While Chattanooga only averages a couple of inches of snow per year, even a glazing of frozen precipitation can turn our mountain roads into giant Slip ‘N Slides. If you’ve ever attempted to drive up Lookout or Signal mountains in a winter storm, you know it’s a little like trying to play ice hockey in bowling shoes.
For those who must drive in the snow, four-wheel-drive vehicles are the mountain goats of commuter traffic. Most passenger vehicles have two-wheel drive, meaning the engine only provides torque to the front or back wheels. Four- and all-wheel-drive cars and trucks, on the other hand, can send power flowing to all four corners of the vehicle. If one – or a couple – of wheels start to spin, the other wheels bear down and dig in to find traction.
This month in Chatter we look at three “mountain goat” vehicles that are treasured for their sure-footedness in foul weather. All three have been recently released or redesigned, and they all represent the latest and greatest in SUV evolution. We tested them on Chattanooga roads to see how at home they felt in our up-and-down terrain.
2018 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SAHARA
When most people think of four-wheel drive, a Jeep leaps to mind; and the most iconic model in the Jeep lineup is the beloved Wrangler. The mere silhouette of a Wrangler brings to mind every World War II movie you’ve even seen.