120 mile commute on snowy roads

[Edubsam]

So my GF got a job about 70 miles away as a highschool teacher (yay!) and she is in need of a new vehicle. As a concerned boyfriend, I'm telling her she needs something that is good in the snow. The job is in Dayton, which is in the foothills of the mountains, so she needs something that is 4 wheel drive, preferably not full time. The commute is about 60 miles each way, so good gas mileage is a necessity as well.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a vehicle with selectable 4x4 (or fads in snow and ice) that gets 25-30 mpg?

 

[shawnstcyr]

So my GF got a job about 70 miles away as a highschool teacher (yay!) and she is in need of a new vehicle. As a concerned boyfriend, I'm telling her she needs something that is good in the snow. The job is in Dayton, which is in the foothills of the mountains, so she needs something that is 4 wheel drive, preferably not full time. The commute is about 60 miles each way, so good gas mileage is a necessity as well.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a vehicle with selectable 4x4 (or fads in snow and ice) that gets 25-30 mpg?

Hyundai Santa Fe or Tuscon. They have a "Smart" 4x4 system that kicks in when the wheels slip. My dad loves his, and I have never had any issues with the Hyundais I have owned. They are extremely relibiable and have one of the best warranties out there.

 

[Sherwood4Runner]

Out here in Oregon Subaru's are EXTREMELY popular as mountain cars because...well they do really well in the snow and are reliable. It has AWD which is slightly different than 4wd. The Subarus have a center differential so that power applied to the tires can shift from front axel to rear axel (and vise versa) if a wheel starts to slip. Plus it can be used on any road conditions, not just slick conditions like most 4x4 systems. Not to mention they get better gas milage than an SUV.

If you are looking for something a little more classy get an Audi with Quattro AWD. Subaru AWD and Audi Quattro AWD are rivaled as the top AWD systems in the world. check out some youtube videos of those cars preforming in the snow. Its amazing. I was pulled between a 4runner, Subaru Outback or Impreza, and an Audi s4 when I bought my 4runner last year. Either way you can't go wrong. Good luck!

 

[ridefast]

at least buy something with Japanese engineering like a subaru, my last subaru lasted 375k miles and it was bad ass in the snow. Make sure any pack an emergency pack with tow strap in the back!

 

[tranny Frank]

Audi, or Subi,

Yep Fuji Heavy Industry Rigs are not to bad, just have to be sure you never over heat it,

Audi is C0000L, But maybee more $$$ ,

 

[Rix]

Awd Rav4 (locking center diff) and good snow tires maybe.
Not a truck based 4wd, but same principles.

 

[Edubsam]

I know all about subarus. That's obviously an option, but I was looking for alternatives as well. The only problem with AWD is that it hurts MPG. I have a 98 forester that only gets about 21. I suppose the newer ones would be better though...

 

[turbodudey2]

I know all about subarus. That's obviously an option, but I was looking for alternatives as well. The only problem with AWD is that it hurts MPG. I have a 98 forester that only gets about 21. I suppose the newer ones would be better though...

I have a '01 Audi A4 Avant Quattro, and it gets 30 mpg highway and about 24 mpg city. It's been a pretty good car. Does amazing in the snow. When I lived in CO it was about 65 miles to the closest grocery store, and I would make the trip faster in the winter on snow packed roads than in the summer on dry. (I even pulled 4x4 jeeps out a snowbank a time or two)

 

[Outdoorlogic]

Mini Cooper

 

[JohnsD90]

Suzuki Samurai, you wont find much else in the this country with a transfer case that gets 25+mpg, atleast that isnt a Duracrap, Powerstroker, or a Cummins, and even so you would be hard pressed to get 25+ often.

 

[bama16]

i just traded in an 08 legacy gt..in intelligent on the highway i got ~33mpg...around town i romp on it...it's saw redline often...and i still got 21mpg.

 

[ridefast]

I was thinking about it and those roads will be plowed when they are snowed on. She will be fine in a fwd car like a corolla or civic with good winter tires.

 

[Edubsam]

I know they will be plowed, but I have driven up there lots to snowboard in the winters, and if it only snows a bit, they dont plow and it turns into compact ice. No bueno.