Can a Subaru Crosstrek Handle Deep Snow?

This video was filmed in southern Indiana during the February 2021 polar vortex. Temperatures reached -15 degrees with snow drifts up to nearly 10 inches.
All I have on my Subaru is all season tires.
The hill I climbed was a 5% grade.
Hope you enjoyed.
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[@charliemcawesome5012]

In Canada we call this “Tuesday”. Honestly, it’s all about having winter tires…..

[@wisebug]

yeah seems like my daily commute ;)

[@brockadkins949]

Don't even need winter tires if it don't get super cold. In Virginia winter tires are over kill.

[@ReggieSanchez23]

Would love to move to Canada. Vancouver BC to be exact.

[@gobear83]

Subaru in general is unstoppable with four good snow tires … I call it my get out of my way car when it’s snowing

[@imkriswithak1135]

@@ReggieSanchez23 thats like the california of canada.

[@dannys2244]

Lived in a cottage for 4 years up north in Quebec. 33Km from town, i plowed my way often to work with my Civic 2003 manual. Never got stuck.

[@joshhenning2043]

this is what my daily commute looks like in Syracuse, NY when they haven’t plowed yet. First winter with my Crosstrek.

[@amarqukamrquk365]

Hey bro I live in Syracuse too how has the Crosstrek been? I’m looking into getting one would you recommend?

[@provax4925]

Hi bro may I ask what tire you using?

[@borisscepanovic1684]

2013 Limited edition, 5 speed manual transmission,Nokian Hakka 3. Winter time is the only time of the year when I love my car.

[@caitlin68285]

Yay! There's a video with all-season tires on a Crosstrek in some snow! We are in Albuquerque so snow in general is not a common occurence here. Changing out for Winter's or keeping chains (just keeping chains in general) in the car all winter just don't make sense unless we travel up North (like WAY up North). Was looking for a car I could get that could handle a couple inches just fine when the weather turns to freak. We looking to move to Rapid City, SD or somewhere Nebraska in a few years so even more important I reckon (with Winter's or chains then of course)

[@seventiesgirl6449]

You can't go wrong with the Subaru Triple Threat: The Outback, The Forester and the Crosstrek.

[@jlcworld91]

Haha, I'd like to get together a Subaru Crew.

[@jaymoacp975]

Honestly even my little Impreza handles New England winters like a champ

[@manhoot]

The little soo-bar-oooo. Wow.

[@Honestandtruth]

I feel like We are Family by Owning A Subaru...👍😂👍

[@ConLLee]

I can relate a little, I just purchased my first subaru a few weeks ago (2020 crosstrek premium) and i feel like im part of a club/family now lol. Loving it so far

[@daynerd1]

Just bought a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport❤going to Lake Tahoe this weekend, wish us luck and a good time!!!

[@jlcworld91]

Have a great time!

[@tristanhuet1888]

That’s legit the deepest snow I’ve ever seen in my life ong 😂 Good luck🙈

[@burnthecandleatbothendz]

I just bought a 2018 crosstrek limited .I live in fargo .it will be my first winter can't wait ! We don't get much snow here tho .but I think it should be able to go thru a foot of power doesn't hurt to try !

[@jlcworld91]

With the proper tires you'll get through anything. Congrats on the purchase. Very exciting, and the snow is fun. ❄🌨

[@duolccmjohn]

I like your video, I have a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. It is a great SUV, It handles great in the snow and heavy rain. I live in Denton Texas, We don't get a lot of snow here. this winter has been different, I took my Crosstrek out 2 weeks ago when we had 5 inches in some places. I was very impressed with it, I didn't get stuck at all. It is also great on the freeway, I average 34 MPG. Great video, I enjoy watching Subaru Crosstrek videos.

[@jlcworld91]

Thanks 😊 Mine is a 2019 as well. I really love to take it on the dirt roads and camp in it. These Crosstreks are a lot of fun and really not all that expensive.

[@duolccmjohn]

The Crosstrek is great on dirt roads, I have camped in mine to. I am 5-7, I fit perfect with the back seats down. It has plenty of room, I love it.

[@schuylerhecht8253]

I got a 2017 XV. I'm from NY. Last year I went cross country and was around your way south in San Antonio..I drove through that ice storm last year...crazy how many good ol boys in pick ups csnt drive I the winter ..I was on I 35 going past stranded wrecked vehicles while my NE ass with his Subaru XV was built for this.

