I’m really curious to hear about the apparent year-round benefits, as someone who has owned a few 4WD. Both permanent and electric systems.
Rene – please just accept that I prefer 4WD and you prefer 2WD. There is no right or wrong. I respect your choice, so please respect mine. I was simply correcting your initial statement that 4WD is only of use off-road and then your later claim that there is a 10-15 mpg fuel penalty. But since you ask, in the case of the BMW X1 that I have, the 4WD version offers the following advantages over the 2WD – Better performance (the official stats confirm this if you don’t believe me), better traction and grip (not just in snow but all weathers, plus when cornering at speed etc – I’ve driven both 2WD and 4WD versions and the difference was noticeable), better safety in poor weather conditions (not just snow), hill descent control and, of course, less chance of getting stuck when it snows (I’ve been stuck a few times in 2WD cars but, thankfully, never in a 4WD). We live in a rural area and have elderly parents who may need us in adverse weather. There is one negative, which is just under 3mpg worse fuel economy. I will take that one negative for all the positives, but that’s my choice. I respect that you take a different view. By the way, our 2 litre petrol 4WD SUV achieves mid 40’s mpg, which is better than some 2WD 2 litre petrol SUV’s. I am not trying to convince you to get a 4WD. As I have said several times, for most people a 2WD makes more sense. In our case however, I am very happy with our choice.