What's your experience/reviews of the AWD in the '06-10 range?

Does it operate well in snow? sand?
Is there binding in tight corners?
Do the wheel bearings wear out quicker?

I only ask because I haven't operated one for any length of time and I feel as though I'd miss the discretion of on/auto vs off as well as a two-speed option (Hi-Lo).

Any of you have regrets?

 

AWD is different than 4WD. AWD incorporates a viscous coupling unit (VCU) in the transfer case versus the chain and locking gears of 4WD. Because of the VCU you will not encounter binding in tight corners since the front wheels are not locked to the rears. Also, the turning radius remains very good with AWD. That being said, AWD is not intended for heavy off road driving/mudding. Yet it still operates very well in snow and sand. You might get a small amount of rear wheel slip before the front wheels engage, but not enough that it ever caused me to dig in to snow or get stuck.

I haven't seen any correlation to AWD and wheel bearing wear so I wouldn't be too concerned about that when making your decision.

So how often do you find yourself using 4WD Lo? If the answer is "fairly regularly" you will probably not wanting an AWD version. If the answer is, "Never, I just like knowing I can" then AWD would probably suit your needs perfectly fine.

-Rod

 

It's going to be my wife's daily driver, so the AWD would be nice considering she wouldn't have to worry about engaging/disengaging...but it MAY serve duty on the dunes at the beach once a year if I don't feel like taking the Excursion. So in that respect I like the option of being able to select the 4wd gearing.

I think I'll rule out the Limited models and stick with the EBs. At least then she gets the usability of an 'auto' 4wd system and I still have my two-spd t-case available when I need it.

Thanks Rod.