12 Medium SUVs and Just How Hopeless They Are on Any 4wd Task

tonyjzx on 19/04/2022 - 20:32

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsEFOH7KP-Q

I'm ambivalent about Paul Maric but he's at least consistent.

Just jump to whatever medium CUV you're interested and see how bad it is.

I do get these will most likely not see much 4wd action at all and you should really buy a 4x4 diesel ute if you're truly interested in this stuff. No one is doing a 30 degree log incline in a CRV.

But what I found funny is that these cars purport to have a fair bit of electronic 4wd aids and yet funnily enough, they dont work. Its like as if the companies did almost no testing. The dash display says "oh yeah power is going to the back wheels" but the car is just sitting there heating up the torque converter.

Of the cars tested only 4 out of 12 passed their tests.

Automotive

Comments

  • Thirtyfourfifty on 20/04/2022 - 16:40

    How'd the subaru Outback go? Assume similar to forester?

    • apsilon on 20/04/2022 - 17:08
      +1

      Wasn't tested but should be basically the same given it's the same platform.

  • Ragnarok1983 on 20/04/2022 - 18:09
    +1

    Wouldnt have expected any less from Forester.

  • DiscoJango on 20/04/2022 - 18:11
    -1

    some of the older foresters were actually pretty capable machines, not sure of current gen tho (havent been in them)

    • Harold Halfprice on 20/04/2022 - 20:11
      +1

      Those older turbo foresters were great, and really capable offroad with a lift + wheels.

      The current gen discontinued the XT. They're NA only and pretty gutless.

      The previous gen XT had a great engine with really good power and torque at low RPM. But it only ever came with a CVT which killed any serious off roading potential the car may have had. They don't do well in reverse and overheat easily, wouldn't have that problem with a manual though.

  • CuteWittleCorgi on 20/04/2022 - 19:03

    Can’t wait for the Tesla Model Y

  • Wasabi Ninja on 20/04/2022 - 19:04
    -2

    People who buy medium SUV’s make me laugh and laugh 😂

    • peterpaoliello on 22/04/2022 - 01:57
      -1

      My '06 v6 Escape has been the best vehicle I've owned and had absolutely delivered on everything I've asked of it which includes regular camping trips, plus has been ultra reliable and cheap servicing. I can easily see it doing me for a few years yet.

  • shaybisc on 20/04/2022 - 19:53
    +1

    Most definitions of SUV include some measure of off-road capability and all include all wheel drive and raised ground clearance.

    • tonyjzx on 20/04/2022 - 21:54
      +3

      I think this is one of the few pertinent comments here.

      Why bother running the central shaft and rear diff and electronics suite on any medium SUV when they plainly dont work.

      The Honda was the worst IMO. It sat there in 4wd model say its sending power to the rear wheels and the wheels arent spinning.

      All you hear is engine noise and that power being absorbed by… what? torque converter???

      why not just go with a 2wd if you're gonna get stuck anyway? You're gonna get stuck with 8 out of this 12.

      Let us give kudos to the ones that passed… the Subaru (of course) the Hyundai, the Outlander and surprisingly, the Haval.

      So what is one to say of the engineering prowess of Toyota Honda Nissan Mazda VW and even Jeep. I wonder why people dont focus on the companies that failed and rather focus on the customer. I wonder about the mentality of this audience here and really I dont expect the people out there are any better….

      • BobLim on 21/04/2022 - 01:25

        Why bother running the central shaft and rear diff and electronics suite on any medium SUV when they plainly dont work.

        Because having already been upsold from a normal sedan/hatch/wagon to an SUV, the customer will apparently pay a premium for it, both upfront and in servicing, and never detect or care that it doesn't actually do anything useful.

      • Dogsrule on 23/04/2022 - 15:26

        In the case of the RAV4 hybrid, the 2WD can only tow 480kg whereas the AWD can do 1500kg.

        Agree that the off-roading aspect is redundant.

  • pulpfiction on 20/04/2022 - 20:00
    +2

    Admittedly I only watched the Subaru, but I’m friggin impressed. Really not sure what you or these muppets were expecting!

