Manali’s roads can feel like three different countries in one day: smooth tarmac in the town, tight hair pins and steep climbs towards Solang/Marhi, and if you head towards the Atal Tunnel, or Rohtang, it’s snow, slush, and black ice in winter. Your best car depends on the season, the route, and the load.
Here’s a more simple and updated guide so you can choose the best wheels (or guide your clients) with confidence.
First, understand the boundaries and the laws (basic truths).
All-weather entry point = Atal Tunnel. The 9.02-km Atal Tunnel on NH-3 connects Manali with Lahaul and bypasses Rohtang. Travel time is greatly reduced, but the tunnels may become completely snowed in during the winter. Tunnel transit is unregulated and does not require a special permit.
Rohtang Pass = There are permits and limits. Vehicles from the Manali side need an online permit with a daily limit and basic requirements (PUC, valid ID, etc.). The latest Himachal NIC update puts the limit at 800 petrol+400 diesel and says vehicles must be under 10 years old. Passes can be applied for 6 days in advance.
Winter Advisories are not a joke. The Himachal District Police recommend snow chains/anti-skid tyres in the winter. The authorities have restricted movement beyond Solang/ATR during the winter more than once and only to 4×4 vehicles for safety reasons. Always check the weather before traveling.
What actually matters for Manali in the car.
- 4×4 or AWD is more effective than 2wd on snow/ice. During massive snowfall or early in the season for openings (e.g. Kunzum or Baralacha), the administration may require 4×4.
- Ground clearance. Aim for > 200 mm if you plan on snow, slush of moderate depth, rough shoulders or broken patches
- Tyres & Chains.Get AT or winter-oriented tires if you can, as well as snow chains from December to February, and know how to fit them. Police winter bulletins explicitly cite these.
- Brakes & Hill Tech. Hill-hold, hill-descent control, and engine braking make long descents far safer.
- Size vs. Streets. A shorter wheelbase helps in old-town lanes and tight hairpin bends, while large SUVs feel comfy but bulky to park.
Best use-case cars
A) From Manali town & during summer sightseeing (March to October, dry roads)
You can skip 4×4 while crossing hell gates on mall-road or while going to Naggar and during most easy day trips when the weather is fair. Choose a compact or mid SUV with about 190mm to 200mm of clearance and a composed ride in S4 or S5. Think of the car class as: Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, etc. (FWD is adequate when it’s dry or after it rains and chains are not necessary)
Rationale for car class: easy to park and drive, and decent NH-3 highway to Kullu and casual dry day Solang visits after don’t need much.
B) Winter Solang to Atal Tunnel to Sissu
Winter Solang to Atal Tunnel to Sissu or during early season Rohtang to Marhi You can skip 4×4 but do prioritize AWD. Road conditions are for sure icy and in cases of light fresh snow, authorities do 4×4 movement restriction and it’s the only option.
Best car recommendations (2025):
- Mahindra Scorpio-N (4XPLOR 4×4): Strong low-end diesel torque, ladder-frame toughness, terrain modes; seats 6/7, great for families who still want real capability.
- Mahindra XUV700 AWD (AX7 Diesel AWD variants): If you want monocoque comfort + AWD traction, this is the sweet spot (ADAS, great highway manners).
- Maruti Suzuki Jimny (ALLGRIP PRO 4×4 + low range): Light, short, ladder frame + low range = superb on slick, narrow hairpins; 4-seater cabin is the compromise.
- Mahindra Thar 4×4: Iconic and very capable; recent refresh keeps it current. Ride/boot practicality are trade-offs.
- Force Gurkha (3-door/5-door, 4×4 standard): Big clearance (233 mm), factory snorkel; serious off-road hardware. Slower, but much more rugged.
- The Toyota Fortuner 4×4 is on the high end of the price spectrum. However, it is one of the most durable vehicles one can drive on long, leisurely snow trips. More recently, it added features like tech 360° cameras and 48V hybrid engines on some variations.
“If you are on cleared roads like most of the urban centers, always carry snow chains. However, for added safety, you can opt for the AWD Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara ALLGRIP AWD or Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder AWD. They are equipped with snow/lock modes and provide the comfort of an urban crossover.
C) Manali to Lahaul or Spiti or Leh during the shoulder Season
Rutted roads with remained ice are common as the Kunzum and Baralacha open during the season. For the safety of yourself and the vehicle, daily police and BRO updates are crucial. 4×4 is strongly advised.
