Is a Car or SUV more suitable for "ski-trip" driving?

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RLiu818

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I am looking to get a new vehicle and one of the main uses for it during the winter months is that I will use it to go on ski-trips. I am in Southern California so i would be driving the vehicle to resorts and the road conditions can be wet, icy, or snowy. There won't be any true off-road driving, and here in california if the roads get too bad they won't even be open.

I have thought about this and I was wondering if an SUV or a Car would be more suitable for winter driving? I figure an SUV with 4-wheel drive may help but then I started thinking that an SUV is mainly used for off-roading and in my case it wouldnt help me. So would a car w/ chains be better since it can handle better and less risk of roll-over?

What do you guys think? Feel free to share your opinions or suggestions.

Thanks in advance.
 
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RLiu818 said:
I am looking to get a new vehicle and one of the main uses for it during the winter months is that I will use it to go on ski-trips. I am in Southern California so i would be driving the vehicle to resorts and the road conditions can be wet, icy, or snowy. There won't be any true off-road driving, and here in california if the roads get too bad they won't even be open.

I have thought about this and I was wondering if an SUV or a Car would be more suitable for winter driving? I figure an SUV with 4-wheel drive may help but then I started thinking that an SUV is mainly used for off-roading and in my case it wouldnt help me. So would a car w/ chains be better since it can handle better and less risk of roll-over?

What do you guys think? Feel free to share your opinions or suggestions.

Thanks in advance.
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It can really depend on the car versus SUV you're comparing. I've driven several front-wheel drive cars at ski resorts around the country and they have generally done fine. If we're driving out own car, then I also keep chains with me just in case -- but never had to use them.

I've also driven a 4WD van and not been happy with the performance. I have not driven an AWD car in those conditions so I can't comment on their performance.

Last February, we got a wet, slushy snow here (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2556&highlight=snow) and I've never driven an vehicle that felt as solid as the 4Runner did in those conditions. And that's with the stock Dunlops!

Also remember that the ski resorts usually do a decent job of plowing the roads nearby -- they want to make it easy for you to get there to spend your money with them.

One thing to keep in mind (I was in San Diego two weeks ago) is the gas prices. The SUV will get worse mileage than a front-wheel drive car. But it shouldn't be much worse than an AWD car. When you're comparing, be sure to check whether a vehicle requires premium fuel or not (4Runners do not). That can save you $0.20/gallon.
 
Re: Re: Is a Car or SUV more suitable for "ski-trip" driving?

jharris2 said:
It can really depend on the car versus SUV you're comparing.
Click to expand...

very true.

if you were talking strictly about capability on wet/icy/snowy roads, you would probably want to look for an all-wheel drive vehicle that has a system such as vehicle skid control. this system would assist in keeping the vehicle on the road if you happened to lose control. another useful option would be traction control, so that you don't needlessly spin the tires. the 4runner has both systems, but so do many other vehicles including non-suvs.

if i where you, i would look to some type of station wagon (nice for loading equipment) that is all-wheel-drive and has the aforemention traction systems. like you said, the roads are ususally cleared, so ground clearance is not an issue.
 
SUV...

SUV's all the way for the last 12 years on ski trips. Aside from the driving (which is better with excellent handling of any road conditions) you aren't disappointed by not being able to arrive at your destination. Also much more convenient for getting all the gear in and out.
 
Any SUV doesn't hold any natural advantage over an all-wheel drive sedan or station wagon. A non-SUV might actually work out better for the simple reason that they are shorter so you can reach a ski-box or roof rack a lot easier.

The really important element is the tires. I could put good snow tires on a Mustang and it would be a better snow vehicle than an all-wheel drive SUV with the wrong tires.

Something for you to consider - Subaru sells more vehicles (on a per capita basis) in snowy Vermont than any other state in the U.S.
 
try the AWD wagons or sedans

Skategoat read my mind about the roof rack. If you are planning on putting skis on top of the vehicle, remember you will have to climb on the step boards which are covered with ice after skiing to put the skis on top.

Subaru and the Inifinit G35 AWD are good choices for ski country. You will never encounter any deep snow on the roads (unless you get up at 2am, and even then it would be rare), and you will get better gas mileage. SUV's offer the distinct advantage of being heavier so they will naturally hold the road better in inclimate conditions, but with the AWD sedans these days and a couple of passengers, on snow packed roads, I'd say the odds would be even.

If you think you may take it out on the beach in the summer, or you want a daily driver for alll year use, try an AWD sedan or wagon. If you like the look of the SUV, and the extra $$ for gas doesn't bother you, go for the SUV.
 
