Does a Kuga count as a 4x4??

[Rojas]

Just wondering, I know the Kuga is a cross SUV but has anyone done some offroading with it?

Not talking about driving on a flat dirt road

Specifically the 1.6 AWD.

[JCMostert]

Just wondering, I know the Kuga is a cross SUV but has anyone done some offroading with it?

Not talking about driving on a flat dirt road

Specifically the 1.6 AWD.

Looking at the OZ fires, it was probably a Kuga that went offroading...

[4ePajero]

Just wondering, I know the Kuga is a cross SUV but has anyone done some offroading with it?

Not talking about driving on a flat dirt road

Specifically the 1.6 AWD.

AWD = 4x4 (by definition)

It might not be "Trail Ready", but it is a 4x4.

[Estee]

What Toerag says

[JohanMaree]

No

It is a SUV

Very few real 4x4 vehicles around ie Jeep Wrangler, G-wagen, Defender, FJ Cruiser, Steyr Puch, etc. (What I can think off immediately)

The rest are SUV whether they have low range or not.

[Pietsweis]

No

It is a SUV

Very few real 4x4 vehicles around ie Jeep Wrangler, G-wagen, Defender, FJ Cruiser, Steyr Puch, etc. (What I can think off immediately)

The rest are SUV whether they have low range or not.

What makes these real 4x4's? and say a Fortuner or a Pajero sport not one?

[JohanMaree]

Mostly approach and departure angles.

[4ePajero]

No

It is a SUV

Very few real 4x4 vehicles around ie Jeep Wrangler, G-wagen, Defender, FJ Cruiser, Steyr Puch, etc. (What I can think off immediately)

The rest are SUV whether they have low range or not.

4x4 means

4 wheels.
4 wheels powered.

Most SUVs are 4x4, the Kuga is one of the 4x4 SUVs.

[JCMostert]

4x4 means

4 wheels.
4 wheels powered.

Most SUVs are 4x4, the Kuga is one of the 4x4 SUVs.

Here is a nice clip about the difference between 4x4 and all wheel drive. The Kuga must be an all wheel drive.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHMDtEPeuQM

[JCMostert]

A more in-debt explanation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk246sutET0

[John.oosthuizen95]

I'd say for serious offroading get a land rover defender or land cruiser or suzuki jimny...sj40 or a proper jeep wrangler.....or be a cheapscate like me and get a Lada Niva

[shaggy]

Does it have low range. You get all wheel drive cars like subaru audi etc but they are not 4x4. All models of fortuner are all wheel drive but the 4x4 has low range the transfer box is what makes it a 4x4. All wheel drive cars have something like a 30 ....70 split, makes them handle better on daily driving and sand roads, the transfer box makes it a 50...50 split . So really it can do sand tracks and dirt roads better than a 2 wheel drive but not as capable as 4x4. Also the articulation will be a problem on axle twisters and heavier tracks. And as mentioned the approach and departure angles.

[John.oosthuizen95]

Does it have low range. You get all wheel drive cars like subaru audi etc but they are not 4x4. All models of fortuner are all wheel drive but the 4x4 has low range the transfer box is what makes it a 4x4. All wheel drive cars have something like a 30 ....70 split, makes them handle better on daily driving and sand roads, the transfer box makes it a 50...50 split . So really it can do sand tracks and dirt roads better than a 2 wheel drive but not as capable as 4x4. Also the articulation will be a problem on axle twisters and heavier tracks. And as mentioned the approach and departure angles.

Has transfer case and transfer case differential lock.....and low range and that's about all you need in a real 4*4

[John.oosthuizen95]

Has transfer case and transfer case differential lock.....and low range and that's about all you need in a real 4*4

Also it has crazy rear axle articulation....so difflock on the axle is .ot really needed....

[Estee]

No

It is a SUV

Very few real 4x4 vehicles around ie Jeep Wrangler, G-wagen, Defender, FJ Cruiser, Steyr Puch, etc. (What I can think off immediately)

The rest are SUV whether they have low range or not.

I thought SUV was a body shape designation, from the Yanks, to differentiate between the ''station wagon'' (my Range Rover licence disc stated Station Wagon) and a Truck or Bakkie shape. However, you piqued my interest so, Goggle and Wiki

Wiki has this to say:

American English[edit]

Automotive websites descriptions of SUVs range from specifically "combining car-like appointments and wagon practicality with steadfast off-road capability" with "chair-height seats and picture-window visibility"^[3] to the more general "nearly anything with available all-wheel drive and raised ground clearance".^[4] It is also suggested that the term SUV has replaced "jeep" as a general term for off-road vehicle.^[5]
American dictionary definitions for SUVs include:

• "rugged automotive vehicle similar to a station wagon but built on a light-truck chassis"^[6]
• "automobile similar to a station wagon but built on a light truck frame"^[7]
• "large vehicle that is designed to be used on rough surfaces but that is often used on city roads or highways"^[8]
• "passenger vehicle similar to a station wagon but with the chassis of a small truck and, usually, four-wheel drive"^[9]

British English[edit]

In British English, the terms "four-by-four" (often abbreviated to "4x4") or "off-road vehicle" are generally used instead of sport utility vehicle.^[10][11]
The Collins English Dictionary defines sport utility vehicle as a "powerful vehicle with four-wheel drive that can be driven over rough ground. The abbreviation SUV is often used."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_utility_vehicle

[Rojas]

Does it have low range. You get all wheel drive cars like subaru audi etc but they are not 4x4. All models of fortuner are all wheel drive but the 4x4 has low range the transfer box is what makes it a 4x4. All wheel drive cars have something like a 30 ....70 split, makes them handle better on daily driving and sand roads, the transfer box makes it a 50...50 split . So really it can do sand tracks and dirt roads better than a 2 wheel drive but not as capable as 4x4. Also the articulation will be a problem on axle twisters and heavier tracks. And as mentioned the approach and departure angles.

It doesnt have low range, What is interesting to me, when you pull up the AWD info center on the consol, it just shows as if its driving in FWD, so not sure if it has a transfer box.

The wheels are all terrain treads so i doubt it could get through rough terrain, im itching to take it off road but i think id have to call for help

[JohanMaree]

My explanation is not about the technicalities of the vehicle but what it is intended for by the designers.

Think of Touareg, ML, GL, D1-5, Cruiser 200, Lexus, Patrol, etc.
Yes, they have all the tools but not intended for serious off-roading and bundu bashing. Consider their front bumpers. Can any of them take on a 40mm thick tree stump without damage?

[4ePajero]

Both 4x4 and AWD are defined by mechanical configurations, not ability.

Off-road nuts add items like

• transfer cases
• low range
• diff locks
• articulation
• approach / departure / break-over angles
• traction control

Also remember that 4x4 / AWD has a massive market in snow / ice bound countries, where "off-roading" is not the primary reason to buy 4x4 / AWD vehicles.

[Rojas]

Also it has crazy rear axle articulation....so difflock on the axle is .ot really needed....

So is it capable of doing some offroad trails then?

I dont have much knowledge on this side of things, this is my first "4x4" "AWD" "SUV" if thats what you want to call it, and im not going to just go off road, just expanding my knowledge

[John.oosthuizen95]

If you talking about cars I mentioned yes.....the kuga I'd use for softraoding.....i personally don't think the kuga should be used for real offroading....