Best in snow: all-wheel drive or winter tires? .(tire buying tips)(Buyers Guide)

Publication: Consumer Reports

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COPYRIGHT 2002 Consumers Union of the United States, Inc.

Go-anywhere grip is a major part of America's love affair with sport-utility vehicles. Automakers are capitalizing on that passion for all-wheel drive by offering it on a growing number of sedans, wagons, and minivans. More than 20 non-SUV models now offer such systems, which provide power to all four wheels as needed. Indeed, sales of all-wheel-drive cars and minivans have roughly tripled since 1991, according to Ward's Auto World, an industry trade publication.

Most all-wheel-drive vehicles are based on front-drive cars, which, in turn, tend to do better in snow than rear-drive cars because the...

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