Living in Northern Ontario means you know better than most what a real winter looks like. The snow piles up, the temperatures drop, and the roads can go from manageable to treacherous in a matter of hours. That's why having the right SUV is every bit of a necessity. Whether you’re tackling the school run on a snowy Tuesday morning or heading out on a winter road trip, there’s a Toyota SUV built for the job. Read on as our team at James Toyota highlights five of the best AWD Toyota SUVs for winter driving: the RAV4, Corolla Cross, Highlander, 4Runner, and Sequoia.

Read these blogs to learn more about Toyota SUVs:

Toyota SUV Towing Guide

Toyota RAV4 Cargo Capacity & Space

Toyota Land Cruiser Off-Road Capabilities

2026 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular SUVs in Canada for good reason, and in winter conditions, it more than earns its reputation. With standard all-wheel drive across every trim level, you never have to think twice about traction when the roads get slippery.

Here's what makes it a standout winter choice:

• Standard AWD on every trim
• 236 horsepower hybrid powertrain with a fuel economy rating of just 5.1 L/100 km city and 6.0 L/100 km highway, so winter driving won't hurt you at the pump
• Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 standard, including Pre-Collision System, Lane Tracing Assist, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management
• Available Panoramic View Monitor with 360-degree coverage — ideal for navigating tight, snow-covered parking lots
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats with up to 1,070 litres of cargo space for all your winter gear

If you want a reliable, efficient, and capable winter SUV at an accessible price point, the RAV4 is the place to start.

2026 Toyota Corolla Cross

Don't let its compact size fool you, the Toyota Corolla Cross punches well above its weight when winter conditions arrive. With available AWD across the trim lineup and a solid suite of standard safety tech, it's a smart and affordable pick for Timmins winters.

Here's why it makes the list:

• Available AWD across the lineup for superior traction in snow and rain
• Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 standard, including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, and Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Available Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking, which is a handy feature when navigating icy or snow-covered parking areas
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard so that you can use navigation and hands-free features safely in winter conditions
• Fuel economy of 7.6 L/100 km city and 7.2 L/100 km highway, efficient enough to keep running costs low through the long Timmins winter

A pre-owned or new Corolla Cross is a great entry point into Toyota's AWD lineup without breaking the budget.

2026 Toyota Highlander

For families who need more space without sacrificing winter capability, the Toyota Highlander is a natural fit. Its advanced AWD system is specifically designed to maximize traction in challenging weather, making it one of the most well-rounded winter SUVs in the segment. 

Highlights include:

• Dynamic Torque Control AWD with Rear Driveline Disconnect, which intelligently distributes power where it's needed most on slippery roads
• 264 horsepower 2.4L turbocharged engine with a combined fuel economy rating of 9.9 L/100 km
• Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ standard, including Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert, and Pre-Collision System
• Available Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert for added confidence when changing lanes or backing out in poor visibility
• Three rows of seating with available heated and ventilated front seats, second-row captain's chairs, and a driver seat memory system for those cold morning starts

The Highlander is the ideal choice for Timmins families who want space, comfort, and serious winter capability in one package.

2026 Toyota 4Runner

When winter conditions get truly serious, the Toyota 4Runner is ready. Built on a body-on-frame platform with both part-time and full-time four-wheel drive systems available, the 4Runner is one of the most capable winter SUVs Toyota makes.

Here's what sets it apart:

• Available part-time and full-time 4WD systems backed by off-road-ready equipment and generous ground clearance
• 278 horsepower 2.4L turbocharged engine with a fuel economy rating of 12.4 L/100 km city and 9.6 L/100 km highway
• Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 standard, including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection, Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Lane Tracing Assist
• Available heated front and second-row seats and available dual-zone automatic climate control to keep everyone comfortable on cold Timmins mornings
• Available 14-inch multimedia display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for safe, hands-free connectivity in winter driving conditions

If you want an SUV that's equally at home on icy city streets and snow-covered back roads, the 4Runner delivers.

2026 Toyota Sequoia

For those who want the ultimate winter SUV, one that combines maximum capability with luxury, the Toyota Sequoia is the answer. Its powerful hybrid powertrain and full-size body make it one of the most commanding vehicles on the road when the snow starts to fall.

Key winter features include:

• 437 horsepower 3.4L twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid engine with 583 lb-ft of torque is more than enough power to stay in control on even the most challenging winter roads
• An advanced all-wheel drive system to maximize traction and confidence in snow and ice
• Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 standard, including Pre-Collision System with Emergency Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Full Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management, and Automatic High Beams
• Available Panoramic View Monitor for greater awareness of your surroundings when navigating snowy or icy conditions
• Three rows of seating for up to eight passengers with available heated and ventilated rear seats which is perfect for keeping the whole family comfortable on long winter drives

A pre-owned or new Sequoia is the pinnacle of Toyota's winter SUV lineup, and there's truly nothing else quite like it.

Find Your AWD Toyota SUV at James Toyota in Timmins, ON

Whether you're after a compact and efficient winter runabout or a full-size SUV that can handle anything Northern Ontario throws at it, our team at James Toyota has you covered. Visit us in Timmins and let our team find the perfect AWD Toyota for winter. Contact us today to get started!