2012 All-Wheel Drive Guide
You don't have to take these off road. In fact you probably won't.
Web2Carz Contributing Writer
Published: September 20th, 2011
All wheel drive cars are more popular than ever, especially for cold-climate consumers for whom all-weather capability is particularly attractive. Once drivers experience the benefits of an AWD vehicle, they are more likely to continue to own these types of vehicles in the future. Today, the selection of all-wheel drive vehicles is more diverse than ever.
All-wheel drive models range from sporty coupes, eco-compacts, sedans, crossovers, sport activity vehciles, rugged 4x4s, and large SUVs. Fuel type options for prospective buyers also range, and more four-wheel drive vehicles are available in diesel and hybrid models than ever before. Web2Carz brings you the 2012 All Wheel Drive Guide, and a look at a selection of awd equipped models from A-to-Z.
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2012 Audi A3 Quattro Consider: Interior refinement meets all-weather capability, 200 horsepower 2-liter turbocharged engine for gas models, 140 horsepower in diesel models, A3 TDI quattro gain significant MPG, reaching 30 city and 42 highway. |
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2012 BMW X3 XDrive Consider: Versatile Sports-Activity-Vehicle couples all-road utility with performance-sport capabilities.240 horsepower 3-lier inline 6 cyclinder, Two trims available, the X28i and X35i, with the latter offering afvanced tech options. |
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2012 Cadillac CTS AWD Consider: Impressive interior finishing, wide assortment of trims including coupe, wagon and sedan. Smalles 3.0 V6 outputs 270-horsepower, while 3.6-liter option gives 318-horsepower. |
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2012 Dodge Journey SXT Consider: Mid-size crossover with 283-horsepower, and a definate competitor to larger utility vehicles. Standard heated mirror, keyless entry, steering wheel audio controls, auxiliary and USB inputs. |
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2012 Ford Fusion AWD Consider: A possible 263-horsepower in Ford's AWD Fusion. Advanced Ford SYNC media info-tainment system, available auto-shift sport transmission. |
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2012 Honda Crosstour 4x4 Consider: A Crossover utlity vehicle combining SUV and sedan signatures. 271-horsepower 3.5-liter i-VTEC engine delivers a sporty drive with enjoyable handling. |
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2012 Hyundai Tuscon 4x4 Consider: Seating 5 passengers, the Hyundai Tuscon is a Crossover Utlity Vehicle (CUV) with an optional 4x4 on GLS and Limited trims. 6-speed automatic with with SHIFTRONIC and Active Eco-System. Power ouput is 176-horsepower froma 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Standard safety features include six airbags, traction control, anti-lock breaks and electronic break assist. Excellent manufacturer warranty of 10 years/100,000 miles. |
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2012 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x4 Consider: Oldest 4x4 vehicle with a well renowned brand name, off-road capability surpasses anything in its class, Three available trims are the Patriot Sport, Latitude and Limited. Available in two engine options, including a 158-hp 2.0-liter and a 172 2.4-liter four-cylinder. |
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2012 Kia Sportage Consider: Affordable compact SUV. 5-passenger 256-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine on high level trims. Standard safety features are six airbags with side-curtain airbags included, electronic stability, traction control and anti-lock disc breaks on all wheels. |
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2012 Lexus RX 450h AWD Hybrid Consider: Refined comfort, smooth driving and responsive steering. Offering V8 performance with four-cylinder fuel economy. The gas engine and electric motor combined create 295-horsepower in a hybrid 3.5-liter six-cylinder. Standard options inlude keyless entry with push-button start, 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights and advanced safety features. |
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2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class 4MATIC Consider: Completely redesigned for the 2012 model year. 4MATIC all-wheel drive manages off-raod conditions. 2 engine choices of a BlueTEC 240-hp 3-liter turbocharged diesel, or a 302-hp and 3.5-liter gas V6. |
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2012 Nissan Rogue AWD Consider: Crossover utility vehicle is slighlty smaller than the Nissan Murano SUV. The Rogue comes with a 170-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. Standard features include keyless entry, power windows and bucket-styled seats. Refreshed in 2011 with a new grill style, instrument cluster layout, new interior seat fabrics, and standard advanced media tech. |
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2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i AWD Sedan Consider: Completely redesigned for 2012, and available as a sedan or hatchback. Billed as America's Most Fuel-Efficient All-Wheel Drive vehicle. Subaru's standardized cross-model Symetrical All-Wheel Drive system notable. Manual transmission is standard, but new CVT transmission with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters is an option this year. |
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2012 Suzuki Kizashi Consider: Suzuki's run at the four-wheel drive small-car class. 2.4-liter 185-hp engine with a Six-speed manual or a 180-hp option with a CVT transmission. Keyless entry and push-start standard, as well as sport-bucket seats, and sterring-wheel mounted audio controls. |
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2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD Consider: 7-passenger hybrid SUV with all-wheel drive as standard. 280-hp 3.5-liter six-cylinder coupled with a high-torque electric-drive motor and generator. Base option comfortably equipped with satellite radio, audio streaming and USB port. Hybrid-related components are backed-up by an 8-year/100,000 mile warranty. |
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2012 Volkswagen CC Executive 4MOTION Consider: Volkswagen's 4MOTION all-wheel drive on a sedan model. Producing 280-hp with a 3.6-liter V, and a standard 6-speed automatic transmission with tiptonic sport shifting. The CC Executive comes standard with cabin refinement and advanced tech, including: Park Distance Cotrol with fron and rear proximity sensors and Dynaaudio premium audio system. |
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2012 Volvo S60 T6 Consider: Volvo R-Design all-wheel drive combined with sturdy body frame make the S60 a capable all-weather vehicle. 300-horsepower ouput from a 3.0-liter Inlinesix-cylinder engine. Advance features standard, including Auto Stop and Pedestrian Detection systems, corner tracktion control with torque control and whiplash protection headsets. |
