The best thing I’ve ever driven in the snow is a Subaru. Their AWD system performs beautifully.
Speaking of AWD systems.
Is 4 wheel limited slip fairly common nowdays? My old Jeep Cherokee had it as an extra cost option on the rear axle only , and my present Jeep Grand Cherokee has a hydraulic system for all four wheels and I love it, I got a higher trim level just to get that as an option.
My understanding is newer systems are based on the computer selectively applying the brakes to the 1-3 wheels that do not have traction, which is cruder but cheaper to implement, especially since ABS is now standard so the extra software is not that much harder.
The current top end Quadra-drive 2 in the GC only has lockers in the center and rear, they may come out with front lockers in the future as an option but as far as I know it’s not here yet.
Center and rear locking diffs are fairly common but a front locker is kind of overkill for pretty much 99% of people and brings with it a lot of compromises in terms of steering and suspension. The only vehicles currently sold in North America that I know of with can be optioned with lockers in all 3 positons are the Ram Powerwagon which is a 2500HD series medium duty truck, Wrangler Rubicon and the Mercedes G-class, or at least they did before the current update anyway(I don’t really keep up with the year to year changes to the G-class). All these have live axle fronts.
Are we looking at the same ratings regarding Volvo? In the two midsize categories (moderate price and luxury) there is one Volvo, the S60, that gets the new Top Safety Pick+ rating compared to two Subarus and two Hondas. There are 8 other companies, including VW and Audi models, that also received this top rating. Hardly “on top by a big margin.” There is only one other Volvo, the C30, that hasn’t had the new front small overlap test yet and it is a Top Safety Pick (no +) rating, just like the Audi A3 and VW Jetta Sportwagen.
I got a Nissan Rogue AWD and love it. My husband will opt for this over his midsize Acura SUV, when he has a choice, because it’s so zippy
But they do have a direct inject turbo four, which is nearly as efficient as the hybrid.
My wife and I rented a 2013 Escape last summer, and loved it. We’ll proabaly trade my car in for one in a year or two.
My wife had a Subaru Outback, and loved it. Thing ran like a top for 11 years, always performed well in the snow. Mileage was OK, but that was also a 15-year-old model now.
She now has a Mazda CX-7 (which was discontinued when they brought out the CX-5 last year). She’s had it for 5 years, and reliability has been superb (it’s the second Mazda we’ve had, and both of them were great). IME, Mazdas are pretty close to the quality of Honda and Toyota, without the jacked-up sticker price.
I’ve driven the Legacy with just all season high performance radials in the mountains in snow chain/4wd snow tires and had no problem keeping up with vehicles with chains and snow tires. With actual snow tires (on a different Subaru) it handled phenomenally in the worst conditions up to snow at the height of the axles. The only really comparable AWD system I’ve driven was the Audi quattro Gen IV and later.
However, the gas mileage on the existing EJ25 engines is unimpressive. (Some people blame this on the AWD but the fact is that the engine just isn’t very efficient compared to comparable 2.5 l engines.). The current Legacy and Forrester use the EJ25 in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged version, but the previously mentined Crosstrek and many upcoming models will start using the more efficient FB-series engines, and Subaru plans to start using direct injection (at least in the high output versions). So if you don’t like the Crosstrek and can wait another year or two, the Forester (which does have excellent visibility and crash ratings) will have the FB engine available.
And yes, their stereo options–even the upgrades–are unimpressive in comarison to some other vehicles in their class, and the interiors are not as finely finished i.e. they use essentially the same interior in the budget grade models as in the higher end offerings with upgraded seats and some leather trim. But from a safety, reliability, and resale standpoint they are unmatched in class, and indeed, are at the top of those ranks among all passenger vehicles.
Stranger
Another shout out for The Subaru Outback - I live in a ski town and with all season M&S rated tyres it is great. I have the 2012 which sits a little higher than the earlier versions and has a decent back up camera, it does have a bit of a blind spot though as mentioned up thread. Based on the Outback I suspect the Crosstrek will work for you. I get 28/33 with the CVT transmission and 85octane (I live at altitude). I used to drive 500 miles a week up and down so canyons and it was a comfy and a soild drive.
Only mechanical issue I have had was with an older outback where the heat shield on the exaust system rattled ( I won’t go into details on the lack of oil/seized engine issue, that was me)
It also appears everyone in Park City seams to think the Subaru is the way to go for snow.
That is a common problem, and not just with Subarus; the multi-layer heat shield between the exhaust coming out of the exhuast manifold and the transmission pan will come loose because internal spot welds corrode. Most manufacturers have fixed this by improving their weld construction and/or including stress relief features, but it can be fixed on offending vehicles with the use of a two dollar metal band clamp.
