Are all-wheel drive vehicles comparable to SUVs driving on snowy roads?

Question

I'm not talking about 2 or 3 feet deep snowfalls, just covered roads? Any vehicles better than others?

Answer 1

I'd say an all-wheel-drive "regular car" like a Subaru etc is actually better than a big 4x4 in these conditions, as the far lower weight gives them a big advantage when it comes to any kind of direction change, and you have no advantage to the extra ground clearance and suspension articulation. I've driven both my 4x4 Fiat Panda and my Suzuki jeep in slushy, snowy, icy conditions, and the Panda is far better. Much more controllable, and more feedback.

Answer 2

Most AWD systems will transfer power when loss of traction occurs. The system will automatically send the power to the wheels that have the most traction. This can be done thru a mechanical system (viscous coupling) or electronically controlled thru a torque converter. You also need to do some research on the manufacturers AWD system. Some are full time AWD which means power to all four wheels all the time. Others are part time AWD. Meaning it is a two wheel drive vehicle until it meets a condition then sends power to the appropriate wheels. The benefit of an AWD vehicle to a 4x4 suv is that you do not have to engage the system in order for it to operate. AWD gives you real time traction in all conditions and can in most cases be superior to a 4x4. I would have to say with a biased opinion that Subaru is the leader in AWD technology. Check out their website for an excellent demo on AWD www.subaru.com

Answer 3

There are several types of four/all wheel drive:

All wheel drive drives two wheels under normal conditions. When it detects loss of traction, it directs part of the power to the two wheels not normally driven to reduce torque on the wheels that are slipping. This is great in light snow or on wet roads.

Full time four wheel drive vehicles drive all four wheels all the time. Many have the ability, usually called traction control, to reduce power to one wheel if it is slipping, or to apply the brakes on just the wheel(s) that is slipping. This is my favorite for snow, deep snow, or ice. My Mercedes ML320 has full time four wheel drive, and has never left me stranded, even in 18 inches of snow.

Part time four wheel drive requires the driver to shift a transfer case into four wheel drive, and sometimes lock in the hubs on the front axle. This is common on pickups and older SUVs, and can be great for the farmer, rancher, hunter, construction worker, etc. who occationally needs to be able to get through the mud or across a creek. These do not perform nearly as well on snow and ice as the other two, but they are still preferable to a rear wheel drive vehicle. I have an old Ford Bronco with this system, and I would rather drive a front wheel drive vehicle on snow.

Everyone is going to have a different opinion about which is best. I tried to give you the facts as I know them, and let you know where I might be predjuiced. Front wheel drive vehicles can be just as good, also, in a light snowfall. This may be preferrable if you live in an area that only sees snow two or three times a year. If you live in Buffalo, I would get full time four wheel drive.

You asked for these to be compared to SUVs. Each SUV has it's own kind of drive system. One could be full time, another part time, and another all wheel drive. If you have friends with SUVs that seem to do particularly well in your area, ask them what kind of drive system it uses. This may be your best bet.

Answer 4

Presuming you are in AWD/4WD mode, it should be no different from the SUVs. The SUVs differ typically in that they can have a lock on 4WD, as against cars that have a limited slip mechanism that decides power sharing between the two axles.

Answer 5

Yes, both track WAY better than front wheel or rear wheel drive.