Quote:
Originally Posted by strat61caster
I know nothing about snow but worth pointing out that 4x4 is a bit overhyped by the average consumer, I'd take 2WD and with the savings get a set of winter tires given the scenario. As the old saying goes: you can tell which cars have AWD, they're the ones further off the road.
Random inflammatory links:
http://jalopnik.com/lets-settle-the-...bat-1462180324
And I second the Nissan, Pathfinder is based off the Hardbody/Frontier architecture, depending on how thrifty you want to be you could have two Pathfinders in your budget based on my local prices. The 4-banger 2WD MT should be able to net you low 20's mpg if you've got a convenient commute. |
After driving through 40 Canadian winters in over a 100 types of vehicles I know a pile about driving in the snow!
Yes, two wheel drive with snows beat all wheel on summer tires, to think any different is ridicules.
But...awd with snow tires will kick the crap out of 2wd with the same tires. This becomes even more dramatic as the snow gets deeper.
The awd on snows also has the advantage over 2wd on patchy snow and ice as there is a larger chance of at least one wheel grabbing some traction.
Now, on ice or small amounts of snow the awd loses some of it's advantage but is still better then 2wd.
Braking on ice negates the awd drive's advantages completely of course as the drive system is not engaged.
It is the ice and small amounts of slick snow that put all those 4wds in the ditch for the simple reason that 2wd drivers know they are at a disadvantage and slow down but awd drivers (not the vehicles) seem to think they are omnipotent in bad weather and don't drive how they should.