AWD/4WD vehicle for snowy hill conditions

[clickynext]

I don't have anything similar for comparison, but the CRV with snow tires is adaquate for snow, and I believe it's higher off the ground than the RAV4 and certainly the sedans. The thing is, any major road is usually plowed pretty quickly, so it's very rare to actually have to drive on a heavy covering of snow. I always drive very slowly and cautiously on a snowy day in my CRV and have not had any trouble before.

 

[Fenixgoon]

A4 quattro.. anyone got the video of that A6 going UP a ski slope?

 

[Soccerman06]

Originally posted by: clickynext
I don't have anything similar for comparison, but the CRV with snow tires is adaquate for snow, and I believe it's higher off the ground than the RAV4 and certainly the sedans. The thing is, any major road is usually plowed pretty quickly, so it's very rare to actually have to drive on a heavy covering of snow. I always drive very slowly and cautiously on a snowy day in my CRV and have not had any trouble before.

The thing is, Up in Duluth, I technically never have to leave the school to go anywhere. Everything is inclosed. Dorms, Classes, Food, everything is connected. Also it snows very often and a lot because its just off Lake Superior. So when I go outside to drive the car after a storm, there might be 2ft of snow blocking everything, the car and the exit and seeing how lazy I can be, Ill try to get speed and run right through it.

And any vehicle with snow tires will work twice as good in snow.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06
And any vehicle with snow tires will work twice as good in snow.

You mean they work PERIOD. Summer tire compounds are too hard to work at all in freezing temperatures. Slip 'n' slide city. I'd rather drive a Miata (probably the world's worst snow car) with M+S tires in the snow than the world's best snow car (you pick) with summer-only tires. Driving skills are only as good as the equipment.

 

[KokomoGSTmp]

Originally posted by: Vic
Obviously a Subaru.

AWD + low center of gravity = amazing snow handling.

And the poster early on in the thread who said that Evo's can't handle in the snow has no freakin' clue what he is talking about. Maybe they don't handle very well in the snow with the OEM Yokohama Advan summer tires, but throw any decent set of M+S tires on an Evo and you could scoot straight up a steep hill in foot-deep snow. Same thing with a Subaru. Naturally, you will need studded tires on any car/truck/SUV in order to deal with ice.

Right, I've driven my AWD Talon with a set of M+S tires right past your typical SUVs as they struggle for grip this past winter. Sure, it wasn't a foot deep... only about 3" fresh on the ground at the time. But other worrying about my front bumper acting like a snowplow, handled without putting a foot wrong.

Obviously you can't overcome physics and stop any better in an AWD vehicle, but you could turn and drive where you wanted with a large margin of safety. If that's what you want, any fulltime AWD vehicle will do the job. So that rules out 4WD cars that engage the rear wheels/front wheels during slippage... an improper engagement of the secondary wheels could be very bad at speed.

Reviewers love the Liberty as well, the Outback is overpriced for sure. The Mariner/Tribute/Escape don't have true AWD nor does the CR-V or RAV4. I personally hate the RAV4 after working on them...

Also, you realize that the cars you listed HAVE 4 cylinder engines that you claim you do not want. RAV4, CR-V, Outback. Optional V6 on the rest.

I'd go with a WRX Wagon for the extra power with the required gas mileage. You'll also be able to get an automatic. I've noticed that dealers are also very willing to negotiate on these since barely anyone wants them.

 

[Soccerman06]

The Mariner/Tribute/Escape don't have true AWD nor does the CR-V or RAV4. I personally hate the RAV4 after working on them...

But the thing is, the Jeeps also dont have true AWD, because they are in constant 2WD to raise mpg, then if you want to use AWD you have to switch into the setting (not hi or low) and it only swtiches into AWD is when the computer detects slipping.

Oh and dont post saying that the CR-V and Rav4 are 4 cylinders, I know.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06

The Mariner/Tribute/Escape don't have true AWD nor does the CR-V or RAV4. I personally hate the RAV4 after working on them...

But the thing is, the Jeeps also dont have true AWD, because they are in constant 2WD to raise mpg, then if you want to use AWD you have to switch into the setting (not hi or low) and it only swtiches into AWD is when the computer detects slipping.

Oh and dont post saying that the CR-V and Rav4 are 4 cylinders, I know.

Apparently people are confused as to what AWD versus 4WD means.

AWD powers a center differential which then passes the power to whichever axle it favors. It only has one speed, and it is always on.

4WD powers a central differential and it can power either all 4 wheel, or just the rear 2. Some 4WD systems are fulltime, meaning that they power all 4 wheels all the time, others are part time, meaning that the transfer case locks the front and rear speeds together. Also, 4WD systems have two speeds, HI and LO.

 

[Saga]

Ditch the liberty and go with a wrangler. For some reason every single time I see a CR-V on the road I end up going around it since it never seems to be able to do the speed limit.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06

Your user name is Soccermom06...see if you can pick up a Ford Excursion. it'll be fitting. It also has a "decent" V-10 or so.

So funny I forgot to laugh. You should consider a career as a comedian.

Actually that was quite hilarious and sadly SO true of America....