True or false? A RAV 4 with AWD is a more capable off road/all terrain vehicle than a 2WD Tacoma.

There's a video out there of a Subaru with all seasons stuck on an icy hill, while a RWD BMW with snow tires repeatedly stops, goes up the hill, reverses back down and stops, etc. For snow / ice the tires are at least 90% of the equation.

If you're worried about your Taco, you could just get some snow chains (ranging from mild cables to aggressive chains, depending on what kind of snow you expect).

An analogy to think about is the 2wd Taco is like trying to push a wheelbarrow up an icy hill, while the Rav4 is like trying to crawl up on all fours. Obviously one is going to be easier.

Also, if you feel like your vehicle choice determines your sexuality or virility, no amount of TRD Bro badging is going to help you.

 

Also depending on the Rav4 generation, some have a locking center diff (via a magnetic clutch or something), which makes it behave pretty close to 4Hi, so it has even fewer weaknesses associated with AWD.

 

They are amazing!
We have one down at the farm, and this is the only time it got stuck. It has old dry rotted bologna skins for tires, and there were 5 of us adult males in it at the time, which didn't help.
We disconnected the battery, drilled holes in the floorboards to drain the water(not my idea), popped the hood, and left a box fan blowing on it. A month later,,, it fired right back up. The damn thing won't die.
My buddy bought it years ago from his then, mother in law. Of course after the divorce, she asked for it back, saying she loaned it to them. He told her to FO and showed her a copy of the bill of sale and his check she cashed.

 

traction systems are really just selective brake pedal inputs.

i can get much further being reckless with the gas pedal than i can with a computer selectively slowing/stopping a wheel.

but 4 wheels with powered motivation will always move further than 2 powered wheels pushing/dragging 2 unpowered wheels.

a ton of it comes down to conditions, driver, and tire selection.

a rav4 awd with eco summer-only tires and a driver going slowly will go far less distance than a 2wd anything with only rear mud tires, and a driver with a "HOLD MAH BEEER" attitude.

 

RAV4 for sure, in deep or even moderate sand or snow a 2wd Tacoma will eventually get stuck even with tires and airing down

 

RAV4 for it’s superior traction.

But then, the Tacoma driver’s dad could probably beat up the RAV4 driver’s dad…

 

My wifes new car. We replaced her Subaru Outback 3.6r. I wanted her to get something snow capable (Iowa) and she wanted something kind of fancy...

 

You rang?

 

Rav 4 I'm sure

 

And it's a hybrid!

Out of curiosity how much did this affect the MPG?

 

"head gasket eater"
I had Subarus also... head gaskets major weakness! LOL

 

Did you know Subaru has several different AWD systems? I thought that was interesting when I learned it.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/not-every-subaru-all-wheel-drive-system-is-created-equal/

 

That article's "today" is 10 years ago, FYI. They no longer use the viscous coupling, and some of the others may have fallen by the wayside.

The most common solution they use is modulating the brakes to limit the slip, much like our Auto LSD or Atrac. The older systems were more robust (overheated less), but required more maintenance due to the special fluid.

 

True. 4wd is the most important thing by far

hell we got my buddy through the Joshua tree 4wd trail in a stock awd cr-v. with much rock stacking lmao

 

I’ll try to report back. I literally put the wheels on the day I bought it and I haven’t even used a full tank. 33.7 mpg and still climbing (recalculating) city on stock tires is supposed to be 42 I think.

 

The title and the body of the OP’s first post are not perfectly aligned, but I can say confidently that anyone who has driven all types of vehicles in low traction situations (eg snow) will easily conclude this:

rwd < fwd < awd < 4wd < 4wd with lockers

An unloaded 2wd pickup is by far the worst vehicle in low traction situations.

Tires are important for sure, but awd/4wd is a game changer

 

I have an XSE with the stock 18s. City driving is easily mid-40s. Right now on a mixed tank I'm averaging 43.5.

33.7 is pretty good on your first tank. Mine started there and steadily climbed into the low to mid 40's over the first 5 tanks or so.

 

I've got under 800 miles on our 2024 XSE, completely OEM and I do quite a bit of stop and start city driving, which frequently sees the need to recharge the hybrid battery starting out. The hybrid system is amazing and the drive exceeds expectations.
I've filled it up 1 time so far and I'm currently averaging 41.5 or so.

 

Stop and start city driving is where these thrive. It's amazing how good they get city streets under 45 mph.