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Recently we just got a 4 wheel Nissan Pathfinder. Love it.
Best part is, it is SAFER on snow and ice than the 2 wheelers. That I believe actually helps prevent accidents and should be priority #1, especially for elderly drivers!
Too, is very easy to get in and out of, based on the way the seating is positioned, which makes a difference compared with either having to rise up or lower yourself down into many vehicles, you can practically swivel in and out of this thing.
Something to consider for those shopping for new vehicles. Or those with knee or hip replacements.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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After 20 years driving 4WD in snow and ice here yes, it does help get you up the hills, but when it comes to stopping, going down a hill, you can still end up in the ditch. Pathfinders do seen to hold up well, though, I still see early 90s models on the road.
I like the 1995 and early 2000's Pathfinders the best. Pathfinder died last year when they redesigned it and it is no longer an SUV which means is no longer an option for a future purchase in my household.
When I was dating my wife she had a 2001 Pathfinder (almost brand new at the time) and she slipped on some ice and went right into a pillar under a bridge and totalled it. 4wd is great, but it doesnt help on ice.
After 20 years driving 4WD in snow and ice here yes, it does help get you up the hills, but when it comes to stopping, going down a hill, you can still end up in the ditch. Pathfinders do seen to hold up well, though, I still see early 90s models on the road.
I've been driving in winter conditions in the mountains and plains for over 40 winters and you are exactly right. A 4WD or AWD is no better coming down hill than a 2WD. Way too many people get stupid and overconfident when driving an AWD or 4WD in adverse winter conditions.
Oh, and the new Pathfinder shares only its name with the older models. The older models were a true 4WD with good trail capabilities for an SUV. The new Pathfinder is just an overgrown AWD car.
4WD and AWD don't do squat on ice and trying to stop. I have a Grand Cherokee...one of the best AWD systems out there aside from Subie and Audi. Most AWD vehicles now are front wheel drive with the ability to send power to the rear, not true all wheel drive. I have more fun watching people in the big SUVs slip and slide all over because they don't know how to drive. Also fun watching them go sliding down the hills trying to stop from going too fast and winding up in the ditch. If I'm on a decent hill in my Jeep in snow, I'll just drop it down into a low gear and coast down, tapping the brakes on occasion. Works well and I've never wound up off the road.
Honestly, I think AWD is LESS safe in slippery conditions.
Why? The extra accelerative traction gives people an inflated sense of safety and grip. They drive too fast for conditions. Then, they find that since ALL cars have four wheel brakes, and they all are equally effective on black ice, that all their new found extra SPEED means they will not stop in time and crash.
AWD does help some in preventing getting stuck.
Anyone who really wanted to imrove their safetly in winter conditions would invest their money in proper winter tires before anything else. They are the real answer to imroving grip and braking performance on snow and ice.
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Sorry.
