I live in vertical terrain in middle TN where yes we get annual frozen precipitation
I drive monthly to high Colorado and New Mexico
And Boone NC
and Traverse City and Petoskey Michigan
And twice annually northern west coast in snow
All Wheel Drive is not as good period .....it’s better than two wheel or front wheel
You want the best get Four Wheel Drive with high and low and locking diff
And like someone said if you live in 4-6 month snow country
Snow tires and like Z rated speed tires you get what you pay for
All wheel drive is better for road handling than as a snow and ice equalizer....
Best snow vehicle I’ve ever owned is a 2001 Land Cruiser
Second best a Dually
Wranglers are inexpensive by comparison and the four door roomy
Tahoe to Yukon and Slurb and Sclade.....all rock
Pickup ditto especially if weighted in back for winter
Subarus are cute but one major issue
Clearance and you look gay.....I had a 1980 GL WAGON 4wd
You asked
Forget All Wheel Drive.....that sounds like your wife talking
I’m gonna ping the master of the windswept snow prairie
Hey WD.... Multiple options for different regions. Worst rural is different that worst urban/city as ya well know...... My Toyota FJ80 is a tank in all conditions like your 2001 was but due its full time 4WD high or low only range sucked due gas mileage. I did do a locking hub conversion on it with a kit from down under call Marks 4WD hub kit. Really improved mileage to make it a great snow and ice rig. I always ignored the “rules” of some states and put “studded” snow tires on regardless as ice storms were my worst case. Stay at home is best option then as any vehicle without studded tires on ice is a “bowling ball on greased granite” as far as tract goes.
I drove a stock 88 toyota hilux xcab pickup with a camper shell on it, 22RE 4 banger from Albuquerque to Amarillo on I-40 in March of 93 when the route was closed due major WET deep snow storm and I had to get to Amarillo. Was still a deputy so had to BS my way passed the LEO’s blocking on ramps etc....with my badge and a sad story. Plowed snow with the front bumper from tijeras canyon , via clines corners, to Texas border where snow was only about 16 inches to 9 inches deep into amarillo.
I was chained up all the way , took me 9 hours for a regular 4 hour trip.
As the original poster hasn’t responded I’m gonna suggest a Tacoma 4x4 with a bed tank for added “useable”weight, good set of studded Falken snow tires and chains for all 4 tires. That rig is basic get ya there and home for all regions of the CONUS. I would add brush guard bumpers with front, back and corner protection due threats from “other” vehicles that I call soccer mom sliders.
All my 4x4’s have ARB Air lockers. 06 Dodge Cummins, 13 Tundra, 88 Hilux, and 92 FJ80. The 06 & 13 have OEM 55 gallon replacement tanks from titan as well as 60 gallon bed tanks for usable added weight / fuel. Chains, 3”x30’ snatch straps or bubba ropes are basic with a warn air winch being best with a 20$ snow shovel for worst winter conditions.
But all in all .... my garage is safest snow storm place. Yeah we can get there in modified rides with experience and preparation but that gomer that thinks 4WD will stop different than a 2WD is the problem so I just stay home .
My must go out in the blizzard rig is the 06 Dodge 2500 Cummins, ARB Air lockers, 4x4, Warn Air Winch on front and back ranch hand bumpers, LED pencil beam driving lights on top of brush guard, aimed low and wide. Also rigged white contractor strobe lights into my hazards . A simple grill weather cover to keep heater working at subzero temps or extreme winds and studded 285’s with HD military chains. Bed tank with 60 gallons and aftermarket OEM tank with 55 gallons of diesel treated with power services anti-gel.
As stated above .... were I to buy a new daily driver TODAY for to and from work. Highway, city street, trail or rural farmland it would be a Tacoma 4x4 with bed tank, ARB air lockers, military grade chains and studded snow tires for ice storms. Add good powerful driving lights that are aimed low and wide to see in blizzard or fog conditions. Any shop or DIY’er can add the contractor white strobes to your hazards so others”see” YOU” ..... mine are hidden in OEM running lights and brake light lenses.
Stay Safe WD ..... Hope yer well.
As someone who has two all wheel drive vehicles (2011 Nissan Murano/2016 Audi S5) and a 4x4 pickup (2004 Titan) I’m inclined to disagree. Although I have not had the Audi out in snow yet (and probably wont as it’s a cabrio), the Murano is much more convenient for day to day commuting in northern NJ winters than my pickup. No switching in and out of 4H when you’re going from 10 to 50 on snow blown highways. Traction is just there when you need it.
Don’t get me wrong, in really deep snow or the possibility of mud (off-road) having a truck with four wheel drive and locking dif is preferable. Just not my choice for every day bad weather commuting which is how I spend most of my time driving.
I will confess that the truck is more inline with my testosterone level and when you’re in a full size pickup people generally get out of your way and don’t’ ride your a$$.