Namreg
Banned
for 20k i'd be looking at cars from subaru. they come standard with 4WD, and have japanese build quality. they make them in various sizes, from the sedans (impreza, legacy) to SUVs (forester, tribeca, outback).
audi/VW also have a great 4WD system, and the new tiguan starts at 23k:
http://www.vw.com/tiguan/en/us/
you could always get a used X5, or a used touareg/cayenne. the latter weigh well over 2 tons though, so fuel economy will be pitiful.
a note about 4WD systems: there are two types, full-time and part-time (aka real-time). only full-time (or permanent) system sends power to all 4 wheels all the time, part-time systems only send power to the rear wheels AFTER sensors have detected that the front wheels are spinning faster than the vehicle is moving.
the honda CRV, toyota RAV4, and volvo XC90 all use part-time systems. this system does save fuel, but kinda defeats the point of having "real" 4WD in the first place.
audi/VW also have a great 4WD system, and the new tiguan starts at 23k:
http://www.vw.com/tiguan/en/us/
you could always get a used X5, or a used touareg/cayenne. the latter weigh well over 2 tons though, so fuel economy will be pitiful.
a note about 4WD systems: there are two types, full-time and part-time (aka real-time). only full-time (or permanent) system sends power to all 4 wheels all the time, part-time systems only send power to the rear wheels AFTER sensors have detected that the front wheels are spinning faster than the vehicle is moving.
the honda CRV, toyota RAV4, and volvo XC90 all use part-time systems. this system does save fuel, but kinda defeats the point of having "real" 4WD in the first place.
