Better options for my daughter driving in snow

Hey guys. This isn’t a Tacoma question because I won’t be lending that to my daughter, but will be lending her either my wife’s 2006 Subaru Baja or 2006 Lincoln Navigator for the winter months as she is a student in Reno.
Last year, she borrowed the awd Baja, but said it was a bit squirrelly at times. I can only assume that she isn't driving like an A-hole. So if you guys were in the same situation, which would you send. The AWD Baja or 4wd Navigator? Also, would you consider studded or winter tires? This is just for for street driving with occasional snow that the plow hasn't gotten to yet or kept up with, not for offroading.

 

Subaru, smaller easier to handle

 

Why not just stay home until it’s plowed? I like driving in the snow, but I hate commuting in it. Most people suck at it.

 

Subaru with winter tires like Blizzaks, skip the studs unless she’s spending a lot of time on hard-packed ice and snow that isn’t plowed.

 

Subaru and be mindful of the skinny pedal. I was commuting to Sparks, NV last winter in a Prius C, granted it has a racing stripe and TRD emblem but it was no problem. Snow is usually gone by afternoon.

EDIT: I should say that I've owned several Subaru's and they are fantastic vehicles in the snow having spent a lot of time in the Canaan Valley area of WV.

 

You should look into winter tires. I use Bridgestone Blizzack on separate rims could not be more impressed.These tires are only to used when the outside air drops below 45 due to the soft rubber compound.

 

If a Subaru with AWD gets ‘squirrelly,’ there’s probably other reasons. As a parent, I won’t say anything to degrade your efforts or tell anyone how to parent, but it’s likely not driving for the conditions. Subaru’s are probably the safest in snow, but regardless of vehicle, people need to realize cars are susceptible to slip/slide on snow more than pavement. If I were you I’d let her take the Subaru and make sure it has good all season tires that have snow rating. End of the day it takes practice to ‘feel’ the road in snow conditions. Most accidents are cause by over-confidence and/or speed in slippery conditions.

 

Subaru with out a doubt. She got squirrelly in that, just imagine how hard to bring that Navigator back under control will be

 

I don't disagree that she is likely not driving as she should. My goal here as well as education, is keeping her as safe as possible knowing this. She needs to get to school and get to work. I will definitely have the conversation again about proper speed for current conditions.

 

Subaru, and an all weather tire with a winter bias like a Nokian wr4.

Can run it like an all season, no tire swaps and you get good siping and functionality when the snow flies. I run Nokian all weathers on our Subaru and my Taco and they suffice in our winters up north without tire swaps. Nokian aren’t as well known as other brands but they have been making winter tires for a long time, are from Finland and are more common in northern climates.

 

She can drive whatever she wants. I don’t live in Reno so I’m not worried.

In all seriousness, the Subaru is what I’d prefer. More maneuverable.

 

Definitely the Subaru with winter tires. It probably got a little squirrely on her if it had all seasons, or she was going a little too fast, mine will in the snow but it corrects quickly. Once the Blizzaks are on, it's tough to get the tires to cut loose if you're driving appropriately for conditions. You also might consider one 60 Lb. sand bag in the bed of the Baja. I actually throw one in the trunk of my Impreza, helped balance against the front end weight nicely.

 

Subaru on winter tires.

The added mass and hight of the Lincoln will make it less able to avoid an accident.

I like hankook ipike, Michelin x-ice, and nokian hakkapeliitta, and Bridgestone blizzaks (fastest wearing if on mixed blacktop and ice). From years of wintery driving in Alaska and the Pacific north west.

 

Hate putting things like this out there, but as you know young adults are more prone to accidents than any other age group. The NHTSA does not have a safety crash rating test on this Subaru: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/SUBARU/BAJA/4%2520DR/AWD
I would go with the Navigator because or it's size and crash rating: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/LINCOLN/NAVIGATOR/4%2520DR/RWD%252FAWD#safety-ratings-frontal
Sorry, but I have old man-itis and as a parent and grandparent I would pick the safer of the two!

 

Like everyone else said, if you slap a good set of snow tires on the Subaru it will be about as good of a snow car as you can find. I've owned several and they never disappointed. You'd want something bigger for deep snow, but she isn't going to encounter that driving on the streets.

The problem with the Navigator is that, I'm assuming, it has selectable 4x4? So then you're relying on her to be proactive about the driving conditions and put it in 4x4 before she actually needs it.

 

There are few things as good in full on winter conditions than a Subaru with snow tires. Its lower, lighter, better handling, and less likely to roll over in a crash or a slide off the road than the Navigator, plus its easier to park.

 

Squirrelly is a good thing, imo. Helps you learn how to keep things under control.