informal review, fun in the snow *video*

[rh71]

Even though I got the X last January, I only had the 19" runflats on them. Tonight was the first snowfall of the season since I got the 214 20s so I really wanted to test it out - they're on all-season Toyos (mud & snow rated). Did they turn out to be sleds? No, not even close. They performed perfectly fine during normal driving and I took a few loops to test them out in slightly more aggressive driving (relatively speaking, remember the snow?).

One thing when I headed out I need to mention... I opened the door and snow came piling into the cabin all over the seat. Again, DESIGN FLAW. This happens in some other cars, but only a small bit of snow gets in. I'm talking the entire seat here. Not good. I'll have to remember to brush it off the top area before I open the door, you know, with my brush sitting inside the vehicle to begin with.

I started the vehicle and lo-and-behold... my first time seeing the low tire pressure warning... it pointed out the right-rear (which is sufficient I suppose)... I visually checked it and it was fine - I'll just fill-er-up in the morning. But onto some quick fun before my infant wakes up wondering why he's by himself downstairs (mom's upstairs with the other one)...

I initially set out thinking I'll have some fun with donuts but it was quickly evident that wasn't going to happen given the stability controls, the narrow-ish parking lot, and the desire to continually baby the X at all costs. If you came for one of those videos, I'm sorry. Basically I wanted to get the X on video because I love the way it looks and there's too few vids out there. So this is all you're getting. In retrospect, I should've pushed it harder at some points, maybe another time, another wider, emptier parking lot, and someone else holding the camera.

I have a Rodeo 4x4 also, with 16" A/T tires, and it has driven pretty well in the snow the last 13 years. Never had these new toys though - DSC works confidently. I can actually feel when it's working hard. When I turned it off, it felt completely loose. I threw in some DTC testing in there too - they say you're only supposed to use it while rocking out of a snow bank or on sand. And again, this is not meant to be a drift video. All-in-all after I am pretty confident in this thing handling in the snow, which was the entire point I set out to make (at least for myself) tonight. Everyone should play around and find their vehicle's limits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRQQz-4MmHg&fmt=18