All-wheel drive owners face fines and even jail time for driving a four-wheel drive

A Subaru driver successfully crossed a Utah trail, but later received a letter from the National Park Service warning him that he could be sentenced to six months in jail if he ran a red light again

Subaru’s entire marketing campaign is built around the safety and performance that its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system brings, but the National Park Service (NPS) thinks otherwise. The agency recently warned a Crosstrek owner who was caught driving his crossover on a trail in Utah that he would face heavy fines or even jail time if he took another similar route in his Subaru.

This is unlike the Crosstrek owner who went by u/Greatbigdog69 Redditbecame trapped and had to call for rescue. In June, he successfully completed a test drive in Utah, but later received an official letter informing him that he had driven his vehicle into a restricted area.

RELATED: Subaru Crosstrek driver tries to overtake two-wheeled semi truck driving on grass, but fails

The letter to Crosstrek owners states that the Colorado River Scenic Road in the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park is “accessible only to vehicles with four-wheel drive, and the vehicle you registered is an all-wheel drive vehicle.”

The NPS goes on to cite a document called the Supervisor’s Summary, which informs vehicle owners that a “four-wheel-drive vehicle with high ground clearance” must be used when driving on Colorado Scenic Road and certain other roads in the area.

It warned: “Future violations may result in … a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment of up to six months, and/or other penalties.”

That seems a bit harsh in this case, considering the Crosstrek owner completed the trail without assistance, but we can understand why the National Park Service felt compelled to take action. The last thing rangers (or other trail users) want is hundreds of crossover drivers taking to the trail in vehicles that aren’t up to the task, most likely with less skill than this guy, or in worse weather conditions.

The NPS defines a four-wheel drive vehicle on its website as follows:

“A four-wheel drive vehicle is defined as a sport utility vehicle (SUV) or truck with tires that have a rim size of at least 15 inches and a minimum of 8 inches of ground clearance between the lowest point of the frame, body, suspension or differential. 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 ground clearance, while the Ford Bronco has only 8.4 inches (213 mm) of ground clearance and 17- or 18-inch wheels, so it passes that portion of the NPS test. But it fails the second hurdle.

Unlike some other all-wheel-drive crossovers and SUVs, which act like front-wheel-drive cars until slip is detected, the Crosstrek always sends power to all four wheels, handling slip via the center differential. That makes it safe on the road, but it doesn’t mean it’s a hero on the dirt.

True 4WD systems allow the driver to lock the front and rear axles together, which can lead to poor on-road handling and driving habits, but is very useful for tricky situations away from the asphalt. Some 4WD vehicles also have a selectable low-range ratio that allows the front and rear differentials to lock side to side for serious off-road work. The Crosstrek can’t do that.

The Crosstrek owner confessed that he didn’t understand the difference between the two systems until the letter prompted him to start researching, and who can blame him when automakers themselves often offer both systems, adding to the confusion, and then labeling some AWD systems as four-wheel drive?

If you’re still not sure about the difference, check out this previous video comparing Ford’s Bronco (four-wheel drive) to the Bronco Sport and Maverick (all-wheel drive).

H/T to drive