Winter separates the truly capable small SUVs from the merely rugged-looking. The Ford Bronco Sport, Subaru Crosstrek, and Jeep Compass all offer all-wheel drive and cold-weather features, but they handle snow and ice with different levels of confidence. When the roads turn white, the details matter.
Ford
All-wheel-drive tuning, dedicated snow modes, ground clearance, and heated comfort features all shape how a vehicle copes with a hard winter. Here is how the Bronco Sport, Crosstrek, and Compass compare when the temperature drops, and which one is the best for winter driving.
Subaru
Specs and pricing
| Specification | Ford Bronco Sport | Subaru Crosstrek | Jeep Compass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Standard all-wheel drive | Standard symmetrical AWD | All-wheel drive |
| Winter drive mode | Slippery G.O.A.T. mode | X-Mode Snow and Deep Snow | Selec-Terrain Snow |
| Ground clearance | 7.8 to 8.8 in | 8.7 in (9.3 in Wilderness) | 8.1 in |
| Heated features | Available seats, steering, mirrors | Available seats, steering, mirrors | Available seats, steering, mirrors |
| Starting price | About $31,000 | About $27,000 | About $28,000 |
A Subaru Crosstrek undercuts a Ford Bronco Sport by several thousand dollars, which factors into the winter-value equation below.
Jeep
How good is the Subaru Crosstrek in winter?
Winter is where the Crosstrek feels most at home. Every trim comes with Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive, a permanently engaged system widely regarded as the class benchmark for snow and ice, sending power to all four wheels with no driver input required.
Subaru
Its dual-function X-Mode adds dedicated Snow, Dirt, and Deep Snow modes plus hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance helps it push through unplowed streets. Factor in heated seats, steering wheel, and mirrors, strong winter tire availability, and Subaru’s loyal snow-belt following, and it is the most trusted cold-weather vehicle here.
How good is the Ford Bronco Sport in winter?
Capability is the Bronco Sport’s calling card, and it is a close contender. Standard all-wheel drive and Ford’s G.O.A.T. terrain-management system, which includes a dedicated Slippery mode for snow and ice, give it arguably the most sophisticated cold-weather electronics in this comparison, and the rugged Badlands trim adds an advanced twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system for extra grip.
Ford
Higher trims also offer up to 8.8 inches of ground clearance. The catch is that base models sit a little lower than the Crosstrek, and it costs more to buy, but for deep-snow capability, especially in Badlands form, it is excellent.
How good is the Jeep Compass in winter?
Solid but less specialized describes the Compass in winter. It comes with all-wheel drive and Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system with a Snow mode, and its heritage means it is genuinely capable in slippery conditions, with available heated features to keep occupants comfortable.
Jeep
What it lacks is the Crosstrek’s celebrated snow pedigree and always-on symmetrical setup, along with the Bronco Sport’s more advanced terrain electronics, and its 8.1 inches of ground clearance is the least here. It will carry you through a snowy winter without complaint, but it does not inspire quite the same confidence as the other two.
So which one is the best for winter driving?
The Subaru Crosstrek is the best for winter driving. Its always-engaged symmetrical all-wheel drive is the most trusted snow system in the class, its X-Mode snow settings and generous ground clearance handle deep and unplowed roads with ease, and it pairs all of that with strong winter-tire support, excellent resale, and a lower price than the Bronco Sport. For most cold-climate buyers, it is the confident, no-fuss choice.
The Ford Bronco Sport is a very close second and arguably more capable at the extreme, thanks to its Slippery drive mode and the Badlands trim’s advanced all-wheel drive, so deep-snow adventurers should give it a hard look. The Jeep Compass is a dependable third, capable enough with its all-wheel drive and Snow mode but lacking the Subaru’s pedigree and the Ford’s electronics. For all-around winter confidence at a sensible price, the Crosstrek wins.
About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog