Hi all.

I just read something on Edmunds.com that got me wondering about the AWD system of the 08 Highlander. I was hoping that you could comment on your experience driving in the snow/ice, specifically driving up/down hills. I'm especially interested in this statement: "There's no center differential and the V6 engine never provides power to the rear wheels".

If possible, it would really put it in perspective for me if you could compare it to other AWD systems you may have tried before, such Audi's Quattro, Volvo's Aldex (SP?) or Subaru's.

This is part of the articlle I found on Edmunds:
"Given the presence of the rear-mounted electric motor, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is technically a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Most of the time, though, it functions in front-drive mode; the electric motor engages the rear wheels only when extra traction or torque is needed. Bear in mind that this setup differs significantly from the 4WD/all-wheel-drive system on the regular Highlander: There's no center differential and the V6 engine never provides power to the rear wheels. The upshot is that buyers shopping for a serious snow vehicle may not find the hybrid Highlander robust enough to meet their needs.".

This is the link to the article: http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/highla...08/review.html

Thanks!