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Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather

Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




I have to ask. I have a Jeep enough said. I have been looking at Japanese models but they are AWD. I know the guys around here like to talk vehicles. I have to get back and forth to work sometimes night shift in any kind of bad weather. Too far to get rides if I’m scared. Suggestions?


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RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




I am on my second 4Runner. I sold my 2016 Trail to my stepson and bought a new 2023 TRD Off Road. It's a renamed Trail.
The more expensive Limited 4Runners are okay, but they are AWD with some additional features. I had an AWD 2001 Forester and a 2010 AWD Highlander and they do well in the snow (and sort of okay on the beach fwiw), but not nearly as well as my little 1986 Subaru GL wagon with dual-range part-time 4wd, or either of the 4Runners, also dual-range part-time 4wd.

Pickups are okay but tend to be light in the rear unless you load a pallet of bricks or something else heavy.


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Just an observation, it seems to me that about most of the SUVs are now AWD. I would imagine that, with the proper tires, they should do reasonably well in the snow until the snow got packed upon the underside of the vehicle. For a true 4 x 4, you may have to go the pickup route. I've had some older Wranglers and Cherokees and they were awesome in the snow.... not too sure about the newer ones. Honda Pilot, Bronco are now making off road models, just a thought.


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Rav4 AWD, Highlander AWD & Tundra 4WD. Good, better, best in that order. But tires are also very important as are driver skills.

Good vehicle + good tires + good skills = destination reached.


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




I don't have any experience with AWD vehicles, but from what I've read most are not "true" 4WD.

A second for the Toyota Tundra. I'm on my second one... and probably my last.

When it comes to this subject I guess I'm just traditional. If you're going to get a 4WD, then get a 4WD. If I were buying now it would be a 4WD Toyota 4-Runner or Tacoma. I wouldn't even look at the used market because, for what they're asking (for one that doesn't have 200,000 miles on it) you might as well buy new.

I wouldn't buy a 4WD vehicle without limited slip differential (or whatever fancy words they use to call it these days). IME it makes a world of difference when the going gets treacherous.




RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




I’m a Toyota fan. Tacomas, 4Runners, and a Tundra. I had to trade in my Tundra crew cab because my wife wouldn’t drive it “too big”. It made more sense to keep the wife than the truck. She wanted another 4Runner. 2024 models were getting scarce at the time. We ended up buying a 2025 Honda Pilot Trailsport with AWD. So far so good at 7k miles. Toyota has redesigned the 4Runner for 2025. As I expected no dealer has them local I can find. I’ll bet when they do get them they’ll have big dealer mark ups above MSRP. Just like the redesigned Broncos had. Plus I don’t trust redesigned models the first year or two. USA Flag


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




In 2023 the TRD Off Road and TRD Pro came with an electronic-locking rear differential among other useful traction features.


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Winter tires on any AWD vehicle will be more of an improvement than a "real" 4WD in snow. They will stop much better also, which is really what's needed.


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




2005 Toyota 4 runner limited 4 wd drive Limited V8 , like a sled in the snow ! Got 10 inches on Eastern Shore Monday !


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




4WD, I am going new Tacoma or 4Runner.

I am a Nissan person myself, but they no longer make the XTerra which I still own and have used all week in the 13 inches of snow we got on the Delmarva. I have owned 2 4WD Frontiers in the past but I did not find them to be as solid as an SUV in the snow.




RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Rav4 AWD,


Not sure of your budget (4 Runners are the bomb, but ridiculously overpriced in the secondary market), but Greg is spot on. One DIL is a nurse and pretty much is in a "gotta be there/can't call it in/ WFH it" role..her Rav is pushing on 200K, has never (knock wood) let her down. I'd put a Subie as a close second.

That and, good tires - just re shod our 4WD with Michelin Defenders...pricey, but amazing in the snow/rain and super quiet on road.


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




I love Michelin Defenders. The Michelin Crossclimate2's I put on my wife's Avalon are really good too.

I don't know anyone in Central or eastern VA who drives snow tires year round. Some years it doesn't even snow.

