4Runner 4WD vs. Subaru Outback

[gosnowtahoe]

If you are trying to get out of a parking lot with 2' of snow in the 4R is better, but on the road, where there's rarely more than 6-8" of snow the Subaru is better by far... and Audi is better than Subaru. I've lived at 7200' in Tahoe for 17 years, have a season pass at Mt Rose. The Rose summit is the highest ( and curviest) pass in Tahoe. All that said, tires are crucial too. I've seen 4r's sliding down the road in my neighborhood. Bay Area tourists come up here with 4wd Toyota's and summer tires and they are just accidents waiting (and sliding) to happen.

I was debating with a friend that in snow and ice conditions the 4Runner is simply superior to the AWD Outback. He disagrees....any one out there agree with me.............or him? Thanks.

 

[gosnowtahoe]

Audi 5000 vs everything else in snow...

audi quattro 2.3 20V WANTED - YouTube

Audi 2.3 quattro snow rally ( Ervins Erglis) (HD Video) - YouTube

:guitar2:

If you are trying to get out of a parking lot with 2' of snow in the 4R is better, but on the road, where there's rarely more than 6-8" of snow the Subaru is better by far... and Audi is better than Subaru. I've lived at 7200' in Tahoe for 17 years, have a season pass at Mt Rose. The Rose summit is the highest ( and curviest) pass in Tahoe. All that said, tires are crucial too. I've seen 4r's sliding down the road in my neighborhood. Bay Area tourists come up here with 4wd Toyota's and summer tires and they are just accidents waiting (and sliding) to happen.

 

[eddiebx]

testing

 

[Donoharm]

Wow this is a 3 year running thread!!!

6 year thread, actually. This is hugely helpful for me as I decide between a 3rd gen 4Runner vs a 2005-2009 outback....

 

[MrWaco]

And still going. I'm currently driving a 2WD 04, because that's what I found when I went shopping for reliable transportation under $10k. I didn't like the fact that it was 2WD, but it hasn't been a problem so far in TX. I would like something with 4WD or AWD that can go places like Big Bend or just down a muddy road with more confidence. 6 months from now, I'll have my wife's vehicle paid off and I can start thinking seriously about my next vehicle. I've liked this 4Runner and I'm very tempted to just buy a new(er) one. My only complaints have been the gas mileage and it's on-road handling. Neither of those are huge problems because my daily commute is only 15 miles round trip and central TX isn't sports car heaven. Around town, it's actually kinda fun to drive, especially in places where other vehicles are slowing down to avoid dragging their bumpers. The 3.6R Outback seems comparable for interior space and power and it's almost as expensive as a basic 4WD SR5. It's more efficient and should corner better, when I'm driving on windy roads in the hill country. I like the fact that it's built in the US. We don't get a lot of rain here, but when we do, it tends to rain hard and overwhelm the storm drainage systems. That's when AWD is noticeable better than my 2WD that activates its traction control a lot.

 

[snowdave]

Had a Subaru WRX new in 2002. It was absolutely unstoppable on roads. The light and low cg, along with power and a little knowledge of winter driving was a great combination.

When in Colorado I couuld take it up the mountains in 5th gear at 80 with no downshifting. That's just the engine though. There was once in Ohio I was driving home and was the only one left on the road. I had to pass 20 cars that had slid off the road. It's a road car.

For deep stuff I'll take my 4Runner, but I definitely won't be driving the speeds I could in the WRX. Two totally different situations.

Right on. Safety first is the key thing. I'd be willing to push a Subaru a bit more in the snow, but my 4Runner does just fine if I'm not driving it like an a-hole in the snow.

 

[RDOOGZ89]

I can see maybe the possibility of comparing the capabilities of the highest model out with the 3.6l but the little 4 banger they have in the base models is just anemic.

I was driving my MIL's 2.5l recently out in the hills of SLO County CA and it really was pathetic making it up some of the steeper grades.

 

[jreask]

I can see maybe the possibility of comparing the capabilities of the highest model out with the 3.6l but the little 4 banger they have in the base models is just anemic.

I was driving my MIL's 2.5l recently out in the hills of SLO County CA and it really was pathetic making it up some of the steeper grades.

I’ve got a 2019 OB Touring with the 4 cylinder and it’s definitely not a powerhouse but I wouldn’t call it anemic. And the 30 + MPG makes up for the power. Now this thread is 12 years old.

 

[Blue109]

Cant stop....wont stop....the zombie thread...why not both?

Im on some scoob forums and the new ones seem to be having a boatload of issues. Log in at any given moment and the entire first page is about problems with CVT/eyesight/infotainment/whatever. The whole reason I bought my 5th gen is because its one of the few remaining vehicles without nanny systems. Ill be looking elsewhere when my OB dies.