Dear Scotty,
My wife and I live in the Seattle area at the top of a steep (25% grade) hill. In the winter when the road is covered in snow my wife’s AWD 2009 Lexus IS250 often can’t make it up the hill. My AWD 2009 Audi A4 has never had a problem. Both cars have Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires. I thought it may be her driving so we switched cars and I got stuck in the Lexus. I tried snow mode and turning the ECT off but still could not get up a road that the Audi had no trouble with.
Could there be an issue with the Lexus’ AWD that can be addressed or is this a situation where owning a German money pit makes sense?
On a hill, Many companies AWD system, including Toyota and Honda just aren't that great.
On a flat surface, the AWD will usually get you past the slick, or snowy part enough to let your front wheels kick back in though.
There are videos showing tests where they put the car on an ramp that has rollers part way up, when the front wheels hit those they spin, and with awd the backs should kick in and get you past the obstacle, but many do not. The back wheels just often don't get enough power to make it up.
I have seen this in both my AWD 2005 Matrix and GX470.
As far as I know, Audi has quite a good awd system, that is why it is able to beat the Lexus. You are much better off getting a Subaru though in your case, it will last much longer with less issues.
I'm not a huge fan of Toyota's all wheel drive system for snow
My 2014 GS 350 all-wheel drive was practically useless in the snow
Many companies AWD system, including Toyota and Honda just aren't that great.
that's disappointing to see, given Toyota is responsible for making some of the worlds most capable and iconic off-road vehicles.
No kidding, I was shocked when I experienced it, then saw many others showing how a Subaru could easily get up an obstacle that an awd Toyota may not be be able to.
I will say that even though my GX470 could not get up a snow/ice hill that was between my building and next door that was 5 feet deep, with 4wd not engaged, once I engaged 4wd it crawled right up with no issue at all.
I know with my matrix, it is basically 2wd until the fronts really slip. This has gotten me through some nasty deep snow on flat ground when the fronts started slipping though, and I was really glad I had the awd.
the Audi had no trouble
From research I've seen online, Audis make the best performing AWD systems. Majority agree that they even edge out Subaru, slightly.
The Audi just has a more capable AWD system than your Lexus. Its the Germans for ya, and their quattro system is legit.
Good choice on tires.
