Good 4X4S In The Snow

[yobanfa]

hi, im looking to find out what 4x4 is good for driving in the snow and if possible one that isn't in four wheel drive all the time.

[Zacs-Master]

Try to look for one which doesn't have wide tyres (like A BMW X5). I used to have a Honda cRV which only went into 4 wheel drive when the front wheels start slipping. Very reliable car. I've heard that the little Suzuki Jimneys are very good.

[bamberger]

The Jimny is 3 door only and has tiny boot space -you wouldn't want to travel very far. Apparently a 2wd with winter tyres outplays a 4wd without-if you've got a 2wd cheaper to get winter tyres than another motor.

[jake-the-peg]

//The Jimny is 3 door only and has tiny boot space -you wouldn't want to travel very far. Apparently a 2wd with winter tyres outplays a 4wd without-if you've got a 2wd cheaper to get winter tyres than another motor. //

That I seriously doubt!

Would love to see a reference to that!

Autoexpress did some interesting tests on winter tyres they're definately better driving on snow, very marginal in the wet and perform poorer in the dry

So all in all I'd say best avoided unless you spend a lot of time driving on the snow

As for your original question - beware 4x4s are often a lot heavier that means that they have a lot more momentum and can be harder to stop in the snow but they will get you moving in the snow when wheels are just slipping in 2WD cars

You really have to understand this - many people don't which is why you see 4x4s in the ditch so often when the snow starts

There are lots of different 4x4s these days so it would help to know what sort of size car you want.

Fiat Panda 4x4s have an amazing reputation for getting places you wouldn't believe if you're after a smaller car

The Dacia Duster is a bit bigger and very good value for money

[bamberger]

A bit of googling

http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/anything-goes/myth-about-four-wheel-lateral-drive

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=1&t=903459&d=12085.37263&nmt=