I knew a smart fellow in Richmond back in the early '70s. Really smart. He put four cheap snow tires on his used '62 Rambler station wagon when he left for his first year at Harvard. smiley He finished in 4 years, too.


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




For driving to work in variable conditions or bad weather awd is superior. And I drive a 4x4 truck.
Hit a icy spot, oil, wet leaves, awd will react fast and save your bacon. And can perform as well as 4wd on snowy roads.
Driving my 4x4 truck on clear roads I must be in 2wd. Hit black ice Ill never switch to 4wd as fast as a awd system.
Driving down steep dirt roads, icy roads
wearing chains, deep or wet sand, a low range real 4x4 rules.
Ive put chains on a awd suv and it pulled pretty good in deep snow.


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Rav4 AWD, [/QUOTE

OB: I had the second edition of the RAV4 and loved it. The smaller one, but not as small as the "roller skate" first edition. Could kick myself for selling it. It would go anywhere. Ya live and learn.





RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




I have to ask. I have a Jeep enough said. I have been looking at Japanese models but they are AWD. I know the guys around here like to talk vehicles. I have to get back and forth to work sometimes night shift in any kind of bad weather. Too far to get rides if I’m scared. Suggestions?

jfalba



If you are only talking snow AWD will be great. My daily driver is a Honda Pilot, and I swear it performs better than some of the 4WD vehicles in my neighbor. Honda, Toyota, Subaru.... you really can't go wrong. I've driven the 20 miles to work and back in a foot of snow in AWD vehicle without any issues. My Pilot is also more comfortable compared to my brothers 4Runner, it will also get 31 mpg on the highway


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Hello jflaba,
I agree with most of the comments here. My wife jut bought a 2022 Ford Explorer. It gives you the choice of all traction features including 4WD. It moves well through multiple weather and road conditions; slippery, snow; deep snow, dry. We have already had 8-10 inches of snow, some ice and selecting the correct traction control feature works really well. Having said all that I agree with GregMD; Good vehicle, good tires, Good skills (i.e. good common sense driving ) and I will add, as much ground clearance as you can get. that helps a lot. Just like driving in the sand on Hatteras Island, most of the people you see stuck in the sand don't have enough good clearance and get stuck when they "bottom out." The frame of their card wont plow through the sand. The same is true with deep snow. When the snow gets deep we take the 4WD truck.
Good luck with your selection. I'm sure you will make the choice that is best for you. Let us know.
outerbanksbill


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Michelin Defenders...pricey

OceanBlue


Best tires out there IMO. I've had two sets and both saw 80,000+ miles. I'm secretly waiting for the stock tires on my new truck to wear out so I can get another set of Michelins.


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Michelin Defenders...pricey

OceanBlue


Best tires out there IMO. I've had two sets and both saw 80,000+ miles. I'm secretly waiting for the stock tires on my new truck to wear out so I can get another set of Michelins.

Mstaszew


I'm hoping this new variant is as good as the previous ones (Cross Terrain as an example, my opion, best all time Landcruiser shoes out there) - I'll tell ya, sorting the recent "Defender" models was somewhat confusing as here was the LTX Defender, Defender 1 and then the Defender 2. Only way I really figured it out was to (after a zillion x fers) actually talk to a Michelin product guy. Still flumoxed to pay over $300 a corner for a daily driver, but, so far (maybe 1K miles?) they are as advertised. I may have opted for the LTX but they did not come in my size.


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Michelin Defenders...pricey

OceanBlue


Best tires out there IMO. I've had two sets and both saw 80,000+ miles. I'm secretly waiting for the stock tires on my new truck to wear out so I can get another set of Michelins.

Mstaszew


I'm hoping this new variant is as good as the previous ones (Cross Terrain as an example, my opion, best all time Landcruiser shoes out there) - I'll tell ya, sorting the recent "Defender" models was somewhat confusing as here was the LTX Defender, Defender 1 and then the Defender 2. Only way I really figured it out was to (after a zillion x fers) actually talk to a Michelin product guy. Still flumoxed to pay over $300 a corner for a daily driver, but, so far (maybe 1K miles?) they are as advertised. I may have opted for the LTX but they did not come in my size.