[@royr5527]

Open the sunroof lol that was awesome man. I have same vehicle but I put on the K02 all weather tires and it's a world of difference from the stock tires. Thanks for video.

[@user-zl4hk2mz5m]

Love this video & your accent! I just had the stock all seasons changed for the Michelin CrossClimate 2’s on my 19 CT. I found the stock tires (Falken Ziex) just ok in the snow here in the Northeast. The reviews are decent for the Michelins, so I’m looking forward to testing them out once we get some snow.

[@bonpecheur4565]

Just got the new 2024 with brand new BF Goodrich TA KSI winter tires, cant wait to try it in snow here in Québec, Canada

[@stocksj]

A set blizzacks on 15” steel work really well for the winter

[@matthew81158]

I just bought a 2021 cross track in April this will be my first winter with it I live in Minnesota I can’t wait to see how it works

[@jlcworld91]

Congrats on that purchase. You are going to have fun with it! Minnesota is on my list of places to visit and camp. Many lakes! Stay safe.

[@ConLLee]

I live in idaho so we get pretty decent snow in the winter. Not all winters are created equal in the treasure valley tho lol. Hopefully we get a good amount of snow this year so i can test out my 2020 crosstrek i just bought last week. Welcomed my first son on the 12th of September so we needed to get the extra space, so far loving this car

[@ericferguson9989]

Snow tires make a world of difference ( not really a Southern Indiana thing, I know).

[@TheDmanMA]

nice..loved it.

[@Bob-Maplethorpe]

Jeez that is just Monday morning snow on an average winter day here in Ontario, Canada. Buffalo, NY gets a shit ton more than even we do! We got over two feet in one night here this winter and cars were stuck on roads everywhere. I think this will do the job with good snow tires, though.

[@cnobillbradley9673]

I used to drive around Buffalo NY in my old 1970 MGB GT. Year round

[@cnobillbradley9673]

And Now I drive a 2015 Fozzy XT in California

[@albertwesker2050]

I wouldn’t do this for more than a block but today I drove through 1’ + of unplowed snow with no problem at all.

[@db1566]

Just ordered a Crosstrek Wilderness. Can't wait to hit the snow in Big Bear.

[@itsyaboimat2393]

Yes when I had my 2011 Subaru OBS I drove it through mutiple noreasters up here in Maine well responding to fire calls with my fire department and got to and from those calls without issues

[@jlcworld91]

I would love to visit up in that area sometime and do some camping & offshore fishing.

[@itsyaboimat2393]

@@jlcworld91 absolutely do it! The people up here are amazingly friendly

[@bubbalo3388]

Where I live we get people from other states saying how wimpy we are when even we get like a few inches of snow. They say in Montana or Idaho or wherever they are from we get like a foot of snow and life goes on as usual and you people here get all worried and don't know how to drive in the snow. Well folks, here's the difference. In the city where I live it is not relativity flat and thinly populated with roads that are not crowded with people, cars, buildings etc and less chances of hitting something or someone. And a foot of powder snow is easy to drive on. Here where I live it's hilly, narrow streets crowded with traffic and parked cars, lots of pedestrians, buildings, trees, etc. Now take all that combined with the temperature fluctuations we have that creates a mess of powder, heavy wet snow, slush, packed snow and ice which creates a slippery mess. So yeah we are more cautious here because we don't have the wussy ooh we get a foot powder stuff in the middle of nowhere where it's flat and nothing to hit.

[@jlcworld91]

Thanks for commenting. Yeah a lot of folks in Southern Indiana just aren't prepared for any snow. I believe this is the first sizable snow we had in 5 years and will probably be the last of this season. Since we don't deal with snow, almost nobody carries winter tires or equipment to get unstuck like they do in northern Indiana. Plus the city just doesn't have the equipment to remove the snow. I drive super cautious even with AWD. I had numerous "pickup trucks" pass me flying and even had one drive up on a side walk in 4 inches of snow to squeeze by me and missed the Subaru by 3 inches on the side where my son was. ...which is why I say people can't drive here in snow. They wouldn't do that on a normal day so I don't know why they would in very hazardous conditions. Stay safe!

