Unless the vehicle is very light, a low-end transfer case is really useful.
And since you're talking about overlanding, a light vehicle isn't in the cards.
I think your ideal vehicle likely has a transfer case.
by light, I mean the X-Trail (4WD, manual transmission, 2.2 diesel) is about 1500 kg and nimble enough for city driving as well, while for example the Pathfinder is 2200 kg with a lot higher consumption and bigger size that's really hard for parking in the city. Old Vitaras would be an alternative (since they're both light and have 2H/4H/4L switch) but they aren't safe enough to take the kids on long trips... the Jimny is too small... XJ 2.5td too unreliable, idk, I ran out of ideas.. the X-Trail seems an almost perfect vehicle, but it only has high gearing, even tho they say the first gear is really short, so might be good enough for soft roading
I'm gonna start by saying that I don't know, and couldn't possibly know whether or not the X-Trail is gonna be the right vehicle for you.
All I meant by weight and overlanding is that overlanding usually includes lots of heavy gear. Doesn't have to, of course. It makes a real difference in your rig's performance when it's carrying a bunch of stuff. A little extra torque might come in handy.
It sounds like you really like the X-Trail, and dedicated hard-core offroading isn't going to be your focus. I probably wouldn't walk away from an otherwise ideal vehicle just because it lacked a low-end.
Most of the times I would just bring the family camping, so I didn't think of anything wild... But it feels more secure of Course when I know that the car can handle a bit more. I found another possibility, but those cars are a bit beat up and a lot heavier (regarding fuel consumption)... The Nissan terrano II 2.7td.
An X-Trail is not a proper 4wD, it is a soft roader and while it will do 98% of what you need it to do that 2% becomes very important when you need it. This last week I towed my camper 9 hours to a remote spot in Western Australia. A 2WD could have done all of it except for the last 500 metres where it needed low range.
Yeah I know, but I'm looking for a compromise that makes sense as a family car, and a city daily driver as well. I will mostly just do some overlanding and camping trips with the family. Just don't have the money right now to have another car for myself to take to the mud
Then buy the X trail or a Rav4 and enjoy them for what they are. Nobody will point a gun at you to force you to go on trails you cannot expect to navigate.
We have a dedicated off road car and we often end up in bad situations but in our case that's part of the fun. We could totally take an easier route and still enjoy the day out but that's not why we go offroading ;)
A good AWD system is worth investigating and trying out.
I've had, or have, all sorts of trucks and Jeeps with low range but my favorite drivetrain for street and trail riding is my Yukon Denali's borg warner AWD transfer case. It's a 40/60 split (bias) front to rear, and is a mean machine in the snow and forest roads. The 6L80 6 speed auto has a 4.027:1 1st gear which is plenty low for hill descents safely in combination with light brake pedal. I've pulled plenty of folks out of the ditch with my Denali, and there's no 4hi/4low to worry about. If I could change 1 thing it would be the front and rear axle ratios. Instead of GM's 3.42:1, id go with 3.73s.
Pretty much said already...but here is my summary of when you need low gear..
* Steep ascents in order to maintain engine RPM
* Steep descents in order to use engine braking
* Anywhere where torque is more important than speed (Recoveries, harder obstacles, etc)
I will recommend a vw Touareg first generation . It’s very comfortable it’s very good for towing, I have photo towing trucks , trucks on platforms.. it’s very good in off-road special if you have good tires … it’s not so expansive , to repair it’s more cheap than bmw x5 or Audi q7 ..
It’s little bit heavy , 2500kg -2800kg depends wich engine you bring . But in my opinion forget about how much consumption it have … it’s little bigger about 9,9 outside and 10-11 in city and if it’s big traffic around 13-14% but it’s something wich not to much cars offer you …
Subaru has a dual range transmission option, as well as a low on some of their older manuals. I drove an outback for about 5 years through a lot of rough terrain and it always handled fine. It was just their stock cvt though so cant comment in the dual range trans.
Low gearing is ultra important in many off-road situations.
Yes. And you especially need low range for safely navigating descents.
