4x4 4runner vs. fwd crossover suvs in snow

[lmtdgov]

Here is the situation. The wife and I are moving to the north east for a few years and need to get a new car. We're not getting rid of the 4runner and I'd like the 2nd car to be something that gets a little better mpgs, but still does well in the snow. When I say snow, I mean just the snow that sticks around the city and not driving around the mountains or any off roading(we have the 4runner for that). So my question is, how well does the front wheel drive escape or highlander (any other suggestions?) stack up in the snow and ice against the 4runner we have? I'm thinking that with good tires they'd do well and I'd rather her be in a car that she doesn't have to think about switching in and out of 4x4.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[JohnsD90]

Here is the situation. The wife and I are moving to the north east for a few years and need to get a new car. We're not getting rid of the 4runner and I'd like the 2nd car to be something that gets a little better mpgs, but still does well in the snow. When I say snow, I mean just the snow that sticks around the city and not driving around the mountains or any off roading(we have the 4runner for that). So my question is, how well does the front wheel drive escape or highlander (any other suggestions?) stack up in the snow and ice against the 4runner we have? I'm thinking that with good tires they'd do well and I'd rather her be in a car that she doesn't have to think about switching in and out of 4x4.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

IMO i would get a tdi golf or jetta wagon so mpg's are high, and then i would throw some good snow or All terrian tire on it, and that would get you threw a good amount, but some people on here dont like diesel's or VW.

 

[lmtdgov]

IMO i would get a tdi golf or jetta wagon so mpg's are high, and then i would throw some good snow or All terrian tire on it, and that would get you threw a good amount, but some people on here dont like diesel's or VW.

Haven't considered that option, but I like it. Problem is I'm looking for something the life will like and she prefers to ride a little higher in her daily driver. If we decide to just have her drive the 4runner that I may consider the diesel vw's if I can find one for a decent price.

Thanks.

 

[nor cal boy]

subaru outback or impreza are the only two options that fit your criteris in my opinion

27 mpg highway and awd

 

[reefer#2]

subaru outback or impreza are the only two options that fit your criteris in my opinion

27 mpg highway and awd

+1

 

[brian2sun]

+2 on the Soobs, a lot of people in the mountains where I live have Outbacks and Imprezas and they do good even on curvy steep mountain roads in up to about 6-8" of snow. On flat, city snow no question.

 

[Tomas8188]

I 3rd the Outback. Maybe even a forester. About 24-25 mpg. My buddy has one and it does great in the snow.

 

[lmtdgov]

I'm with everyone on the subarus, but I already have the 4runner and I'm looking for a car my wife would like. Unfortunately she is not a fan of the outback, impretza, or forester.

I guess a better question would just be how well do these front wheel drive crossover suv type vehicles do in the snow back east? With good tires are they good enough to get you around on all but the worst of days or is something like the awd subaru or something else with 4x4 necessary?

 

[steezemcqueen]

I'm with everyone on the subarus, but I already have the 4runner and I'm looking for a car my wife would like. Unfortunately she is not a fan of the outback, impretza, or forester.

I guess a better question would just be how well do these front wheel drive crossover suv type vehicles do in the snow back east? With good tires are they good enough to get you around on all but the worst of days or is something like the awd subaru or something else with 4x4 necessary?

Where back east are you moving?

If it's vermont, new hampshire, or maine...you are going to want something with good ground clearence and AWD. I would go with a forester IMO. couple friends back home have them and they do really well and get pretty good mpg's

I would say it's that or share the 4runner when the weather gets bad

 

[brian2sun]

I think some Audi models are sweet and they're AWD. Front wheel drive is better than rear wheel drive (if the engine is in the front), but AWD is better.