[@bubbalo3388]

@@jlcworld91 thank goodness you two were safe. Yeah in a 4x4 or a car with knobby tires you can get going better than a 2 wheel drive vehicle but once you hit those brakes you are in the same boat as everyone else. Yeah I drive cautious also even with my SUV and other vehicle with studded tires. I don't worry about myself as much as me having to stay alert and away from idiots that drive recklessly. A state patrol officer was interviewed once and he said yeah they pull out more trucks and SUV's out of ditches in the mountain pass from out of state people thinking they knew how to drive in the snow.

[@tollevkvendbo]

I drive to work in this 5 months a year in my renault kangoo fwd... Winter tyres makes all the difference

[@JesusHernandez-sp3jz]

We just bought the new Subaru Outback wilderness edition snow here we go

[@jlcworld91]

Congrats!

[@tyjandrews]

Subie fam! Love it

[@g37clips]

Are those the stock Geolandar G91f tires?

[@gemster18]

I have a 2918 Subaru Impreza...with less ground clearance.. in upstate NY.. never had a issue and I have low profile tires... There's a reason why it's the best selling vehicle in Canada! #Subaru

[@tonydardi332]

I didn’t know the 2918 models were out yet... WOW!!!

[@gemster18]

@@tonydardi332 LMAO 🤣. Yeah.. they fly...🤪👍

[@tonydardi332]

@@gemster18 hehehehehe

[@lucaskinsley2183]

Of course it’s the best selling. Who don’t wanna live 900 years in the future to experience it? 😂

[@robertshunter]

LOL! I was out in the same storm, in a TRD-lowered Toyota Prius with Pirelli SottoZero 3 tires. 😁👍

[@jlcworld91]

It was fun. Seems like a good snow storm only comes once every 3 years now.

[@robertshunter]

@@jlcworld91 Kept enough at home to make having fun on unplowed back roads possible. The last couple of winters were particularly disappointing, but at least this one finally delivered.

[@staygolden5554]

Hey guys just got 2-4 feet of snow in big bear road conditions are R2 so wondering if my subaru 2019 crosstrek will handle well without chains. I don't expect the mountain roads to have more than a couple inches on it tomorrow morning

[@JimmyChem]

X2 mode (Canadian Outdoor Trim) with winter tires here in Canada - no problem with our 4 months of snow. 😁

[@provax4925]

Hi, did you buy 2 sets of tires?

[@JimmyChem]

@@provax4925 Yep, set of snow tires on rims. Put them on early November, take them off middle of April. We occasionally get a last crazy blast of winter early April. Snow tires are pretty necessary up here, although you'll see lots of people without them, often in the ditch.

[@provax4925]

@@JimmyChem Thanks for the reply. Sadly I don't think I'll have the space in my apartment to store the winter tire after the winter season.

[@JimmyChem]

@@provax4925 I bought my tires and rims from the local Subaru dealership. They will store your summer/winter tires for you for a fee. Can't recall what it costs, but that's what I do. Saves me from having to lug the tires around and I really don't want store them at home - just no space.

[@provax4925]

@@JimmyChem Wow didn't know it was an option. Thank alot bro for the info.

[@BM-PC_Gamer]

Nice video. Is this SUV the "Sport" version with the "Deep Snow" setting? I live in North Central Indiana. We get some snow here too. Thanks

[@jlcworld91]

Premium, no deep snow setting.

[@vspec17]

When this young man was telling the viewer not to open the moon roof when it's snowing, the high pitched laughter sounded completely female.

[@Bob-Maplethorpe]

9 inches! Must be summer there!)

[@sonigonzales9475]

I wouldn't consider that deep snow. Deep snow would be snow depth that reaches midway of your grill

[@mrkennya80]

Get a friend and go play in the snow!! Bring a shovel just in case but who cares what they say about staying off the road. Are they going to arrest you or something!! That same storm came from the south and I played in for a week straight. You’ll be impressed with what the subies can do. Have fun and stay safe

[@hoangvubui5386]

tks for that

[@jlcworld91]

Absolutely!

[@davidwayne9982]

THAT's powder snow-- and only 4 inches--- Ive seen this tested in 2 ft. of WET icy snow and it did better than the snow plow...

[@danielslc88]

I saw you have another vehicle in the parkway. Can you do a comparison with the other car?

[@jlcworld91]

That would be a great video. If we get any reasonable snow, I'll try to get out there and do a comparison. The other vehicle is a Toyota Yaris.

[@thisnewnamesystemisdumb]

@@jlcworld91 07 yaris and 19 crosstrek? Seems oddly familiar... 🤔 *checks driveway* Nope my cars are still here.

