Skip to main content

10 Car Models With The Worst Bad Weather Drivers - Where Is Subaru WRX STI?

What car brands and models have the worst lousy weather drivers? Audi has three, BMW has three, where is the 2021 Subaru WRX?

A new report from Insurify reveals the car brands and models that have the worst drivers in bad weather. You have seen the all-wheel-drive SUV or car speed by you when conditions are slick or dangerous. People with all-wheel-drive think their vehicle is invincible.

But Subaru, known for its all-wheel-drive models, has no models on the top-10 list. We are surprised because Subaru has three of the top five cars with the most accidents. The Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru WRX, and STI, and the Impreza. Read the Torque News report here. None of the Subaru drivers are the worst behaved in lousy weather.

2021 Subaru WRX STI, new Subaru WRX
photo credit: Subaru of New England

The new study shows two brands, known for their all-wheel-drive models, are the top brands and models on the list. Audi and BMW each have three models in their top-10. Audi has the A3, A4, and A5, BMW has the 4-Series, 7-Series, and X1.

The top-10 worst cars and drivers in bad weather

1. BMW 4-Series (12.9 drivers per 1,000 with a "too fast for conditions citation")
2. Audi A5 (12.7 drivers per 1,000)
3. BMW 7-Series (10.5 drivers per 1,000)
4. Toyota Yaris (8.0 drivers per 1,000)
5. Audi A3 (7.5 drivers per 1,000)
6. Mercedes-Benz CLA Class (6.7 drivers per 1,000)
7. Acura ILX (6.3 drivers per 1,000)
8. Volkswagen Golf (6.2 drivers per 1,000)
9. BMW X1 (6.0 drivers per 1,000)
10. Audi A4 (5.9 drivers per 1,000)

2021 Subaru WRX STI, new Subaru WRX
photo credit: Subaru of New England

It's more of a surprise the 2021 Subaru WRX and STI aren't on the list above. The Subaru WRX also has the distinction of the car with the most speeding tickets. In another report from Insurify updated in 2020, the Subaru WRX has the highest percentage of drivers with a speeding violation at 20.12 percent. The Subaru Impreza also makes the top-10 list with the most speeding tickets. Check out the report here.

Why do some Subaru drivers take more risks?

Younger drivers buy the Crosstrek compact SUV, sport-tuned WRX, and performance-tuned STI and are more likely to take more risks. Many Crosstrek owners take risks mountain biking, mountain climbing, and snowboarding. It isn't easy to separate from the excitement of the sport while driving home from the adventure.

So it's not surprising the Subaru Crosstrek is involved in more at-fault accidents along with the Subaru WRX and STI. But Subaru drivers having Symmetrical all-wheel-drive don't seem to take risks when the weather is terrible. Maybe they know their vehicle is highly capable and don’t have anything to prove? We can't figure this one out.

You Might Also Like: Is The 2021 Subaru WRX Your Best Sports Car Pick? 2 New Awards Say Yes

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Subaru Report - We’ve got you covered! Check back tomorrow for more unique, informative SUBARU news, reviews, and previews you can trust.

Leave your comments below, share the article with friends and tweet it out to your followers!

Photo credit: Subaru of New England

Comments

Andy Mason (not verified)    March 16, 2021 - 3:04PM

Maybe a decent AWD system actually helps in inclement weather? Anyone who says "AWD gets you going faster but doesn't help handling or slowing down again" hasn't driven a Subaru through slush.

Andrew (not verified)    March 17, 2021 - 3:09PM

I got a WRX last summer (2nd car I've ever owned, Focus before) and so far my experience is that in bad weather, I do tend to be more conservative. But, when it's safe and I turn off TC I have control that I never had with the Focus so I feel way more confident no matter the weather. AWD drifting through 6" of fresh snow on a gravel road is hella fun