Guys, could you please share what you know about..

Are Alphard(or Vellfire) ggh20w / ggh25w i.e. 2WD / 4WD significantly different in terms of:- 

 

a) road handling?

b) fuel economy? Has extra body weight?

c) can the 4WD be turned off?

d) maintenance cost?

e) driving in snow?

f) longevity?

g) reliability?

h) life of tyres?

i) braking? etc..

 

Any expert opinions / thoughts / personal experiences on this topic. Thankyou 

the above questions might be applicable to most 4WD comparisions (there are more versions like first Gen has 4WDs - ANH15 / MNH15 etc

Drove both before buying and went for 4wd or should I say all wheel drive, it doesn't have the diff locks or anything like that, just all wheel drive that is on all the time. It has much better acceleration compared to 2wd as it uses all 4 wheels to push it self forward, that being said it does add weight and complexity to the drive system so in case of potential issues you can spend a lot more.. Fuel efficiency is again a bit worse with all wheel drive, and you have to remember to change all 4 tires at the same time otherwise transfer box can die. If I had to choose again I would still go with 4wd 😁

3 hours ago, dugii said:

Drove both before buying and went for 4wd or should I say all wheel drive, it doesn't have the diff locks or anything like that, just all wheel drive that is on all the time. It has much better acceleration compared to 2wd as it uses all 4 wheels to push it self forward, that being said it does add weight and complexity to the drive system so in case of potential issues you can spend a lot more.. Fuel efficiency is again a bit worse with all wheel drive, and you have to remember to change all 4 tires at the same time otherwise transfer box can die. If I had to choose again I would still go with 4wd 😁

Many thanks for the reply, this is interesting twist, I was writing off the 4WD but may be I shouldn't. Is it 3.5L Alphie?

I actually drive the 10 series, with 3L V6 as my daily 😂

But the comparison stands for all types, with this weight and power front wheels will always struggle to deliver power, again depends how you want to drive the thing.. raced against 190bhp 320d on 400m run and lost just by 1/2 length car, which is still impressive for size 😋

13 minutes ago, dugii said:

I actually drive the 10 series, with 3L V6 as my daily 😂

But the comparison stands for all types, with this weight and power front wheels will always struggle to deliver power, again depends how you want to drive the thing.. raced against 190bhp 320d on 400m run and lost just by 1/2 length car, which is still impressive for size 😋

I drive light footed but when it comes to overtaking, chaging lane, joining motorway or just odd winter/snow /hydroplaning risk, I like the extra power that might be useful. I intend it to be driving it few times every week - not plan to clock more than 10k miles/year so its mpg not massively important too.

I also wonder if the 4WD can be cheaper to buy (less desirebale due to mpg)

They are such a pleasure to drive it's difficult to resist 😉 I only drive to the office couple of days a week anyway, so no benefit of me having another car. With £1.6 for fuel I drive light footed most of the times 😂

 

4wd are a bit less popular in the sell ads here in UK, but I think equally popular in Japan, is you are planning direct import 👍

Here's my fuel consumption graph

12 hours ago, dugii said:

They are such a pleasure to drive it's difficult to resist 😉 I only drive to the office couple of days a week anyway, so no benefit of me having another car. With £1.6 for fuel I drive light footed most of the times 😂

 

4wd are a bit less popular in the sell ads here in UK, but I think equally popular in Japan, is you are planning direct import 👍

I have a feeling 4WD are not popular at auctions either so if not clocking too many miles can be good buy. Thanks for sharing the graph and it can go to mega thread for fuel economy, unless already there