best, all things considered, including off-roading = Land Rover/Range Rover

...and yes, to me they are a car. A truck is something you load hay in the back of.

 

Yeah, You Forgot Subaru Outback or Legacy.... I've got a 2010 Legacy with the 2.5i engine, bought it in February as a CPO - but did NOT have a chance to see performance of the AWD system since all the snows in the NE were over. I know the G is excellent (had a 2007 G35X - now a 2010 G37X), at times I think it matched or even exceeded our old 2001 Pathfinder with 4 WD.

As far as the Subbie goes, last winter while making a left hand turn in heavy snow, the Subbie in front of me made it easily, I couldn't detect any sliding around, compared to our Honda CRV with AWD, making the same turn , the tail was sliding pretty good. Of course, while measuring the performance of any of these cars in Snow/heavy rain, the type of Tires is a critical factor..If you put real Snows (Blizzaks ) on the Subbie or the G or the Audi or the Acura, you will see significant traction differences compared to All Season tires.

This is posted as my comments about driving on snow covered roads. There are many advantages of AWD or 4WD systems in all driving conditions. SH-AWD in the Acuras appear to offer the most wheel to wheel and axle to axle traction adjusting the cornering, etc. Take a peek at Subaru's web site - there is a Utube video comparing AWD systems of the Forrester to other CUVs or SUVs. Interesting how they expose the fallacies of Toyota, Volkswagon, Honda driving up a ramp of independently controlled rollers which isolates One free wheel at a time. The Forrester seems to win this competition.

 

This is kind of interesting, couldn't find the TL....

Lightning Lap 2011

 

Subaru hands down.

 

Yup, they've been doing it for a very long time.

 

+1 for Subbie

 

It's not so bad in snow, but it's surprising how easy to make the rear slide

 

sebounet: you talking about the G or the Subbie?

 

Rav4, no doubt..... haha no just kidding. I would have to go with Subaru, though Haldex (Audi, Volvo, Saab) certainly put up a good fight, but at a higher entry cost.

 

Which vehicle, and more specifically, all season or snow tires?

 

I think the ATTESSA system used on the G37x models is the best I have owned or tried. My primary expectation is a car that drives like standard RWD until things get slippery, and I prefer minimal extra friction (minimal performance and mileage impact). The ATTESSA system does that very well, as far as I can tell the only impact is weight. My G37xS absolutely like a RWD car on dry roads. We don't get a lot of snow, but when we do it seems to do fine. I primarily have the x so that I can take my daughter skiing.

Greg

 

Haldex is only used on Audis based on the VWs Golf platform (A3, S3, Q3, TT) due to the lay out of the engine. All other Audi models use Quattro, which is Torsen based. Also, Haldex only came about in 1998, Quattro has been around since the early 80s.

I'd say performance of AWD systems depends largely based on the car that it's in. All have pros and cons.

 

Out of all the systems I have driven, which are extensive, Subaru would be my very first choice for inclimate weather. For on road performance it would probably go to the new Acura system. If frickin works great. Quatros are good as well but others are stepping up the bar.

The worst? The AWD in my Jag sux in snow. It works but it is a fairly crappy system.

 

wheres your audi now?

 

You mean to say inclement weather.
adjective
1.
(of the weather, the elements, etc.) severe, rough, or harsh; stormy.