Ranger compared to Subaru in snow

[Hawkeye]

I have plenty of experience driving and commuting in a Subaru with snow tires and now also have a Ranger Lariat Tremor. Does anyone have the ability to compare a Subaru Forester to the Ranger with snow tires in such an application (commute is 30-40 miles each way, live in the western US with a decent amount of snow). I'm trying to decide which vehicle to put snow tires on and if it's worth keeping the Subaru. I don't like snow driving at all in general and safety is my primary concern. Thanks much.

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[mtbikernate]

you're probably better off with the subaru in snow. those vehicles are champions. the Ranger won't be terrible, but it won't be quite as good.

 

[12Bravo20]

I've had my share of 4 wheel drive Ford trucks and Jeeps along with newer all wheel drive Jeeps. The all wheel drive does better in snow. Though that is comparing older 4 wheel drive systems. I'm sure the Ranger will do good to with all of the computer controlled traction features.

My oldest son bought a Subaru WRX this past summer. I am curious to see how it does for him. He lives in a very hilly area around Hermann, Mo. My other son hasn't had any problems getting around in his 2019 Jeep Compass either. I can say the all wheel drive systems shine in winter weather.

My 97 Ford F150 extended cab heavy half ton was a heavy beast and did fine with all terrain tires in the snow. My 2002 Jeep Liberty was so light that if the snow was compacted or deep enough I had to use 4 low. The older Jeep Wranglers/CJ's and Jeep Cherokees were just beast and would go through anything. The 2018 Jeep Renegade and 2016 Jeep Cherokee did great on snow and ice with their all wheel drive systems.

We have had cold weather but no snow or ice to speak of here in Missouri. I am waiting to see how my 2020 XLT FX4 does with the stock Hankook tires. If the tires don't do well, they will get replaced with Falken WIldpeak AT tires. I know the Wildpeak tires on my 16 Jeep Cherokee did great in 12+ inches of snow we had last winter.

 

[Langwilliams]

I've never owned an AWD vehicle but they have the advantage of always being in 4wd. The awd system allows for all traction conditions. With a 4wd set up every time the pavement changes from snow covered to dry you have to change between 2wd an 4wd. 4wd on dry pavement isn't good for the drivetrain.

 

[IdahoRanger]

I traded my Forester for the Ranger and the Forester was a beast in the snow. Packed snow on roads and I felt a bit more confident in the Forester compared to the truck but as I put more snow miles in the truck it is very capable as well, just a different feel of the road. Here is an old video in my Forester. We still have an Outback and it is super stable in snow. As you know clearance in the Subaru is nearly as good as the Ranger. I had the XT so had 8.7" clearance in the Forester.
I have stuck both vehicles (pictures are on another computer so can't post) in deep snow in the driveway with over 16" of snow but also have made it with more than that in the truck. Have not used snow tires only all season.

 

[Frenchy]

I have plenty of experience driving and commuting in a Subaru with snow tires and now also have a Ranger Lariat Tremor. Does anyone have the ability to compare a Subaru Forester to the Ranger with snow tires in such an application (commute is 30-40 miles each way, live in the western US with a decent amount of snow). I'm trying to decide which vehicle to put snow tires on and if it's worth keeping the Subaru. I don't like snow driving at all in general and safety is my primary concern. Thanks much.

Understanding that Subaru just claimed the top safety somehow understand that the ranger is very capable and snow as well. As long as you have a good set of tires and don't go stupid with driving in the snow for the most part you will be fine. Regardless of vehicle you are driving you still have to worry about other individuals on the road as they can possibly run into you. With my Ranger I have had studded snow tires on it before and they did excellent. Now I just have all terrains that are three Peak rated and surprisingly enough do pretty well for what they are. I also understand those tires will still be beaten by a snow tire in Winter conditions. Point being said it might still be worth having a second vehicle for when it hits the fan

 

[Frenchy]

I should add for the ranger it is recommended to put to sandbags in the bed as it will help with Traction in the rear

 

[D Fresh]

you're probably better off with the subaru in snow. those vehicles are champions. the Ranger won't be terrible, but it won't be quite as good.

This.

I've driven a few 4wd trucks, and few Subies in the snow. AWD with snow tires is the answer.

 

[jmurph]

the Subaru is probably better for snowy roads, but the truck will get you everywhere just as safe and even better in the deep stuff with clearance. Been driving my ranger on 4h around Fairbanks AK and it did amazing on just the stock tires i was surprised. Now that i have big 285 3 peak rated tires its a beast in the snow. If i wanted better ice traction id stud the tires but its really not necessary. Think people underestimate how much it's really just on driver skill and not using your throttle to lose grip.

If your trying to decide which to keep its really subjective on which you like more / which will get more money back out of it and what you want to do with it in long run. But rangers are beasts in the snow dont sleep on them with their newer TCS and 4x4

 

[Rangerguy]

I had a Forester before the Ranger. Far and away the best snow vehicle I have ever owned. Sure-footed was how it felt. All wheel drive worked in turns as well as straight away. My next vehicle was a Jeep Cherokee. Not nearly as good as the Forester in snow, but worked fine. The Ranger is snow capable, but I need to be much more tactical with it than either of those.

 

[Joeiconic]

I should add for the ranger it is recommended to put to sandbags in the bed as it will help with Traction in the rear

Yeah, this is the advantage of the Subaru, it has its weight distributed over both axles. A little weight in the bed of the ranger would help, but you should be fine with good tires as well.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

As someone who came from a Subaru Crosstrek to the Ranger, I'll agree with almost everything that's already been said. The Subaru was just so confidence inspiring in any winter condition. Never once did I feel worried or concerned that things were going to go awry. And that's on anything from the frigid icy roads of Northern Minnesota to the deep lake effect snow of the UP of Michigan.
The Ranger is fine. It gets the job done. But I just don't feel as confident or comfortable driving it. I'm sure that has some to do with this being my first truck and not having the feel for it as other life long truck owners have. And I am getting more comfortable and used to it with each winter. For me it's also the higher CG and extra weight the Ranger has over my Crosstrek, which makes any mistake feel that much harder and more dangerous to correct from.

 

[Peas]

We have a ranger and a forester and live in the mountains of Colorado. Both are great in snow (now that I replaced the factory hancooks with BFG KO2s). My wife’s forester has snow tires and that is so much fun to drive in the winter. I’d go with a Subaru and snow tire even though I love my ranger. Go cart that lil suby!

 

[gwhalin]

My previous car was an Outback with a slight lift and all terrains. Probably one of the most capable road vehicles I have owned in nearly all conditions. I don’t think I ever managed to get it stuck anywhere. Haven’t taken the Ranger into snow yet but having owned trucks before I expect it will be fine but definitely less capable than the Subaru.

Some pics of my old Sub on a hunting trip in northern MN few years ago.

 

[dtech]

Go with roo , in snowy slippery conditions I prefer to use the wife's AWD Hyundai when it's available, it engages AWD automatically, if I don't put the Ranger in 4wd the backend can swing/ gyrate wildly, in my development there are numerous houses being built, the workers all drive pickups and they seem to enjoy swinging the backend of their trucks around, I do not.

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