Four wheel drive vehicles, or 4WDs, are great for more steep or rugged driving applications. But how should someone select a four wheel drive which will meet all the specifications in terms of performance? One useful way for a consumer to go about doing this is to compare 4x4s in terms of their performance capacities and other attributes. This will give the individual a sense of which ones will suit his or her needs best.

Check out some of the following cool ways to compare 4x4 vehicles:
Off Road Performance:
One category in which consumers can make comparisons regarding a new 4X4 is in the area of off road performance. How well do various models perform on steep inclines, stones, slippery areas, in water, and so on. An individual can search the internet for information on these various attributes as well as ask dealers or previous users about them. If off road use is one of the intended uses for the vehicle (which is a common motivation for buying a 4WD vehicle) this is one of the most important attributes.

Towing Capacity
Towing capacity is an important attribute of an SUV if you are planning to use it for this kind of work application. Find out how much weight various 4WDs are rated to tow. This is usually given in Kilograms. The consumer should consider the probable weight of items they might be involved in towing and then see which 4WDs are weight rated for those amounts. They can use this for comparison purposes between vehicles, weighing it with the other attributes they are interested in.

Ground Clearance
If someone is planning on using their new 4x4 vehicle for off road purposes, ground clearance is an important item to pay attention to. They will want to consider the types of off road environments in which they might be driving and see which off road vehicle would perform best. Will they be driving in rocky areas, forest locations? Beaches? Mud? Gravel? Irregular areas that may combine any of these? They should compare various vehicles based on clearance, always remembering that extra clearance, not merely the minimum, is ideal.

Tires
The types of tires on a new 4x4 can affect issues like traction, hill climbing ability, clearance, and comfort of the ride. Consumers should see what size of tire various 4WD vehicles take and also look at the variety of different sizes available for specific models. They should also pay attention to tread types and the capacity of tires for different road and weather conditions.

Engine
The engine size in cubic centimeters, the number of liters, the horsepower, the number of cylinders, and so forth should all factor into a 4WD comparison. Applications like climbing, towing, fast on or off road racing will require stronger engines. If someone is unsure how much power their engine requires they may want to aim higher in a general sense in order to insure that the engine in the vehicle selected will be adequate.

Read Reviews
There are numerous review websites, ezines, and auto magazines that review 4WDs. Looking at user and critical reviews can be a good source of comparative material on various models. The advantageous thing about reviews is that they give more than technical information. They let a consumer know in qualitative terms what experiences drivers have had with the vehicle in question.

Test Drive
Finally, it is important to test drive various 4WD vehicles to see which ones feel the best as far as comfort, handling, and interior features (dashboard controls, lights, air conditioning, and sound system, etc). Even if an individual cant test drive the vehicle in rugged conditions, just driving it around the dealership or on a nearby road can give the driver a feel for its attributes.