Please recommend a 4WD petrol vehicle for negotiating icy rural roads?

What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Please recommend a 4WD petrol vehicle for negotiating icy rural roads?

The heavy snow over last November and December left me marooned for days because our lane was never cleared. Although fond of my ageing Polo estate, I'd have felt more confident negotiating icy rural Somerset in a 4WD, preferably manual, petrol and ideally no more than 4.3m in length but with room and easy access for two medium dogs. Can you recommend suitable new or up to four-year-old models? So far, I'm contemplating the RAV4 and am aware of the Skoda Yeti and Nissan Qashqai. The Ford Kuga's load access is awkward and the Hyundai ix35, Skoda Octavia and KIA Sportage are all too long for my garage. Annual mileage is low and local.

Asked on 24 December 2010 by FHB, Taunton

Answered by Honest John

Yeti 4WDs are fine, but hard to get and, unless you do mega miles, better the 1.8TSI 160 than the diesels. Also consider the more compact Suzuki SX4 1.6 2WD. 2WD fitted with winter compound tyres is more effective than 4WD and winter tyres are best bought in the summer when they are cheaper, then fitted to the car from November to March. See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/parts-and-accessories/20...s

Tags: manual gearbox suitable for dogs petrol engines winter tyres 4wd driving in snow winter

Similar questions

Can you recommend a car suitable for rural roads in ice and snow, perhaps with switchable 4wd/2wd?

I live in a hilly rural area with local access being a problem in icy/snow conditions. I also have to travel to rural schools as part of my job. I want to change my car but don't want a big fuel guzzling...

Should I replace my Mercedes-Benz C220 with a Honda CR-V for better performance in snow?

I currently run a 2001 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Elegance saloon. The car has done just over 80,000 miles and is in excellent condition. During the past two winters, due to the snow, I have not been able...

I recommend your correspondent EC considers an Audi A3 Sportback for use in wintry conditions.

Your correspondent EC, via email, appears to have identical needs to mine, except that our dog is a Springer Spaniel, not a Lab. I also drive 12,000 miles a year and make frequent trips to the Scottish...

Related models

Hyundai ix35 (2009 - 2015)

Good value for money. Low emissions and decent economy. Generous equipment levels.

Kia Sportage (2005 - 2010)

Enjoyable drive, especially in diesel form. Plenty of kit. Rear seats recline and fold flat easily. Roomy and practical.

Nissan Qashqai (2007 - 2014)

Very comfortable front seats with good ride. Feels well built. Strong Renault sourced dCi diesels. Elevated driving position and good visibility.

Skoda Octavia (2004 - 2013)

Well thought of by owners. Huge boot. Spacious and comfortable cabin. Reasonable to drive. Efficient Greenline TDI models.

Skoda Yeti (2009 - 2017)

Unique styling. Solid build. Excellent petrol engines including frugal yet peppy 1.2 TSI. Good space in the back. Frugal 1.6 TDI Greenline can return 60mpg+.

Suzuki SX4 (2006 - 2014)

Reasonably spacious five-seater with a decent boot, strong and economical diesel, tidy handling in 4WD.

Toyota RAV4 (2006 - 2013)

Bigger and now 5-door only. More luxurious but not as practical as previous RAV-4. Car-like road manners. Petrol and diesel automatics. Facelifted 2010.