It can be a real delight to reside in a part of the country that experiences changing seasons. You've got those leaves going from green to rust in the fall. And in winter, there's that blanket of snow, white as a christening gown.
Of course, the down side is that these types of seasonal changes come with certain practical inconveniences. Driving in inches and inches of snow isn't exactly a picnic, but if you live in this kind of environment, you know this -- and you also know that all-wheel drive can help make the slog easier.
These seven models come with all-wheel drive and price tags that won't kick your wallet in the gonads.
1.Subaru Impreza
Subaru plans on giving us the full low-down on the redesigned 2012 Impreza at the upcoming New York Auto Show. Some details have been leaked, though, and so far the car looks like a sweet deal for cold-weather shoppers who've got value on the mind. Subaru's new-generation four-cylinder boxer engine is expected to show up under the hood, offered in two displacements: 2.0 and 2.5 liters. The big news concerns fuel economy, which has been boosted by more than 30 percent. With highway mileage of 36 mpg, the 2012 Impreza is expected to be the most fuel-efficient AWD vehicle on the market.
2. Suzuki Kizashi
Sick of us shaking our pom-poms for the Kizashi yet? The little sedan offers a lot for its humble price, serving up the kind of class and panache usually reserved for Deustchland-born entry-level-luxury fare. The cabin is as polished and civilized as a Hamptons dinner party, and handling is sharp and pretty dang responsive. With available all-wheel drive on the menu, the car becomes a solid pick for those seeking a refined yet value-oriented winter sled.
3. Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox may have an economical price but you'd never know it from glancing at its sheet metal. The crossover is imposing and stately, with the kind of gravitas that makes descriptors like "cute 'ute" seem downright disrespectful. This elegance also shows up in the cabin, which not only looks great, but offers spaciousness all throughout. Maneuver that sliding back seat and you'll find yourself with class-leading rear legroom.
4. Hyundai Tucson
More people should know about the Hyundai Tucson. This little crossover is amazingly well put-together, with a handsome cabin that wants for nothing when it comes to style and refinement. As far as its sheet metal is concerned, the Tucson's a looker -- it's one of the more eye-catching choices in its segment. Oh, and it drives great, too; this Hyundai's handling stands out for being more entertaining than that of your typical compact crossover.
5. Ford Fusion
The Fusion's solid sales performance illustrates that consumers have come to recognize this hauler as a leading light in family-sedan segment. Steer one off the lot and you'll get a roomy car with lively handling that's tuned for those who want to enjoy the drive. There's also Ford's superb Sync multimedia system, which presents a wide range of well-executed tech options.
6. Nissan Juke
So first up, let's address the 3,000-pound toad in the room: The Juke's, um, unique sheet metal won't be everyone's cup of Earl Grey. But if you can appreciate its singular appearance -- or at least see past it -- you'll find a hatch that's remarkably sporty and a blast to drive. Yeah, there's all-wheel drive for snow days, but on all the other days, you'll appreciate the Juke's taut suspension, quick acceleration and sharp steering.
7. Suzuki SX4
The SX4 is as practical as it gets. For not a lot of coin, it delivers generous cargo capacity and a lengthy features list brimming with all the comfort and convenience amenities you could want. The SX4 may not be as exciting to drive as others in its segment, but it's easy to overlook this shortcoming when you consider that this Suzuki is one of the most affordably priced all-wheel-drive models on the market.
Which all-wheel-drive models would you add to this list?
f5m23 says:
05:58 AM, 04/17/11
this list is most amazing in the automotive definition. thanks. http://71-37-37-135.tukw.qwest.net/1001.htm
rsholland says:
08:25 AM, 04/17/11
It's good that you've got the all-new Subaru Impreza here, but you can't ignore the Legacy and Forester models.
bodyblue says:
08:28 AM, 04/17/11
Wow, this site needs to be taken down and de-bugged and de-spammed! There are BOTS everywhere.
firstwagon says:
10:02 AM, 04/17/11
It may be 4wd instead of AWD but I would have to include the Wrangler.
At the moment it's cheaper then any of the list above, can do more then snow covered roads and as a bonus, it's a convertible!
http://www.jeep.ca/en/vehicle_home.php?np=Wrangler&mc=WRG_SPT
Amazing value for $18,345.
moparbad says:
10:13 AM, 04/17/11
Ford Taurus SEL AWD
WasAPasserBy says:
12:14 PM, 04/17/11
Edmunds, please tell us your IT guys looking at the comments sections and fixing it.
daskiing1 says:
04:46 PM, 04/17/11
glad to see impreza as #1. its an awesome car. i'd know, i just bought a 2011 impreza hatch
roadburner says:
07:27 PM, 04/17/11
I still prefer RWD with proper winter rubber. If things get REALLY bad I just take my 1999 Wrangler.
firstwagon says:
08:30 PM, 04/17/11
"I still prefer RWD with proper winter rubber"
Really? I've found even the best snow tires only bring rwd up to the level of front wheel drive with a set of no name all seasons.
