AWD vs. 4x4: How do they perform Off-Road?

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[lorrinbarth]

You guys crack me up - Feel in Control - Proper 4 wheel drive - Felt like I was in a tank, and you got a few feet past where the Mitsubishi, dragging in the snow on street tires, got? Ha.

[ZaibAquil]

i will never understand the point of comparing drivetrains with different tires.

[nscantling]

In this video, you are not so much testing the differential systems as much as you are testing the tires.

[eximor]

It's stupid to compare offroad performance using different tire types

[kulifrunsen]

of course you went further on the snow with the nissian all because you gained momentum by driving on the tracks made by the mitsubishi

[iant]

The only difference is which one has a limited slip diff or lockers. 4x4 vs AWD is irrelevant. However, 4x4 systems are generally more robust if it has a separate transfer case.

[motorhead_jt]

That Mitsubishi has 4 lock as well. If it had winter/AT tires like the Frontier then it would have done just as well

[ejf]

I'm really getting impressed by that Outlander. I am going to test drive one now. Thanks.

[TurfSurf]

I am more impressed by the Outlander than the truck with snow tires and all the 4x4 options which only got further by like 10

[zam]

You should do a few snow comparisons ( with exact same tires ) of the different vehicles in a suburban setting which is where the majority of drivers drive... that would help to showcase the difference in the drive sysytems

[RCMarty]

The outcome would've been even closer with similar tires on the Outlander.

[cruisingprimate]

Drove the Outlander during winter in Canada with winter tires on, have to say it was pretty damn good, did not have any traction problems and there was a lot of snow.

[arefeshghi]

Paying extra money for the 4*4 and special tyres just for 10-15 feet?!!!

[larsjohansen]

You give part of the difference yourselves. The mitsubishi has AWD with ALL SEASON tires where the "proper" 4x4 (the nissan) has actual WINTER tires. OBVIOUSLY this will give better results for the 4x4. Clearance also help to get you further. To be honest. This socalled comparison is in my opinion useless for various reasons including the 2 already mentioned. Different ground clearance and different types of tires. To make the comparison reasonable they should have same type of tires (preferably same make, model and size) and also the ground clearance should be the same or at least reasonably similar.

[asithajayasundera]

Mitsubishi is a pioneer when it comes to 4WD Vehicles. Mitsubishi started manufacturing 4WD Vehicles way before Toyota, Nissan, GM, Chrisler and Ford. Mitsubishi SUVs are well known across the world. Specially Mitsubishi Pajero (Montero) is a legendary SUV. Unfortunately, North American people don't realize the value and quality of Mitsubishi.

[michaelggriffiths]

That Mitsubishi did really well. On normal tyres and being a family SUV, that's amazing. The 'propper' 4x4 only went a few feet further and benefitted from the 'ploughing' the Mitsubishi had already done. It got more momentum, expect being on Snow tyres!

[schmojo]

Just one test? I was hoping that both vehicles would have the same tires and would be put through multiple off road scenarios. I think this one needs to be revisited.

[Xenophene]

I'm glad to see Mitsubishi bringing out a nice SUV. I hope Mitsubishi comes back. I want Subaru, Mitsubishi and Ford duke it out with their 300+Hp AWD cars. More competition is the way to go.

[Bobbybeb]

Obviously "all season" tires are far from snow tires, but do you think both vehicles would have done better if they were equiped with snow tires?

[MultiPurposeReviewer]

This is a video I've waited a while for. The general opinion from the research that I've done is that AWD is best for inclement weather like wet or (lightly) snowy roads, and 4WD is best for off-roading. The reason I'd choose 4WD is that, in inclement weather, you can use 4-HI for roughly the same results as AWD, but almost no AWD vehicles can match the off-road capability you get with 4-LO.