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If you want to know which SUVs can actually handle winter, forget spec sheets—watch them race. A recent AWD showdown put the Subaru Ascent, Mazda CX-70, Honda Pilot, and VW Atlas SUVs through their paces in deep snow. The straight-line champ? The Mazda earned its Zoom, Zoom, Zoom catchphrase. But when it came to slaloming through icy corners, the Subaru left the competition slipping. This wasn’t just a battle of horsepower—it was a test of real-world winter traction.

How the AWD SUV race worked

Sam of the Car Legion YouTube channel took these SUVs to a snow-covered airstrip in Canada. Each one used stock winter tires since manufacturers didn’t allow modifications to his test cars. That meant tire brands varied, but every vehicle had proper winter rubber.

Sam explained, “The first test we’re going to do is the drag race. We’re going to pit them against each other to see which one takes off better.”

The straight-line winner: Mazda CX-70

In deep snow, AWD can make or break a vehicle’s ability to move. The Mazda CX-70 proved its system is built for grip.

Sam called it: “Mazda got it! The Mazda takes the win.” He expected more from Subaru but admitted, “The Mazda definitely took off better.”

The Honda Pilot and VW Atlas didn’t even come close. “The Volkswagen is just flying!” Sam said, but the CX-70 had already won. “Where’s the Pilot? The Pilot’s not even close to the Atlas.”

The CX-70’s i-Activ AWD system put down power efficiently, allowing it to hook up and pull ahead while the competition struggled for grip.

The slalom champion: Subaru Ascent

Drag racing is one thing, but winter roads aren’t just straight shots. The slalom test revealed a totally different leader.

“The Subaru just loves drifting—it’s like a rally car,” Sam said. While the CX-70 won the drag race, it didn’t handle sharp corners as well.

The Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD kept it planted. Sam confirmed, “The Subaru was the fastest one in the slalom, no question.” He was shocked by the time difference. “That was like three to four seconds faster than the others.”

AWD SUVs done right

Not all AWD systems are created equal. The Mazda CX-70 launched like a beast, while the Subaru Ascent was the agility champion. The Honda Pilot and VW Atlas? They held their own, but this test made one thing clear—just because an SUV has AWD doesn’t mean it’s built for the worst winter roads. So choose wisely.

Check out the full AWD battle in the video below:

Best in Midsize SUVs
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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.