I'm researching new cars for my girlfriend, who needs an all-weather mobile. It will be used primarily for commuting in urban areas, but also for trekking to the ski slopes during the wintertime. Cars that I think may fit the bill include the Acura MDX, Subaru Impreza WRX, and Countryman All Four. Sure, the first two will probably have more capable off-road ability. Though realistically, "all" the car needs to do is to be able to confidently negotiate snow-covered roads during a snowstorm. Plus, of all the cars listed above, the Countryman will have the best fuel economy (?), and may reflect her personality the best.

May any Countryman drivers here care to share their winter experiences? Thanks much!

 

I'm going to BUMP this post because even though I have totally decided on a CM (versus hardtop or convertible) for the additional space and ALL4, partially because my brother and sister and my two nieces now live in Tahoe, I am still very mildly concerned if it will indeed stand up to the task. My IS300 won't suffice for getting over Donner Summit. Anyone? Thanks.

 

Your IS300 can handle Donner unless there is snow and CalTrans is in chain required mode. In that case a set of winter (winter - not all season) tires would transform your IS and it would be fine as well, but CalTrans won't recognize that.
In those conditions any AWD is more convenient than RWD since you will no longer need chains. The CM is going to do great and will do even better with snow tires. It will be useless with summer rubber.
Having done this drive hundreds of times, it really comes down to the tires. The AWD part is just an expensive set of snow chains to satisfy CalTrans.

 

Agree with Fredoin...tires make a huge difference. If you put real winter tires on the CM it will climb like a mountain goat. We have a newer MDX and our CM seems to handle inclement weather just as well as the MDX.

 

Another trick for the people trying to get through Donner Pass in winter. Heading west from Truckee, take the Donner Lake exit and follow the country road that goes along the lake. It ends up at Sugar Bowl and gets you back on 80.
I've used that trick numerous times to bypass chain control with the Pea which does not have enough clearance between the tire and strut to wear chains.
It saves time by not having to queue for the chain check point and it is enormous fun. That little car is a blast on snow (with the winter tires.)

I think that was the resulting road grime mess on one of those occasions

 

I've got an All4 with the All-Weather Run Flats and I haven't had any problems in the snow here in Colorado so far.

 

Note that AWD does not eliminate the requirement in CA to have chains ( you can be cited if you go through the chain controls in an AWD vehicle and subsequently get stuck and can't show you have chains on board):

"Must chains be carried in exempted vehicles?

Vehicles without chains are not permitted to enter chain control areas and must return to a lower elevation where chains are not required."

and

"If I have 4-wheel-drive, do I need to carry chains?

Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on 4-wheel-drive vehicles at a particular time, to enter a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (for one drive axle) for your vehicle in your possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains."

and

"If I have snow tires, do I need to carry chains?

Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on passenger vehicles equipped with snow tires at a particular time, to enter a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (one pair) for your vehicle in your possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains."

and

"The manufacturer of my vehicle recommends that chains not be installed on it. Do I still have to put on chains?

Yes. Many vehicles which will not accommodate conventional link-type chains will accommodate cable chains or other devices such as “Spikes Spider.” If your vehicle is not equipped with some type of tire traction device, it is neither safe nor lawful for you to enter a chain control area. If you choose not to install tire traction devices on your vehicle, you may not enter a chain control area."

and, FYI

"Which axle do I install the chains on?

Chains must be installed on the drive axle. All-wheel drive vehicles and 4-wheel drive vehicles may have chains installed on either drive axle, but the rear axle is preferred, unless the vehicle manufacturer recommends the front axle."

Summarizing for CA:

What are the R-1, R-2 conditions that I hear about?

Although Caltrans does not post signs with these designations nor use them to announce chain controls to the public, they are used internally within Caltrans and the CHP as a kind of shorthand to describe chain restrictions and may be included in traffic reports disseminated by various news outlets.

There are three primary categories of chain restrictions, as shown below:

R-1: Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle. Trailers with brakes must have chains on at least one axle.

