Best 4x4 for winter conditions?

[andy97]

OK not strictly off road but looking for some advice on what the best 4x4 is to cope with winter conditions (and yes, I know that tyres are probably the most important thing).

We are looking to replace our Nissan X-Trail. My wife's car. Been a good work horse and pretty economical really at 39mpg so looking for something similar but whereas the X-Trail was a stand out performer on the economy stakes when we bought it 7 years ago I'm aware that technology has moved on and there a lot of vehicles with similar or better economy.

Must be able to accommodate 2 large dogs in boot space, has to tow 2000Kg (race car and trailer), needs to be as economical as the X-Trail and whilst not strictly needing to be excellent off road my wife works in Buxton and so regularly has to cope with travelling in poor conditions in winter in the Peak District, including through snow drifts so needs to be able to cope with that.

Any advice?

Cheers

[jagracer]

Another X Trail or a Landcruiser although you'll be hard pushed to get 39mpg from a Landcruiser or any other big 4X4 for that matter.
.

[300bhp/ton]

So not really a Best 4x4 at all.

[loko]

What winter conditions , i think this morning was the first time i.ve had to de ice the windsceen

[andy97]

Buxton has its own micro climate - it can snow or be icy in October there!

[jagracer]

loko said:

What winter conditions , i think this morning was the first time i.ve had to de ice the windsceen

We're talking about a few months of mild weather, and for us in London It's about the forth or fifth time It's been frosty this winter which even for here is highly unusual. It's still only January with the worst 2 or 3 months of the year weather wise to come so don't get lured into any false sense of security.

[McWigglebum4th]

Forester with a winter pack

[Snowboy]

For that mpg.
Probably another x-trail, maybe a big volvo estate, Subaru.

On a Disco, Shogun size thing your looking at 25mpg.

For snow, it's all about tyres.
I'd say go for General Grabber AT's and keep them on all year.
Other opinions are available.

Secondary, for big snow and floods is ground clearance.
Not just of the actual metal bits, but also the locations of the inlet pipes and breathers.

[Riff Raff]

McWigglebum4th said:

Forester with a winter pack

Are they rated to tow 2,000Kg though?

Snowboy said:

On a Disco, Shogun size thing your looking at 25mpg.

I get mid thirties from my Shogun out of town. In 2WD mode admittedly, but that's where most of them will spend most of their lives I suspect.

You can fit two dogs in though, and it will tow 3,500Kg

[clunkbox]

Snowboy said:

For that mpg.
For snow, it's all about tyres.
I'd say go for General Grabber AT's and keep them on all year.
Other opinions are available.

This, but make sure if you are buying tyres they are winter rated as opposed to just chunky off road ones. The pattern may will be more suitable, and more importantly in low temperature conditions (and at higher speeds as opposed to chugging through deep snow) they will be made from the correct compound.

From what I understand you need to look for the snowflake on a mountain symbol - as simply an M+S marking isn't bound by any particular standards.

For what you describe I'd be looking for a vehicle that can run happily in four/all wheel drive on dry tarmac without knackering the diffs. For example the mid 06 crew cab pick up I drive at work has selectable 2wd or 4wd, but 4wd is not recommended for tarmac use - therefore in mixed conditions with some dry tarmac and some snow or ice you can find yourself left with RWD, bugger all weight over the back wheels and no traction control. Which is bloody great fun, but your wife may disagree!

[Happy82]

andy97 said:

OK not strictly off road but looking for some advice on what the best 4x4 is to cope with winter conditions (and yes, I know that tyres are probably the most important thing).

We are looking to replace our Nissan X-Trail. My wife's car. Been a good work horse and pretty economical really at 39mpg so looking for something similar but whereas the X-Trail was a stand out performer on the economy stakes when we bought it 7 years ago I'm aware that technology has moved on and there a lot of vehicles with similar or better economy.

Must be able to accommodate 2 large dogs in boot space, has to tow 2000Kg (race car and trailer), needs to be as economical as the X-Trail and whilst not strictly needing to be excellent off road my wife works in Buxton and so regularly has to cope with travelling in poor conditions in winter in the Peak District, including through snow drifts so needs to be able to cope with that.

Any advice?