[@bubbalo3388]

How you like your Crosstrek overall? Thinking about getting one and would of liked a PHEV one but the 17 mile electric range is a joke and to lose trunk space because of the battery for an already puny trunk made no sense.

[@jlcworld91]

I love it. I can say. First I bought a sedan Impreza. It was a good car and got great gas mileage but ultra slow. I traded it in and bought a WRX. What a shame was that car. A lot of bark but no bite. So I traded it again and got the Crosstrek. I love the crosstrek. I take it all over. Fishing, camping, vacations, been on the beach in sand driving, been in heavy snow up north, ice roads, mud, gravel roads. I've slept in the back. I feel completely safe driving it. And usually in bad weather I make my wife drive it (swap cars) so I know she is safe with baby. I can see great in the car. At night the headlights actually swivel which is amazing. Car alerts you if anything is around. Only thing I dislike about it is, it feels rather cheap. The plastic parts they put in the interior make all kinds of noise while driving on anything other than paved roads. Doesn't bother me too much though. But for someone that likes luxury they might want to look somewhere else. I checked out the hybrids but the benefits weren't really that great compared to like the Toyota Prius or Hyundai Ioniq.

[@bubbalo3388]

@@jlcworld91 yeah we thought about getting a Crosstrek last year but it didn't offer all the safety features like a Hyundai has till this year. The interior I felt the same as it looks rather cheap. I was holding out for the safety features and hoping they would offer ventilated seats by now.

[@BimmerWon]

What model year is it? Did you have x-mode or traction control disabled when going up your driveway?

[@jlcworld91]

19' Crosstrek premium I believe, if I find out different I'll let you know. While going up the driveway I had Traction Control on and X mode off.

[@BimmerWon]

@@jlcworld91 ah I see. Thx

[@broinsocali]

Where you driving around in regular mode or X-Mode?

[@jlcworld91]

Regular mode. I hardly ever use X mode. I've tried it when stuck before but it seems to not make too much of a difference.

[@rabalajoie]

Why don’t you buy a nice set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 with studs? You’ll be surrounded by a whole feeling of happiness.

[@krissimon2502]

The car is very capable, those tires not so much. On ice it wouldn't matter what car you're in if you don't have chains on you'll be sliding all over the place. Anyway I enjoyed the video, you have a nice little car there. If it was mine I would put a little bit more aggressive tires on there and maybe even a 1 inch lift just for looks.

[@mistymcnattpellow8516]

Have a 19 crosstrek and it got stuck in the snow even my bf didn't understand why we tried tc off and xmode on still stuff. I even have the bad ass snow tires on them. And yes I know how to drive in the snow. Any other subu folks have the same problem?

[@jlcworld91]

Curious, I wonder if you high centered? That is the only time I have seen a Crosstrek stuck. I've been stuck in a couple of icy spots but I was able to let air out of the tires down to 10psi and that seemed to help get me out.

[@mistymcnattpellow8516]

@@jlcworld91 my son did tell me to let some air out of the tires. I only had this car since March soo I just need to go play in the snow 😊

[@Johnny-nd4lu]

@@jlcworld91 Could you explain what you mean by high centered please?

[@jlcworld91]

To cause a vehicle to become stranded with all wheels off of the ground or pressure off of the wheels. It usually happens when you run into very deep packed snow and it wedges underneath the center of your vehicle.

[@clou1969]

Put some GodDamn Winter tires On!!! Try blizzack.

[@cacabeauty3693]

What tires u are using?

[@jlcworld91]

Summer tires. No need for winter tires where I live. We only get snow one week out of the year.

[@patmer2087]

put on some winter tires n it can handle 1+ foot of snow with ease.

[@rolexr]

Snow is the natural environment of a SUBIE !!! ;-)

[@jlcworld91]

Absolutely

[@Bri-zb9dz]

Doesnt look like you have winter tires but I could be wrong

[@jlcworld91]

No I just keep the worn down summer tires on. We only get snow maybe one week out of the year. Wouldn't be a good investment unless I did more snow travel.

[@Bri-zb9dz]

@@jlcworld91 Ah ok gotcha, yea itll be almost unstoppable with winter tires!

[@CarsGourmetMusicandTravel]

I have some deep snow videos, too. May I invite you to a continental journey to Istanbul? Have a nice Sunday, y'all. Cheers

[@phxdesert4464]

Deep snow? Deep snow buries freight trains. Deep snow comes up to at least the floor boards. Iowa blizzard of '78. However it looks like the Subie did ok.

