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric truck that combines powerful AWD capabilities with winter-specific features. Its dual-motor AWD system offers strong torque and traction, useful for icy or snow-covered roads. The F-150 Lightning includes a battery heater and preconditioning options to ensure optimal performance in cold weather. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 safety suite provides extra peace of mind with features like blind-spot monitoring and pre-collision assist, essential for winter highway driving. Moreover, the F-150 Lightning offers an optional vehicle-to-load charging system. That means that not only can the battery power the Lightning, but also small appliances or even your home in certain situations. This can be particularly useful when camping in winter or in the event of a power outage.

2025 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid is a luxury SUV that has just been redesigned and now comes with a brand-new available hybrid powertrain paired standard with an intelligent AWD system. This vehicle is designed for comfort and performance, with remote start, remote start, and heated seats as standard features. The Lincoln Way app provides remote access to vehicle status and controls, making winter prep convenient. The Nautilus Hybrid’s smooth handling and advanced safety features, such as lane-centrering assist, add to its winter-driving credentials.

2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid is a compact SUV with an advanced AWD system and an award-winning hybrid powertrain, offering fuel efficiency alongside solid winter performance. Honda's Real Time AWD system transfers torque to the rear wheels when it detects slippage but keeps the power on the front axle only when weather conditions are clear. That means that when the sun is shining, you enjoy the efficiency of a front-wheel drive model, further improving the already exceptional fuel economy rating of the CR-V Hybrid. The HondaLink app allows for remote engine start and climate control. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel are also available, ensuring comfort in Ontario’s colder months.

Comparison Table of 2025 Models for Winter Driving

Conclusion

When choosing a vehicle for Ontario’s winter driving conditions, it’s essential to consider AWD capability, cold-weather features, and efficiency under harsh temperatures. The 2025 models listed here offer a variety of hybrid and electric options, each equipped with technology that enhances winter performance, from remote climate control to regenerative braking and advanced AWD systems. Whether you’re looking for a luxury SUV or a practical family vehicle, these cars have been engineered to provide reliable, safe, and comfortable winter driving experiences in Canada’s demanding climate.