Winter Handling?

[Rokmonanoff]

I'm looking at purchasing a gx470 or 460 in the next year or so to replace my wife's rig. We need extra room for additional car seats. My wife loves her jeep. It is a Grand Cherokee Limited with the V8. It has been exceptional in the snow with all time all-wheel drive and the option for low range. Though her driving is all on road, we do live in Alaska, and she has a job that requires her to get in when called regardless of the weather.

How is the gx going to compare with the jeep?

It must be able to handle:

-As much as 30 inches of fresh snow

-Snow berms when plowing is not completed before leaving

-Ice (both patchy ice on the road and very thick/slick ice when we get an occasional winter rain

-3 carseats

It will have studded snow tires on it in the winter. I've heard great things, and know it is based off of the 4runner which has a great reputation for 4wheel drive handling. I also will purchase in the winter time so I can test drive. I just want to find out what to expect before I buy one.

Thanks,

Rok

[slvrsrfr]

Can't compare it to the Jeep but I drove mine in that kind of weather last winter. It was rock solid. Most capable vehicle on the road-plowed or unplowed. And better quality than the Jeep.

[LEXIRX330]

I have had two jeeps one when I was younger and one as a spare...no comparison! I love my GX and it handled this past winter with no problem at all. We don't get near as much snow as you but this year we got quite a lot of snow...was kind of fun!

[kgerry]

i drive my 06 470 in all kinds of harsh Canadian winters with no issues at all... and here in Sask we get a lot of snow!!

[Rokmonanoff]

Thanks for the advice. It was quite helpful.