4Runner in 2WD versus FWD car, big deal?

[condor11]

4Runner in 2WD versus FWD sedan, big deal?

Hi folks,

Just registered as I am considering of getting 4Runner. Unfortunately with my budget I am leading towards 2WD system 2015 model.

My question is perhaps a bit unusual but I need your help.
My wife will also be driving it. We have a small kid. We live in Canada where we get quite a lot of snow and ice on the roads in winter.
I will get snow tires for it.
But still, here's the issue:

Both wife and myself are used to only driving front-wheel drive cars. In the snow. How big of a difference would 2WD rear-wheel drive 4-Runner will be in the snow, with snow tires? I am particularly concerned about skidding and fishtailing, which doesn't happen in FWD cars. On older cars with no stability control I realize it was an issue. How is it today, with the VSC and other systems on 4Runner?

Last thing I want is for my wife in the first winter to say that the 4Runner bought turns out to be more accident-prone than our FWD sedans

Thanks!

 

[DeathCougar]

Hi folks,

Just registered as I am considering of getting 4Runner. Unfortunately with my budget I am leading towards 2WD system 2015 model.

My question is perhaps a bit unusual but I need your help.
My wife will also be driving it. We have a small kid. We live in Canada where we get quite a lot of snow and ice on the roads in winter.
I will get snow tires for it.
But still, here's the issue:

Both wife and myself are used to only driving front-wheel drive cars. In the snow. How big of a difference would 2WD rear-wheel drive 4-Runner will be in the snow, with snow tires? I am particularly concerned about skidding and fishtailing, which doesn't happen in FWD cars. On older cars with no stability control I realize it was an issue. How is it today, with the VSC and other systems on 4Runner?

Last thing I want is for my wife in the first winter to say that the 4Runner bought turns out to be more accident-prone than our FWD sedans

Thanks!

If you can't afford a 4WD model, why not step back a few years and get a used 4WD model for the same price? 2WD in ice and snow seems like a fantastically bad idea.

 

[NoDak]

here is the order of scary to bleh for your criteria (snow not off roading)

1. rwd
2. fwd
3. awd/4wd

• 4wd is actually a hybrid awd, is not a true 4wd since its based on either a rwd/fwd platform with computers simulating a 4wd
• this will encompass bmw x-drive, audi haldex systems, merc's 4-matics, lexus systems outside the GX/LX series

4. 4wd part time
5. 4wd full time/specific awd systems

• Subaru's, audi Quattro (not the haldex systems)

if you have never driven a rwd in the snow season its not even close to the fwd, awd or part time 4wd or full time 4wd systems. throw everything out the window you have know about those systems in driving a rwd in snow.

I had the learn a lot about driving in rwd sedans up here in the late 80's and early 90's in north Dakota winters. once you know the limitations of rwd its not that hard, but then again I started with rwd and moved to fwd/4wd from that so it was easier for me.

knowing now I would never get a rwd up here in ND unless its a summer only car, just way to much hassle. even fwd was a hassle but not as much as a rwd.

even my daughter said screw it after just 6 months in a fwd during winter and took a $2k loss on trade in to get a rav4 (awd)

edit : forgot to add, my son is on his 3rd fwd car and he doesn't seem to mind, but then again, if its anything even remotely crappy out, he just stays in (high school now college).

edit 2 : again I do see a lot of rwd cars around, but the older folks (that can afford it) tend to have 4wd trucks for winters and swap out accordingly due to conditions, ie 1 has a corolla, but a 1/2 ton chevy 4wd, 1 has a vette and Porsche but has a crappy 4wd truck for winters.

 

[condor11]

Thanks guys!

Here's my clarification. I am considering getting 4Runner 2015 which does not come with Full time 4WD. So is this equivalent to being 2WD for most of the driving?
I realize you can switch to 4WD High but as I understand it this is only for a short distance when the road is completely covered in snow. Driving in winter in this mode on
city paved roads, can destroy the drivetrain, right?

In my case we'd be driving on road that has sections with ice-snow and sections with dry pavement.

As for getting used one, I've considered it, but up here in Canada 4Runner is not very common and very few exist on the used market. And those that are for sale I'd be careful buying since there may be a good reason a person wants to get rid of it. Plus the used ones hold their value well.

Another question, does 4Runner's stability control system help with snow driving to prevent fishtailing, when in 2WD? Or not much?

 

[Jernik]

On edit, just read your latest response, and it pretty much nullifies my response. LOL.

Second edit, you are correct. Shifting to 4HI is best for situations where the road surface has some slip so the drive train won't bind up. Generally, at least my experience with Jeeps, has been that short distances on dry are OK as long as you go straight and don't make any turns. And by short distances, I mean if you don't see more snow/ice ahead, kick it back into 2wd. Other opinions may vary on that, but I never pushed my luck on that. And you definitely don't want to try turning corners in 4HI on dry or even just wet pavement.

