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Looking for a used SUV for winter in the Laurentians? At Nissan, three models show up most often on our lot: the Kicks, the Qashqai and the Rogue. The right choice mainly depends on three things: all-wheel drive, how much space you need and your budget. Here’s our honest comparison, based on what our customers in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Val-David and Mont-Tremblant experience every winter.
In the Laurentians, winter means snowy hills, cottage roads and Route 117 in every kind of weather. All-wheel drive mainly helps when pulling away and climbing hills. However, it doesn’t replace good winter tires, mandatory in Quebec during the cold season: they’re what make the biggest difference when braking.
The good news: with good tires, front-wheel drive does the job very well in town and on main roads. All-wheel drive becomes a real asset if you often drive up to a cottage, if your driveway is on a slope or if you head out early in the morning before the plows come through.
The Kicks is the smallest and most economical of the three. Models from 2018 to 2024 are front-wheel drive only: with good winter tires, they’re very well suited to city driving, students and second vehicles. Since 2025, the new generation offers all-wheel drive (see our article on the 2026 Kicks S AWD (in French)).
See our used Kicks guide and the units in inventory.
The Qashqai slots in between the Kicks and the Rogue. It stays compact in town, yet it offers more space and all-wheel drive on most trims. It’s often the best value for a used SUV for winter when you don’t need the Rogue’s large cargo area.
See our used Qashqai guide and the units in inventory.
The Rogue is the roomiest of the three, with all-wheel drive available on every trim. It’s the choice for families, cottage owners and anyone who carries skis, bikes or luggage. In addition, since 2023, its 1.5 L turbo engine is more fuel-efficient.
See our used Rogue guide and the units in inventory.
| Kicks | Qashqai | Rogue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Small SUV | Subcompact SUV | Compact SUV |
| All-wheel drive | Only since 2025 | On most trims | On every trim |
| Space and cargo | For 1 or 2 people | Small family | Family |
| Fuel consumption | Lowest | Average | Average (more efficient turbo since 2023) |
| Used budget | Lowest | Mid-range | Highest |
To compare the new models, also read our article Kicks or Rogue: which one to choose?
Yes for town and main roads, with good winter tires. For cottage roads, sloped driveways and snowy hills, though, all-wheel drive is a real plus.
Yes, especially with all-wheel drive. With good winter tires, it’s at ease on snowy roads while remaining more affordable than the Rogue.
The Kicks, both at purchase and at the pump. However, you’ll need a 2025 or newer model to get all-wheel drive.
The best way to choose your used SUV for winter is to try all three. Nissan Ste-Agathe is at 301 rue Léonard in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts. We’re just minutes from Val-David, Val-Morin, Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré and Mont-Tremblant. Book your test drive or browse our full pre-owned inventory.