EVs in Manali: doable but with caveats
The altitude shifts with ease in an electric vehicle, unlike some of the other vehicles, with equal ease. However, the cold weather does pose a threat as it does limit the range, and the vehicle gets slack cold on descents. Charging is not an option, such as a reliable fast orange charger at The Orchid at Manali, and PlugShare, but to an extent does work. The route to be taken, in conjunction with the range, does need to be planned in advance, particularly when heat is required. For now, plunging the depths of winter in Sissu and Keylong is best avoided in an EV. Experience is required in the driver as well as the route with confirmed chargers.
Permits, policing & practicalities.
Try to get a Rohtang pass. Do it online beforehand, take a print, also comply with pass age, daily limits, quota & age requirements.
Crossing the Atal Tunnel: You should be able to get through the lower tunnel without a permit. Some travel circuits, like the Chandratal Loops overland trip, may require e-permits. Please obtain these prior to your trip.
Always keep a check on the ne weather bulletins. Police may on a whim order the resticting of travel to and from certain pernicious snowstorm locations.
A simple decision tree.
Only town and the standard viewpoints from the valley floor in crystal clear weather? Rugged rating for midsized, more compact SUVs, two wheel drive and about 200mm of clearance.
Has Solang/ATR in winter or the Rohtang opening, the latter been particularly excellent? Select the equipped vehicle or 4×4 to employ chains for best results.
Two or more family members, or 5 to 7 in total, uncertain atmospheric pressure and considerable crosswinds likely? The Scorpio-N 4×4 or XUV700 AWD offers the perfect cross.
Narrow local streets packed with anti order, more, the maximum for the reasonably steep, more, winding, homestay approaches, greatest turning radius? Jessy or the Thar.
Only town and the standard viewpoints from the valley floor in crystal clear weather? Rugged rating for midsized, more compact SUVs, two wheel drive and about 200mm of clearance.
Has Solang/ATR in winter or the Rohtang opening, the latter been particularly excellent? Select the equipped vehicle or 4×4 to employ chains for best results.
Two or more family members, or 5 to 7 in total, uncertain atmospheric pressure and considerable crosswinds likely? The Scorpio-N 4×4 or XUV700 AWD offers the perfect cross.
Narrow local streets packed with anti order, more, the maximum for the reasonably steep, more, winding, homestay approaches, greatest turning radius? Jessy or the Thar.
My best driving tips for Manali.
Only town and the standard viewpoints from the valley floor in crystal clear weather? Rugged rating for midsized, more compact SUVs, two wheel drive and about 200mm of clearance.
Has Solang/ATR in winter or the Rohtang opening, the latter been particularly excellent? Select the equipped vehicle or 4×4 to employ chains for best results.
Two or more family members, or 5 to 7 in total, uncertain atmospheric pressure and considerable crosswinds likely? The Scorpio-N 4×4 or XUV700 AWD offers the perfect cross.
Narrow local streets packed with anti order, more, the maximum for the reasonably steep, more, winding, homestay approaches, greatest turning radius? Jessy or the Thar.
My best driving tips for Manali.
My police require chains on and ego off for bumps. It’s simple, police choose spots of maximum vehicle traffic.
Skidding with chains or without. I stay in the same gear, keep polite on corners to not cross the patterned markings, and squeeze then release for the best results.
Kickoff when the sun rises: Handle the distant streams of tourists and take advantage of the additional daylight in case the weather shifts.
Winter pouch: Outer Layer gloves, Snow Shovels, Imprinted Tow Straps, Flashlight, Thermoses, and Portable Compressors.
Understanding when to reverse: If the police/DC office issues a “No tourist movement” directive, don’t argue—just sit and wait.
Final Takeaway
For a very long time, and for the majority of the year, a compact or mid-sized SUV will suffice for most of the region around Manali. However, in winter, when there’s fresh snowfall, or in the early to late high-pass travel season, vehicles with all wheel drive or, four wheel drive, and plenty of ground clearance, become the best options. The Scorpio-N, 4×4, XUV700 AWD, Jimny/Thar, Gurkha, Fortuner, and even, AWD crossovers such as the Grand Vitara or, Hyryder, will suit lighter conditions. Remember the permit rules for Rohtang and, daily advisories before heading out. Driving in Manali manages to bestow, in return, some of the most breathtaking road trip experiences in all of India for those who are ready to take on the challenges.
