I’ve owned several FWD EVs in what I’d consider the wintery parts of BC (snowfall of 8+ meters anually) and the amount of times I got stuck as a result of not having AWD can be counted on one hand. Good driving habits and high-end winter tires are much, much more important than having AWD or not.
That said, the times I did get stuck were mostly a bit annoying if not embarassing (due to holding up traffic). Only once (while climbing a steep hill) did it actually get a bit sketchy due to backsliding, but that happened to every vehicle that had to come to a stop on that hill.
AWD is one thing, but a real issue is FWD vs RWD. Driving a RWD stick shift in northern MN was insane. Fun to drift around corners, but I’d get stuck on hills so small as to be imperceptible.
I’ll take good tires over AWD any day in a Saskatchewan winter. It’s interesting how influenced people have become to essentially the opposite of safety measures. AWD doesn’t help you stop, and taller bigger vehicles aren’t safer, they’re much more likely to roll.
Funny you say that, because 100 bucks is usually the difference between budget winter tires and premium winter tires. You’d be surprised how many people still pick the budget option.
I’ve owned several FWD EVs in what I’d consider the wintery parts of BC (snowfall of 8+ meters anually) and the amount of times I got stuck as a result of not having AWD can be counted on one hand. Good driving habits and high-end winter tires are much, much more important than having AWD or not.
That said, the times I did get stuck were mostly a bit annoying if not embarassing (due to holding up traffic). Only once (while climbing a steep hill) did it actually get a bit sketchy due to backsliding, but that happened to every vehicle that had to come to a stop on that hill.
AWD is one thing, but a real issue is FWD vs RWD. Driving a RWD stick shift in northern MN was insane. Fun to drift around corners, but I’d get stuck on hills so small as to be imperceptible.
I’ll take good tires over AWD any day in a Saskatchewan winter. It’s interesting how influenced people have become to essentially the opposite of safety measures. AWD doesn’t help you stop, and taller bigger vehicles aren’t safer, they’re much more likely to roll.
Wouldn’t you want to avoid those, even if it isn’t common?
I mean, doesn’t that depend on the cost?
If it was $100 increase to avoid that, sure.
But if it’s significantly more, then I’ll take the cheaper car.
Funny you say that, because 100 bucks is usually the difference between budget winter tires and premium winter tires. You’d be surprised how many people still pick the budget option.