4x4 vs. AWD

NOT IN the Subarus!! they are sending power to all 4 wheels all the time -- just in varying amounts --look it up

 

Subaru sends power to all 4 wheels all the time, just varies the amount of power.

 

It really depends on which AWD system you're looking at. They vary by manufacturer and by each manufacturers applications. Subaru has three? or four? different systems it uses. And I don't think anyone is confusing AWD vs 4x4, which is why this discussion is happening. Each has its own attributes and downfalls.

 

Probably mentioned... My wife has a '11 Outback and that thing is a tank in the snow here in NE!! We keep good tires on it, which obviously helps. It has ~8.5" ground clearance and we have had it some white knuckle snowy highway drives and it is very good.

 

Great thread with some good input. My wife and I have been thinking of getting a Subaru (Forester, Outback, or Crosstrek). Reading real people's experiences helps with the decision.

 

I love my Subaru.

It really brings out my inner lesbian, especially when the turbo boost kicks in

 

JPinFL - I highly recommend the Subaru. We first had a '08 Forester 5 spd, which I loved!! She crashed a terrible icey commute and she walked away shaken but completely unharmed... Back then she is a Nurse working all hours of the night so she had many snowy drives before the plows hit the roads. To replace to Forester, we got a Outback Premium CVT and she loves it more than me. Only has ~95000 miles and has been extremely reliable. I was going to replace my Civic with a Forester, long (dealer) story short, I came home with a CRV. I hated my CRV, so I just the new Taco! My wife would not even consider trading in the Subaru!

I recommend the Forester, seems like the best bang for your buck when it comes to Subies. Hope this helps

 

Every time I mention it around my gay friends, they always ask "Is Rachel turning on you?"

Thanks, man. I appreciate it.
My wife has an '11 Corolla that she loves. With what our future plans are for taking road trips, the Subaru would be a better vehicle. And the Forester is the one that she likes the best.
I'm still keeping the Tacoma though. I've had it since December 2000. It's not going anywhere.

 

Quick question: How do Subarus do in the sand?

We drive on the beach a lot. When we're in the Corolla, just driving around, we'll come up to a beach that can be driven on and wish we had the truck. Because we'll be on a day road trip, it's a missed opportunity. Well until we drive the truck to that spot.

 

Can't say, we have ever had it on sand. We live on a dirt road which is pretty soft in spring and does fine. Not sure that is much of a comparison.

 

I've had my Forestor on the beach at Pacific city, Oregon. Worked great
Nothing technical there.
Check out The Fast Lane guys and their review of the Forestor.

 

Thanks, @Traegermaster .

 

Depending on your size needs -- Drive all of the Subarus in your price/size range. For us it was between the Outback and the Forester.
The Forester rides just like the Honda Crv --Outback --much smoother (longer wheelbase) People are raving about the newly released Impreza. Also we had a loaner Crosstrek for a few days --wife liked it, but it was way smaller than the Forester and OB.
One more thing make sure you do not forget the "Eyesight system" (on any of the Subarus)-- with that option --our insurance rates went down when going from a 8 y/o car to a brand new one.

 

I got stuck in the snow in my 2016 STI which of course is AWD. Took my taco up to the snow a few weeks back, didnt slip for a second and the conditions were a lot heavier than they were when I got stuck in the snow.

That said, I do miss having AWD all the time. There are certain driving characteristics that I really enjoyed with the AWD system in the STI, that I obviously will not be able to have in the 4x4 Tacoma.

Either way, your boy probably vapes and will likely have ringland failure soon enough. Stick with your 4x4.

 

sweet visual aide video so show differences in awd systems and why *spoiler* subarus are able to tank through snow better than about everything else. i worked at a car dealership for 7 years in NH and you become quite familiar with how vehicles handle plowing when you need to move the entire lot after each snow storm. we'd spend all day shoveling out cars and burying the subies. but a subaru cannot be burried
https://youtu.be/kRniF4JQN2U

 

Wife's got a Forester XT. That thing is nice and a dream to drive in the mountains/snow. It's so nice with the CVT and the turbo compared to my endlessly-shifting Tacoma that shifts back and forth every 3 seconds when climbing a grade.

 

That's also because they're going over 150mph so the downforce on the car is so great, they're sticking to the ground no matter what. Not to mention when was the last time you saw NASCAR, Indy or Formula 1 in the rain or snow.


World Rally Car? Dakar? Hmm, wonder what they're dominated by...

4WD is actually 2WD. 4WD with a Locker is really 3WD. 4WD with front and back lockers is true 4WD, if you truly want to get pedantic.

 

267,000 Kms on 2006 Forestor (original owner) no issues really. I did just change out rear struts.
Changed my rear diff seal on 13 Tacoma at 70,000kms (43,000 miles) It was leaking

 

Several races this past season in the rain with Formula 1. November 13, 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix if you want a specific example.

 

Gotta say it dont ya haha