How do 2WD Highlanders perform in snow? Anyone in Northeast?

[IntenseNY]

Obviously not as good as AWD...

But, I'm looking for a used utility vehicle and settled on the Highlander. However, their value is still up there so it is hard to find a V6 4WD in my price range.

We get a few bad snow storms every year, so it is nice to have something with ground clearance and good snow capabilities. The 2WD Highlanders are much more affordable and in my range.

How do 2WD Highlanders perform in snow? Are they better than regular cars?


Anyone with a 2WD Highlander ever regret not getting the AWD model?


thanks

[LX302]

A friend of mine has a 2001 2wd model and he loves it.
It handles fine in the snow even a good 8" snowfall. Handles just as good as FWD cars and even a little better due to the ground clearence. We live in PA.
He is using the stock Goodyear tires as well, but you might get better handling with a more agressive tread/tire.
Plus most of the time when your on the road, the plows and salt are already on the roads.

[drewdog]

yeah i'm in north jersey, and we get some pretty bad winter weather. but because it's suburban/urban area, the roads are always salted and FWD usually does fine. I own an AWD highlander and it's great to be able to get thru anything, but it's rarely necessary.

unless you live in the wilderness, FWD will do ok. but i'd definitely replace the stock tires asap.....

[Brklyndriver]

With 2WD its as good as any other 2WD car just be careful with the accelerating, last week I acceled a little too fast and did a snow peel around a turn. The traction systems in the highlander allowed me to control the vehicle all the way around the turn without the slightest attempt to spin the vehicle in a direction other then the one I was aiming it at. My only regret about not having 4wd is i can't do 360

[IntenseNY]

I'm in NYC, the roads do get salted quick when it snows. There are those occasional snowfalls where you get 20" plus and you can't get through for a while until they plow your street. At least that is the case in Staten Island.
We are looking for a roomy, reliable, utility vehicle. The bad weather factor is a plus. So FWD should be sufficient.

thanks

[jim256]

If you can find one and the numbers work, the newer ones (04 and up-- I think) have the traction control and stability control, standard. I have found that to be great in snow and ice on other cars, front wheel drive and rear. I have not had the chance (or road conditions) to try it on my new 2WD Highlander.

[05MNTH]

There is a great Consumer Reports article that came out that addresses this topic. The key points? 2wd and 4wd models differ mainly in how fast they get going and severe handling. 4wd offers NO, let me repeat that - NO, advantage in stopping your vehilce in snow or ice.

For MY money a 2wd (front drive) Highlander with a set of snow tires ($600 package from www.tirerack.com) will do about 85% of the capabilities that a 4wd will do with less maintenance (over the long run) and better fuel economy.

[IntenseNY]

Originally Posted by 05MNTH

There is a great Consumer Reports article that came out that addresses this topic. The key points? 2wd and 4wd models differ mainly in how fast they get going and severe handling. 4wd offers NO, let me repeat that - NO, advantage in stopping your vehilce in snow or ice.

For MY money a 2wd (front drive) Highlander with a set of snow tires ($600 package from www.tirerack.com) will do about 85% of the capabilities that a 4wd will do with less maintenance (over the long run) and better fuel economy.

what kind of maintenance are we speaking about here?


4WD helps in traction/acceleration in poor weather conditions. 4 wheels pulling is better than 2. But that doesn't always justify the difference in price.

[CMB1998]

Originally Posted by 05MNTH

There is a great Consumer Reports article that came out that addresses this topic. The key points? 2wd and 4wd models differ mainly in how fast they get going and severe handling. 4wd offers NO, let me repeat that - NO, advantage in stopping your vehilce in snow or ice.

For MY money a 2wd (front drive) Highlander with a set of snow tires ($600 package from www.tirerack.com) will do about 85% of the capabilities that a 4wd will do with less maintenance (over the long run) and better fuel economy.

I almost completly agree with you. But i think you kinda of lost the point of the 4x4 or AWD. Yes the only advantage of the AWD is that you get going faster and you handels better but isn't that the point. I have been able to aviod many accidents in the snow because i had control where others didnt, only because of my 4wd.

I think your bottom line is correct though. I wouldn't buy a 4x4 or AWD just because you need it in the snow once a year. Less manintence and less gas if you get the 2wd version. You can always get a set of chains for 50 bucks and get anywhere you want.

Chris

[jj_mclure]

if you are looking to buy a highlander for the snow get the awd drive model. the 2 wd is not better than the ordinary car.

[matt30]

Originally Posted by jj_mclure

if you are looking to buy a highlander for the snow get the awd drive model. the 2 wd is not better than the ordinary car.

Actually it is. All highlanders are equipped with VSC and TRAC. That means that when one of the front tires losses traction the computer will reroute power to the opposite front wheel, keeping the vehicle moving in a situation where an ordinary 2wd car would have been stuck.

ABS and Brake force distribution also give it great stoping ablility.

[blocks]

This is reassuring...just learned that we're going to be moving to Baltimore after recently buying a V6 FWD Highlander...out here in sunny CA we don't have a great need for the AWD, but I was a little concerned about FWD performance back east for those winters next year.

Anyone other details about FWD perfomance in tough weather? Also, is the ECT snow function advisable in heavy rain as well?

Thanks!

[pokerface]

I dont notice any marked improvement in using ECT snow.. all it does is dumb down throttle response (by a LOT)... its more annoying than useful I think. But then again, I have AWD and tires are still relatively new (22000 kms)