4x4 smallish hatchback for icy winter roads needed - suggestions?

[JANDL100]

Crossover, I think they are called these days. :?

Used price up to £15k maybe for a 40k miles or less example, less £ preferred.

After a brief look around, the Honda CRV looks attractive, but is there something a bit smaller that can handle the snow & ice on minor hilly roads?

 

[meninblack]

Jimny! A good one with 40-50k miles on it should be less than £4k.

 

[JANDL100]

Jimny! A good one with 40-50k miles on it should be less than £4k.

Ummm .. http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/suzuki/jimny-4x4/summary/23521-3

It looks a bit too basic for comfortable all year driving.

I'll be racking up a fair few miles in it ... the Jimny look good for low miles off road

I also probably need more space

 

[johnniebaby]

Ummm .. http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/suzuki/jimny-4x4/summary/23521-3It looks a bit too basic for comfortable all year driving.

I'll be racking up a fair few miles in it ... the Jimny look good for low miles off road

But it does come with a full set of heated rollers, and an integral tampon dispenser Jerry.

 

[browellm]

My dad had a CRV, very nice it was too. Skoda Yeti seems to be all the rage at the moment, definitely in budget (£11k+ on Autotrader with your caveats).

Kia Sportage is my favourite in terms of looks.

I wouldn't get too hung up on 4x4. Proper winter tyres on a 2 wheel drive will trump a 4x4 with summer tyres any day of the week. 4x4 gives you extra weight, maintenance bills and worse fuel economy.

 

[JANDL100]

yep, thanks, the Yeti does look interesting.

 

[rockmeister]

Rav 4 is still good, Subaru Forester, CRV, Mazda CX5,VW Tiguan all good. Subaru, Mazda and Honda the most reliable, Honda and VW nearest to a normal car to drive, Forester probably the most capable in real off road situations. Or one of the more SUVish type things with 2WD and fit winter tyres, like a Qashqai? That way you get grip, ground clearance, better MPG and handling and cheaper servicing?

 

[browellm]

The CRV is quite big as well, Jerry. Not sure it falls into the 'smallish' bracket. Face it, you need a Jimny!

 

[gjm]

Don't laugh.

Skoda Yeti 4x4. For 15k, you'll easily get one that's reasonable (maybe even low) mileage and less than 3 years old.

Staying with VAG, there are Audi A3 Quattros too.

I used to have a Lancia Delta Integrale, but they may be a little more performance-oriented than you're after for winter driving.

 

[meninblack]

Didn't Top Gear test some of those horrid "crossover" things recently?

A Jimny is not much use as a sole car for high mileages - too crude, slow and uncomfortable. A 3-door Vitara isn't much bigger, especially the older ones. I once drove to southern Germany in one, it was a bit noisy but otherwise OK.

 

[meninblack]

Good call on the Integrale, but maybe not so good off road ... how about a Metro 6R4 with jacked-up suspension and Forest tyres?

 

[s2000db]

Good call on the Integrale, but maybe not so good off road ... how about a Metro 6R4 with jacked-up suspension and Forest tyres?

Lol now your talking or a RS200 as well?

Really get yourself a decent set of winter tyres, I had no problem at all getting round a very snowy Germany in a 5 series last Winter.. And they last ok in the warm and dry also!

 

[JANDL100]

Don't laugh.Skoda Yeti 4x4. For 15k, you'll easily get one that's reasonable (maybe even low) mileage and less than 3 years old.

Yep - that Yeti is looking good. I know it's a Skoda - but I got quite a surprise a few years back with a hired 2l Octavia :shock: what a fine car!

 

[diceman]

As has been said tyres will make a bigger difference than anything. I am a bit out of date with technology so please accept my apologies if any of the info is old school!

There are many compromises to be made for any 4wd system though so choose with respect to your requirements. The BMW X-drive, Haldex system used on the Skoda,Audi,VW and the Honda CRV are generally 2wd and put some power to the other 2 wheels when traction is a problem. I believe they are controlled by computer and a fluid pump to vary the torque sent to the other 2 wheels with traction being controlled by application of the brakes on a certain wheel.

The more serious off road stuff is generally fixed 4WD and the real serious stuff has selectable differential locks (all 4 wheels driven the same which is not usable on road).

The 2wd systems offer better economy, the permanent 4wd systems offer better and more predictable handling characteristics.

We had a Honda CR-V (2wd with 4wd when it decided you need it) as a pool car at work (previous generation circa 2005) and whilst it was a very reliable car it handled like a bucket of blancmange, rolled badly and span its wheels around roundabouts without much provocation - it was terrible as an on roader IMHO. At the same time one of the engineers had a same age Toyota Rav-4 (constant 4wd and old school viscous torsen type diferentials) which had much better traction in snow and provided a better on road driving experience feeling more car like.

The bigger frontal area of the soft-roaders will impact on MPG especially on motorways and it is very rare that we get snow deep enough to ground out a regular height car.

My personal suggestion is look for a 4wd diesel version of a regular car. Something from Subaru initially springs to mind as they have been doing 4wd for an eternity and you always used to see farmers having a few of them (not sure if they still have diff locks on the standard type cars like the old ones did?) The new impreza diesel looks interesting.

 

[gjm]

Yep - that Yeti is looking good. I know it's a Skoda - but I got quite a surprise a few years back with a hired 2l Octavia :shock: what a fine car!

I didn't like the Octavia I drove at all - it my have had issues which spoiled the experience, of course, and it was a very early example. I don't know if it is still the case, but they used to be built on the VW Golf floor plan, and adding all that extra size and weight can't have helped.

Of course, the popular television pundit Mr JCR Clarkson rather liked the Yeti, demonstrating it's versatility by landing a helicopter on it. I don't know if that sort of functionality may be important?

Regardless, it strikes me as an eminently practical vehicle while (allegedly) being fun to drive (I've not driven one). The diesels will be economical.

 

[JANDL100]

I wouldn't get too hung up on 4x4. Proper winter tyres on a 2 wheel drive will trump a 4x4 with summer tyres any day of the week. 4x4 gives you extra weight, maintenance bills and worse fuel economy.

Ah - that's interesting!

Might be worth putting winter tyres on my current vehicle and see what happens ....

 

[mr.me]

Move house to where there is less snow and no hills

 

[browellm]

What you got right now Jerry? As mentioned, if you don't need the extra ground clearance it's worth looking at.

A set of 4 winters, plus the wheels would be about £1k depending on your current wheel/tyre size. Quite a few places will stoe your other set of tyres properly for you off season for about £30/y. Plus you aren't using your summer tyres when the winters are on so apart from the upfront costs, ongoing costs are very reasonable.

The Earl bought some winter tyres recently I think, and apart from the warmest winter on record I think he's had a positive experience. Tap him up for some comment.

 

[peterh]

I bought some snow socks for the front driven wheels on my my Skoda Fabia after 2 harsh winters. We live down a steep hill and I found this year when the snow was on the ground the Fabia/snow sock combination got me up the hill when the soft-roaders couldn't get up. The only things that managed were my Fabia/snow sock, a Defender and a Range Rover. I would suggest snow-chains or snow socks for the occasional snowy days and a 2wd vehicle and/or winter tyres. Much cheaper than a 4wd for the few days a year when it snows.