Snowmobiles: The 5 Best All-Wheel-Drive Cars Under $30,000

If you're in the tri-state area, your street is currently being covered by a blanket of whiteness. No, your 'hood isn't being gentrified; we're in the middle of a mini blizzard! When we had to wake up this morning to trek to work, all we kept thinking to ourselves was how much we hated snow and how much we wished we had a 4x4 to get us through the slush. Which got us thinking, if we were to buy a new car that could traverse through the streets no matter the weather, which one would we get? First off, it would have to have have all-wheel-drive, it would have to be affordable (under $30,000) and it would have to be something we can live with on the reg. With those parameters set, we put together our list. Check our five favorite 2010 all-wheel-drive cars below.

#5: Chevrolet Equinox 2LT AWD
PRICE: $27,370
Complex Says: Besides the Cadillac SRX, the all-new Equinox is our favorite crossover made by any of the GM brands. The styling has been updated to resemble a ride that a person with testicles wouldn't mind driving and they've thrown in an TKT hp V6 engine to help get you going. The 2LT is also loaded with features like a Pioneer audio system and a back up camera. It's not the most nimble of crossovers, but what it lacks in handling it more than makes up for in comfort. The cabin isn't super luxe, but it'll more than make due, especially the eight way adjustable driver seat and a built in USB port so you can listen to your iPod on the go.

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#4: Suzuki Kizashi SLS AWD
PRICE: $26,749
Complex Says: We didn't know what to expect from Suzuki's Kizashi. The name alone made us raise an eyebrow, but the styling won us over, as did the interior and the rev-happy 2.4 liter, 180 horsepower engine. It's littered with features such as Dual-zone automatic climate, heated seats, and a seven speaker, 425-watt sound system that seriously knocked. There's a switch to the left of the steering wheel that turns the intelligent AWD system, which can be set to three settings: 2WD for normal road driving, AWD, for rain and 4WD for snow and ice. It's one of the best low-priced all around cars we've been in.

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#3: Ford Fusion Sport AWD
PRICE: $28,335
Complex Says: The Fusion is one of the best cars to come out of Ford in, shit, we don't know how long. Maybe that's why it racked up so many awards. There's room enough for five adults to ride comfortably, its ride finds that nice balance between sporty and comfy—especially the Sport model. It also looks the best out of the whole Fusion model range, with its spoiler standard 18" aluminum rims and fog lights. Then there's the 3.5 liter V6 that's good for 263 horses. When the snow hits the ground, you're going to need all of 'em.

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#2: Hyundai Tucson Limited AWD
PRICE: $24,345
Complex Says: Still not considering a Hyundai? Well, you need to. They're new line up is shaping up to be as stylish and feature-filled as it is cheap. The all-new Tucson is proof of that. Completely rebuilt, they've took pains to make exceptionally quiet and smooth. It also comes with an available 6-speed manual transmission(!). The interior is Hyundai's usual fare of sporty design and up-market looking instruments and nice materials. Spend a little more on the limited and get the panoramic sunroof, and get some light. It also sports one of the best all-wheel-drive systems in its class, with a driver selectable AWD lock, so you can choose to evenly split the power between all wheels when things get really hairy.

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#1: Subaru Impreza WRX
PRICE: $24,995
Complex Says: If we could pick one car to have when the conditions turn less than favorable, we'd get the Subaru WRX. Their symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, mated to their 2.5 liter, 265 horsepower turbocharged Boxer engine is the stuff of legend. Using this car as a base, Subaru has cleaned up in the world rally championship, bringing home titles in '95, '96 and '97. It's so good you'll want to do some maneuvers that, considering your behind the wheel talent, you really shouldn't be doing. And that' the beautiful thing, the car is so well balanced and engineered— an awesome vehicle dynamics control (VDC) system that applies brakes and scales power if you lose traction—you'll be forgiven for all your sloppy turn-ins.

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