[@jlcworld91]

Yeah does alright for the basic daily commute. But I would need more than the subie to get through the blizzard of '78. Before my time but seen pictures grandpa had taken.

[@charlesebyjr2925]

Nice video, my son drives a crosstrek too, I just ordered a new outback. Do me a favor your voice sounds a little like Matthew McConaughey, sometime please say “alright alright alright”? Thanks

[@jlcworld91]

Will do haha. I get the Matthew McConaughey thing a lot.

[@theskiesrainfire]

Yeah a lot of people have an inflated sense of what deep snow is. I used to look for videos comparing the crosstrek to the WRX in really deep snow, like 14”+. Every deep snow test I’ve seen has been in, like 7 inches of snow, max. GG guess I’ll just find out next winter if I made the right purchase.

[@ronpfid]

that's what I was thinking, I've driven in deeper in a mustang lol. Deep is 12+ inches at least.

[@Omaribisa]

Did it handle deep snow then?

[@MrWhitelightning73]

Trading in my Impreza on one.

[@The_Notorious_CRG]

its hilarious when I hear people talking about all the other people who can't drive in whatever conditions...everybody is somebody's other people.

[@DemonSkySnow]

that's not deep snow, its just regular snow

[@edsmith9855]

Snow didnt look that deep on the roads. An Impreza or Crosstrek should go through pretty much any snow depth on reasonably level terrain up to the point where you get high centered. BTW, I know you were just goofing around, but did you ever hear of feathering the throttle and letting the computer sort out the torque distribution????? I have all season tires on my Impreza, and even so, traction was very good when the tires were new. Last winter was my 3rd winter on the tires (~25K miles) and traction seemed to drop off sharply.

[@jlcworld91]

Thanks for commenting. I have heard of that but never really do it. I thought it was something for older cars with idle problems. I'll have to do some more research on that. We don't get too much snow in southern Indiana area so I never really worried about snow tires. I'm still running the cheap factory installed tires

[@tjj5337]

Deep snow?? That ?

[@SebastienRediconmediaDevaux]

why do a video in the snow with no snow tires hahahaha

[@SiouxsieCat]

After just watching one of the Idiot Drivers videos, I was half-expecting another car to come flying in from the side and smack into the Subi... - Crosstrek owner

[@sega62s]

that’s not deep snow….it’s hardly a snowfall that makes us workers use our winter equipment 😃

[@EricTheRed122]

Im up near chicago my crosstrek blasts through the snow like its nothing

[@jlcworld91]

I miss living up there. I'm looking forward to a couple visits soon.

[@Chiefshadow4]

I went to Purdue for vet school. They can't drive for shit even with no dangerous weather

[@patricklondon6006]

Just buy some winter tires and put them on a front wheel drive car and you wouldn't have to drag along that all wheel drive system. Better traction and better mpg.

[@thisnewnamesystemisdumb]

🤦‍♂️ Actually the crosstrek gets better gas mileage than most fwd cars.

[@sgtpepper6379]

Better traction? That's laughable. I currently have 2021 Corolla with a set of blizzaks on it. My 2000 outback with all seasons was better in snow. Buying a Crosstrek in a few months cuz this Corolla ain't gonna cut it for the Northwoods.

[@sgtpepper6379]

And mpg plummets with snow tires on. Lose about 10mpg on my Corolla.

[@aleksandr_lis]

Это не глубокий снег. В Оренбурге я каждый день езжу по такому снегу на своей переднеприводной машине. Глубокий это уже от полуметра и выше.

[@adilusa]

для многих американцев даже этот снег уже катастрофа, у нас в Пенсильвании в прошлую зиму был снег только один раз, но выпало сразу сантиметров 20-25 снега

[@mannecorner1737]

Deep Snow?

[@jlcworld91]

Ehh not too deep huh. Haha depends on who you talk to I guess. Deep for southern Indiana is 5 inches. For Chicago land where I'm from deep is 2 to 3 feet. I'd like to know what Canadians think is deep snow.

[@RT-tn4ry]

2 inches aint deep snow !

[@ronpfid]

that's not really deep, ... here kzbin.info/www/bejne/eX7Ldopjms5gpqc

[@vTRage]

Weakest demonstration

[@robertpiekosz7470]

ANY and EVERY Subaru can handle deep snow! Stop with the silly questions