10 SUVs With Heated Steering Wheels

2016BMWX5f3q

It’s a winter’s morning, too early for any kind of weak sunlight. A layer of snow sits on a layer of ice, there’s a biting wind coming out of the north, and you’re glad for two things. One, that you have a real SUV with the reassurance of all-wheel drive. Two, that your particular SUV has a heated steering wheel. This might sound like a frivolous optional extra and they never had heated reins way back in the pioneer days. But goodness, if you’ve ever enjoyed one during the bleak midwinter, then you know how warming it can be — not just to extremities but to the whole body. And if the technology exists to offer a heated steering wheel, why not take advantage of it? The following vehicles all offer heated steering wheels, either standard or as an option. May each one give you a warm feeling inside as well as outside.

2016 BMW X5

Yes, it’s possible to have a heated steering wheel in a plug-in hybrid SUV. One BMW X5 variant is the xDrive 40e, enabling the equivalent of 56 mpg in the city, and it’s all-new for this model year. There are strong conventional drivetrains too, with a choice of gasoline or diesel. Even the smallest engine packs a 300-hp punch. This luxury midsize SUV crossover is one for the enthusiast, with excellent driving behavior. Although the X5 comes quite well appointed, consider the optional Cold Weather package ($500) that brings a heated steering wheel as well as heated rear seats and high-intensity retractable headlight washers.

2016 Chevrolet Tahoe

The Chevrolet Tahoe still deploys old-school body-on-frame construction, but it’s an excellent and able SUV. The lowest trim, LS, can seat up to nine. But it’s only when we get to the Luxury package in the next level up, the LT, that we can enjoy a heated steering wheel. This options bundle also includes a hands-free power liftgate, heated second-row seats, blind spot monitoring and wireless smartphone charging. Or go for the LTZ and have these features as standard, along with an adaptive suspension and a Bose audio system. The Tahoe’s 5.3-liter V8 makes 355 hp and easily feels strong enough to propel this big three-row SUV. The four-wheel-drive version can tow up to 8,400 pounds. Also consider the Tahoe’s stablemate, the GMC Yukon. For even more space, check out the Chevrolet Suburban or Yukon XL.

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2016 Dodge Durango

The 2016 Dodge Durango is a crossover suv that can seat up to seven with comfort and ease. Even the basic trim level has a load-leveling rear suspension and heated side mirrors, while buyers can choose from a decent 290-hp V6 to a muscular 360-hp V8. Go for this latter engine and towing capacity is a considerable 7,400 pounds. A heated steering wheel is part of the optional Popular Equipment Group for the entry-level SXT trim. It also includes rear parking sensors, rearview camera, heated front seats and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The higher Limited, Citadel and R/T trims bring these features as standard.

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2016 Honda Pilot

A heated steering wheel isn’t just the preserve of expensive luxury machines. The new generation of Honda Pilot that debuts for the 2016 model year recognizes that people with tighter budgets also get cold hands. Having said that, it’s still the top-level Elite trim that adds the warming wheel. However, this does also mean heated second-row captain’s chairs (reducing maximum occupancy from eight to seven), heated/ventilated front seats, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic wipers, and a panoramic sunroof. Plus 20-inch wheels and a nine-speed transmission linked to the standard 3.5-liter V6. Honda has paid particular attention to making a versatile and functional cabin, which includes the use of good-quality materials.

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2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee

One of the best and most well-equipped midsize suvs for the price, the Grand Cherokee not only brings some luxury touches, it also has off-roading talents as befitting the Jeep badge. A heated steering wheel comes as part of the Security and Convenience Group options bundle that also includes heated front seats, a 115-volt outlet, and a power liftgate. This adds $2,000 to the final tally. The Grand Cherokee offers three different types of all-wheel drive systems, comes with maximum cargo space of 68.3 cubic feet and even has removable storage bins. For most driving situations, the basic V6 gasoline engine (3.6-liter, 295 hp, around 19 average mpg with all-wheel drive) is absolutely fine.

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2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport

All-new for last year, the Land Rover Discovery Sport is a premium compact crossover SUV with an optional third row. Like many a Land Rover before it, this model can come with some impressive off-road hardware. But the Discovery Sport has some modern twists. Its engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which is a common configuration these days. This unit is linked to a nine-speed automatic transmission. To access a heated steering wheel means going for the Climate Comfort package (from $1,300) that also provides a heated windshield, and heated seats front and rear. It’s available in all trims, but add this package (at $1,600) to the high-end HSE trim and those heated front seats also gain ventilation.

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2016 Lexus LX 570

A heated wood-and-leather steering wheel is not part of the Lexus LX 570’s long list of standard equipment, but it’s only $150, so well worth going for. It can then be part of the Climate Concierge system that also monitors and controls the temperatures of the four-zone climate control and heated seats. This full-size, seven-seater SUV is getting on, but Lexus keeps it current. An eight-speed automatic transmission is new for 2016. So is more suspension travel, should anyone care to exploit the LX 570’s considerable off-road abilities. Many active safety features are also standard, such as lane departure warning, front collision warning with automatic braking, pedestrian detection and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic detection, and a 360-degree camera system. Assuming you can afford the LX, then the average of 15 mpg from the 5.7-liter V8 shouldn’t be an issue. It does also mean a towing capacity of 7,000 pounds, with a tow hitch as standard.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

What used to be the Mercedes-Benz GL is now the GLS, because this full-size SUV is based on the S-Class platform, with many of the same high-tech features. The redesigned and revamped 2017 model is available to order now, hitting the dealerships in March 2016. It comes with a selection of engines, from frugal-yet-torquey diesel to punchy turbocharged V8, plus the option of air suspension. If you had to drive across the United States not using any roads, this should be one vehicle to consider. In the 2015 model, a heated steering wheel was a $250 option, so expect a similar price in the GLS.

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2016 Toyota Land Cruiser

As a go-anywhere SUV, the tough and dependable Toyota Land Cruiser has a reputation as one of the absolute best. The 2016 model year brings a new eight-speed automatic transmission, adding to an incredibly capable all-wheel drive system that also includes a crawl control function — which is essentially a cruise control for off-roading. Ultimate towing capability is 8,100 pounds. The Land Cruiser comes in one super-equipped trim that includes active safety features like forward collision mitigation with automatic braking, as well as a wood-and-leather heated steering wheel with powered tilt/telescope adjustment. It isn’t cheap and it isn’t a gas-sipper, but if you’re out in the wild and need an SUV to help save your life, bet on the Land Cruiser every time.

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2016 Volvo XC90

All-new for 2016, the XC90 is a major part of Volvo’s resurgence. It’s an excellent seven-seater premium SUV that offers up-to-the-minute safety features — many are standard, some are optional. Propulsion choices are a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that’s both turbocharged and supercharged or a plug-in hybrid. A Climate package ($1,050) brings a heated steering wheel along with a heated windshield (with heated washer nozzles) and heated second-row seats. Even the “basic” trim comes with a hands-free power tailgate, rearview camera, rear parking sensors, navigation, and forward collision warning with automatic braking.

Photo by Volvo