The best front-wheel drive crossovers: overview, specifications, advantages and disadvantages

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

A powerful all-wheel drive SUV for daily use in urban areas is still the lot of government officials and majors. Ordinary citizens prefer crossovers to drive on bad roads. Naturally, monoprivodnye. Why overpay for all-terrain bells and whistles, if front-wheel drive crossovers are not inferior to all-wheel drive counterparts in terms of cross-country ability and easily overcome high curbs and primers, and if you still have to get into the mud, then the matter will end with a tow truck call? It is enough to have good ground clearance and not be a hero.

Advantages of front-wheel drive crossovers

Monodrive crossovers have the following features:

1. Ease of control in extreme situations. Front-wheel drive will correct the direction of movement even with the gas pedal pressed to the floor. Driving a rear-wheel drive car is more difficult, especially in snow, ice and heavy rain, and the driver is inexperienced.
2. Bigpower and efficiency compared to rear-wheel drive crossovers. The latter are often equipped with a hypoid gear, which requires a special oil to operate.
3. The absence of a cardan shaft in front-wheel drive crossovers of all brands eliminates the possibility of damage and increases the car's cross-country ability. Not all four-wheel drive SUVs can boast of this.
4. The volume of the gas tank and trunk in crossovers with front-wheel drive is increased due to the lack of a rear axle. SUVs have not only large dimensions, but also a roomy interior.

Flaws

1. Possible repair difficulties associated with the dense arrangement of parts under the hood. The anthers of front-wheel drive crossovers are quite fragile and are a weak point. Regular service ensures the reliability and long life of the front suspension.
2. Decrease in cross-country ability and controllability of the car at high load. When unloaded, most of the weight of the machine is on the front axle, but heavy loading reduces traction. For this reason, it is better to travel light in bad weather and off-road.

What is the difference between a front-wheel drive car and a crossover?

Modern crossover models are marked with the inscription 4WD, but it does not always mean four-wheel drive. It denotes the drive axle - front or rear. The second pair of wheels is temporarily connected and turns the car into an all-wheel drive model. In fact, all crossovers and SUVsdivided into front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive.

For both types of cars, one drawback is characteristic - the need to switch all-wheel drive while driving and the resulting slip. The path covered by the wheels is influenced by a huge number of factors, among which are precipitation and the condition of the track. In the all-wheel drive mode, there is a rigid coupling between the axles, due to which, at the moment of its activation, some wheels begin to slip.

Shifting the drive on a slippery road can cause you to lose control and roll off the side of the road. All-wheel drive mode also places an increased load on the transmission. To avoid such consequences, SUVs with permanent all-wheel drive are produced.

However, every car has flaws. Which front-wheel drive crossovers should be preferred?

Mazda CX-5

Record holder among crossovers: ground clearance - 215 millimeters. For 970 thousand rubles, motorists are offered 17-inch wheels, a six-speed manual transmission, a 150 horsepower gasoline engine, heated seats and mirrors, air conditioning, airbags, power windows, a trip computer and an audio system. The use of light-alloy metals in production has reduced the weight of the car and made it more maneuverable and dynamic.

Renault Duster

There are three undoubted pluses at once: 210 millimeters of ground clearance, 16-inch wheels and a nice price of 488 thousand rubles. ATOtherwise, the best front-wheel drive crossover available, which will appeal to those who consider the main content, not form. Of the technical characteristics - a gasoline engine with a capacity of 102 horsepower, a five-speed manual transmission, an ABS system, an airbag, crankcase protection, an immobilizer and rear head restraints. Crossover for a long time occupies a leading position in sales in the car market and is a kind of hit.

Volkswagen Tiguan

According to reviews of the front-wheel drive crossover, with a gasoline engine power of 122 horsepower, it is quite dynamic and easily goes on the road. 200 mm ground clearance is coupled with a full set of security systems, heated seats, daytime running lights, 16-inch wheels, a standard fully Russified computer and a full-size spare tire. The engine of the model is included in the BlueMotion line, famous for its efficiency. Despite the Russian assembly, the price of Volkswagen Tiguan is 920 thousand rubles.

Nissan Qashqai

The basic configuration of the crossover is equipped with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 114 horsepower and a ground clearance of 200 millimeters. The kit includes 16-inch tires, a set of airbags, a receiver, power windows, automatic dipped beam. For one of the front-wheel drive crossovers in the ranking, you will have to pay 749 thousand rubles.

Toyota RAV4

Another model of a front-wheel drive crossover with 197 mm ground clearance and 17-inch wheels. Equipped with a 158 horsepower gasoline engine, a six-speed manual transmission and a wide range of options: airbags, including knee airbags, simulated differential lock, receiver, power accessories and air conditioning. For a front-wheel drive crossover with a differential lock, you will have to pay 995 thousand rubles.