    We have an outback purely because it can get to locations serviced by clay logging roads and limited trails. Locations a standard 2WD could easily get bogged in (zero chance of making it in the rain). So what’s the issue here? Should I really spend 100-200k on a high end 4WD for something like this? Great idea using that around the city for 10 months of the year to enable some soft off-roading.

    Why do people care about what others are driving? As long as they’re not driving a Reliant Regal, who cares?

  • Herbse on 20/04/2022 - 20:15

    That's why they're called soft roaders

  • Bid Sniper on 20/04/2022 - 23:46

    Subaru, old faithful. Yeah not the fanciest but can depend on it.

    On my 3rd, had a 400HP 2003 WRX wagon, was the best troll mobile back then. Really wished they made a STI wagon current gen. Tuned by STI Levorg is really nice but wanted a 6 speed.

  • living4music on 21/04/2022 - 01:11

    Anyone know if a Tesla model X/Y or any other EV SUVs can perform as good as a 4WD in terms of going offroad/sandy? Provided they have good ground clearance.

    • pogichinoy on 21/04/2022 - 23:33

      Check out TFL or Driving Sports TV for when they took a Model X rock crawling.

  • MrThing on 21/04/2022 - 06:55
    +1

    First lol "soft suvs" on sand ur gunna have a bad time, because you can be for sure all the tyres will be highway pressure (those cars arnt designed for the beach or proper 4wding, id like to see an insurer cover you if you flood one as they arnt designed for those conditions)

    Second their ground clearance is atrocious with no safe way to recover

    Third, you dont buy an suv to 4wd, hence the people using suvs to 4wd have little to no xp or sense regarding 4wding, gunna have a bad day for sure

    Ive seen some all wheel drive soobis on the sand, did fairly well, but ground clearance got em in the end, you rely on pure speed and get me up with those.

    Soft suvs i believe are designed for ppl who tow a camper on a formed dirt road to a camp site, want a better handling (????) Or better maneuverability of the van on a campsite (having 4wd so they dont spin wheels so easy). They are not designed for driving on the beach, mud, over rocks and washouts…

    Just look how they are designed gives it away, no recovery points, basically a tin can / light duty chasis frame on wheels, very exposed under carriage, skinny exposed drive shafts, low clearance, small tyres, no engine bay room for mods, big 4wd companies dont offer mods for them past bull bar and light mounts

  • mroarsome on 21/04/2022 - 09:42
    +2

    Tyres are everything. As much as a $100k Prado owner hates to admit it, put 4WD specific tyres with the correct tyre pressure on any of the SUVs and they will be pretty much go the same places as long as they have the ground clearance.

    Toyota Rav4 Hybrid with dirt tyres
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDXLczT_iaY

    • pogichinoy on 21/04/2022 - 12:13

      What you'll find is cars taken offroad are not meant to rely on initial momentum via throttle when tackling tough parts, which is what is required for the junk RAV4 AWD system above requires, and other AWD systems.

      The goal is to pass these obstacles with minimum momentum and little throttle.

  • shaybisc on 21/04/2022 - 09:53

    Hands up those who like CVT on their SUV?

    • jrowls on 21/04/2022 - 11:46

      Me! I’d prefer a manual but I’ve driven loads of autos and realistically it’s very similar. I’m a car enthusiast and everything. I’m not saying you can’t tell the difference but like, it barely matters. Subie CVT is strides ahead of some others I’ve driven.

      • redvaldez on 21/04/2022 - 15:15
        +1

        I was going to say the same thing, also as a car enthusiast. I just picked up an Outback 3.6 with a CVT, and I actually don't mind it. About the only time I miss a conventional auto is if you are really into it - there's something about cycling through the gears when you are giving it some stick, even in an auto. But let's face it, it's not a sports car.