R-2: Chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel-drive vehicles under 6,500 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on all four wheels. Chains for one set of drive wheels must be carried by four wheel-drive vehicles using snow tires.

R-3: Chains are required on all vehicles without exception.

R-1 and R-2 are the most common conditions. A highway will often be closed before an R-3 condition is imposed. Some local areas may use variations of these designations. You must follow the directions on the signs posted for chain controls or any instructions given by Caltrans or CHP personnel at chain control check points, even if these are at variance with broadcast road condition reports or information contained herein.

Summarizing one-page graphic:

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/ChainRequire.pdf



Follow-up note about Snow-Tread Tires:

My "all-season" RFTs are labeled "Pirelli Cinturato P7 205/55 R17 91H M+S" so these are, officially, "Snow-Tread Tires"

 

I guess I should have said you will no longer need to install chains.

Also, M+S tires meet the snow requirement for CalTrans, but winter tires (the ones with the snow flake imprint on the sidewall) make a huge difference in traction and vehicle control on snow. I am planning on using the M+S RF tires through this season, then will have two sets of wheels and tires (one for winter and one for summer) when my bank account recovers from that 35k check I have to write soon.

 

Another aspect of driving in Tahoe is the advantage of a turbocharged engine. Normally aspirated engines lose some of their power at altitude while turbocharged engines typically don’t.

 

I. Love. This. Car!

Got some icy snow here in CO yesterday that extended my normal commute time by three. Anyway, I wanted to feel how well ALL4 worked, so I tried accelerating hard, accelerating into a turn from a full stop, etc. and it was great! I've got AS tires, but didn't have to feather the throttle to start moving as I had been accustomed to doing in my old FWD Acura to prevent slipping.

I think you'll be fine.

 

Spent lots of time in Snow Country/Sierra. AWD def help, but remember it is the rubber that sticks [or doesn't stick] to the road. Get good Snow tires, and replace them [or turn them into summer tires] when worn. AWD & poor tires might get you going forward in snow/ice, but won't help you stop or keep you from sliding sideways on a turn - that requires sticky rubber! Check the CalTRANS 800 number for road conditions - I drive Hwy 4 in Sierra frequently, they will tell you if R-3. If R-3, stay home unless contractions 3 minutes apart or something. Crazy to drive if road that bad!!

 

I lived in Truckee for over 10 years with my Volvo XC70, a 2002. Never once during that time did Caltrans req AWDs to have chains. The interstate closes before that req!

That being said, I used only All-seasons on my Volvo and it worked out fine for me. Now living in Colorado, I am using the CMAll4 with All-seasons and I must say that this car's AWD system is quicker to respond than the old 02 Volvo! So far it is really good in the snow/ice. Feels quite good. I didn't go with dedicated snow tires, because of the Dry/Cold stopping distance that is sacrificed when using them. A nice little bit of info they don't tell you about snow tires.

 

The CM does great in the snow....no worries. The All4 system is not on par with Acura's SH-AWD or BMW X-Drive but it still handles great in the snow.

Wife gets almost double the mileage what our MDX got....when I drive...well lets say I like the sound of the BOV too much.

 

[QUOTE=CM2011RG;3414665]I lived in Truckee for over 10 years with my Volvo XC70, a 2002. Never once during that time did Caltrans req AWDs to have chains. The interstate closes before that req!

R-3 rare, but it does happen, usually on lesser roads but has happened on hwy 4 in Sierra. That aside, my AWD Sienna gets thru R2 chain conditions quite well with M&S RFT's, and I'm sure the All4 will, too. If you really have to drive in bad snow all the time, dedicated Winter Tires will do you better. I've not made the trade yet since my roads are reasonably well plowed, but that's not true for all.

By-the-way, were you in Truckee the winter the avalanche hit Alpine Meadows? I was snowed in on West Shore for a week that winter, and chains with AWD required on secondary roads then. I-80 closed, you're right.

Also, suspect All4 better/newer system than old Volvo so agree it should do better.

 

Thanks for everyone's input!