is it AWD or 4WD
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Your wk2 will never be RWD unless you remove the front drive shaft.
On auto your jeeps 4x4 system has a 40/60 split.
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 - Transfer cases read here.
On auto your jeeps 4x4 system has a 40/60 split.
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 - Transfer cases read here.
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The difference between 4wd and AWD has become somewhat vague, and for most peoples' needs (foul weather traction) they accomplish the same thing. AWD used to be used for a system where two wheels were normally driven and the vehicle could divert torque to the other two wheels when slippage was detected, and 4WD was used for vehicles with transer cases which the user could put the vehicle in 4WD and 4LO. Many AWD vehicles such as Audis and Subarus now actually drive all 4 wheels all the time and divert torque as needes, and many 4WD vehicles no longer have a 2WD mode.
The way the terms are used now it seems that if the vehicle has a transfer case with low range it is a 4WD and if not it is AWD.
The way the terms are used now it seems that if the vehicle has a transfer case with low range it is a 4WD and if not it is AWD.
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Actually, in the truck world, where the Jeep is, AWD has been more often used as a term for any open transfer case that is not lockable. 4WD has been used to describe a lockable transfer case (often also with a low range). Now with brake traction control and variable locks... the terms get blurred.
AWD and 4x4 now seem to be marketing terms, like "Trail Rated". Vehicles targeted more to the heavier duty truck market are marketed as 4x4, those targeted to light duty vehicles or cars are marketed as AWD. Mechanically/functionally they could be pretty much identical.
AWD and 4x4 now seem to be marketing terms, like "Trail Rated". Vehicles targeted more to the heavier duty truck market are marketed as 4x4, those targeted to light duty vehicles or cars are marketed as AWD. Mechanically/functionally they could be pretty much identical.
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It should do better in deep snow than a Subaru because of the additional ground clearance and the low range. In light snow and slush they will probably be equal.
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The Jeep has an actual low range, so it's not really comparable. Subaru's system won't give you the torque multiplication to get up a steep grade.
Subaru's AWD is more about all weather performance than off road ability. It can send power to the wheel that has traction to deliver the torque, but it lacks a low range to multiply your torque.
Subaru's AWD is more about all weather performance than off road ability. It can send power to the wheel that has traction to deliver the torque, but it lacks a low range to multiply your torque.
I understand that there is no low range in Subaru. I'm just trying to compare strictly Jeep's Auto mode to Subaru AWD - kind of apples to apples. Just think 4x4 Laredo with QT I w/o low range.
Given above, let's asume if it is a crappy weather with let's say 1 inch of slushy snow on the road. You are in your Jeep in Auto (let's assume that you don't have Select Terrain) and you have a friend with Subaru. Can your Subaru friend claim that system on his car will handle those conditions better?
And ... No ... not trying to start Subaru war here, just want to understand.
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In one inch of slushy snow they would probably be equal. A lot would depend on the tires on the vehicles. The subaru may have a slight benefit when it comes to stopping because it is a lighter vehicle.
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I'd agree with this mostly. I think at some point you do get benefit from being heavy because you break the ice up. Not sure what that point is though. Might be well past the road vehicle weights, not sure.
He sure can...up to a point. The Subaru will have a lower center of gravity and therefore handle "better" while cornering. And I don't have a WK2 with a brake/ stability traction control (others can chime in), but the rental wk2 I had once will "limit" the power to the wheels while doing donuts in the snow...Subaru will not (at least the one I had years ago didn't).
Deep snow...no need to ask (although Subaru's do have a fairly good ground clearance number)
Next purchase will be a '14 GC Limited, the other car in the family will be a Subaru.
If any of you watched the most recent episodes of Top Gear, you will see that a Subaru can handle a little more than 1" of slush. Coming from 7 years in a WRX before my JGC, I can say the ONLY time I ever had an issue was when I bottomed out in ice and snow. They are beasts, just short. It's a different game. Hard to compare them directly, but I'd say it's about the only thing out there that is even worthy of a comparison to a Jeep.
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Indeed. My Dad has a 2012 Tribeca...it's a beast in snow, and they live out in Nebraska. I'd put it up against my GC or even my old Cherokee any day. It just mows through.
I have the 4x4 v6 Jeep (no low range) and I have a Subaru (see sig). I have driven both back-to-back regularly. The short answer is I can get in either one and head out confidently to wherever regardless of the weather. Ground clearance is the only factor that *could limit the Subaru, and I've never even been close to that limit since owning these.
The biggest factor is not the drivetrain but the tires.
The biggest factor is not the drivetrain but the tires.
It really does boil down to the tires. I have what you see below on my WK2 and I have Nokian WR G2's on wife's 2012 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited. They are both great in snow.
I did see some Subaru made movies where they go against Honda, Nissan, Ford, etc and trying to prove that their AWD system is the best. Kind of like this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRniF4JQN2U
How would Jeep GC do here?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpp5tW71qYI
Obviously newer cars/trucks with traction control have an advantage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRniF4JQN2U
How would Jeep GC do here?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpp5tW71qYI
Obviously newer cars/trucks with traction control have an advantage.
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