Better in Snow: 4Runner Limited vs any AWD (Highlander, Outback, etc.)

[LongBallLarry]

What are your thoughts and reasoning?

 

[scanny]

I'd say that Highlander should be the same as 4R in not too deep snow and will be worse than 4R Limited in deep snow because Highlander has lower clearance and doesn't have option to lock differentials.
In my opinion vehicles with 4WD on demand should be better than 4R in not too deep show because they have electronic systems which can distribute up to 100% of power to one wheel with traction. Not sure about Outlander and others, my experience with 2008 Ford Escape tells me that it does very well in show a little bit deeper than Escape's fog lights, but it doesn't like to back up in deep show, rear wheels doesn't seem to be engaged fast enough when shifter set in reverse.

 

[Snooperstyle]

What are your thoughts and reasoning?

Largely dependent on tires, and on the center diff. I must say that the Subaru Outback that I had years ago was fantastic in the snow Michelin Harmony tires. After that, I had a V8 Audi Allroad Quattro wagon with TORSEN center diff lock, and the Electronic front and rear Diff Locks. There were no lock buttons, the car just does it when needed. It was unstoppable in 12" of snow the one time I had it in the snow. I had no idea a car would even do what it did, especially with Cooper CS4 tires. Man, I miss that ride...but not the maintenance and cost!

 

[philsey]

I've yet to have my SR5 in snow. I will say that my wife's '10 CRV impressed me very much. Last winter, the morning after a 10" snowfall, I got curious and took it out to see how it did. Unplowed lots, uphill unplowed alleys, I tried to get it stuck and could not. I expected some FWD to AWD drama, and it was totally seamless. I don't drive her to work any more.

Very curious as to how my Dunlops do this winter.

 

[DennisW]

My 2010 Limited with OEM tires did much better in snow than I expected, and this was on icy crud with up to several inches of powder on top. I had a Jeep Commander with BF Goodrich AT's and Quadra Trac before and my 4Runner seemed to track much better, even around corners.

FWIW

Dennis.

 

[Jed]

In my opinion vehicles with 4WD on demand should be better than 4R in not too deep show because they have electronic systems which can distribute up to 100% of power to one wheel with traction.

That's actually a common myth when it comes to "on-demand" or AWD systems. They really can't send 100% of the power to one wheel with traction. Of all the systems out there, I think Subaru's is probably the best, but even it can't send all the power to a single wheel.

If you search YouTube, there are some really good comparison videos of the smaller SUVs (CR-V, Subaru, etc...) where they test the AWD systems on an elevated ramp system with rollers that can be locked/unlocked.

The 5th gen Limited has a 4wd system that is basically the same thing as the 4th gen 4Runners. The center diff is lockable to provide equal power split front and rear, while the side-to-side power distribution is handled by ATRAC. It's actually very capable in the snow and I'd say it's as good if not better than any of the AWD systems available today.

 

[Mike G.]

I have not tested my new SR5 yet, but my 2006 Outback with Geolander
AT-S tires was really impressive this past winter .

 

[Jed]

Yeah, Subaru really does have a good AWD system. But the problem with driving through snow is ground clearance. Once you're in deep enough to drag the belly, things can start toget tough. And whether the snow is light and fluffy or wet and heavy can also have an effect on driving through deep snow.

I was able to drive my 4Runner through 18" of snow during a big blizzard a few years ago. It was starting to struggle a bit at that depth, so I'm not sure it could have kept going if the snow had gotten deeper than that.