        • jrowls on 21/04/2022 - 15:25

          oh dude same - we got a 3.6 outback late last yr when our 2006 2.5 manual died. very sad to lose the manual, but the effortless power of a (kinda) torquey 6cyl and a cvt is just the dream on the highway, and around town its perfect 98% of the time (i'm taking points off for the really annoying sensitivity/lag at takeoff). ive driven a lot of really awful autos and the subie cvt is way better than them. haven't driven a lot of great autos though.

          i love rowing my own too but… i have a motorbike. the car can be boring ha!

  • Richmond Tigers on 21/04/2022 - 10:50

    I knew my place with my old CRV, that's why I pulled the driveshaft off.

  • YRT on 21/04/2022 - 11:21

    We have the H6. The result looks OK, though I wonder why VW performed poorer than H6? They both have similar DSG transmission, and same Haldex AWD system.

    I'd think VW would have a technical advantage over Great Wall?

    • Domicron on 22/04/2022 - 12:56
      +2

      That is what VW would like consumers to believe.

    • dirtybigbjelke on 22/04/2022 - 14:40

      The VW is on 19" low profile tyres. Not sure what the Haval runs? 18"?

  • dannyboi on 21/04/2022 - 14:11

    Pretty happy to see the Subaru perform as well as it did in keeping with their reputation.

    Was surprised to see how the Jeep Compass Trailhawk was so poor despite the “trail” tested nature of it.

    For the rest of the group, it wasn’t particularly surprisingly.

    We’ve got a CX-9 and definitely don’t take it proper off-road but it sure is nice to drive on unsealed forest roads. Looking at getting a proper Ute-based car soon though.

  • apsilon on 21/04/2022 - 14:12

    Jeep Compass Trailhawk was so poor despite the “trail” tested nature of it.

    It's trail rated and a fail is still a rating.

    • greatlamp on 23/04/2022 - 12:44

      Ah, like fish oil caps that are "tested for mercury"

  • Kiro on 21/04/2022 - 17:06

    Owned an SUV Jeep Cherokee, took to Stockton years ago and I knew it's limitations. Was a fun rush on the beach.
    I own now an SUV 4wd, again I know it's limitations and definitely out performs the Jeep Cherokee, tows my 2.4t caravan without a problem on and off road.

  • Hangryuman on 21/04/2022 - 18:06
    -1

    I grew up in the country driving on dirt roads and paddocks - and the only thing farmers drove was - an old ute that could put haybales and bags of stuff in the back. The trick for rutted or corrugated roads was to find the high side or optimum speed to smooth out the corrugations

    so I was bemused when a city guy showed me a video of him proudly driving his expensive top model 4WD along a smooth dirt road - like it was an amazing skill - I was thinking to myself 'I'd drive my sedan on that track without a second thought'

    some aspiring friends of friends once took us for a drive in the city in their new fancy 4WD - and proudly asked 'what do you think ?' - expecting me to be impressed by their shiny new toy - I said 'bumpy' - knowing and feeling the suspension of 4WDs are typically harder riding than luxury sedans

    well - that was a Debbie Downer - he said nothing else - a month later I saw them driving - a new Mercedes sedan. Wanktastic.

  • striker5950 on 21/04/2022 - 20:10

    SUV's aren't really meant for off-road, good for not worrying about city potholes, parking slopes and speed bumps though.

    for true offroad if you are on a budget get a suzuki jimni, or more high end prado/andcruiser, nissan patrol

  • deneb on 21/04/2022 - 23:33
    +1

    lets be frank here, the toughest thing a mid suv gonna go through is the kerb near school pickup.

  • Hearthstone on 22/04/2022 - 09:17

    off topic but anyone owned a Toyota Landcruiser? how long do these car last? LC300 currently going around 120K a pop for VX model and 6-12 months wait
    I want to get one and a large Caravan so I can drive Australia for a few months.

    I tend to buy a car and keep them for 15 years, but at 120K can I drag it out to 20-25 years If I keep up with regular service, I heard these 4WD can goes up to 500,000Km with no issue

    I am an outdoor person so I go to a lot of odd places and do a lot of off-track hiking so a 4WD will be perfectly for me

  • bobolo on 22/04/2022 - 09:42

    Personally I would never buy a FWD car again - ever. The wheelspin you get on wet roads coming out of corners/driveways/slight inclines from red lights etc is bordering dangerous. You can't accelerate fast enough to get out of emergencies

    There are a lot of different types of terrain between hardcore off road trails and suburban streets.