Stranger
Another Subaru option is the Impreza Hatchback. It’s biggest selling point is that it’s a all-wheel drive car that gets 27 city, 36 highway. Prices start around $19,000. Consumer Reports makes it their 2nd highest rated hatchback (behind the Golf, I think), and rates the reliability as excellent. The visibility is considered “good” according to one review I found (not CU). The sound system and noise levels are considered minuses.
It’s not as luxurious or spacious as the Outback, but you can’t beat the price and MPG.
They give the “+” to everything that gets “Average” or “Good”. The only 3 cars that get a “Good” rating on the small overlap test are the S60(The only Volvo so far tested), The Accord and Acura TL(mostly the same car) and the Suzuki Kizashi. The highest scoring VW is the new Passat, with an “Average”. Of the other VAG products tested, the A4 gets a “Poor” and the new Jetta and CC are both “Marginal”. You may allow the A4 a pass since it’s a comparatively older car but the Passat and Jetta are both new.
The S60 and the Accord/TL have been so far the only vehicles on the market that have been getting perfect scores on every test from both the NHTSA and IIHS. The XC60 has not had the small overlap test yet but seeing as how it’s essentially the same car as the S60, gets full marks on the NHTSA test and is a Volvo I suspect it will also be a perfect score.
It was the AWD, or more specifically the models that had full time AWD. The 2011 Legacy with the EJ25 and the CVT got competitive although not class leading fuel economy when compared to other FWD cars the same size with the same engine class.
Note that the Nissan is also a CVT.
Going to the FB engine in 2012 only increased MPG very slightly.
More or less the same for the Outback, although this comparison is a bit more difficult as there are fewer alternatives from other marques.
However if you equip the cars with the 6 speed manual (same engine) the mileage drops significantly, down to 22mpg combined for the Legacy for example. This is because the MT models are “full time” AWD with a mechanical center differential, while the CVT equipped models are a clutch based “part time” system.
The Forester is similar, with the automatic (4 speed auto) equipped models IIRC getting exactly the same rating as the 5 speed manuals even though it had fewer ratios. Other cars with the same setup (these are rather rare at this point) usually had significantly better fuel economy in the manual due to the extra gear.
4WD/AWD might help you get moving, but it can’t beat a good set of snow tires. Unlike 4WD/AWD, snow tires help you stop too.
Jeep is replacing the Liberty with a new Cherokee (resurrected).
Good, the Liberty’s round headlights always made them look surprised.
I would disagree that the computer based system is cruder than a mechanical system. Having driven quite a few cars with it, it is awesome. Unobtrusive in normal driving but close to unstoppable in low traction conditions, and it works on the front wheels.
Oh and there is more to the system than just software.
Here’s another vote for the Subaru Outback. My wife has been driving a 2003 model that we bought new (now with just over 200K miles) that we are going to let our 16-year old son drive. We just ordered a new 2013 model yesterday for my wife.
My wife likes the fact that it still feels more like a wagon than an SUV, though the newer models are a bit more SUV-like than her 2003 Outback.
If you are concerned about fuel economy, get the 4-cylinder. The 6-cylinder model is a bit thirstier, but is much smoother.
We test drove a 2012 model as well as the new 2013 models, and found that the suspension in the 2013 models is firmer, which we like. The handling feels very secure, and our experience with the AWD in the snow has been great.
I have a 2010 Toyota Rav4 Sport and I love it. The best thing about it is that it has a 269 hp V6 in a vehicle that is not that big or heavy. It isn’t a true sports car but it can blow the doors off 95%+ of the cars on the road and you never have to worry about passing power even at the highest speeds. They somehow engineered the V6 so that it only gets 1 MPG less than the V4 with about 100 fewer hp. It is amazing. Even though it isn’t that big, it can easily carry 5 full-sized adults with plenty of cargo room in the back. Snow performance is good and I have had plenty opportunity to test that in the past few weeks in New England. The 4-wheel drive and traction control hasn’t let me down yet even in the worst conditions and I don’t have snow tires.
However, I just read that Toyota decided to drop the V6 on the Rav4 line for current models so I am not sure if I would buy a new based on that fact. The entire vehicle is solid and reliable but the V6 and best in class performance was what made me get mine in the first place. I guess that explains why I keep getting offers in the mail from the dealership to buy mine back at a profit. The only thing I didn’t like about mine when I got it was that the sound system was sub-par to the point of being annoying. I had it replaced a week after I got it with premium aftermarket parts at considerable time and expense. You wouldn’t think that would be necessary on a brand new car but Toyota screwed that feature up badly.
If you wanted to save some money, the 2010- 2011 Rav4 Sport models are great. They sell for a premium over other used car models but one in great shape and low miles should still be available for well under 20K.
But push-button start is just an option, correct? I really hate the idea of a keyless ignition, but I’m not sure if it’s a deal breaker.