RWD Model S Canadian Winters

I blame Subaru and others for their incessant advertising suggesting the AWD is somehow safer in Canadian winters. I had my RWD Model S for 5 winters and can tell you with proper winter tires, it is as safe as any AWD car. Maybe safer because you don't get lulled in to a false sense of security and get into trouble when it comes time to stop or turn.

I drove daily from the GTA to the Waterloo Region, to Bruce County and Muskoka regularly as well as to Chicago every Christmas. NEVER ONCE did I feel I was in a situation where AWD could have gotten out of a situation I was in.

Here is an older Tesla video describing why you don't need AWD:

 

5 winters with my 2013 P85 on Michelin Xice 3's.
Absolutely no concerns up here in Northern Ontario - a real Canadian winter zone.

Emphasis on proper tires as mknox suggests.

 

2013 MS 85 on NOKIAN Hakka.

220,000 km

Had a ML350 before.

Tesla works better.

As said before, key is tires...

 

I highly recommend Nokian Hakka R2 winter tires. In addition to top notch traction, they are also ultra low rolling resistance, so you won't suffer any range loss.

 

I think the Michelin Xice that @MacLeodMX mentions are very comparable as well.