Why the Beast is a blessing for sales of 4x4s

When most of us buy SUVs, we tend to go for the cheaper twowheel-drive versions rather than 4x4s. The premium, we reckon, is not worth it for the very few occasions we ever would need it. Until we need it, of course. This week, I’ve been driving an Opel Grandland X and while it’s not a 4x4, it does have IntelliGrip adaptive traction control, with five modes – Electronic Stability Programme On, ESP Off, sand, mud and, most importantly of all this week, snow and ice. IntelliGrip adapts torque distribution to the front wheels according to the selected mode, allowing slip when necessary and thus creating the optimum balance between grip and wheelspin. It’s an optional extra, but with prices starting from €290, depending on the trim level, it’s worth considering.

It’s not the only car to offer such a system, so when you’re buying, always check how much it would cost to upgrade.

That said, a week like the one we’ve just experienced usually sends sales of full 4x4s soaring. After the snows of 2010 and 2011, Skoda saw a 500% increase in 4x4 sales, and not just on the Yeti SUV. Skoda offers 4x4s across the entire range, including in the Octavia and Superb, as well as the new Kodiaq and Karoq SUVs.

The company’s Mark Mulvaney says: ‘The all-wheel-drive market is extremely weather dependent. In 2012, we saw a huge increase in sales for our 4x4 range and we expect this trend to be repeated.

‘However, our 4x4 range is not just for snowstorms that happen twice every decade – each 4x4 we produce proves to be a safe and loyal workhorse in many other conditions, including rough and slippery terrain, and for towing trailers and boats.’

The Octavia Combi, for instance, with a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 150hp, can tow a braked trailer with a weight of up to 2,000kg, compared with a maximum towing capacity of 1,600kg for the front-wheel-drive version.

All that said, as this week reminded us, the best port in a storm for any car, no matter what its capability, is in the garage or driveway.