OceanBlue


I had the Defender LTX M/S 2. The first set ran about $1100 and the next closer to $1300 some 10 years later. I find them worth it. I have never had an issue with air pressure dropping over time and they were a dream on the road and whatever road conditions existed. They did OK in the sand as well.

I hastily replaced my last set with a set of Yoko all terrains which were a better looking tire if you like a more aggressive appearance, but they were inferior driving tires. A little more rough riding and not as good handling. They felt more like BFG AT. I used them about 6 months before selling the truck.


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Just as I expected. This article says SOME dealers are marking up 2025 4Runners $5,000 above MSRP.

I found a dealer markup price tag under the seat of our 2025 Honda Pilot. Apparently the car did not sell at the inflated price so they removed the price tag. USA Flag

www.carscoops.com/2025/01...


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Just as I expected. This article says SOME dealers are marking up 2025 4Runners $5,000 above MSRP.

I found a dealer markup price tag under the seat of our 2025 Honda Pilot. Apparently the car did not sell at the inflated price so they removed the price tag. USA Flag

NCSU Dad


Honda is pulling that same crap. I was walking around a Honda lot waiting for my Pilot to have some warranty work done. The had a dozen Ridgeline's in a row. Each of them was marked up 3k-5k


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Just as I expected. This article says SOME dealers are marking up 2025 4Runners $5,000 above MSRP.

I found a dealer markup price tag under the seat of our 2025 Honda Pilot. Apparently the car did not sell at the inflated price so they removed the price tag. USA Flag

NCSU Dad


Honda is pulling that same crap. I was walking around a Honda lot waiting for my Pilot to have some warranty work done. The had a dozen Ridgeline's in a row. Each of them was marked up 3k-5k

FASTFJR


You should see what they were marking up the Ford Broncos for a year or two ago, and they were getting it.

I will never pay above MSRP for a car ever. Even if money was no object. It is a very dangerous line to cross, but it looks like my opinion does not matter since so many are doing it, and being rewarded for it.




RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




"This article says SOME dealers are marking up 2025 4Runners $5,000 above MSRP."

Not around here. I just checked three local dealers and they show no new 4Runners, 2024 or 2025. There aren't even any listings for any coming on the boat and they always list those and try to get a down payment.




RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




Just as I expected. This article says SOME dealers are marking up 2025 4Runners $5,000 above MSRP.

I found a dealer markup price tag under the seat of our 2025 Honda Pilot. Apparently the car did not sell at the inflated price so they removed the price tag. USA Flag

NCSU Dad


Honda is pulling that same crap. I was walking around a Honda lot waiting for my Pilot to have some warranty work done. The had a dozen Ridgeline's in a row. Each of them was marked up 3k-5k

FASTFJR


You should see what they were marking up the Ford Broncos for a year or two ago, and they were getting it.

I will never pay above MSRP for a car ever. Even if money was no object. It is a very dangerous line to cross, but it looks like my opinion does not matter since so many are doing it, and being rewarded for it.

Bill


I drove a Bronco just after they came out, just out of curiosity. It rode very much like my Wrangler, and the salesman even said they surveyed Jeep owners about what they liked and what they would change in a Jeep when designing the Bronco. Anyhow, the MSRP was around $65,000 and the dealer markup was another $40k. As I laughed out loud about it, the salesman said they were backordered for nearly a year at that price. Like they say, a fool and his money are soon parted.


RE: Good 4wd vehicle in bad weather




"This article says SOME dealers are marking up 2025 4Runners $5,000 above MSRP."

Not around here. I just checked three local dealers and they show no new 4Runners, 2024 or 2025. There aren't even any listings for any coming on the boat and they always list those and try to get a down payment.

johnbt


I "think", not 100% sure, but as dealers move to an "option/order/ as you wish" model, won't see many many 4runners on lots...like the GX550 lexus variant...very few, if any, available "on the lot" anywhere.

Plus it's a new design model year, on top being the "engine shards" issue...availability is tough.


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