CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG SEPTEMBER 2015 PRODUCT REVIEWS Survey Rates SUV and Wagon Performance in Snow Readers’ ratings show how AWD systems compare OUR 2015 AUTO SURVEY asked subscribers to rate their vehicles’ performance in snowy conditions. The results revealed that some AWD and 4WD systems are better than others. Sixty-nine to 92 percent of owners thought their 4WD and AWD SUVs and wagons were “very good” at snow performance. Below, SUVs and wagons are ranked for winter driving based on 47,982 subscriber ratings. All respondents had driven their vehicles without changing to winter tires on at least six snowy days during the winter of 2014-2015. The rankings are based on 2012 to 2015 models that have at least two model years’ worth of data. SNOW TRACTION (best listed first) Rank Make and model 18. Acura MDX 36. Toyota RAV4 1. Subaru Outback 19. Lincoln MKX 37. Buick Encore 2. Subaru XV Crosstrek 20. Jeep Cherokee 38. Honda Crosstour 3. Subaru Forester 21. Dodge Durango 39. Hyundai Santa Fe 4. Audi Q5 22. Mercedes-Benz M-Class 40. Volkswagen Tiguan 5. Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL 23. Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia 41. Honda CR-V 6. Jeep Wrangler 24. BMW X3 42. Ford Flex 7. Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon 25. BMW X5 43. Nissan Murano 8. Jeep Grand Cherokee 26. Ford Explorer 44. Mazda CX-5 9. Toyota 4Runner 27. BMW X1 45. Mazda CX-9 10. Ford Expedition 28. Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class 46. Cadillac SRX 11. Volvo XC60 29. Honda Pilot 47. Acura RDX 12. Ford Edge 30. Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Terrain 48. Infiniti JX, QX60 13. Volkswagen Touareg 31. Toyota Highlander 49. Nissan Pathfinder 14. Buick Enclave 32. Toyota Venza 50. Kia Sorento 15. Lexus RX 33. Ford Escape 51. Hyundai Tucson 16. Toyota Sequoia 34. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 52. Nissan Rogue 17. Volvo XC70 35. Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 53. Nissan Juke PRINTED COPY FOR PERSONAL READING ONLY. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION. Reprinted with permission from ConsumerReports.org © 2015, Consumer Reports. This reprint does not imply an endorsement or sponsorship of any product, service, company, or organization. Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make informed choices about products, services, and safety. For complete reviews, articles, tips, and recommendations go to www.ConsumerReports.org or call 800-333-0663 to subscribe. Do not edit or alter this reprint in any fashion. Reproductions are not permitted. CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG SEPTEMBER 2015 SEPTEMBER 2015 Which Small SUV Fares Best in the Snow? Comparing popular SUVs on our snow-covered track With our Connecticut auto-test center in winter’s covered with fresh snow, and drove the SUVs The Forester’s drive system allows a certain amount frigid grip, we piloted three top-selling compact around our unplowed handling course. of wheel slip while climbing, which helped the SUV SUVs around various sections of our track to see We found that not all all-wheel-drive systems maintain momentum in a pinch. The CR-V and RAV4 how they performed when driven on snow with are created equal. Our judgments reflect our actual feel less responsive to a foot on the gas pedal. standard all-season tires. experience, but because there are variables in When it came to staying on course while rounding Vehicles reflect a complete system; their tires, snow texture and density, consistent, repeatable curves, we also found pronounced differences stability control, and AWD setup determine how tests were difficult to create. among the vehicles, with the Subaru the leader. well they perform in snow. Caveats aside, our drivers’ assessments were When the cars were equipped with standard all- We did straight-line acceleration and braking surprisingly uniform. All of them agreed that the season tires, braking distances were similar—basi- trials with a 2015 Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Subaru did markedly better than the Honda and cally tripling the distance of dry-pavement stops and Toyota RAV4. We also climbed a steep hill Toyota at accelerating and hill climbing. from 60 mph. Subaru Forester It started, stopped, and cornered the way people expect an AWD car to drive. We could feel 36. Toyota RAV4 the power being directed to all four wheels at different times to help stay on course. It felt 37. Buick Encore well-balanced and allowed us to make midcorner adjustments without losing traction. Stability control wasn’t overbearing but helped when needed. 38. Honda Crosstour 39. Hyundai Santa Fe Photo: Subaru 40. Volkswagen Tiguan 41. Honda CR-V 42. Ford Flex Honda CR-V 43. Nissan Murano The CR-V mostly felt like a front-wheel-drive car. It required more driver input, and would 44. Mazda CX-5 initially continue straight rather than steer through a corner. But it could be persuaded to 45. Mazda CX-9 rotate by lifting quickly off the throttle and giving it a stab of steering input. The stability- control system prevented the SUV from spinning out, but ultimately it inspired less 46. Cadillac SRX confidence. 47. Acura RDX Photo: Honda 48. Infiniti JX, QX60 49. Nissan Pathfinder Toyota RAV4 50. Kia Sorento 51. Hyundai Tucson When it came to traction on unplowed roads, the Toyota AWD system often didn’t respond 52. Nissan Rogue to steering, braking, and throttle inputs, plowing straight through curves. An AWD Lock feature sends equal torque to the front and rear wheels but disengages at 25 mph. The 53. Nissan Juke only solution that really worked was to slow down to a crawl before reaching a corner. PRINTED COPY FOR PERSONAL READING ONLY. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION. Photo: Toyota Reprinted with permission from ConsumerReports.org © 2015, Consumer Reports. This reprint does not imply an endorsement or sponsorship of any product, service, company, or organization. Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make informed choices about products, services, and safety. For complete reviews, articles, tips, and recommendations go to www.ConsumerReports.org or call 800-333-0663 to subscribe. Do not edit or alter this reprint in any fashion. Reproductions are not permitted..