Yes
nerys, but the conditions where 4/AWD is actually
safer are pretty rare. You too pointed out their limitations.
Honestly? You'd be better off with 4 snow tires. For most conditions, I'd take a 2WD economy car with snow tires over a 4WD SUV with "all season" (gag!) tires. Only in deep snow (8"-10"+) and going up steep hills will the 4WD SUV have an edge (and an AWD car won't have the ground clearance edge!).
Also, with these 4/AWD you are hauling around that weight 100% of the time ... as well as the mechanical drag ... and that takes its toll on efficiency (as well as braking which you correctly pointed out).
4/AWD vehicles are also more expensive, more expensive to insure (because most people are not particularly skilled drivers) and more expensive
I like some AWD cars and 4WD SUVs for certain people/purposes ... it's just that for
most people, this stuff is terribly oversold and they'd be better off with snow tires if they live in the northern third of North America.