    Similarly, there are a lot of car/drivetrain types between yeeeww! lifted Patrolhub yobs vs FWD camry's

    Plenty of standard country/farm and even city streets are not suitable for average sedan/wagon ground clearances without scraping

    Plenty of country/hillside driving (especially wet grass) requires a basic AWD/4WD system to tackle

    There is no one of or right or wrong. Just buy what you think suits you and be done with it.

  • Oofy Doofy on 22/04/2022 - 13:00

    I have a late model (not the Nissan xtrail based) Outlander, with AT tyres, lifted suspension and s-awc, there isn't really anything it can't do, other than rock crawling.

    Next time I'd just buy a second hand Pajero though, lol.

    For anyone interested, Ceika suspension (online) are the absolute ducks nuts.

  • itbargainhunter on 22/04/2022 - 14:38

    Ar….

    Most people don't know the difference between FWD vs AWD vs 4WD anyway..

    for "offroad" you really need a 4WD to start with in general.

    90% of SUV in the market are FWD and they are just a sedan with more headroom. The rest are AWD which perform better in slippery conditions like snow or wet.

    Very very few 4WD in SUV form as they are mostly bigger in chassis and Jeep-like by design.

    The smallest one I have seen is the Suzuki jimmy 4x4

  • bigbadboogieman on 22/04/2022 - 18:58

    Do you need a chains on an AWD while driving on roads in snowy mountains during winters?

    • ChaLuo on 23/04/2022 - 16:12

      yes

  • Euphemistic on 23/04/2022 - 06:57

    I’m going to go against the grain here. Watched almost all of them and was surprised they did pretty well. Would have like to see a slippery surface test, like a wet clay slight incline and some sand thrown in, that’s where most will get into trouble.

    Plenty of ‘rear’ 4wd would struggle on those tests. Diagonal wheels off the ground would have much the same result without a rear diff lock. Most 4wd driver also know that a standing start up a steep hill against any sort of hump like that long climb needs a bit of a roll back and momentum to get 2t moving. These SUVs mostly walked up it when they didn’t stop.

  • velcrochicken on 23/04/2022 - 09:46
    +1

    This video really didn't show they were "hopeless" at all, maybe apart from the Honda.

    I own a Nissan xtrail and a g61 patrol and honestly on sand the xtrail is just as good most of the time due to how light weight it is.

    Obviously you have to change your driving style with the xtrail and take different lines due to the ground clearance but you can definitely tackle plenty of "4wd only" tracks.

    • Euphemistic on 23/04/2022 - 10:38

      Totally agree. I’d be surprised if I couldn’t get a 2wd vehicle where some 4wd owners are too scared to go. A little bit of lift and a smudge extra traction of an awd will go a fair way.

      Most of these awd SUVs are bought because of the marketing and never actually engage awd at all.

  • Hangryuman on 23/04/2022 - 13:43

    'Most of these awd SUVs are bought because of the marketing and never actually engage awd at all'

    for those who haven't seen it - the first SUV - the 1970 Range Rover designer's thoughts - https://www.thefreelibrary.com/4x4+DRIVERS+ARE+STUPID+AND+PO…

    a schoolfriend's rich father had one of the first in the early 1970s, for driving to/on his cattle farm.

    in Melbourne we called them Toorak Tractors, for hauling shopping from the inner-city shopping centre carpark, and mums like them for the high view over smaller cars - oops, sorry about reversing over YOUR child at the after-school pickup … !

    • Euphemistic on 23/04/2022 - 18:38

      And this has exactly what to do with this thread?

  • ChaLuo on 23/04/2022 - 16:13

    this topic can turn into heated debate :D

  • Halc on 23/04/2022 - 16:29

    the real surprise is Haval passed the test..

  • wolffram on 24/04/2022 - 12:45

    Of course they're hopeless on 4WD tasks - they are AWD's, not 4WD's.

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