I am looking to purchase a used 2007 AWD XLS with the Sun and Sport and Nav packages, These are few and far between, and I'll likely have to buy out of state (there are virtually no AWDs sold in Southern CA where I live.)

A few questions I haven't been able to answer:

- Are all U.S. Outlanders either California or 50 State emissions compliant? I am assuming "no" because the literature I've seen says the CA V6 has 213 HP vs. 220 for other states. Any idea of whether only Outlanders sold in CA are CA-compliant? There's a hefty fee for importing a non-compliant vehicle into CA. and you can't do it at all if the vehicle has less than 7500 miles (probably not a worry for a 2007!)

- What differences in gas mileage are you seeing between 2WD and AWD mode? Right now, in Southern CA, I'll be using the 2WD almost exclusively, but when we move to our property in WA in a couple of years I'll be dealing with ice, rain, snow and dirt roads and using the AWD a lot more!

Thanks in advance for any info- I am really looking forward to having my own Outlander!

 

There is no noticeable difference between 2wd & 4wd modes in 4wd car, if you have 2wd model you get slightly better gas mileage.

Btw, I've been living in Western Washington for over 10 years and you can get by without AWD car just fine, all you need is chains once in a while if you need to go skiing/snowboarding in the mountains. I don’t regret getting AWD car because it’s just gives me more confidence on the road when conditions are less than perfect, but for daily commute we use 2WD car that saves on gas.

 

The manual for the Outlander states that it cannot use chains. Chains are also prohibited on many public roads. Unless of course you were making a general tongue-in-cheek comment.

 

There's California and Federal. Only CA is compliant in CA. Some other states use CA emish standards now so you might check that.

 

Yeah- I have a list of states that follow CA standards- not many. I still haven't found an answer to the original question though- if only Outlanders sold in those states are compliant.

 

Dealer should be able to look up the VIN and tell you exactly what is on the car...

 

I am very happy that I searched for my AWD XLS. I am also in Southern California and the dealers insisted that I did not need AWD. In fact there was not one on the any local lots at the time (Dec 2006). Basically I drive in 4wd auto all the time in town and only on the highway while crusing do I use the 2WD mode, which eliminates any torque steer when accelerating and provides all the usual AWD benefits. Keep searching until you find exactly what you are looking for, Good Luck!

 

Go for the AWD. Great here in the rain and bad weather.