Winter sports are probably not there this year. In addition, it does not seem that the Dutch winter is going to be so extreme that four-wheel drive is really a plus. To keep the atmosphere going during the holidays, we have listed a number of relatively cheap four-wheel drives from the used car range that may be less obvious. Can you still get in the winter mood a bit?
1. Renault Scenic 2.0-16V RX4 – € 1,450
The Renault Scenic RX4 undoubtedly has the most off-road appearance of this list. This is mainly because it is richly equipped with black plastic and has a cover for the spare wheel on its boot lid. The RX4 was the most expensive Scenic at the time. This copy cost € 26,995 new in 2002 and as you can see the depreciation has done its job well. Under the hood is a two-liter four-cylinder with 139 hp, with which the Scenic can reach 100 km / h in 11.9 seconds. Renault did not deliver half the work with the four-wheel drive. The system works via a viscous coupling and can itself distribute the drive forces between the front and rear axle according to the circumstances. In addition, the chassis was raised 10 cm and fitted with, among other things, firmer struts and support arms. That makes the Scénic RX4 175 kg heavier than the regular variant. The specified combined consumption is with 9.5 liters per 100 km not really to write home about. So you pay a price at the pump for the sturdy appearance.
2. Subaru Justy 1.3-16V 4WD – € 2,250
The Subaru Justy has been running since 1984. In 2004 the third generation came on the market, of which this copy is an example. Under the skin, the Justy is the same as the Suzuki Ignis, which means that there is a 1.3-liter four-cylinder from Suzuki with 94 hp under the hood. Despite its four-wheel drive, the compact hatchback weighs just 980 kg, which means that the combined declared fuel consumption of 6.9 liters per 100 km is also somewhat limited. In addition, you do not have to pay a huge amount of road tax. The top speed of 155 km / h with the current speed limit is still high enough to lose your driving license on the highway. The Justy in question has the essentials on board: air conditioning, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors and an integrated radio / CD player are just about the most luxurious things on it. For people who prefer a Subaru with a four-cylinder boxer engine under the hood, there will be good news soon.
3. Fiat Panda 1.2 Climbing 4×4 – € 2,995
In Italy you sometimes see them driving: the old Panda 4×4. The first generation of the Panda lasted no less than 23 years, from 1980 to 2003, but Fiat also introduced a four-wheel drive version of the second generation Panda: the Panda Climbing. The Climbing is 5 cm higher on its legs compared to the regular Panda. The 1.2-liter four-cylinder basically releases its 59 hp and 103 Nm of torque to the front wheels, but thanks to the integrated viscous clutch in the rear differential, the full driving force can be directed backwards if desired. The Fiat Panda Climbing is anything but fast. Grab the diary, because only after 20 seconds you tap 100 km / h when you floor the accelerator from a standstill. It is true that with a weight of 955 kg it is even slightly lighter than the Justy. This custard yellow copy is from 2005 and has more than 183,000 km behind its teeth. The color combination should be your taste.
4. Subaru Forester 2.0 AWD – € 2,450
The good news for boxer engine enthusiasts is no Impreza or Legacy. No, it’s this Forester 2.0 AWD! The Forester is a bit difficult to categorize. Is it an SUV or a station wagon? In our driving test from 2003, it was labeled ‘high station wagon with all-terrain vehicle traces’. The boxer engine in this Forester is naturally aspirated and delivers 127 hp and 184 Nm of torque. In the unlikely event that winter sports still take place, the Forester in this list is probably the most suitable car to go on holiday with. It is spacious and wants to move forward, for more power you can always look to the blown version of the same engine. The most striking option of this copy? That is surely the glass panoramic roof, which can also be opened. With 347,395 km, this Forester has quite a bit of experience. Given the Subaru’s reliable reputation, that does not necessarily have to be a letdown.
5. Daihatsu Terios 1.3 SX – € 2,099
Daihatsu has disappeared from our country for a while. The brand was not only known for cars such as the Cuore and the Sirion, but also had stubborn carts such as the Copen and the Terios on offer. The Terios is high and narrow, but this specimen seems to want to come across as impressive thanks to its bull-bar. Under the hood is a four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.3 liters and an output of 83 hp. It is certainly not all show with the Terios, because it simply has four-wheel drive. The copy in question has run just over two tons and despite its somewhat spartan disposition, it simply has electric front windows and air conditioning. Like the Panda, it is certainly not a sprint cannon, but with an acceleration to 100 km / h in 16.1 seconds, it does it almost four full seconds better. Thanks to the short gearbox ratios, it can hold its own in the terrain, but that means that at 120 km / h it already turns more than 4,250 revolutions per minute. It can’t be a party everywhere.