New Car--- Small and Snow Friendly?

[cynthiamoon]

Currently we are a one car house, and that works for us. I mostly bike or bus and my SO drives the car on a long commute everyday. However, with a LO on the way and my job situation requiring more flexible transportation, we've decided to get a second car.

I'd use his car (sadly, a gas guzzler SUV) and he'd get a small, efficient car (maybe a hybrid?) since he's the one who really packs on the miles. However, we're running into an issue. We live in Denver, and snows/iced roads are very common in the winter, especially on the side streets that don't get plowed. 

Does anyone know of a small, fuel efficient car with 4-wheel drive that would be spacious and safe enough to strap a kiddo into? 

We were looking at a Honda Fit or a Prius, but would prefer 4-wheel drive for the snow. 

[cynthiamoon]

Also, I should add our budget is around 20-30k, but the closer to 30, the more nervous we get. 

[DahliaRW]

Would a 2wd car with snow tires for the winter work well enough?  The other option is an outback or forester, but they aren't exactly small nor are they hybrids.

[cynthiamoon]

Well, my SO is the one with the snow-driving experience, and apparently AWD/4WD is second only to fuel efficiency in importance to him.

But... since work from home is an option for him on MAJOR snow days, I may try to talk him down from that depending on the options. The ever-present ice sheets are another story...I do not have the snow day excuse, but I'll be in the SUV anyway. 

So far it looks like a Subaru Impreza might do the trick, though it doesn't break past that magic 30mpg standard for TRULY efficient cars, and that's sad considering the AWD only matters 5/mo out of the year. 

The other stuff I am finding would be a BIG stretch financially, like the Ford Fusion and Volvo S60, both in the mid to high 30s. 

If it was just up to me, we'd get the most efficient car and then tell him to call in on snow days!

[MrsGregory]

We have the Subaru Outback thingy, I believe the Impreza, (Too complicated!  We have the smallest hatchback Subaru.) and the gas mileage isn't that great, but it has been abused beyond all reason and still runs well and rarely needs repairs.  I've driven in all kinds of snow (although lately our AWD only gets "used" in the torrential rains... oh wait, not those either, we've had nothing but dry and sunny) and the AWD is pretty sweet even compared to FWD and snow tires.  You still slide, but it's just not as... exciting. 

[DahliaRW]

Unfortunately just haveing AWD/4WD makes your vehicle less gas efficient.  :(

[cynthiamoon]

After a talk last night about priorities, we realized that really, it's the brakes and your driving ability that matter more on icy side streets! 

I think we came to agree that if the snow is bad, he'll just work from home that day. Lucky. 

So in the end, I am glad to know there are options in case we ever more to a snowier area in the state, but for now, we're not gonna worry about AWD. 

Looks like it's going to be either a Prius or a Ford Fusion Hybrid then, unless we test drive and hate them both, heh! 

Thanks for the ideas. 

[akcowgirl]

I have had 3 different subarus. I had an '86 Subaru gl that got over 30 mpg, a '01 forester that got about 25 mpg and a '06 forester that currently get 34-36 mpg on the hwy and about 28-30 in town. Both the '86 and the '06 are manual transmissions which seem to make all the difference.
I live in Alaska so I totally get the ice and snow issue. I would never drive anything that wasn't awd/4wd. Especially not with kiddos or on a major commute.

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by cynthiamoon 

After a talk last night about priorities, we realized that really, it's the brakes and your driving ability that matter more on icy side streets! 

Good snow tires will matter most.  In snowy, icy conditions, I would rather be in a small car with a decent set of snow tires than any 4WD/AWD with regular tires. 

[akcowgirl]

Good point Olly, all of my subarus had good snow tires as well as 4wd/awd. The best of both worlds.

[cynthiamoon]

Thanks for the ongoing tips. We're going today and planning stops at Subaru, Toyota, and Ford first.

[Hoopin' Mama]

We have 2012 Outback and I think the gas mileage is really good.

[Auntie Sapphire]

I have a 2012 Impreza and I get an average of 33 miles per gallon. Most of my driving is on 40-55mph country roads, though.

[dayiscoming2006]

Just wanted to give my 2 cents. We loved our subaru outback legacy in the snow. We live in TX now, but we've driven it in Montana and it did great. Subarus are awesome!

Warning, I don't know if you already bought a car, but we've had really bad experiences with Ford. Tranny issues on both. We had a Ford Taurus and a Ford Freestar. We actually bought the Freestar for $4000 and traded it in a year later for a Toyota Sienna because we had so much trouble. We also love our Sienna, but it isn't quite as good in snow as a Subaru.

[CelloMomCars]

In Sweden, the Volvo S60 comes in 9 different engine/drivetrain versions.

Only two of those are all-wheel drive. See table in this post: http://www.cellomomcars.com/2012/02/how-to-buy-gas-sipper-for-less.html

If Swedes can do without AWD in hilly Sweden, you can do without in flat Denver (Boulder may be a different story).  It _is_ important to go with front wheel drive, not rear-wheel.

Make sure NOT to get the plus-sized wheels (bigger rims, wider tire tracks), which are less safe in rain and snow than standard-size wheels.