All-wheel drive Prius might get US release...

FWD or AWD offer better traction than FWD with the same tires in slippery conditions.

My understanding is that this better traction plus reasonable ground clearance are the main reasons Subarus are popular in areas where slippery surfaces, steep slopes, heavy snow and/or high road centers are a concern

Safety under slippery conditions however is more about the ability to slow down and/or stop under control. This has a lot to do with tires, Antilock Braking and Vehicle Stability Control. So far as I'm aware FWD and AWD provide no significant additional benefit.

I haven't noticed much safety benefit from heated steering wheels in Florida, Southern California or for that matter in Canada. If its really cold, people generally need to wear gloves. Cold weather comfort for the first few miles without gloves, fair enough. Safety I think is a stretch.

 

Even Subaru's have on demand systems right now.

Nevertheless, winter tire is crucial... it doesnt require any extra money over the course of next 4 years since then your summer tires are spent less. Summer tires work badly under 7c, so it does not matter if there is snow or not.

 

if tesla can get

thing is when people who're in the market to buy a toyota hybrid, they don't think of highlander or the new rav4, they are thinking more of the prius...and can we all just conclude that the highlander and rav4 mpg's (not to mention their pricetag too) are quite laughable for being hybrids, might as well count them out of the equation.

also, if tesla can engineer their Ds to give better range, maybe toyota can do it too

 

All wheel drive is much safer on wet roads, like anywhere in the south year round, and I agree going isn't the problem it's stopping, studs on snow.

 

Only for folks who can't do math. a hybrid Highlander or RAV4 is likely to save more gas in a year than a Prius vs the Corolla.

 

I believe that you can turn off traction control in the new Prius. The 4WD system, however, is an on demand system, always "on" but not actually in use unless slip is detected. The rear electric motor may also be used for initial acceleration.

I would like to see a real world test of the E-Four Prius in Japan including acceleration times and fuel efficiency.

 

If Toyota used a serial only hybrid, then AWD might improve fuel economy. As it is, the RXh has a slightly lower MPG rating with AWD.

 

Why is AWD much safer on wet roads?
I heard such opinions but I've never seen either a rationale or any evidence to support such opinions.

 

The -Subaru- AWD system is safer on wet or icy roads, but most others are not. The Subaru system will apply more power to the outside wheels in a turn, actually forcing the car around the corner.
The E-AWD used in the Highlander, Rav4, and new Prius, doesn't do this. It only comes into effect if the front wheels slip, and in the Prius, only at speeds below, as I recall, 37 MPH (or was it kPH?). It provides power to the rear wheels, in addition to the power already applied to the front wheels. If the front wheels are spinning, it can get you moving when you might not otherwise, but it won't add directional stability. That is the job, in these vehicles, of VSC and other systems, using individual wheel braking.

I doubt very much there is "switch" to turn E-AWD on or off, though they could put one in if they wanted. It isn't necessary, as there is no connection of the wheels front to rear. They can turn at different rates. Left-right differences in wheel rate is handled by standard differential action. It is turned on and off automatically by the drive system, mostly controlled by speed of travel or detection of wheel slip.

Would the Prius E-AWD be useful in winter? Sometimes. But as with many AWD vehicles, if you needed AWD to get going it may not have been a good idea to get going, as it may be too slippery to control direction of travel and stopping. As an example of this, just take note of all the 4x4s and AWD vehicles in the ditch when the weather gets really bad. They forgot to remove their Superman T- shirts!

 

Not even close:
2004-2013 Chevy Silverador/GMC Sierra Hybrid
2005-2012 Ford Escape Hybrid / Mazda Tribute /Mercury Mariner
2006+ Toyota Highlander
2007+ Lexus RX 400h/450h
2008-2013 GMC Yukon / Denali Hybrid / Chevy Tahoe
2008+ Lexus LS 600h L Hybrid
2009 Chrysler Aspec/Dodge Durango Hybrid
2010-2011 BMW X6 Hybrid
2010-2011 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid
2011+ Porsche Cayenne Hybrid/e-Hybrid
2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
2011-2015 Volkswagen Toureg Hybrid
2014+ Acura RLX Hybrid
2014+ Subaru XV Hybrid
2014-2015 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid
2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid /Nissan Pathfinder
2015+ Audi Q5 Hybrid
2015+ BMW i8
2015+ Lexus NX 300h
2015 Porsche 918
2016 BMW X5 Hybrid
2016 Toyota Rav4

There are many of them, from convention hybrids, to plugins, from 2-seater sportscars to full size trucks and SUVs. Would be nothing new, not even for a dedicated hybrid platform (Porsche 918, BMW i8). It might be the most affordable 4WD hybrid (near the Subaru XV), but that would be about it.

 

I see this all too often.


The Rav4 AWD does have a center lock button to lock it 50/50 front to rear. Our CRV does not and the rear differential isn't strong enough to drive the car on its own anyway for more than a few feet

 

Thanks for the info.

If I understood you correctly, the best of the AWDs can enable you to drive faster under slippery road conditions.

What I'm not seeing is how this would make you safer. Unless the is a corresponding benefit in braking it seems that this would enable you to get into more trouble and thus be less safe.

 

<opps>

 

This will be too pricey for most, and the market already offers many other AWD choices at what will be competitive pricing. I'm surprised Toyota is considering it.

 

In the Japan alps, I saw lots of crazy little cars with AWD. Basically AWD variants of any non-awd car you could think of - little hatchbacks, mini vans, wagons, etc. Think 4wd Toyota Starlets and honda odysseys.

 

I've read that the full time AWD of the Rav4 only works up to 25mph or so. As that changed to all speeds in the latest generation?

To clarify, it is one motor on each rear wheel of the SH-AWD Sport Hybrid. Considering the model and market segment, it is likely sold more as a performance enhancer than for safety.

I agree that AWD can make people less safe because they can go faster without much improvement in stopping, as ABS can lead to people following another vehicle closer.

A symmetrical AWD system can provide some benefit in slowing down. Engine and regenerative braking would be applied to all the wheels instead of just the front or rear.

 

It can enable such, if that is what one wants to do. Another example of risk homeostasis or risk compensation, which has also afflicted may other safety improvements, e.g. seatbelts, airbags, ABS, stability control, etc. These features generally seem to save fewer lives than projected, likely in part because drivers become less careful.

How you actually use it is up to you.