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.
While there are several trim levels available, our Wrangler Unlimited 4X4 Sahara tester ($48,250) is the best option for those who prefer asphalt roads to dry creek beds and boulder fields. Its Selec-Trac Full-Time 4WD system ($595) and anti-spin rear differential ($595) options offer a potent one-two punch against Chattanooga area snow and ice. Plus, it has Goodyear Wrangler all-season tires to improve ride comfort, and they are also better suited to snowy roads than knobby, off-road tires.
If the thought of a Wrangler approaching $50,000 makes you gasp, be reminded that the true cost of a vehicle is the difference in its showroom cost and its resale value. The Wrangler holds its value incredibly well. ALG, the company that has become the gold standard for determining vehicle resale value, has, for the second year in a row, named the Jeep Wrangler the resale value champion among off-road SUVS. According to Kelly Blue Book, a three-year-old Wrangler retains about two-thirds of its original retail value, while many vehicles retain less than 50 percent.
Available in two- or four-door models, the Wrangler has been significantly redesigned for the 2018 model year. Our soft-top, four-door tester felt more solid and buttoned-down in every way than the previous generation. Too, Jeep knows that the Wrangler is not just for weekend warriors anymore. For a significant number of owners, it's their primary transportation. Consequently, Jeep has amped up the creature comforts. Our tester comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather-trimmed seats, 7-inch color display, satellite radio, GPS navigation and an Alpine premium audio system.
» Model: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4X4
» Engine: 3.6-liter, V-6
» Horsepower: 285
» Transmission: 8-speed automatic
» Fuel economy: 23 mpg highway, 18 mpg city
» Price (as tested): $48,250
2019 SUBARU ASCENT
In an SUV landscape filled with Toyota Highlanders and Ford Explorers, the all-new, three-row Subaru Ascent is the new kid on the block. The Ascent has a handsome design, and benefits from Subaru's growing reputation for overall quality and highly evolved all-wheel-drive systems. Like almost all Subarus, the Ascent is equipped with symmetrical all-wheel drive, and has perhaps the most planted, confidence-inspiring ride in the segment.
The 2019 Ascent is Subaru's new three-row SUV.Kelly Subaru, in downtown Chattanooga, reports heavy interest in the new Ascent. Some customers even ordered the new SUV sight-unseen, according to dealer sources. Chattanooga has always been a Subaru kind of town for two obvious reasons: Our mountainous terrain makes all-wheel drive a plus, and our growing reputation as an outdoor mecca dovetails with Subaru's rugged, off-road-capable designs. Frankly, the Ascent is a Swiss army knife of family-haulers that many Chattanoogan suburbanites will find irresistible.
A base Ascent starts at $31,995. Step up to a Premium-trim model for $34,195, while a Limited starts at $38,995 and the top-of-the-line Touring trim begins at $44,695. Our Limited tester, with leather interior, is a good middle ground. Demand for the new SUV will be strong for the immediate future, and with good reason.
The bottom line: Get in line. Today there are very few Ascents on Chattanooga roads, but check back in three years and we predict you will see them everywhere.
» Model: 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited
» Engine: 2.4-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder
» Horsepower: 260
» Transmission: continuously variable
» Fuel economy: 26 mpg highway, 20 mpg city
» Price (as tested): $42,920
2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS V6 SEL
No review of all-wheel-drive SUVs would be complete without props to our Chattanooga-made family-hauler, the Volkswagen Atlas. Indeed, within the VW brand, the Atlas has helped compensate for the declining popularity of family sedans such as the Passat, which is also assembled here.
In this era of $2 gas, three-row SUVs have become the default family vehicles, and the Atlas fills a big need for the company. What's more, the Atlas has stacked up accolades recently, including:
» Best three-row SUV by Parents magazine and Edmunds.com
» Best large SUV in the 2018 Motorweek Drivers Choice Awards
» Best three-row SUV in the Cars.com challenge, which compared the Atlas to the Honda Pilot, Chevy Traverse and Toyota Highlander based on features, value and safety.
Shown silhouetted against Raccoon Mountain, the 2018 VW Atlas R-Line offers traction, safety and roominess.The seven-passenger Atlas also has earned a 5-star government safety rating, and can be equipped with four-wheel drive, which Volkswagen calls 4MOTION. According to VW, "the system automatically distributes power between front and back wheels as needed to help optimize traction and provide greater stability." Atlas models equipped with 4MOTION have four traction settings - dry, rainy, snowy and rough - which can be adjusted depending on road conditions. The all-wheel-drive system is a worthwhile $1,800 option.
The interior is roomy and quiet. The third-row seats are actually functional for adults. The V-Tex "leatherette" seat surfaces are comfortable and easy to wipe clean if your kids are prone to spills. A large, panoramic sunroof spans the length of the Atlas, but looks a little narrow compared to most other midsize SUVs. The Atlas is packed with modern safety-tech systems. Standard on our SEL tester are a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring system, autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts speed to ensure proper spacing.
One of the most significant selling points for the Atlas is its industry-best bumper-to-bumper warranty which protects you for six years or 72,000 miles, whichever comes first. Other manufacturers may offer better "power-train" warranties, but VW's limited "new car" warranty is much more valuable - doubling the mileage and term limits of many competitors.
» Model: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL
» Engine: 3.6-liter, V-6
» Horsepower: 276
» Transmission: 8-speed automatic
» Fuel economy: 25 mpg highway, 18 mpg city
» Price (as tested): $44,025
Mark Kennedy's Test Drive reviews appear in the weekend editions of the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Parts of this article were adapted from his previously published reviews.