Decision point: do I need AWD for my intended car use?

[Carmonkey7]

Hi all, use of the second hand car I am looking to buy will be mostly for medium to long distance journeys on highway.

Why the AWD/4WD consideration? Journeys to ski resorts in winter, some ski trails (that might occasion depart from highway); parking on 20cm snow in a hotel parking (happened with a friend but he had AWD so not sure if it was an essential point); and maybe light off-roading in limited dirt and gravel (hopefully a rarer thing) - nothing extreme though.

Location: Switzerland, so ski trips to Swiss and French Alps maybe northern Italy mountains. Note that in the winter in Switzerland they salt the roads quite fast when snow falls.

I would only like to get a car with AWD if it is relatively important for my needs and not “just nice to have” since it restricts the choice of car quite a bit.

Driving: I’ve been driving for a few weeks per year for the last 20 years but haven’t owned a car myself. So I can definitely drive but am not a veteran either.

Note: I will have winter tyres in any case - so the decision on AWD is independent of these.

Edited by Carmonkey7 on Saturday 6th July 14:56

Edited by Carmonkey7 on Saturday 6th July 14:58

[Super Sonic]

Tyres are more important.

[Carmonkey7]

Super Sonic said:

Tyres are more important.

Sure - those I will have anyway. The question is on AWD.

[Mad Maximus]

Probably more useful to you than most. Plenty of 4wd and and cars about so why not.

[brillomaster]

You could probably get away with just winters and 2wd, but I think 4wd/awd would be beneficial a lot of the time for you, so I'd go awd.

[Summit_Detailing]

Given usage and location I'd say 4wd on winter tyres - Subaru Forester would be pretty unstoppable I'd imagine.

[loskie]

Yep a Skoda Karoq 4x4

[hidetheelephants]

Notice how most motorists at the destinations you've identified don't use AWD. Get AWD if you want but you certainly don't need it, whereas your outlined use definitely needs snow tyres.

[WindyCommon]

2WD + winter tyres > 4WD + ordinary tyres

[loskie]

spout that usual pish.

Or like most sensible folks have a 4x4 on winter or DECENT all season tyres

[Silvanus]

WindyCommon said:

2WD + winter tyres > 4WD + ordinary tyres

Or go 4WD of winters, better than both

[Pica-Pica]

You will cope OK with 2WD and winters.
AWD with winters will be better.
AWD and summers in summers on wet roundabouts etc., will be better than 2WD on summers.

[paddy1970]

Given your specific use case—regular winter driving in mountainous regions, potential deep snow in parking areas, and occasional light off-roading—AWD/4WD would provide significant advantages in terms of safety, control, and convenience.

While winter tyres are essential, they do not replace the benefits of an AWD/4WD system in the conditions you described.

Therefore, it seems reasonable to prioritize an AWD/4WD vehicle for your needs, despite the potential restrictions on the choice of car.

[Wheel Turned Out]

You'd get by with 2WD probably well enough for the sake of getting a car you *really* wanted.

If you're not that bothered about anything specific though, there's lots of great AWD choices available and they'll stand you in even better stead.

[Smokey Bear]

I got Barum winter tyres for mine, I was in Valais/Wallis and would go to Saas Fee a lot and did a few Simplon Pass crossings in the middle of the night at 10 to 15 below zero. I started out thinking it would be a necessity to have 4wd but only once was I caught out driving back to my apartment after work after a fresh dump of a foot of snow. I had to take a second run at the hill and when I came back out to go to the gym the road was cleared.

I’m not sure how much Italian driving you’ll be doing but generally in Switzerland the roads will be cleared very quickly so the snow won’t present a problem.

Car was RWD E55 Kompressor



If you plan to live above 1500m or very rural would definitely get something with locking diffs, if not you probably won’t need 4wd.

In saying that 3.0 diesel x3’s seem to be great value there and would make a great winter jammer.

[ZX10R NIN]

In your case, I'd say yes go AWD with good tyres.

[Carmonkey7]

paddy1970 said:

Given your specific use case—regular winter driving in mountainous regions, potential deep snow in parking areas, and occasional light off-roading—AWD/4WD would provide significant advantages in terms of safety, control, and convenience.

While winter tyres are essential, they do not replace the benefits of an AWD/4WD system in the conditions you described.

Therefore, it seems reasonable to prioritize an AWD/4WD vehicle for your needs, despite the potential restrictions on the choice of car.

In what type of example situations would you say that the AWD/4WD would provide additional benefits over “just” having winter tyres?

[nobrakes]

AWD for less stress
2WD and winters for the car you prefer.

[dmsims]

[paddy1970]

Carmonkey7 said:

In what type of example situations would you say that the AWD/4WD would provide additional benefits over “just” having winter tyres?

AWD/4WD systems provide additional benefits in several specific situations beyond what winter tyres alone can offer. Here are some example situations where AWD/4WD would be advantageous:

1. Steep Inclines and Declines in Snowy Conditions:

Scenario: You are driving up or down a steep mountain road covered in snow or ice.

Benefit: AWD/4WD systems distribute power to all four wheels, providing better traction and preventing wheel slip, which is critical for maintaining control on steep gradients.

2. Deep Snow or Unplowed Roads:

Scenario: You encounter a road or parking area with deep, unplowed snow.

Benefit: AWD/4WD vehicles are better equipped to handle deep snow as they can push through it more effectively, reducing the likelihood of getting stuck compared to a vehicle with only winter tyres.

Nb: I lived for 23 years in the French Alps....