10 Cars With Heated Steering Wheels

Chrysler300steeringwheel

We like cars with heated steering wheels because it’s not always practical to drive with gloves. Trying to change radio stations or turn up the volume for traffic and weather alerts while wearing big sheepskin mittens is going to result in accidentally finding a channel that plays nothing but avant-garde opera or something equally heinous. And woolen gloves are a complete no-no because they slip on the steering wheel. For those frigid winter days and nights when we really need weather and traffic updates, yet would also prefer to keep our fingers from freezing off, automotive technology has come up with a solution. And it’s not just for luxury vehicles. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm hand to our selection of cars with heated steering wheels.

2016 Audi A6

Even if you could afford a Rolls-Royce, you might still prefer to buy a 2016 Audi A6. There’s enough of everything — passenger space, technology, safety equipment, luxury appointments, driving pleasure — for most people living their day-to-day lives. Sure, it would be nice to turn up to your old boss’s retirement party in a Phantom Drophead, but wouldn’t that be ever so slightly vulgar? Instead, you could be quietly classy and have a warm feeling inside, along with a warm steering wheel, provided you opted for the Cold Weather package that also brings heated rear seats (to complement the standard-issue heated front seats). The 2016 A6 has been refreshed, ditching the less-than-popular CVT automatic transmission for a decent conventional six-speeder, among other upgrades. Now there’s no argument not to buy one.

2016 BMW 2 Series

Most BMW drivers are more concerned with steering feel than a heated steering wheel, but the 2016 BMW 2 Series — along with virtually every other BMW — does offer that option. This is the smallest BMW, superseding the 1 Series, and comes in coupe or convertible form. The great thing about smaller cars, especially when they have BMW suspensions and engines, is that they feel nimble and eager to be pushed. The bad thing about smaller cars is that they don’t usually have much in the way of bells and whistles. But then again, this is a BMW. The Cold Weather package is the bundle of choice for a heated steering wheel, heated front seats and heated headlight washers. If you live in an area where such extras are worth having, it might be a good idea to get the xDrive all-wheel drive system, as well.

2016 Cadillac CTS

The optional Seating package in the 2016 Cadillac CTS brings (unsurprisingly) leather upholstery, heated/ventilated front seats and split/folding rear seatbacks. But it also includes a driver-side auto-dimming side mirror, LED ambient cabin lighting and, finally, a heated steering wheel with powered tilt/telescope adjustment. All this, like the rest of the CTS, should be filed under “the best midsize luxury sedan America has ever produced.” This wonderful class (and it really is full of wondrous cars) is normally dominated by Germans, but Cadillac got it right with the CTS a couple of generations ago and the car keeps getting better. Those who live closer to Santa’s North Pole headquarters will be pleased to know that all-wheel drive is also available.

Photo by General Motors

2016 Chrysler 300

We tend to think of the 2016 Chrysler 300 as coming from the frozen tundra of Detroit, but it’s actually made in Canada, which is even further north. Up there, a heated steering wheel is more of a necessity than a frivolous afterthought. It is standard equipment in the 300C, which is the second-highest trim level, and available in the lower 300 Limited and 300S trims. This is an excellent large sedan, with great equipment and technology. The optional (except for the Limited) 363-hp, 5.7-liter V8 has the kind of imposing muscle that fits the 300’s Type-A character, but the standard 292-hp, 3.0-liter V6 still works well and obviously saves a bit on gas too: 23 mpg combined compared with 19 mpg.

2016 Ford Focus

The 2016 Ford Focus could be seen as the car for the average Joe or Josephine. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Joe and Josephine are lucky people, because this is a standout player in the compact car world, with an impressive chassis that balances fun with comfort perfectly. It can also head uptown with its equipment offerings. The SE trim is only one level up from the basic S, but it is eligible for a Cold Weather package that wraps a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors and heated front seats all into one cozy bundle. Throw on an appropriate set of tires and the Focus will meet many of winter’s challenges.

Photo by Ford

2016 Kia Optima

The 2016 Kia Optima is a perfect specimen of mainstream cars offering premium equipment, which is happening more and more as competition grows ever hotter. This always means that the buyer is the one who wins out eventually. The Optima midsize sedan enters a new generation for 2016, so it’s even more desirable and sophisticated than the previous year’s model. A heated steering wheel is standard on the EX trim level and up. Here’s the impressive thing: EX is only one step above the base level of LX. Also included in the EX are 17-inch alloy wheels, LED running lights and tail light, dual-zone climate control and leather upholstery. The 2016 Optima is definitely worth checking out.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

2016 Lexus ES 350

Entry-level luxury is what the 2016 Lexus ES 350 is all about. While other makes and models chase so-called “sportiness,” the spacious ES sedan makes no bones about the fact that it exists to rest your bones. There’s been a little refresh for 2016, making the cabin even quieter than before and the extra safety features on offer are another way to reduce stress. Although the ES comes with a decent list of standard equipment, a heated steering wheel (which is also part-wood, part leather) is bundled in the Ultra Luxury package with things like leather upholstery, heated/ventilated front seats, power-adjustable steering wheel, power rear sunshade, power trunk lid and several other items that might make you wonder why you were even considering looking at bigger, more expensive luxury cars.

Photo by Lexus

2016 Nissan Altima

When there are so many great midsize sedans, the 2016 Nissan Altima might tend to get overlooked. Which would be a mistake. This is a fine example of Nissan’s craft, and the 2016 model year brings a mid-generation makeover, with tweaked styling and some more advanced safety features becoming available. Once you get to the plushest trim level of the Altima 2.5 SL, that’s when the heated steering wheel becomes part of the deal, along with leather upholstery, heated front seats, ventilated rear seats, and an audio upgrade to a Bose system.

2016 Porsche Boxster

Picture the scene: it’s a cold day, but with a cloudless sky. The 2016 Porsche Boxster beckons. With the top down and the sunglasses on, it’s the perfect car to get those lungfuls of fresh, bracing winter air. Maybe slide around a little and make the most of this well-balanced sports car chassis. Things like a heated steering wheel and heated seats stop soft-tops from being summer-only cars and transform them into year-round fun machines. The downside is that these creature comforts are options and Porsche options tend to be pricey. But if you’re buying the car, you might as well use it all the time.

Photo by Porsche

2016 Volvo V60

As an alternative to the ubiquitous crossover SUV, take a look at the 2016 Volvo V60. Yes, it’s a wagon, but hold on a minute. It’s not a huge wagon like the V70, but its maximum cargo capacity is still an incredibly useful 43.8 cubic feet. A comparable sedan’s trunk space could be 13 cubic feet if you’re lucky. It even has a retractable dog net. Volvo seats are super-comfortable, and some might even call the V60 handsome. It’s also built to premium standards and is far more satisfying to drive than the average crossover. The optional Climate Package is how a heated steering wheel gets into the V60, in combination with other heated items like a windshield, washer nozzles, and both rows of seats, plus an upgraded cabin filter system.