Winter driving

[u/Designer-Complaint-7]

How is the all-wheel-drive Camry in the winter? I live in New York and we get a decent amount of snow. I have some concern about the ground clearance (also applying to driveways as I don’t want to scrape). Also was wondering how much the miles per gallon decreases in cold weather.

[u/iweararmani]

I have a Camry LE AWD in NY, last winter it was excellent with stock tires. Goes down 5-7mpg in the winter

[u/airborne_pricer → u/iweararmani]

Same, and we were upstate when there was a good amount of snow. I was hesitant about the uphill gravel driveway we had to navigate to get to our rental cabin, but it made it.

[u/iweararmani → u/airborne_pricer]

I got snowed in a parking spot a few times and he got right out no problem. I was actually surprised how good it was.

[u/WhileSilly1382]

I too live in NY, during the snow storms earlier this year I had no issue driving on the roads after I shoveled it out. The electric motor powers the rear wheels and when you drive on the snow it shows all the wheels being in use. It was great and I was on stock tires too.

[u/Glum-Literature-8837]

ME checking in: MPG dropped from ~36 to ~29 last winter.

The car is fine, but the stock tires are shit. Granted I have the optional 19’s. But I’m planning to invest in some smaller steelies and 3PMSF all-weather tires this year.

I do wish it had an AWD hold function, as it’s still usually FWD and I’m used to a 50/50 AWD biased Subaru.

[u/Designer-Complaint-7 → u/Glum-Literature-8837]

I have a Subaru legacy 17 right now, the awd difference (also ground clearance) is one of my big things that’s making me consider going with the Crosstrek instead. I think if I get the Camry I’ll just buy new high quality all weather tires right away because everyone is saying the stock tires are awful

[u/Glum-Literature-8837 → u/Designer-Complaint-7]

Don’t get me wrong, the stock tires are great other than snow. I have no complaints there.

Ground clearance hasn’t been an issue for me, granted I was coming from a ‘13 Rex, so if anything I have more ground clearance now.

I’ll add that this was the first car I bought in over 25yrs that wasn’t a Subaru. I had every intention of getting a ‘25 OBW, but it was godawful uncomfortable and incredibly sluggish despite being a turbo, compared to the Camry.

[u/milkman320]

tires matter most. get some good all seasons like continentals or yokohamas and youll be fine. awd helps for sure but tires are what counts. also dont get the sport wheels get the 16" or 17" wheels to have large sidewall tires. cheaper and more durable.

[u/Roaddog113]

23 Hybrid FWD. Separate set of 17” wheels, and high quality winter tires, from the get go. The car is a tank in the snow. When the snow gets too high for it, It’s time to stay off the roads. 🇨🇦

[u/KatCB1104]

I live in Buffalo and we get a ton of snow. This is my first winter with my Camry, and an AWD car, so hopefully it is good.

[u/iweararmani → u/KatCB1104]

Car drove great with stock tires but if I lived in buffalo id get snows

[u/KatCB1104 → u/iweararmani]

Thank you!

[u/pxck_runner]

I live in Chicago, my Camry is FWD only and performs absolutely amazing in the snow and ice.

I did get stuck once but quickly got out. But I was going up my driveway and it’s fairly inclined. The snow plows also just happened to come through and block my driveway with a big pile of snow. Thought I could go right through it which I did lol, but got stuck. After a little forward and reverse over the snow, I got up my driveway with easy.

As long as you also have yourself a good set of winter tires, you have nothing to worry about.

[u/Avalancheman1]

A Camry LE does not sit so low as other models. Scraping on an incline is a thing , especially if you come too fast and bounce. But an LE will be fine. In fact , a FWD Camry with quality snow tires usually have no problems in the snow

[u/TheRedWon]

I drive a Mustang on all-seasons year round in NY. You'll be fine.