Who needs AWD! | 2020 Subaru BRZ RWD Winter Test

[@chrisbrook1234]

This has always been my argument when it comes to AWD and 4X4; a good set of winter tires will do you a world of good better than having power to all four wheels, even in the snowbelt of Southern Ontario. When people find out we purposely factory-ordered our GMC Canyon Duramax in 2WD they are often critical of it. We have kept a running tally of the number of situations where 4X4 would have benefited us and in 2 years there have been six instances; four of which were just simply due to icy conditions on our old gravel driveway. Had we ordered the 4X4 option at $5k it would have cost us nearly $1k per situation where we used it! Meanwhile, it would cost us extra fuel, maintenance, payload and towing capacity 100% of the time. We currently have a set of Goodyear WinterCommands on our Civic and it handles everything with ease with it's only limitation, like the BRZ, being ground clearance; anything over about 6" and it starts plowing. Our Canyon has a set of Michelin X-Ice on it and again, it handles everything with ease until you get up over 1' at which point the fuel economy air skirt in the front starts to plow as well.

[@Neutralreviews]

Excellent point! I always found the 4x4 trucks retained the $3k increase back when I was with Dodge but you’re right about the economy and maintenance. Ever since I got my first pair of decent snow tires I was sold. Thanks for the great comment:)

[@travis8106]

I'm not saying RWD on snows is a bad idea, but acting like it outperforms AWD (especially a full time system offered by Subaru or Audi) is delusional.

[@MohamedAhmed-tt2nz]

2008 infinti g37xs, sandbags and a good set of winter tires will get you through a winter in Edmonton.

[@Neutralreviews]

Good call:)

[@sulemanruhani7453]

great video, loved the U-turn

[@Neutralreviews]

Thank you and that was my favourite part of shooting the video lol;)

[@darylcunanan8972]

Am i gonna be safe to drive as winter daily in Calgary? Planning to get the new BRZ

[@morgandrives]

Drove my 23 GR86 this past winter in Canada (province of Manitoba). Traction was a challenge at times (in very cold even my winter tires felt like pucks), but snow was fine, unless it was too deep for the car. My main issue was that Toyota will not install a block heater because they don’t have an official part number, but the BRZ has a part number for the block heater. 🙄 So make sure you have winter tires, a block heater, and maybe take a cab when it is below -25 or when snow is too deep.

[@Neutralreviews]

Great comment! Very good to know!! I use mine near Toronto everyday for 4years and only got close to being stuck. To be fair the news said it was a snow storm warning lol and once I powered through the drift I was fine. It heats up quick and the heated seats work pretty good. I often daydream of good AWD hot hatch but then remember I grew up on RWD when winters were actually winter around here with no LSD, ABS or Traction Control, etc. and was just fine lol. I watch The Topher and he has a lifted BRZ for Michigan winters and says with good snows it's a rally machine in the winter!

[@morgandrives]

@@Neutralreviews Also grew up driving rwd with no nannies through mountain winters (interior of BC), but the weight of those old cars and trucks helped. Saw the Topher, too. Was wondering if I should do the same. Maybe height adjustable coilovers so I could do it myself twice a year. Hmmm…

[@Neutralreviews]

@@morgandrives His car seems pretty cool and I was thinking of it myself. Thankfully here in SW Ont it's only kind of bad and only a few times a winter. I am always pleasantly surprised on what that little thing can power through lol.

[@elden4267]

quebec?

[@Neutralreviews]

Southwest Ontario.