 

[ecrew16]

Look into the Audi Quattros, I work for Audi. Love them

 

[Scoobs]

OK here's an answer to your question. They handle ok, but not as well as a full time AWD like V8 4Runner or a part time AWD like a V6 4Runner set on 4WD Hi. I have owned a Honda Pilot in the past, and also own a V6 Rav4 AWD and an AWD Matrix. When the 4Runner hits a low traction situation it continues to drive straight ahead with no side to side movement. It is very sure-footed. In any of the part time AWD vehicles like the Pilot, RAV4 or Matrix you can feel the rear end receiving power when the AWD kicks in, and depending on how fast you are going, and how much additional traction is required, the vehicle will pull to one side when the AWD first kicks in. If you are used to it it's no big deal, but it is disconcerting the first time it happens, particularly if you are on ice. In my RAV4 especially the pull to the side is much more noticeable as the engine is distributing 268 HP among the wheels in a very light vehicle. You have to be very judicious with the throttle in a V6 RAV4 under low traction situations as a heavy throttle in a V6 RAV is best described as " taking off on a missile with a missing stabilizer fin ".

In summation I have never been stuck while driving in a part time AWD vehicle, and in fact my Honda Pilot and RAV 4 have driven through some ridiculous snow conditions with no problems, but I much prefer driving a full-time AWD vehicle as they will track much better when snow and ice are on the road.

 

[JohnsD90]

My buddies got a Forester, he gets around 20mpg, which is the exact same as i get. That one doesn't seem helpful, when you are trying to conserve money.

 

[Qyota]

Any FWD sedan with quality snow tires will get you where you want to go in the city.

 

[Beagle(4)Runner]

I live in rural NW PA, the worst Feb ever this year, every weekend 15+ inches of snow, my wife drives a VW Passat Wagon w/ 4 motion (VW all wheel drive). She has never had a problem and we run all seasons year round. If you had snow tires on it, it would go anywhere except for the ground clearance. 23MPG around home, 27mpg on the highway. 1.8T 4 cyl

I would vote for the VW, like the looks better than the URABUS

 

[lmtdgov]

Any FWD sedan with quality snow tires will get you where you want to go in the city.

That's what I needed to know, thanks!

Thanks for all the other suggestions as well.

 

[ladywolf]

GMC acadia's you can get in all wheel drive, same with the ford edge's. and they average around 26mpg.

 

[Muti007]

There are tons of great options out there for you and FWD is great in the snow for 99% of the people that see maybe a few inches at a time, and not regularly. The Scoobies are good suggestions, but Id also consider fwd Muranos, Rav 4s, CRVs etc. All great vehicles, comfortable, reliable and in fwd will still do just fine in the conditions you describe.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Lots of good options out there... You casually mentioned good tires. IMHO I'd almost rather drive a fwd RAV4 with 4 premium winter tires than a AWD RAV4 with OE all-seasons for the driving you described.

True winter tires are absolutely amazing! The will 'glue down' and stabilize almost any vehicle. Ultimate traction is good too but it's the predictability of handling that makes them so special (and probably what you seek for the spouse).

I am not suggesting you forgo AWD if that's what you want. I am suggesting don't skimp, get a set of premium, big-buck, winter tires and build that into the 'plan' for the cost of the new vehicle. If you buy them in the 60days there's lots of good end-of-season deals too.

(I agree with others about the Torsen equipped 4Runners too, they are tough to beat.)

Moving to General for a while. You'll get more input

 

[philsey]

I'll put my .02 in for either a Pilot or CRV. These are both FWD with technology that brings on 4WD with any FWD slippage. It's seamless.

My wife had an '06 CRV and I just bought her a '10 CRV. Bulletproof. She loves it. Ground clearance is enough such that I'd not want her driving if she needed more.

We had an 8" snowfall overnight this past winter. The next morning I took her car out with the intention of trying it out. Unplowed alleys and parking lots, etc. - honestly I could not get it stuck. I was very impressed, OEM tires too.

My wife turned her nose up at a Subie. :~)

EDIT: If we had more snow, the only thing I'd do differently for her (as CJ3 said) would be to get 4 Blizzaks/Hakkas, etc. on dedicated wheels. I used to drive a SAAB this way, and the winter performance was great.