Cheers

The newer Jeep Patriot with the Mercedes engine is similar to the x-trail and has a 2000kg towing capacity, we have the older one with a BKD VAG engine (1500kg towing) and that easily achieves 50mpg+ on motorway runs. I would suggest the Compass but the boot might be a bit small for a pair of large dogs.

Although we've not owned them, have you considered a Freelander 2 or Subaru Forester as they should hit your required mpg?

[camel_landy]

Freelander Auto. Ideally a Freelander 2 but either way, make sure it's an auto. The Freelander also has a 2000kg towing limit.

The smaller 4x4s are fantastic in the snow as there is a lot less weight to them.

M

[cailean]

I think the 2.5i Outback has a maximum towing capacity of 2,700 lbs, while the 3.6R Outback can haul 3,000 lbs. The 2014 Forester has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. You will not get the economy in the Outback though but will in the Forester.

[skyrover]

Here are the recommendations for a towcar that can pull 2000kg up to 100% towing code max

Audi Q7
BMW - 760i
BMW X5 II
BMW X6
BMW Gran Turismo
Cadillac Escalade
Ford Ranger
Hyundai H-1
Hyundai ix55
Infiniti FX50
Infiniti FX37
Iveco Massif
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Landrover Discovery
Land Rover Defender
Lexus LS460
Range Rover
Range Rover Sport
Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen
Mercedes-Benz GL
Mercedes Benz ML
Mercedes Benz Viano
Mercedes Benx R
Mitsubishi Pajero
Nissan Patrol
Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan Navara
Porsche Cayenne
Saab 9-7X
Ssangyong Rexton
Ssangyong Rodius
Toyota Landcruiser V8
Toyota Tundra
Volkswagen Phaeton
Volkswagen Touareg
Volvo XC90

I wouldn't tow 2000kg with an x-trail

[andy97]

Thanks for the replies so far.

As for the list, that's helpful but whats the mpg of those in the list. The new car has to achieve 40 mpg in "normal" driving. (our existing X-Trail achieves 39).

The weight of the trailer and race car is actually 1600-1650 Kg, hence the safety margin of a 2000Kg towing weight.

[skyrover]

andy97 said:

Thanks for the replies so far.

As for the list, that's helpful but whats the mpg of those in the list. The new car has to achieve 40 mpg in "normal" driving. (our existing X-Trail achieves 39).

The weight of the trailer and race car is actually 1600-1650 Kg, hence the safety margin of a 2000Kg towing weight.

whack your details in here... you will get a list of suitable towcars

http://www.towcar.info/select.php

website is dutch but most vehicles available in UK market.

here's another website with a bigger database

http://www.towinghorsetrailers.co.uk/towing_vehicl...

Edited by skyrover on Thursday 23 January 23:32

[dowahdiddyman]

I live in Buxton and when we got hit by the snow bad last march my sorento fitted with hankook dynapro a/t tyres laughed at it. Unfortunately it also laughs at anywhere near 40mpg. cannot see you getting a proper 4x4 that will do 40 to be honest.

[PugwasHDJ80]

Don't discount an xc70

It has the same ground clearance as a freelander, can tow very close to two tonnes and ours happily does 42mpg.

It's nowhere near as good offroad as my landcruiser, but actually in snow and ice, with snow tyres on, it was probably better!

[Sarge 4x4]

Most vehicles fitted with proper winter tyres will be a lot better than others without, even a small two wheel drive car with winter tyres will be better than a 4x4 without.

The lighter vehicles will do better as they don't have to move the larger weights up hill or stop the weight going down hill.

Panda 4x4 with winter tyres would be a great little 4x4 but may struggle off road.

I will always jump in my old Defender 90 200tdi as and when needed but would not choose it as a day to day drive as it will never ever get close to 40mpg.

A huge fan of winter tyres on all vehicles not just 4x4's.

[andy97]

Sarge 4x4 said:

Most vehicles fitted with proper winter tyres will be a lot better than others without, even a small two wheel drive car with winter tyres will be better than a 4x4 without.

A huge fan of winter tyres on all vehicles not just 4x4's.

Agreed. I have winter tyres on my BMW and have not had the usual RWD problems that many experience in slippy conditions, but there is snow between Ashbourne and Buxton this morning and Mrs97 would not contemplate the commute without a 4x4.