A common perception is that to own an AWD car, you need to increase your buying budget a bit. However, there are some AWD cars which you can buy at a price as low as under $20,000.
All Wheel Drive (AWD) is a technology that you would generally find in many sedans and sports cars today. This feature has really proven to help drivers maintain proper control of the car on slippery roads and in unfavorable driving conditions. Therefore, in order to purchase a car with this feature, you need to pay a little more than the price of a front wheel drive car. Even though AWD cars come at a higher price than standard cars, there are some brands which have models at an affordable price, say less than $20,000. AWD cars under $20,000 are ideal choices for customers searching for inexpensive cars with good traction in snow.
List of AWD Cars Under $20,000
2011 Subaru Impreza
The Impreza is a complete package of sports and economy. It is offered in three hatch and sedan trim variants, all of which sport a 2.5 liter SUBARU BOXER engine with a power of 170 hp. Note that all Subaru vehicles (US models) have Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as a standard function for proper traction in difficult road conditions. The trim variants are 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, and Outback Sport; which are priced at about $17,500, $18,500 and $20,000 respectively.
A 5-speed manual transmission comes as a standard which can be upgraded to a 5-speed auto transmission. Safety is also given preference in the Impreza, which is why features like Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), and Brake Assist are incorporated. Coming to fuel efficiency, all models and variants of the Impreza have a rating of 20 MPG in city and 27 MPG on highway.
2011 Suzuki SX4 Crossover
This is probably the best rated sports hatch with the AWD function. All trim levels of this car come with the AWD function, the only difference being the value package and transmission. The very basic ‘SX4 Crossover AWD (manual transmission)’ trim level starts at just around $17,000; whereas the ‘SX4 Crossover Premium AWD (automatic transmission)’ model starts at about $18,500. The mileage of SX4 Crossover is reported to be approximately 22 MPG and 30 MPG in city and highway.
All models have a 2.0 liter DOHC 16-valve engine, powering the car with a decent 150 hp. The 3-Mode i-AWD (intelligent All-Wheel-Drive) is considered to be useful in snowy and terrain driving. Along with being inexpensive, this car also offers Electronic Stability Program, (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), 8 standard airbags, brake assist, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). A cheap touring option for a family of four, it surely comes in the top all wheel drive cars list.
2011 Subaru Legacy 2.5i
This is yet another car from Subaru which is appropriate to be used for sports or general driving purposes. There are seven models offered in the Legacy, out of which the base ‘2.5i’ is priced at under $20,000. Though it has got the same engine specifications as the Impreza, it has more mileage. The fuel economy is considered to be about 23 MPG on city roads and an exceptional 31 MPG on freeways. The manufacturer claims this model to be available about $20,000 as the base price. The base variant comes with a 6-speed manual transmission gearbox. Most safety features of the Impreza are standard in the Legacy as well. If you can just add a few more grands to your budget, you can purchase the 2.5i Premium or the other upgraded variants. This is truly an executive car with a readiness to run on snow and under harsh driving conditions.
These are just a few available options of AWD cars under 20,000 dollars. At a couple of thousand dollars more, you can go in for cars such as the Toyota Matrix S or similar others. If you are wondering about trucks or SUVs under or near the $20000 price range, you do have choices such as the Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass or Toyota Tacoma. However, it is Subaru that dominates the automobile market of the best and most inexpensive AWD cars.