Which Ford SUV Is Best in Snow? Explorer, Expedition, Bronco Sport and Bronco for Long Island Winters
Snow ability on Long Island comes down to three things: four-wheel drive, ground clearance and, above all, the tires. Here is how the 2026 Explorer, Expedition, Bronco Sport and Bronco compare on each, and which one fits a family that drives through every storm.
Browse Explorer InventoryBrowse Bronco InventoryQuick Answer: Which Ford SUV Is Best in Snow?
For most Long Island families, the best Ford SUV for snow is an Explorer with Intelligent 4WD or a 4x4 Expedition, fitted with winter tires. Both combine four-wheel drive with a third row, and the Expedition adds 8.7 inches of ground clearance on most trims (10.6 inches on the Tremor).
If you do not need a third row, the Bronco Sport is the easiest way into standard 4x4: every 2026 trim has it. The Bronco is the deep-snow specialist, with up to 11.6 inches of clearance on Sasquatch-equipped models. Whatever you choose, tires decide how well it stops, so budget for a winter set.
7.6–8.7 in
2026 Explorer ground clearance, Active to Tremor
10.6 in
Expedition Tremor ground clearance
Every trim
2026 Bronco Sport trims with standard 4x4
Up to 8
Seats in the Expedition and Expedition MAX
2026 Ford SUV Winter Comparison Table
| Model | Drivetrain | Snow and traction features | Ground clearance | Seating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer | Rear-wheel drive standard on Active, ST-Line, Platinum and ST; Intelligent 4WD available. Intelligent 4WD standard on Tremor | Up to six drive modes | 7.6 in (Active, ST-Line), 7.8 in (ST), 8.3 in (Platinum), 8.7 in (Tremor) | 6 or 7 seats; 6 on Tremor |
| Expedition / Expedition MAX | 4x2 and 4x4 offered; Intelligent 4WD with Terrain Management available | Six selectable drive modes with 4WD; Tremor adds Rock Crawl and Trail Control | 8.7 in on most trims, 10.6 in on Tremor | 7 or 8 seats |
| Bronco Sport | 4x4 standard on every trim; Badlands gets Advanced 4x4 with a twin-clutch rear drive unit | 5 G.O.A.T. modes including Slippery; 7 on Badlands | 7.8 in (Big Bend, Heritage, Outer Banks), 8.1 in (Badlands) | Two rows |
| Bronco | 4x4; Badlands adds Advanced 4x4 with Automatic On-Demand Engagement | 5 G.O.A.T. modes; 7 on Badlands, Stroppe Edition and Raptor, including Slippery | 8.3 in (2-door base), 8.4 in (4-door base), up to 11.6 in with Sasquatch, 13.1 in (Raptor) | Two rows; 2-door or 4-door |
Ford Explorer in Snow: The Three-Row Pick for Most Families
The Active, ST-Line, Platinum and ST come with rear-wheel drive as standard, with Intelligent 4WD available on all four. The Tremor makes Intelligent 4WD standard and has the most ground clearance in the lineup at 8.7 inches.
Choose Intelligent 4WD
Intelligent 4WD sends power to the front axle when the rear wheels start to slip, which is what gets a loaded Explorer away from a slushy stop on Route 58 or up an icy driveway. For a family that drives through every forecast, it is the specification to order.
Consider the Platinum or Tremor for clearance
Clearance climbs from 7.6 inches on the Active to 8.3 inches on the Platinum and 8.7 inches on the Tremor, a real difference when the plow has not reached your street yet. The Tremor trades the seventh seat for that capability.
If you are still deciding between three-row models, our guide to the best Ford SUVs for families compares space and cargo across the lineup.
Ford Expedition in Snow: Clearance and Room for Eight
The Expedition is the biggest Ford SUV and the one with the most snow margin for a large family. Most 2026 trims sit at 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and the Expedition Tremor reaches 10.6 inches.
Check the drivetrain on the window sticker. The Expedition is sold in both 4x2 and 4x4 form; the Expedition MAX Active, for example, is offered as a 4x2. For winter driving on Long Island, choose a 4x4 with Intelligent 4WD and Terrain Management, which adds six selectable drive modes. The Tremor goes further with Rock Crawl mode and a trail control system.
Sources: Ford’s 2026 Expedition model page and the current Expedition page.
Bronco Sport and Bronco: Standard 4x4, Fewer Seats
If a third row is not on your list, the two Broncos are the 4x4-first SUVs in Ford’s lineup.
Bronco Sport
Every 2026 Bronco Sport comes with 4x4, and the Big Bend, Heritage and Outer Banks get five G.O.A.T. modes including Slippery. The Badlands adds Advanced 4x4 with a twin-clutch rear drive unit, which uses two clutch packs to control each rear wheel independently, plus 8.1 inches of clearance.
