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Which one is better? 4WD or AWD

4K views 9 replies 9 participants last post by  Array 
#1 ·
Hi, guys, I'm comparing the 2014 Cherokee Latitude 4X4 with the 2014 Subaru Forester Premium AWD. They are both around 26K. I took some quick test drive of both on city road but could't tell which one was better in terms of driving performance. Any insight please?
BTW, I live in south Florida, so no snow only rainy days.
 
#3 · (Edited)
;)In my humble opinion: A two wheel drive that can go into 4 wheel drive when needed should give you a bit better gas mileage (1 mpg) I have heard. 4WD/AWD would still add a safety margin for rain slick roads even in Florida . But as WATacoRider said in Florida a fwd wheel drive or AWD would work just fine.
I just ordered a Cherokee 2/4 wheel drive, with active drive 2 just to give me maximum safety and control in snow that we get in the Midwest. But in Rain/slick roads there is a huge difference also. I just like 2 WD in normal driving and the feel of 4 wheel dive kicking in when there is slippage. Part of why I love Jeeps.
Good luck on your search
 
#5 ·
Low range doesn't add traction, it just adds torque multiplication.
Having said that, selecting low range on some implementations does lock the
transfer case--those usually have a warning against using them on non-slick/loose surfaces.

Low range is useful if you ever leave Florida on trips to where there may be actual hills. :cool: Or if you mud crawl in Florida.

Although an all time 4wd or AWD may cost slight gas mileage, it sure does
help handling on wet roads--which Florida does get pretty much every day at 3:15 pm it seems. And if you keep it long enough, the rare snowfall or ice storm may actually occur.
 
#6 ·
The vast majority of cars in So Flo are 2wd... so a fwd Cherokee should be fine.
In the future I am interested if after market companies add a suspension lift option.
The Active Drive II is much more capable in off road wheeling options than the Subaru system. AD I compares to other SUV AWD options in its competitive category.
 
#7 ·
At this time we wouldn't touch a Subaru with a 10 foot pole.

Shocking statement I guess. Well, not really. Our Limited has been at the dealer for a week and our so will pick it up on Tuesday and put it in our garage as we are in Florida until mid December.

We have Active Drive II for a reason - we will tow it behind a motorhome and it is a simply matter with a transfer case that has Neutral. The Subaru may be a fine car but it can only be towed with a manual transmission. So it is out of the question for my wife (the Limited will be her car).

GR
 
#10 ·
We have Active Drive II for a reason - we will tow it behind a motorhome and it is a simply matter with a transfer case that has Neutral. The Subaru may be a fine car but it can only be towed with a manual transmission. So it is out of the question for my wife (the Limited will be her car).
GR
Same here! The 2014 Jeep Cherokee could become a dingy of choice given its relative light weight, better gas mileage, and an all-wheels-down automatic 4x4 with neutral, which eliminates the speed restriction. I tow my automatic AWD Honda CR-V at 65 mph (the manufacturer's stated max speed), but while going down steep grades or passing, I'm going faster. Then I'm worrying about what's cooking in the tranny.
 
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