I should clarify on AWD being a potential risk. If you are driving a slick road and forward momentum is inhibited by loss of traction, the other axle will kick in and grab, works great.

If you are on the highway at some speed and hit some ice covered by snow and the vehicle starts to lose control, in other words starts to get sideways, the AWD will not engage most likely because you are not spinning wheels and unless you are going slow enough to recover through driver inputs, you are going around and maybe over. All of the AWD systems that I have seen on SUV's are like a limited slip differential between the front and rear wheels. They have a way of giving a false confidence, especially on snowy highways. The only way to get the other wheels to engage is to hit the gas to cause the regular drive wheels to spin, which is not a natural reaction in a slide sideways.

I am sure some work differently but those I have experience with work like a limited slip differential between the front and rear wheels and are not 4 wheels driving. If you do get stuck, the lack of low range to help self extrication is a disadvantage also.

It comes down to what you need a vehicle to do and where you plan to drive it. I would say most of my 4 wheel driving is on snowy highways and the only thing I feel comfortable with is a true 4-wheel drive system.

I'm not selling anything, just sharing my thoughts on what works for me. Every person has their own situation and needs and hopefully talking about the pros and cons will help someone make a good decision for their needs.