Get a Subaru and call it a day.

If you live in CO, you'll see a boat load of Subaru's there for a reason. It works well in those conditions.

It works, drives like a sedan so you can't go wrong.

Good luck
 
Ski bums out here in the pacific northwest swear by Subaru's. One of the new turbo charged Outbacks would be my vote.
 
Shop the Audi Avant and VW Passat AWD wagons too. I don't know about you, but every time I hear one of those ratty 4cyl Subie engines, I want to puke! I purchased new a '95 Audi quattro that was parked right next to a Subaru Legacy in the showroom. It was only 1500 dollars more-an absolute no brainer.
Audi is still running strong...no rust whatsoever, nothing ever wrong but a rear wheel bearing and idle control module. Still on original exhaust. 130K of non-highway salty crappy winter weather miles.
 
'99 Audi A6 Quattro owner until I traded it in for my 4Runner. That car was in the shop more than on my driveway. At 3 years old, I had to have the driver's door repainted due to rust. I must've got a lemon, I guess.
 
I wouldn't have any problems with a Subaru. I live in the foothills north east of Sacramento and travel to Reno and SOuth Lake Tahoe on Hwy 80 and 50 enough to see what snow is. The work well and seems like every one has one. Don't see too many Subbie dealers in Southern Cal.

On the other hand I prefer an SUV. Higher and better clearance, better view of the road, and larger carrying capacity. With the 4runner's VSC, Traction control, all wheel drive with Torsen diff, locking diffs, EBS, I feel much more confident over a car.

The above is correct, you must have good snow rated tires. What the above has not mentioned is that while the ski parks tend to keep their roads plowed, the state highways must rely on the CalTrans plows and snow can fall so fast that you'll have severla inches on the road shortly after a plow went through and it would be hours before a the plow makes it back. Snow drifts can build very quickly so I prefer an SUV to overcome them.
 
The stock Bridgesonte Duehler HT's that came on mine are not. If the model you are looking at has larger rims, they may come with different tires.

Several threads here on good snow tire options - Michilen LTX MS, Toyo Open Country AT, Bridgestone Duehler Revo AT, etc...

Also please please bear in mind that the traction control, locking differential, and 4wd of the 4Runner or slick AWD of the Subaru will help you get traction and go in the snow, but it won't help you stop! Driving over the passes here during ski season is scarry as hell, not because of the snow, but because of the folks going 60 miles an hour in their Ford Exploder!
 
Last Year:

Took my Runner to Whistler...Awesome.

Several trips to Steven's and Snoqualmie Pass...Great control. I still had the stock tires.

When it snowed in the lowlands, I remember seeing 2 cars struggling to make it up my hill (a Focus and some SUV-don't remember which) and I was a bit worried. I was actually turning out onto the hill, which is the worst thing to do. NO slipping. I popped into my local church parking lot because I saw a Jeep doing donuts and thought I would join him. Not knowing how to disengage AWD at the time, I just drove in circles. Must have looked like a moron, but I could still slide when I hit the brakes.

Long story short: SUV
 
Cleric said:
Not knowing how to disengage AWD at the time, I just drove in circles.
Click to expand...

Cleric- does this mean that you found a way to disengage AWD (other than locking the center diff)? i have tried to find a way disable the traction control, but no such luck - annoying.
 
gonzo said:
Cleric- does this mean that you found a way to disengage AWD (other than locking the center diff)? i have tried to find a way disable the traction control, but no such luck - annoying.
Click to expand...

No. I wish. I really meant locking the center diff. That also turns off traction control, right? Or am I missing something?
 
Locking the center turns off the VSC (Vehicle Skid Control). Not sure if you'd want to disable the Traction Control as that is your "computerized" differential locker mechanism.
 
Locking the center diff does turn off VSC and it is the only way to do so w/out getting funky and pulling fuses.

If you only intend to horse around, locking the center diff shouldn't hurt IMHO. I've noticed the VSC system in the 4Runner is pretty aggressive in keeping the vehicle under control.

When VSC was on, the 4Runner did generally what I wanted it to do. When it was off, it did what I told it to do. I'd encourage any of you to play with it if you haven't already - there's a HUGE difference.

To the original question, really unless you plan to go somewhere where you need the extra ground clearance, or off-road capability I'd say you're better off with a Subaru (disclosure: I worked as a temp at SIA a couple of summers).

I love my 4Runner until I have to fill it up. 16-17MPG average isn't pretty. A Legacy can get twice that.
 
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