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i was just wondering why are all SUV’s not 4×4 or AWD, i now someone that got a Nissan qashqai on Motability only to find out 6 months later when the snow came that it wasn’t 4×4 he assumed it was. They look like 4×4 or AWD but usually are front wheel drive , i think very misleading , I was looking at Peugeot e 5008 that’s for me, but no 4×4
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4wd are usually £1500 to £2000 more expensive than the equivalent 2wd version, this price increase might push a particular model ie Tiguan R Line Tech over the max RRP threshold
can’t speak for any other models or makes but it’s certainly the case for the example above
I wish it was 4wd! I even asked if I could pay the difference but computer said No
In my opinion it’s because it’s unnecessary for the majority of people. 4wd costs more to buy and run (road tax, fuel, servicing?). When you add all of those costs, people may be less likely to buy one. Manufacturers will have done the research to see if there’s a demand for 4wd and there mustn’t be because if there was then they’d be available?
I know there are some awd systems out there that automatically switch between fwd and awd when they’re needed. I’d be interested to see the data on what the average time spent in awd is? as id imagine it will be very little which would kind of support the arguement that it’s unnecessary.
I’ve spoken to plenty of people who just assume that a car is 4wd because of the styling so your friend is not on his own with that one.
Most people only buy them for the look not the performance. This trend has seen the demise of the much more practical MPV
It’s not a 4 wheel drive you need! It’s water wings. It’s the future!
Joss
Current car: BMW X2 sDrive 20i M Sport 5dr Step Auto In metallic Portimão Blue. 04:10:2025
Previous car:Peugeot 308 GT Premium 1.2 Pure tech Petrol.Even having 4×4 or AWD is no indicator of good performance in the snow/ice/mud. Its all down to the tyres fitted. Sadly, manufacturers assume we all drive in balmy summer, so they fit summer road tyres whilst banging on about departure angles and wading depth, rufty tufty exteriors etc etc…
A FWD vehicle fitted with winter tyres will run rings around a 4×4/AWD fitted with summer tyres.
The 5008 is FWD only, but can be specified with Grip Control, this gives enhanced abs that can help transfer drive between the front wheels, but, what really makes th difference is that changes the tyres to all-seasons, almost (90%) as good as winter tyres, and almost as good as summer tyres…i.e. best of both worlds.
Grip Control is also available on a lot of Citroens and now Vauxhalls too.
In life, it's not who you know that's important, it's how your wife found out.
SUVs are more about the look and space for the vast majority of drivers – my last car was AWD and to be honest it FELT like it was more trouble than it was worth. While I accept there were probably many times when it helped without me noticing the one strong memory I have of the car is going around a tight bend at a slow speed and the car decided it needed to send power to the rear wheels which instantly kicked out the back end of the car and nearly hit an oncoming car as a result. I don’t mind in the slightest that the Tiguan I have now is FWD, I’m enjoying the extra 10mpg it seems to be getting lol.
I don’t think its fair to say it’s misleading, every vehicle on the scheme specifically tells you in the motability search if it’s front, rear, AWD or 4×4 – if someone doesn’t actually look at the description, I don’t think its fair to say the description is misleading.
"Man is born in freedom, but he soon becomes a slave, in cages of convention, from the cradle, to the grave."
I’m dumbfounded that someone could buy a car thinking it was a 4×4 but not ask about it beforehand… almost makes me think this is a joke post?
If wanting a 4×4 they could have got a Fiat Panda, Suzuki Swift or a Suzuki Ignis?
I’m dumbfounded that someone could buy a car thinking it was a 4×4 but not ask about it beforehand… almost makes me think this is a joke post? If wanting a 4×4 they could have got a Fiat Panda, Suzuki Swift or a Suzuki Ignis?
My wife does not know what 4 x 4/AWD or even front or rear wheel drive and I would imagine a lot of other people, they just want a car and drive it, unfortunately they just made an assumption based on looks.
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.
SUVs are more about the look and space for the vast majority of drivers – I don’t mind in the slightest that the Tiguan I have now is FWD, I’m enjoying the extra 10mpg it seems to be getting lol. I don’t think its fair to say it’s misleading, every vehicle on the scheme specifically tells you in the motability search if it’s front, rear, AWD or 4×4 – if someone doesn’t actually look at the description, I don’t think its fair to say the description is misleading.
I agree about the fuel consumption we have a Kuga 4 x 4 our friend has the same car but 2WD, it about 8 mpg better than our 4 x 4.
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Oscarmax I can appreciate that knowing what is and what isn’t a 4×4 isn’t always obvious to everyone but if you need or want a 4×4 surely you ask when buying it… it’s not rocket science?</p>
So there are people who think they bought a 4wd without researching if the car actually has 4wd?
my wife wouldn’t know the difference either, but if it was a 4wd she thought she wanted she would ask someone who does.
surely a wind up.
It’s just car companies jumping on the band wagon trying to sell more cars.
The term SUV originated in the states where SUV,s are all wheel drive.
As the fad expanded over here the all wheel bit got lost either for economy of build or fuel economy.
For me your not selling an SUV if you dont sell an all wheel version. Your just selling a big car.
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