No "Limited" 4Runners up there? I'll probably catch flak for this, but you may want to look at other SUV's that offer a full time (or automatic) AWD system that doesn't require manually engaging/disengaging the TC for the wife. That's one aspect I liked about our old Grand Cherokee, it had the quadradrive II system in it - the wife never had to worry about engaging the 4wd system, and I didn't have to worry about her forgetting to disengage it and tearing something up. That's the only downside to our 4R Trail. If we ever get snow/ice down here, I hope she remembers how to use the TC properly!

 

[m85476585]

4WD high on the models with a part time system is not ideal. In this configuration the center is locked. A friend has a part time Tacoma. On snow it tends to understeer excessively (go in a straight line when you want to turn), and even in snowy parking lots it's difficult to park in 4WD because the snow tires have a lot of grip!

I have a 4th gen, which has a full time system with the option to lock it. I tried to push the limits of both locked and unlocked in a snowy parking lot, and I definitely prefer unlocked. Steering is more predictable, and it's easier to handle.

VSC will help some, but it's not perfect. I haven't driven a 4runner in 2WD mode in the snow in a long time, so I can't remember exactly how it handles.

You might consider a 4th gen (2003-2009). They all have VSC, and they have either a multi-mode system (2WD, 4Hi unlocked, 4Hi locked, 4Low unlocked, 4Low locked) or a full time system (the same, but no 2WD option). Side airbags were an option, but the later years had them standard. The center differential is Torsen limited slip when it's unlocked, so it's basically an Audi Quattro drivetrain! The 5th gen (current) Limited has the same full time system, but it's expensive.

 

[91'4bee]

I agree with the fact that if you leave it in 4HI and make a turn on dry pavement your gonna strain/break something. I learned that the hard way and the side the axle snapped on has never been the same (keeps on having issues...). If you feel that your forgetful and might not think about turning it off in dry areas (or sometimes they take a bit to disengage) then probably not a good idea for a part time system. I am not sure about the price difference for the new ones (part time VS. full time) but I would defiantly get a full time 4wd vehicle. I guess it doesn't have to be a 4runner if its not in the budget :brick:

 

[mile9c1]

I drive my 4x4 Silverado in rwd 99.9% of the time. With all seasons in Michigan and no fancy traction controls. IMHO you put good snow tires on a 2wd 4runner and you'll be passing people left and right. That said... If you can afford a new 2wd but not a new 4x4 then are you sure you can afford the 2wd? Its only $1,800 different here in the USA.

 

[NoDak]

I drive my 4x4 Silverado in rwd 99.9% of the time. With all seasons in Michigan and no fancy traction controls. IMHO you put good snow tires on a 2wd 4runner and you'll be passing people left and right. That said... If you can afford a new 2wd but not a new 4x4 then are you sure you can afford the 2wd? Its only $1,800 different here in the USA.

in Canada, the logic doesn't mirror usa pricing. $1800 in us dollars jumps about 4-5k Canadian dollars due to the why the whole system prices vehicles (even within a single model) and required fee's/addons. and it varies by providence.

 

[onnianfage]

I'll probably catch flak for this, but you may want to look at other SUV's that offer a full time

 

[mxer]

To be blunt, if you can barely afford a 2wd model, maybe buying a brand spanking new 4runner isn't for you.

 

[mattr]

Toyota doesn't offer a RWD 4Runner in Canada, so I assume the OP is talking about the part time 4wd on the SR5, unless you were looking at importing a RWD but with the dollar the way it is it wouldn't save you much if any money to do that.

I honestly don't think this is a deal breaker at all. With a good set of winter tires and the ability to shift into 4wd when you need it you would be fine. The majority of trucks you see on the road here at P/T 4WD and they are certainly not struggling through winter.

 

[Thai]

If you're not off-roading nor towing, then have you considered a crossover SUV?

 

[NoDak]

If you're not off-roading nor towing, then have you considered a crossover SUV?

if this is going to be a pavement princess, get a highlander, its the same vehicle without the BoF. or get an outback.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Yup I have to concur. Highlander, RAV-4, even the new Nissan Pathfinder, etc, all would likely be better choices than a 4runner for what you're planning.

The 4runner is a good vehicle but if you don't intend to go off road, pull a trailer or otherwise use a vehicle in a manner that would give an advantage if in BoF configuration, there are probably better choices out there. There's a reason that unibody crossovers outsell BoF SUVs by a pretty large margin, for most people they just make more sense.

 

[Thai]

Yup I have to concur. Highlander, RAV-4, even the new Nissan Pathfinder, etc, all would likely be better choices than a 4runner for what you're planning.

Steer clear of Pathfinder or Infiniti JX/QX...bad CVT transmission!!!

 

[NoDak]

few main reasons I have a 4runner :

1. same setup as my 2010 Subaru legacy 3.6 (awd) vs FT 4WD LE
2. I go somewhat very mild off road (fishing spots)

I really got spoiled with my legacy and the ability to "on demand" lock the center diff and turn off traction control/vsc

the 2014 LE lets me do the same thing as the setup in the legacy, just have to push that stupid button for 5 secs instead of just pushing a button as needed on the legacy.

3. I could care less about the mpg, the noise, rough ride, etc. I love my 4runner regardless of what others see as faults outside the 4runner cool aid water cooler group