Driving in the snow: Subaru Crosstrek or Tesla Model 3?
Posted by BubblyOption7980@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 8 comments
I know I am comparing apples and oranges, but I really wanted to go electric.
The only way to price match a Crosstrek is if I go with a rear-wheel drive Tesla Model 3. I will live in New England and will have to drive in snow. Can I do that on a Model 3 given its lower center of gravity?
Thank you for your advice!
SeasonalBlackout@reddit
You say 'I will live in New England' - does that mean you don't live here now?
Subarus outnumber Teslas up here by about 20:1 for a reason. Also EVs lose power and range in cold weather. I have a few friends that used to drive Teslas and now they drive Toyotas or Subarus.
robindawilliams@reddit
I own one of each so I can give a bit of insight.
Tires matter more than anything. AWD is useful but it doesn't help with the majority of snow accidents (loss of traction while moving), that's a grip/tire issue and behavior of the driver.
If you expect to be pushing through deep snow, the AWD will certainly help. But again, I've daily driven a 60s VW beetle in Canadian mountains winter and got everywhere I needed to go, because the tires were studded and designed for the snow. The weight of an EV RWD can be manageable but if you rank your driving confidence/skill low than the AWD will certainly help handicap the winter.
beaushaw@reddit
The number one thing that helps you drive in snow is proper snow tires.
Then light weight.
Then awd.
Traction control and stability control plus dedicated snow tire will make the Tesla fine for pretty much all of the US. But with lighter weight and AWD the Subaru will be better.
omg4serious@reddit
in terms of traction from best to worst
awd (snow tires) > fwd (snow tires) > awd (all season tires) >rwd (snow tires) > fwd (all season tires) > rwd (all season tires)
fertile_gnome@reddit
The Subaru will allow you to get stuck much farther away from home than the Tesla.
Throwaway_2474128_1@reddit
not much will compare against the best AWD in the business. but you can get snow tires and get sorta close. you can't do much about single-axle traction, but my FWD sedan + just crossclimate2s handled our snowstorm great this winter, and my car is lighter than a model 3.
are the 2026+ subaru EVs out of your price point? that would give you the best of both worlds
RealFlatworm-@reddit
Tires
Tony-cums@reddit
Snow tires. Then Subaru.