roadburner says:
08:37 PM, 04/17/11
I have driven a 3er and 5er -both equipped with Michelin Artic Alpins- through lots of winter weather with absolutely no problems at all. One night I wasn't even aware the roads were all that slick until a Blazer and a Grand Cherokee spun into the median @1000 feet in front of me.
throwback says:
05:09 AM, 04/18/11
I wish the list of affordable RWD cars was as extensive. roadburner, I am with you. Give me RWD and 4 snow tires and I'm good to go. I grew up driving RWD cars without traction/stability control or ABS and managed just fine in the Winter. Common sense is much more effective than AWD.
hoosiergrandad says:
05:51 AM, 04/18/11
"If things get REALLY bad I just take my 1999 Wrangler".........seems to indicate 4WD does have its uses.
jmnyc1177 says:
07:53 AM, 04/18/11
Throwback -- these types of systems are around precisely BECAUSE pepole lack common sense when driving.
roadburner says:
09:05 AM, 04/18/11
"Common sense is much more effective than AWD."
Exactly!
"seems to indicate 4WD does have its uses."
I live at the end of a tree-lined 2000' gravel farm road. If a small tree or large branch falls down it's nice to have the ability to drive over it if I have to. I also use the Jeep to tow and haul things around the property.
greenpony says:
10:06 AM, 04/18/11
Two Suzukis?? And only one Subaru?? I think I just saw a pig fly by.
joemt says:
11:18 AM, 04/18/11
While there are many folks that think their AWD vehicles make them infallible in bad weather...
Provided we're talking comparable vehicles (i.e., not RWD cars to AWD SUVs):
- I'd take my AWD vehicle with common sense and winter tires over your RWD vehicle with common sense and winter tires in the snow.
- When winter is over, I'd take my AWD vehicle with common sense and performance or all-season tires over your RWD vehicle with common sense and performance or all-season tires in the rain.
Traction is key in slippery conditions - 4 wheels are better than 2. AWD vehicles lose in the weight, gas mileage and, sometimes, in the handling departments.
throwback says:
11:29 AM, 04/18/11
I prefer RWD because I like the dynamics of a front engined, RWD car. No doubt a AWD car would be quicker in slippery conditions, I just prefer RWD. As for snow, If I can't get where I need to with snows and RWD, I probably should not be out driving. Unless the snow is deep (which would require ground clearance and AWD) I can get where I need to go. Most Police departments use RWD cars (even in snowy climates) and get around fine, it's all in the technique.
joemt says:
11:45 AM, 04/18/11
I can respect that. Most vehicles involve some penalty and payoff.
Many PDs here in northern NJ (not exactly snow country) have augmented their fleet with AWD SUVs in order to deal with the worst weather conditions.
roadburner says:
12:54 PM, 04/18/11
I can tolerate an AWD system that has a default torque split that feeds no more than 50% to the front wheels. If the split is 60/40 front/rear(or worse) I might as well have a FWD car. Having said all that, most AWD cars I've seen at HPDEs usually don't have have a significant advantage over most RWD cars- or FWD cars for that matter. C4s, Evos, S4s, and WRXs do very well and those are just about the only AWDs I could see myself driving on a daily basis.
blueprint1 says:
09:36 AM, 04/19/11
Not my personnal cup of tea, but the Matrix AWD is still available, and cheap.
rayzor says:
09:52 AM, 04/19/11
Nissan JOKE is ONE of your Pick!? You are joking, right? Just because you didn't have to buy the JOKE to drive it; the majority of us actually have to pay good hard-earned money for it means no way would most of us with any common sense would waste $$$ on this toad of a thing...Let's see how long JOKE would be around until it gets chopped or completely redesigned....
firstwagon says:
04:40 PM, 04/19/11
rayzor
The Juke is on my short list for spending my hard earned money on.
Yes the majority will not buy it but face it, the majority are boring people who like bland 4 door sedans without a shred of any style or character that might offend their deep seated fear of anything different from the normal.
Sad thing is most don't even realize how narrow minded they are are.
DLu says:
05:54 AM, 04/20/11
+1 roadburner
I am amazed probably several times a year by people who speaking of braking or roadholding ability and AWD in the same sentence. The "D" in "AWD/4WD" stands for DRIVE, not traction. As in, it gets you going forward and NOTHING else (and I'm not talking about special situations where you are exiting a fast corner or drifting/WRC, or when Acura puts a computer program that adjusts your outside wheels' torque).
Notice how in physics, friction depends on mass and coefficient of friction. That's it. Ever try to brake on slick roads in an AWD/4WD on crappy "all" season tires? They get hard in the cold, whereas winter tires stay relatively soft. Imagine driving on wooden wheels -- that's akin to why you are doing with regular all-seasons. FWD/RWD makes little difference if you know how to drive. Tires are the best thing you can modify by yourself.