Don Johnson’s Cumberland Motors – Which SUV delivers better off-road traction for weekend adventures around Rice Lake, WI?
When drivers start comparing small adventure SUVs, one question comes up again and again: which one actually puts more power down when the trail gets rutted, off-camber, or slick? If you’re looking at Ford’s Bronco Sport® and Subaru’s Forester Wilderness, the answer lives in how each brand approaches traction. The Bronco Sport® uses available twin-clutch rear-drive technology that can actively send torque to the left or right rear wheel. Forester Wilderness leans on Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with dual-function X-MODE and brake-based torque management. Both work. They just work differently, and that difference shows up most when surfaces change under your tires.
Bronco Sport® is built around the idea that traction isn’t just about which wheels are spinning—it’s about directing force where it matters in the moment. That’s why the twin-clutch rear drive unit can over-speed an individual rear wheel to help you carve a tight, loose-surface corner rather than plow through it. Add Trail Control™—a kind of low-speed, off-road cruise control—and you can concentrate on choosing a line while the system meters throttle and braking. Up to seven G.O.A.T. Modes® let you choose Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and on the right trim, trail-focused settings like Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl. It’s a toolkit that adapts quickly, whether you’re easing over a rocky approach, dropping into a sandy cut, or navigating a mix of gravel and pavement on your way to the campsite.
How Forester Wilderness approaches traction
The Forester Wilderness formula is straightforward and confidence-inspiring: fixed mechanical balance from Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a Lineartronic CVT tuned for low-speed control, and dual-function X-MODE with Snow/Dirt or Deep Snow/Mud. The added 9.3 inches of ground clearance helps you clear bigger obstacles than a typical compact SUV, and the standard front skid plate adds underbody protection. On slick, uneven two-tracks, X-MODE coordinates engine output, transmission mapping, and brake control to reduce wheelspin and regain momentum. It’s predictable and reassuring, especially for drivers who prefer to set a mode and focus on steering.
Where Bronco Sport® stands apart
The Bronco Sport®’s advantage shows up when the trail puts one rear wheel in the air or you need to pivot the vehicle around a hairpin turn on loose rock. The twin-clutch rear drive unit can push power to the outside wheel, tightening your line and helping the SUV rotate instead of slide. This is different from systems that mainly rely on braking a spinning wheel. It’s traction with intent—directed where it makes the next yard of progress easier. Pair that with the responsive feel of the available 2.0L EcoBoost® engine and a traditional 8-speed automatic, and the Bronco Sport® feels eager to pull itself through rough sections without hunting for grip or revs.
Drive modes and everyday use
Mode programming matters. Bronco Sport®’s G.O.A.T. Modes® change throttle mapping, transmission behavior, and traction strategy to suit everything from wet pavement to a rutted trail. If your weekend plans include a gravel run to a trailhead before hopping back on the highway, toggling between modes keeps the SUV feeling composed and predictable. Forester Wilderness’ dual-function X-MODE is simpler and easy to trust—choose the surface that best matches conditions and go. Both approaches make mixed driving less stressful; Bronco Sport® just gives you more fine-tuning when you want it.
Clearance, tires, and protection
Forester Wilderness rightly touts its 9.3-inch ground clearance and standard Yokohama GEOLANDAR® all-terrain tires, which help on deeply rutted paths and muddy sections. Bronco Sport® can be equipped with all-terrain tires and adds available steel underbody protection on the right trim, so you can armor up for rockier sections. If you tend to wheel on tracks with tall center ridges or bigger step-ups, ground clearance is your friend. If your routes weave through tight woods, cross angled ledges, or include sharp switchbacks, the Bronco Sport®’s torque-vectoring rear setup is a compelling ally.
Interior tech that supports the adventure
Off-road confidence goes hand in hand with tech you can understand at a glance. The Bronco Sport®’s 13.2-inch center display is crisp and easy to navigate, and Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ is available with Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering for the highway miles between trailheads. The Forester Wilderness brings a newly available 11.6-inch touchscreen and Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which is a meaningful upgrade for long-haul comfort. Both offer wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility—helpful for trail mapping or sharing a pin with your group.
Who should choose which?
If you prize maximum clearance and a simple, set-it-and-forget-it traction setup, the Forester Wilderness checks those boxes. If you want a small SUV that feels agile on tight trails, can actively move torque side to side at the rear axle, and pairs that with an energetic turbocharged option, the Bronco Sport® makes a strong case. Neither approach is wrong—one just gives you more tools for specific scenarios. Many drivers who alternate between pavement, gravel, and low-speed trail work gravitate to the Bronco Sport® because it feels calm, direct, and capable in more situations.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does the Bronco Sport® have more ground clearance than the Forester Wilderness?
No. The Forester Wilderness features a newly increased 9.3 inches of ground clearance. Bronco Sport® focuses its advantage on active rear-axle torque vectoring, Trail Control™, and multiple G.O.A.T. Modes® for traction.
Which one has more advanced off-road traction features?
Bronco Sport® stands out with its available twin-clutch rear drive unit, up to seven G.O.A.T. Modes®, and Trail Control™. Forester Wilderness emphasizes dual-function X-MODE and ground clearance.
Which vehicle feels more responsive on mixed surfaces?
Many drivers find the Bronco Sport® more responsive thanks to its available 2.0L EcoBoost® engine and 8-speed automatic, paired with the active rear-axle system for confident cornering on loose terrain.
Ready to test both approaches back-to-back? Don Johnson’s Cumberland Motors is serving Turtle Lake, Rice Lake, and Almena with a team that knows these vehicles in detail and can help you match capability to your favorite routes. Bring your questions, your gear list, and how you actually drive—we’ll help you choose the SUV that makes your weekends smoother and more fun.
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