OT: RAV4 or CRV for Colorado Winters?

I don't have any personal experience with the CRV, but we've had our '88 Toyota 4-wheel drive since it was new. I would think a RAV4 would be just as reliable - just saying because our Toyota has been so good. I know there are plenty of people in Colorado without 4-wheel drive, but I feel much better having it. Our house is on top of a hill just outside the city so that also influences our choice of vehicle. Our other daily driver is an '04 Subaru Forrester and I love it - it has all-wheel drive.

These are just my opinions from my experience - I'm not selling or slamming anything

One of my roomates had a RAV-4. In my opinion the problem with both of these from a snow car point of view is that they are based on a car frame. This gives them better handling but puts them lower to the ground. If you have a really big storm such as November 06 (or the Bronco Blizzard if you go back far enough), you can still get stuck. If we get a big snow you need something on a truck frame such as the Toyota 4 wheeler noted above. I have an X-terra and was the only one from our practice to get in. Even then I had to chain up.

Denver really doesn't get enough snow to justify a big four wheel drive though. If it snows that much they go on snow alert and either send someone to get you or make the nurses there stay in house until the snow stops. Either a CRV or the Rav-4 will do well. Just remember that just because you can go fast in the snow but you still stop the same.

If you are in the mountains or even the foothills such as Evergreen you probably need something with more clearance. Other areas such as Monument get a lot of big snows also. Again here you are looking at something on a truck frame. Toyota land cruiser or such. Lousy gas mileage but it will go in the snow. The Subaru Outback is another good choice. It has better clearance than most cross overs and gets good gas mileage (comparatively). Of course finding your car in the parking lot among the loads of Outbacks is a problem.

David Carpenter, PA-C

My mom has a CRV and it sucks in the snow. I am pretty sure it is all wheel drive though, and I would never get all wheel drive. We have a Jeep and I love it in the winter. Handles great in the snow.

I had the RAV-4 and the AWD was okay. Probably handled as well as any car. However, the ride was a bit bumpy and the backseat was not comfortable at all.

I've since traded it in for a 4-Runner and I absolutely love it.

Just to let you know, movingRN, we live in the south Denver suburbs with only a Camry and a Corolla. Besides 9 years in Florida, I've lived here since 1978 without a 4wd vehicle. My husband had an Explorer 4wd when I met him but I preferred my little Toyota Tercel with Blizzacs in the snow :rotf:

Every winter I put Blizzacs on my car and have frequently passed 4wd's on the road. I have NEVER gotten stuck despite working or going to school every day of my life.

If you live in the foothills of Denver or south (Castle Rock, the Springs) you could use a 4wd but plenty of people get by without one.

Just my .02...

Have you considered the AWD Toyota Highlander Hybrid? Small SUV, high ground clearance, AWD handles terrific in snow and ice and gets 27mpg in the city! Love mine.

Don't feel rushed to buy anything, your Corolla will be fine. Although it's nice to have a AWD, there are only a handful of days where you truly need one... and that is usually just to get in/out of your neighborhood to a main street. I think anti-lock brakes are actually more helpful then the AWD...they keep you from sliding when trying to stop on ice or snowpack. I never had a AWD until well into my 30's, and my parents who have been here since 1965 have never had one.

When you are ready to buy one, try a Hyundai Santa Fe. We have an AWD and we love it. You get a lot for the money and it comes with a great warranty, and if you get a 3.5L you will have plenty of power to zip up the mountains (or onto I-25)!

My wife has a '96 2WD RAV with over 90,000 miles on it; she commutes 20+ miles daily in rain, snow, sleet...you get the picture. She's never had any trouble getting around. On the exceptionally rare days (1-2 in the past few years) that she doesn't feel safe driving it to work, I'm strongly inclined not to do so either, and I own a 4WD Pathfinder!