What's the best 4WD car you have driven?

[white_goodman]

Based on your actual experience rather than guesswork, what is the best 4WD CAR (not SUV) that you have driven? Why do you think it was the best and do you think it offered anything over and above FWD and RWD cars of similar performance?

Of all the cars that I have owned, my 2004 Impreza WRX inspires the most confidence in all conditions when wanting to make quick progress, especially if I am up against a time deadline. Yes, there is a pay off in terms of fuel consumption but the superb traction and handling more than make up for that. My admiration for it is even greater after today when I managed to avoid a head on with a lorry and a car which were overtaking a tractor on a blind bend (I was able to stop very quickly from 55mph with minimal fuss from the car - I know that the 4WD doesn't really have a bearing here though)! The only other quick 4WD car that I have had a proper drive in was an Evo VIII and although it was probably faster and sharper handling, the very stiff ride would dissuade me from pressing on on bumpy back roads. I have driven an R32 (Golf) very briefly but can't really comment on how good it was, other than it sounded fantastic!

I notice that nowadays, it's only really Subaru and Audi that are comitted to making 4WD cars (rather than SUVs). Having driven fairly powerful FWD cars such as mkV Golf GTIs and Focus STs, yes they are refined and the way they handle the power through only two wheels is impressive but the torque reactions in the steering and potential for wheelspin are still there.

However, there are lots of 4WD cars from yesteryear that I would love to have a go in such as:
Audi Quattro 20v
Audi RS2
Audi RS4
Escort RS Cosworth
R32/R33/R34 Skyline GTR
Lancia Delta Integrale Evo
Mitsubishi Evo IV/V/VI

I would be interested to hear the views of anyone that has driven any of these? Are they better than the Imprezas/Evos? Do high performance 4WD cars still have a place?

[goldblum]

Tuned Audi RS6/Tuned STi import.

The Audi was a torque (560lb/ft) monster that the 4WD kept up with brilliantly.

The Sti was just huge fun and better than an Evo Extreme I later owned.

[carreauchompeur]

I've only ever owned one, a V8 Audi A8. Bargey loveliness.

[goldblum]

Yes,very lovely.Now imagine it with two turbos and tuned...

[hobbiniho]

iv only ever drived 2 4wd cars a subaru justy and an evo 6 gsr lets just say the evo was slightly faster

[Raize]

Land Rover Discover... best and only

[falkster]

ML55

[sticks090460]

My 996 C4S.

[RacerMike]

Honestly, I've not really driven a fun 4WD car. Some are entertaining, but they're never as pure as a rwd!

[GG89]

Only driven a Subaru STI and a newish S3. Loved them both, Subaru more fun though.

Edit to add I had a wee shot of a MK4 R32, did nothing for me.

[Ved]

Celica GT4 with every TRD chassis mod going followed by my Hawkeye STI Impreza. The gap between the two for grip and handling was very wide though.

I currently drive a MK5 R32 which has huge levels of grip but it's a bit distant compared to the other two. Still very good though.

[redgriff500]

Owned a few, driven a few more but mostly older stuff:

XR4x4 2.9
XR4x4 2.9 Supercharged
A6 Quattro
80 Quattro
A8 Quattro
Subaru pick up / estates
Classic Imprezas

I don't WANT an Impreza as I don't need to get from A-B fast in any weather but the "pointyness" of it is impressive as is the way it carries speed.

But the bit that shocked me was when I was turning right and there was only a small gap so with the front wheels on a bit of lock I gave it a few revs and dropped the clutch.

No drama, no squeals it just flew around the turn.

Perfect for the Police / Paramedics but after you are used to the speed it isn't actually fun, plus every trip I risked my licence it just wants to go 100+ everywhere.

Edited by redgriff500 on Monday 30th July 19:59

[Liquid Knight]

My Panda 4x4 was virtually unstoppable off road. My Subaru Justy took the pee when we had a bit of snow and everyone in a "proper" 4x4's were stuck spinning their stupid wide tyres.

My Impreza was very fast, braked really well, cornered reasonably well but ultimately felt a bit vague unless you were pushing it.

That's about it really.

[mike9009]

Ashamed to say I have never driven a four wheel drive car! Not sure if I am missing much - probably get told by the PH massive its like missing a limb not driving a 4WD!

Mike

[V88Dicky]

Wolf Landrover V8.

Not the best vehicle to patrol South Armagh back in the day, but ideal fir the Falklands.

[Kwistof]

In your yester year list you have missed out the impreza's bigger brother-

The Subaru legacy twin turbo RS-B

I have driven one briefly and it was sublime....one of my close friends had one for a year after a WRX, he has driven both on the limit (on a circuit obviously ) and he definitely rates the legacy over the impreza and is now looking for another RS-B but they are pretty rare

I have an S3 but wouldn't call that a real 4wd governed by a Haldex unit! Lol

Edited by Kwistof on Monday 30th July 19:51

[Dave Hedgehog]

ive owned many iconic 4wd cars and driven even more

for me the R8 is just perfect, not as fast as the GTR but its just better IMO

[rumple]

Only ever driven the original coupe Quattro and loads of land rovers, 90's 110's series 2 and 3 and original rangies, my favorite I'd take a 90 v8 please, oh and driven an x5 but that was forgettable.

[Sexual Chocolate]

falkster said:

ML55

I call suv! Same as an x5, x6 and rr in any guise excluding the older defenders.

Edited by Sexual Chocolate on Monday 30th July 20:05

Best 4 x 4 I have driven is and I hate to admit it is a rs6 estate. Oh the shame.

Edited by Sexual Chocolate on Monday 30th July 20:08

[ruff'n'smov]

Raize said:

Land Rover Discover... best and only

+1

I understand th OP's comments about Impreza's and RS4's etc, I have driven Impreza STI, S4 , RS5 , TTS , EVO X , which of course have 4WD to harness their performance, but when I think 4WD I will always think Discovery, Rangie, Q7, X5/6, Defender, Shogun etc. and the best I have driven is always and will always be the Disco 3 . Poised on the road, cavernous, comfortable at speed and immense offroad.

If I was looking at a out and out performance 4WD personally S4 has it all for me.

and the worst any ML ste JMO