Subaru vs Ford in Snow

[Parnassia]

You can argue specs until the cows come home, but none of the replies mentioned the other important factor.

Who's sitting behind the wheel.

If they're clueless or careless, what they're driving may not be enough to make up for it.

[dcisive]

Like I said the Subaru's of today are a LOT more sophisticated and MORE capable then your beloved trucks....sorry

[Bitey]

Originally Posted by dcisive

Like I said the Subaru's of today are a LOT more sophisticated and MORE capable then your beloved trucks....sorry

More useful in more day-to-day driving situations, maybe. More capable in low-traction situations? not really, no. When it comes to ultimate traction nothing beats a locking rear/center diff combo.

[GraniteStater]

I have two Subaru vehicles, a 2016 Forester and a 2004 Forester. They are excellent bad weather cars. The low center of gravity with the boxer engine means far better handling and cornering than any vehicle in its price class. If you live in the middle of nowhere on a class 6 dirt road, farm, etc a 4WD truck is a good choice. For most everything else the Subaru is sufficient.

[nalabama]

Originally Posted by Bitey

More useful in more day-to-day driving situations, maybe. More capable in low-traction situations? not really, no. When it comes to ultimate traction nothing beats a locking rear/center diff combo.

Make that a locking front/rear/center diff combo.

[sub]

I have both a Subaru and a 4wd truck.
For most any snow situation, the Subaru is superior from my experience.
Compared to Ford model whatever, Subaru would generally be better. They have the whole AWD thing down pat. Like Fords, the year and drivetrain are things to be discerning about but overall they’re good cars.

[S33YA]

I have driven Fords through the winter weather in a few states and I have had no issues with it at all. This was between an Escape & F150. I cannot say on the Subaru as I haven't owned one, just giving my side. From the people I know who do I have not ever heard them complain about it in anyway (mechanically, weather etc.)

[Pincho-toot]

My previous car was a Subaru Forester. My current car a Ford Edge. I also wrecked a Ford Mustang on black ice so overall I would pick Subaru but my Ford Edge handles ice and snow pretty well.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by sub

I have both a Subaru and a 4wd truck.
For most any snow situation, the Subaru is superior from my experience.
Compared to Ford model whatever, Subaru would generally be better. They have the whole AWD thing down pat. Like Fords, the year and drivetrain are things to be discerning about but overall they’re good cars.

As the former owner of a Ford Bronco II, 4 Ford Explorers and current owner of 2 Ford F-150's (1989,2014) and 2 Ford Edges (2011, 2020), I can safely say with obvious expertise, I'm a believer. The Bronco II I sold with 150,000+, Every Explorer I sold with 185,000 + miles. The first Explorer (1991) I did put a 2nd motor in and collectively it went over 300,000. The 1989 F-150 has 190,000 & counting.

ALL were 4 wheel drive or All Wheel Drive. Getting around in South Dakota weather, which quite frankly is generally worse than Wisconsin, has only been a problem with one of these ever. The 1991 Explorer was not good on ICE. Snow was fine.

I'm not tooting my horn for Ford cars per se, but I won't buy another brand of truck. With a Ford, if you do need some repairs, you don't have to first run to the bank for a loan like you do with the imports.