Small 4wd suggestions please

gilbert_and_sullivan

To answer the OP's question which was asked.

Certainly recommend Subaru, but maybe the Forester is better sized for the OP than Legacy.
You may never want another make afterwards.

colin79666

As above winter tyres are a must. A 2WD on winter tyres will out perform a 4WD on summer rubber.

That said the Suzuki Swift has a 4WD model which might fit the bill if you want a small 4WD but without being a true offroader.

AdrianC

Gloomendoom wrote: »

traction and cornering grip should be improved over 2wd.

Only if you're cornering under power. Which, in poor winter conditions, you won't be.

tortoiseshellcat

Thanks for all your helpful replies it's definitely giving me something to think about. I really like Renault Captur signature although not 4wd it sounds like it will grip well as it has advanced traction control system. Think out our price range though...

silvercar

Nissan Juke?

Gloomendoom

AdrianC wrote: »

Only if you're cornering under power. Which, in poor winter conditions, you won't be.

Of course you will. Are you really suggesting that every bend will be taken on a trailing throttle?

tortoiseshellcat

silvercar wrote: »

Nissan Juke?

Thanks we actually looked at one today

AdrianC

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Of course you will. Are you really suggesting that every bend will be taken on a trailing throttle?

Given that we're talking about road conditions so poor that the difference will actually be relevant, I'm assuming we're talking about walking pace here.

ali-t

None of these are very small but both very easy to drive and park. I had a Nissan x trail which I loved and felt very safe in and it handled amazingly in the snow, rain, ice etc. I now have a landrover freelander which I like but haven't tested in bad weather yet. It feels sturdy like it was built for slow and steady rather than the x trail which was big and also felt nippy. Both get less than 30mpg and have expensive road tax but for me as a not very confident driver in the dark/rain/snow/ice etc feeling safe is the most important thing.

Iceweasel

colin79666 wrote: »

As above winter tyres are a must. A 2WD on winter tyres will out perform a 4WD on summer rubber.

I agree wholeheartedly with this.

Just to see what they were like I tried my BMW on an old set of partworn proper winter tyres (they came on a set of alloys I bought off eBay) and realised that they totally transformed the car.

We sold our Freelander as a result as it was no longer needed in rural Aberdeenshire.

The next winter I got a new set of winter tyres and now wish I'd done it long ago.

Those who say that winter tyres are not really needed in the UK haven't tried them.

Cue those who say:
They are a waste of money.
It's a tyre company con
They have nowhere to keep them.
They have managed fine so far.
We don't get enough snow
They drive carefully so don't need them
They don't drive when it's bad winter weather
etc. etc.