Can you review this video and let me know if this is a fair assessment of the ineffectiveness of the RX 4WD system as compared those of Audi, Mercedes, and BWM SUVs???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jawquahfjDc

 

seems pretty fair. The lexus system is not nearly as good or advanced as other systems but is meant as just a little added security when the wheels slip. not surprised.

I wonder if the AWD lock button was pressed

 

The video loses a little credibility because it's basically a BMW advertisement. If you watch, the BMW starts to drift to the right, almost off the side of the front rollers, right before it magically gains traction. When the Mercedes did this in the test, the driver completely stopped giving it gas before turning the wheels back to the left to straighten it out.

Not saying Lexus has the best system, but the video is obviously biased.

 

Interesting.

 

NONE of the 4 wheelers can match the Acura MDX System. Its the finest out there.

 

Looks like all vehicles had traction control turned off - shouldn't the brakes get applied to the spinning wheels on all those cars? Also looks like they let the BMW drift to the edge of the rollers and it pulled itself off that way rather than being pushed off by the one wheel with traction.

 

Like someone mentioned, this video loses credibility due to it being a BMW ad.

 

The AWD system in the RAV4 is the same as the RX's, you can watch the effectiveness in this Russian(?) video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8dEu...VGoYA&index=58

 

Last season had a luck to drive North for 6 hours through the Christmas blizzard (also was heading North). 4WD easily handled highway as well as 1ft of fresh snow on a slope (though I had to lock 4WD with the button). Acceleration was excellent. Never was even close to loosing control at hwy speeds except when I had to avoid a car that stopped in a central lane (300 ft was not enough to stop) - dynamic stability control and ABS took a great care of that.
But from the other hand - may be I am just that good...

 

Any 4WD system will work fine in the winter.

At the end of the day, it's the tires you have that will determine if you get the necessary traction to drive in these conditions.

 

Few weeks ago, I tried to switch the AWD-LOCK on and see how it work. Weirdly, it switched back off after I drove for like 2 traffic lights. of course the weather wasn't bad; I was just wondering how it would work.

To me, I worry about the OEM tires more than the all wheel drive system in winter season performance.

 

the awd lock cancels itself out after 25 mph or something around that

 

I much prefer AWD and I have not been impressed with this system. I too think it is behind the times. If it stayed locked to higher speeds it would be great and I have not been able to tell if it automatically adjusts at higher speeds in snow either.
I agree about the MDX though. Wish that was in our vehicles.

 

My Subaru Outback will easily handle the test in the video ... even going up hill on an incline. It has a symmetrical AWD system. I use the Outback for all my bad weather driving.

 

When you said bad weather, you're not referring to a bad weather here in California right?
which pales in comparison to what we used to have in New England..
i know if there's someone here in the forum who's from Colorado he/she's going to laugh at our exchange of " bad weather" stories.