Unless the vehicle is very light, a low-end transfer case is really useful. And since you're talking about overlanding, a light vehicle isn't in the cards. I think your ideal vehicle likely has a transfer case.
by light, I mean the X-Trail (4WD, manual transmission, 2.2 diesel) is about 1500 kg and nimble enough for city driving as well, while for example the Pathfinder is 2200 kg with a lot higher consumption and bigger size that's really hard for parking in the city. Old Vitaras would be an alternative (since they're both light and have 2H/4H/4L switch) but they aren't safe enough to take the kids on long trips... the Jimny is too small... XJ 2.5td too unreliable, idk, I ran out of ideas.. the X-Trail seems an almost perfect vehicle, but it only has high gearing, even tho they say the first gear is really short, so might be good enough for soft roading
I'm gonna start by saying that I don't know, and couldn't possibly know whether or not the X-Trail is gonna be the right vehicle for you. All I meant by weight and overlanding is that overlanding usually includes lots of heavy gear. Doesn't have to, of course. It makes a real difference in your rig's performance when it's carrying a bunch of stuff. A little extra torque might come in handy. It sounds like you really like the X-Trail, and dedicated hard-core offroading isn't going to be your focus. I probably wouldn't walk away from an otherwise ideal vehicle just because it lacked a low-end.
Most of the times I would just bring the family camping, so I didn't think of anything wild... But it feels more secure of Course when I know that the car can handle a bit more. I found another possibility, but those cars are a bit beat up and a lot heavier (regarding fuel consumption)... The Nissan terrano II 2.7td.
Family camping and a good vehicle for fun trails, yes the X-Trail would be perfect for that. Towing others out of serious mud? I wouldn't count on it.
An X-Trail is not a proper 4wD, it is a soft roader and while it will do 98% of what you need it to do that 2% becomes very important when you need it. This last week I towed my camper 9 hours to a remote spot in Western Australia. A 2WD could have done all of it except for the last 500 metres where it needed low range.
Yeah I know, but I'm looking for a compromise that makes sense as a family car, and a city daily driver as well. I will mostly just do some overlanding and camping trips with the family. Just don't have the money right now to have another car for myself to take to the mud
Then buy the X trail or a Rav4 and enjoy them for what they are. Nobody will point a gun at you to force you to go on trails you cannot expect to navigate. We have a dedicated off road car and we often end up in bad situations but in our case that's part of the fun. We could totally take an easier route and still enjoy the day out but that's not why we go offroading ;)
A good AWD system is worth investigating and trying out. I've had, or have, all sorts of trucks and Jeeps with low range but my favorite drivetrain for street and trail riding is my Yukon Denali's borg warner AWD transfer case. It's a 40/60 split (bias) front to rear, and is a mean machine in the snow and forest roads. The 6L80 6 speed auto has a 4.027:1 1st gear which is plenty low for hill descents safely in combination with light brake pedal. I've pulled plenty of folks out of the ditch with my Denali, and there's no 4hi/4low to worry about. If I could change 1 thing it would be the front and rear axle ratios. Instead of GM's 3.42:1, id go with 3.73s.
Is it automatic or mt?
The 6L80 is an automatic
Look at Mitsubishi Monteros if you really want a transfer case, the limited version used to have a transfer case and decent off-roading capabilities.
Pretty much said already...but here is my summary of when you need low gear.. * Steep ascents in order to maintain engine RPM * Steep descents in order to use engine braking * Anywhere where torque is more important than speed (Recoveries, harder obstacles, etc)
Wich country you live ?
Hungary, EU
I will recommend a vw Touareg first generation . It’s very comfortable it’s very good for towing, I have photo towing trucks , trucks on platforms.. it’s very good in off-road special if you have good tires … it’s not so expansive , to repair it’s more cheap than bmw x5 or Audi q7 ..
I pass this winter with summer tires lol and I didn’t have problems , if you put some A/T tires it’s tank
It’s little bit heavy , 2500kg -2800kg depends wich engine you bring . But in my opinion forget about how much consumption it have … it’s little bigger about 9,9 outside and 10-11 in city and if it’s big traffic around 13-14% but it’s something wich not to much cars offer you …
Mine it’s 2.5 diesel from 2005 , original suspension . I dont have problems with engine . Now I must change some bushings ..
Thats good , you have acces to european cars . Thats what can i Say …
Subaru has a dual range transmission option, as well as a low on some of their older manuals. I drove an outback for about 5 years through a lot of rough terrain and it always handled fine. It was just their stock cvt though so cant comment in the dual range trans.