[MRM]

For a cheap, reliable, comfortable winter highway cruiser, I would strongly recommend a 2007 or later Mercedes E-350 4Matic or a 2011 or later BMW 535 xDrive.

My wife has a 2008 and a 2012 E350. Both are unstoppable with snow tires. They are better in the snow and ice than our 2007 Explorer with the big V8 and fancy real 4WD setup. They are far more comfortable than an SUV and drive much easier. Both have been bulletproof. Lots of comfortable miles on them. The 08 can be had for $10,000 or less all day long.

I have a 2011 535. It's the same as the E350. Comfortable, solid as a tank, unstoppable with snow tires, and very comfortable. I'm over 100,000 miles without a single issue. My car can be had for $12-15,000. It eats miles on the freeway like a cheetah chasing an antelope. Fast and effortless.

I've looked into an SUV for the exact same purpose, and I always come back to the Merc or BMW.