Phevourite
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2015
- Messages
- 32
I have driven SUVs before but not really off-road. Perhaps oddly mostly I have driven them full-up with people. I have also done long road trips in the US with SUVs and I suppose I have driven in a lot of snow there but never really had the chance to drive the rough track stuff. So today I took the Outlander up to a car park at a high point which is along a very steep track just - well because its there. A track that when I have taken a car along it has always caused the vehicle to bottom-out. A track I would not want to do in a ordinary car at this time of year.
Compared with proper off-roading this was child's play you understand but it was good enough for me. It was simply just such a serene sensation. Gliding along all-electric powered locked in 4x4 it was one of the most satisfying experiences yet in the PHEV. The weather helped as the top of the hill where the car park is was in the thick mist while the lower slopes were crystal clear and the autumnal colours were exquisite. I think I would have enjoyed driving this in any reasonable 4x4 but there is something truly magical about the silence of electric motoring in the country and being more able to better hear all of the natural sounds. Add in the ease with which the Outlander tackled every rut and furrow (compared with a car) and it was simply terrific.
Once at the top we had a wonderful mystery misty walk - the sort where you really have to know the tracks pretty well to get back to the car and luckily I have cycled this a bit in the past. I noted that all other vehicles at the top were all 4x4s which is not the case in the summer. This suggests that I am not the only one who would chose summer only for a saloon or estate. Then all the way down we were re-charging which is such a good feeling and then to find the Outlander is equally masterful on the rough stuff descending while regenerating as on the way up while motoring, well it was just wonderful!
Just thought I would share.
Compared with proper off-roading this was child's play you understand but it was good enough for me. It was simply just such a serene sensation. Gliding along all-electric powered locked in 4x4 it was one of the most satisfying experiences yet in the PHEV. The weather helped as the top of the hill where the car park is was in the thick mist while the lower slopes were crystal clear and the autumnal colours were exquisite. I think I would have enjoyed driving this in any reasonable 4x4 but there is something truly magical about the silence of electric motoring in the country and being more able to better hear all of the natural sounds. Add in the ease with which the Outlander tackled every rut and furrow (compared with a car) and it was simply terrific.
Once at the top we had a wonderful mystery misty walk - the sort where you really have to know the tracks pretty well to get back to the car and luckily I have cycled this a bit in the past. I noted that all other vehicles at the top were all 4x4s which is not the case in the summer. This suggests that I am not the only one who would chose summer only for a saloon or estate. Then all the way down we were re-charging which is such a good feeling and then to find the Outlander is equally masterful on the rough stuff descending while regenerating as on the way up while motoring, well it was just wonderful!
Just thought I would share.