AWD Owners Face Fines And Even Jail For Taking On 4WD Trails, National Park Service Warns

Subaru’s entire marketing effort is hooked around the security and capability delivered by its symmetrical all-wheel drive system, but that doesn’t wash with the US National Parks Service (NPS). It recently warned a Crosstrek owner who was spotted using his crossover on a Utah trail that he faced steep fines and even imprisonment if he took on a another similar route in his Subaru.

It’s not like the Crosstrek owner, whos goes by u/Greatbigdog69 on Reddit, got stuck and had to be rescued. He successfully completed a trail in Utah in June, but later received an official letter informing him that he’d driven in a restricted area.

Related: Subaru Crosstrek Driver Attempts To Pass Semi Truck With Two Wheels On The Grass, Barely Makes It Through

Colorado River Overlook Road in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park “is restricted to four-wheel drive vehicles while the vehicle registered to you is an all-wheel drive vehicle,” the text of the letter to the Crosstrek owner reads.

The NPS goes on to quote from something called the Superintendent’s Compendium, telling the owner that a “high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle” is required on Colorado Overlook Road and certain other roads in that area.

“Future violations may incur… a fine of up to $5,000, up to six months imprisonment and/or other penalties,” it warns.

Which seems a bit harsh in this case considering the Crosstrek owner completed the trail without needing assistance, but we can understand why the National Parks Service felt it had to take action. The last thing rangers (or other trail users) need is hundreds of crossover drivers taking on trails in vehicles that aren’t up to the task, quite possibly with less driving talent that this person had, or in worse weather conditions.

Here’s how the NPS defines a four-wheel drive vehicle on its website:

“A four wheel drive vehicle is defined as a sport utility vehicle (SUV) or truck with at least 15-inch tire rims and at least eight inches of clearance from the lowest point of the frame, body, suspension, or differential to the ground. Four wheel drive vehicles have a transfer case between the front and rear axles that locks the front and rear drive shafts together when four wheel drive is engaged. All wheel drive (AWD) vehicles do not meet this definition.”

The 2024 Crosstrek has 8.7 inches (221 mm) of clearance, compared with just 8.4 inches (213 mm) for a Ford Bronco, and 17- or 18-inch wheels, so passes that part of the the NPS test. But it stumbles at the second hurdle.

Unlike some other AWD crossovers and SUVs, which function as front-wheel drive cars until slip is detected, the Crosstrek always sends its power to all four wheels, handling the split via a center differential. That makes it secure on the road, but doesn’t make it a hero in the dirt.

A true four-wheel drive system lets the driver lock the front and rear axle together, which makes for terrible on-road handling and manners, but is great for getting out of a sticky situation away from the asphalt. Some 4WD vehicles also have a selectable low ratio and allow the front and rear differentials to be locked side to side for serious off-road work. The Crosstrek can’t do any of that.

The Crosstrek owner freely admits he didn’t understand the distinction between the two types of system before the letter prompted him to look into it, and who can blame him when automakers themselves often add confusion by offering both versions, and then labeling some AWD systems as four-wheel drive.

If you’re still unsure of the difference check out the video before that compares Ford’s Bronco (four wheel drive) with the Bronco Sport and Maverick (all-wheel drive).

H/T to TheDrive