Bronco
The Bronco is the deep-snow specialist. Base models sit at 8.3 inches (2-door) or 8.4 inches (4-door), the Sasquatch package lifts that to as much as 11.6 inches, and the Raptor reaches 13.1. The Badlands pairs Advanced 4x4 with Automatic On-Demand Engagement with seven G.O.A.T. modes, Slippery among them.
Sources: Bronco Sport specs, Ford’s Bronco Sport 4x4 explainer, Bronco specs and Bronco Badlands.
Winter Tires or 4WD? Why a Ford SUV Needs Both on Long Island
| What you need in snow | What delivers it |
|---|---|
| Pulling away from a stop on snow or slush | 4WD or 4x4, helped by tires with good snow tread |
| Stopping on ice or packed snow | Winter tires; 4WD adds nothing to braking |
| Steering grip through a slick turn | Winter tires, with stability control |
| Clearing deep or unplowed snow | Ground clearance, then 4WD |
| Calming wheelspin in slush | Slippery drive mode with 4WD |
Riverhead Ford’s service department can check tires, battery health, wipers and tire pressure before the first storm. Schedule a pre-winter service visit.
Winter Car Seat Tip for Three-Row Families
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against buckling a child into a car seat while they are wearing a bulky winter coat, because the padding compresses in a crash and leaves the harness too loose. Buckle the child in regular clothes and lay the coat or a blanket over the harness (AAP winter car seat guidance). Warming the cabin with remote start before you load up makes that easier. For which seat configurations fit in each Ford SUV’s second and third rows, see our Ford SUV child seat table.
Would a Pickup Suit Your Winter Better?
If you also tow, haul firewood or clear a long driveway, a 4x4 Ford truck may fit better than an SUV. Our guide to the best Ford truck for snow compares the Maverick, Ranger, F-150 and Super Duty the same way.
Driving to Riverhead Ford from Nearby Towns
A winter test drive tells a family more than any spec sheet. These are the routes to Riverhead Ford from Jamesport, Baiting Hollow, Hampton Bays and Center Moriches.
From Jamesport
6 miles · about 15 min
Route 25 (Main Road) west, which runs straight into Old Country Road.
Get directions from JamesportFrom Baiting Hollow
4 miles · about 10 min
Sound Avenue east, then Osborn Avenue south to Old Country Road.
Get directions from Baiting HollowFrom Hampton Bays
11 miles · about 20 min
Route 24 north through Flanders (Flanders Road) into downtown Riverhead, then over to Old Country Road.
Get directions from Hampton BaysFrom Center Moriches
13 miles · about 20 min
Frowein Road to County Road 51, then north on CR 51 into Riverhead.
Get directions from Center MorichesDistances are measured from the center of each town; drive times assume clear roads, so allow extra on summer weekends and at rush hour. Hours and a map are on our Hours & Directions page.
Test-Drive a 4WD Ford SUV Before the First Storm
Compare an Explorer, Expedition, Bronco Sport or Bronco back to back at Riverhead Ford on Old Country Road, and check the drivetrain and clearance on the exact SUV you are considering.
Browse Explorer InventorySchedule a Test DriveFord SUVs in Snow: Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ford SUV is best for driving in snow?
For a Long Island family, a Ford Explorer with Intelligent 4WD or a 4x4 Ford Expedition, fitted with winter tires, is the strongest all-round snow choice because both pair four-wheel drive with a third row. The Bronco Sport is the easiest way into standard 4x4, since every 2026 Bronco Sport trim comes with it. The Bronco and the Expedition Tremor carry the most ground clearance for deep, unplowed snow.
Is the Ford Explorer good in snow?
Yes, when it is equipped for it. The 2026 Explorer Active, ST-Line, Platinum and ST come with rear-wheel drive as standard and offer Intelligent 4WD as an option, while the Explorer Tremor has Intelligent 4WD as standard. Ground clearance runs from 7.6 inches on the Active and ST-Line to 8.7 inches on the Tremor. A 4WD Explorer on winter tires handles typical Suffolk County snow and slush with confidence.
Do I need winter tires if my Ford SUV has 4WD?
Four-wheel drive helps an SUV accelerate and keep moving in snow, but braking and cornering grip come from the tires. An all-wheel or four-wheel-drive SUV on worn all-season tires stops no shorter than a two-wheel-drive one on the same tires, so winter tires are still the single biggest upgrade for snow and ice.
Which Ford SUV has the most ground clearance for snow?
Among 2026 Ford SUVs, the Bronco Raptor has the most at 13.1 inches, and a Bronco with the Sasquatch package reaches up to 11.6 inches. For a three-row family SUV, the Expedition Tremor's 10.6 inches is the highest.