From Markham to Muskoka: How Standard AWD Changes Your Weekend Plans
June 19 2025,
All-wheel drive transforms your vehicle from basic transportation into a gateway for year-round adventures. When AWD comes standard rather than as an expensive option, it opens up possibilities that might otherwise require a larger, less efficient vehicle or careful weather planning.
Subaru builds Symmetrical Full-Time All-Wheel Drive into multiple models as standard equipment, giving you the confidence to explore beyond paved roads and predictable conditions. This capability extends your range of possible destinations and activities throughout the year.
Understanding Full-Time vs Part-Time AWD
Many vehicles offer all-wheel drive as an option, but most use part-time systems that only engage when wheel slip occurs. Subaru uses a full-time system that continuously distributes power between front and rear wheels, providing constant traction advantages.
Key differences:
- Part-time systems: React after traction loss begins
- Full-time systems: Provide traction before problems develop
- Continuous monitoring: Responds to changing conditions instantly
- Automatic adjustment: Power distribution changes based on grip levels
This proactive approach means better control in situations where traction changes suddenly, such as wet leaves, gravel patches, or unexpected weather conditions.
Model Options for Different Adventures
Several Subaru models include standard AWD, each suited for different types of weekend activities:
- 2025 Crosstrek: With 220 mm of ground clearance and compact size, it handles hiking trail access roads and tight camping spots while remaining easy to park and maneuver in town.
- 2025 Forester: The higher seating position and 220 mm of ground clearance work well for family camping trips and provincial park visits where visibility and cargo space matter.
- 2025 Outback: Longer cargo area and available turbocharged engine suit longer trips and situations where you need to carry more gear or pull a small trailer.
- 2025 WRX: Performance-focused AWD system handles both spirited driving on winding cottage roads and challenging surface conditions with 271 horsepower available.
Cottage Country Confidence
The route from Markham to popular Muskoka destinations includes highway driving, smaller secondary roads, and often unpaved cottage driveways. Standard AWD helps you handle this variety of surfaces without concern about getting stuck or losing control.
Gravel cottage roads become manageable rather than challenging. The system automatically adjusts power distribution as conditions change, whether you're navigating a steep, loose gravel driveway or dealing with muddy patches after summer storms.
These capabilities mean you can choose cottages and campsites based on location and amenities rather than road access quality.
Weather Independence
Ontario weather changes quickly, and summer storms can create challenging driving conditions without warning. Standard AWD gives you the ability to handle these situations confidently rather than having to alter your plans.
Summer thunderstorms often leave roads wet and slippery. AWD systems help maintain traction on wet pavement, reducing the likelihood of losing control during sudden direction changes or emergency braking situations.
Early season trips to cottage country or camping areas might encounter unexpected conditions. Late spring snow or early fall frost becomes less of a concern when your vehicle can handle reduced traction automatically.
Expanded Destination Options
Standard AWD opens up recreational opportunities that might be difficult or impossible with a front-wheel drive vehicle. Beach access roads, provincial park trails, and camping areas with unpaved access become realistic destinations.
You can consider activities and locations based on your interests rather than road conditions:
- Provincial parks with gravel access roads
- Beaches with sand or loose surface parking
- Hiking trailheads reached by forest service roads
- Camping areas with unpaved sites
- Winter recreational activities and ski hills
Year-Round Capability
While summer adventures might focus on camping and water activities, the same AWD system that helps you navigate cottage roads also provides winter capability for skiing, snowboarding, and winter hiking destinations.
This year-round versatility means your vehicle choice supports activities across all seasons rather than limiting you to fair-weather destinations and activities.
The combination of standard AWD across multiple models means you can choose based on size, features, and budget while maintaining the same fundamental capability.
Discover how standard all-wheel drive opens up new adventure possibilities by testing multiple AWD-equipped models at Subaru of Maple.
