thanks for all the response so far. looks like a little torque steer is the issue (if driven hard off the mark) and maybe front wheel spin when it's slippery. which brings me to ask... With the AWD.... What's the power split between front and rear wheels?, is it 50 50? Does it detect wheel spin and correct accordingly?, will it transfer more power to a wheel that has more traction when a wheel spin is detected? I consider $4,500 difference a lot of money, but if it makes kluger a safer vehicle to drive then maybe it's worth it. At the moment, I don't think I'll be doing any off-roading, kids are still to small but perhaps in the later years.