Mitsubishi ASX

The clearance of a mono-drive crossover is 195 millimeters. The average fuel consumption is 6.5 liters. A 1.6-liter engine with a capacity of 117 horsepower is installed, the luggage compartment volume is 384 liters. For 729 thousand, air conditioning, full power accessories, frontal airbags, a platform on the driver's side for the left foot, rear LED lights, central locking are offered.

Chere Tiggo

Chinese crossover with a ground clearance of 190 millimeters and 16-inch wheels. Equipped with a 126-horsepower 1.6-liter gasoline engine. Installed air conditioning, ABS system, front airbags, LED running lights, Isofix child seat mounts, body-colored bumpers, smoking package. The cost of the car is 556 thousand rubles.

Nissan Juke

Small ground clearance compared to other front-wheel drive crossovers - 180 millimeters. The engine also cannot boast of power: 94 horsepower. Fitted with 16" steel wheels. An additional advantage, according to assurancesmanufacturer, - energy class E. According to it, carbon dioxide emissions are below 200 g / 100 km. Non-standard design is one of the advantages of the "Beetle". Among others - heated seats, airbags, cup holders, headrests and other additional options. A feature of Juke is an original, but specific appearance, which not everyone will like. The cost is 600 thousand rubles.

Suzuki SX4

The basic configuration of the crossover includes a 117-horsepower gasoline engine with a displacement of 1.6 liters, 16-inch wheels and a full safety package: side and front airbags, curtains and electronic assistance systems. Clearance - 180 millimeters. For an affordable price of 779 thousand rubles, cruise control, chrome trim, electric mirrors and windows are offered. The Suzuki SX4 is the perfect option for those looking for an economical family crossover that focuses on driver and passenger safety.

Skoda Yeti

Turbo engine 1.2 TSI, ground clearance 180 millimeters, 105-horsepower engine, six-speed manual transmission, ABS system, front airbags, heated mirrors, power windows, central locking, smoking cabin. The capacity of the car is increased due to the roof rails installed on the roof, which increase the carrying capacity of the crossover. The price is slightly higher than the car deserves - 730 thousand rubles.

SsangYong Actyon

Crossover with original appearance, equipped with a gasoline two-liter engine with a capacity of 149 horsepower andsix-speed manual transmission. Installed 16-inch wheels. It boasts a roomy interior and luggage compartment. Equipped with an ABS system, front airbags, heated mirrors and seats, high-quality wood interior trim, central locking and body-colored bumpers. As a result, the European price is 800 thousand rubles.

KIA Sportage

A two-wheel drive crossover that looks like a Nissan Juke and is much inferior to the rest of the rating cars in ground clearance - only 172 millimeters. At the same time, it is equipped with a 150 horsepower gasoline engine, the “polite light” option, 16-inch alloy wheels, front airbags, an audio system, rain sensors, a standard anti-theft system, roof rails and other options. A stiff suspension can adversely affect the smoothness and ride comfort. The cost is 889 thousand rubles.

Full or front wheel drive?

Many motorists by default believe that all-wheel drive is better than the rest. In the car market of the country, 35% is allocated to the share of crossovers, and this is in the conditions of the economic crisis. The presence of a permanent drive by many car owners is justified by the need to overcome snow drifts, damp dirt roads and the desire to feel confident when driving in the winter season. However, in reality, everything is far from what it seems at first glance: you have to turn on all-wheel drive only a couple of times a year.

You can ride a monodrive within the city - the main thing is tothe car was "shod" in high-quality and reliable seasonal tires. The controversial electronic systems that help you start at traffic lights are just a differential lock - an electronically controlled emulation. Its main task is to change the torque and its adjustment relative to the slipping axle. Accordingly, if a car with a leading front or rear axle and good tires is not able to overcome an obstacle, then all-wheel drive will not be able to do this. In fact, the advantages of an all-wheel drive crossover over a front-wheel drive are reduced to the desires of the car owner, but in reality they are practically not noticeable and are often nullified by electronic assistant systems.

But the disadvantages of all-wheel drive, on the contrary, are quite real. One of the main disadvantages is that you will have to pay extra for all-wheel drive, and a considerable amount. It depends on the brand and model of the car, but on average it comes out to 100-200 thousand rubles from above. In the future - an increase in the cost of daily operation. The fuel consumption of the all-wheel drive version is higher due to the higher power consumption of the engine. It is logical that the maintenance of such an SUV in urban conditions is fraught with additional expenses, and a front-wheel drive crossover becomes more preferable, not inferior to all-wheel drive counterparts. A wide range of 2WD vehicles allows you to choose the best front-wheel drive crossover.