is my car adequate for the rockies? (Denver: to buy, living in)

[thegrid]

I am relocating to the denver area for work and I'm wondering if the vehicle I have is adequate for the mountains or if I should consider my options. I currently own a honda hrv awd. it's great in the snow and ice, but I'm unfamiliar with how it'd perform in the rockies since it's somewhat underpowered compared to other vehicles. I'm wondering if it would be easy to climb hwy hills, etc. without being passed up. I dont plan on off roading or anything. just highway driving and the occasional trail head.

anyone have experience with the hrv or similar vehicles? I believe the hrv is comparable to the subaru impreza as far as the engine/transmission are concerned and it seems like subaru is popular in colorado. any idea how these would perform?

thanks

[USMC1984]

You'll be needing a sturdy pack horse...


Seriously though....are you planning on living in Denver or the mountains? Denver is flat mostly.

[thegrid]

I plan on living in the city but would like to travel out to the front range for hiking, snowboarding, exploring, etc.

[brown_dog_us]

Originally Posted by thegrid

I plan on living in the city but would like to travel out to the front range for hiking, snowboarding, exploring, etc.

You will be fine.

[jim9251]

You'll be fine, Denver isn't exactly in "the mountains".

[sunsprit]

your car is fine.

most of your driving will be on flatlands with some front range driving into the foothills.

for those few trips that you might make into the mountains, it's not justifiable to buy a more powerful car that won't be needed the rest of the time. Even at that, you'll find the existing car performance adequate if you'll but downshift for the climbs which will be but a portion of your mountain driving. Do keep in mind that during inclement weather, you'll not be driving 65-70 mph in the mountains because the road conditions and traffic will have you driving much slower than that.

Even with the derated HP due to altitude loss (approx 15%), your car is an adequate performer in the Denver area.

[SkyDog77]

Get a set of winter tires for driving up snowboarding . You’ll be fine.

[bluescreen73]

Will you be able to take it up gnarly 4WD roads to places like the upper trailhead on Mt. Sneffels or Uncompahgre Peak? No, but, as others have said, for day-to-day driving and 2WD access to most trailheads you'll be fine.

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by thegrid

I'm wondering if it would be easy to climb hwy hills, etc. without being passed up.

You'll be able to get everywhere you want to go. But if you don't want anyone passing you, you'll need a different vehicle

[NW Crow]

If you have a 4 cylinder, you'll notice it on steep, sustained hills. Try to get the revs up. Might need to downshift. Being passed is alright in general but some crazies can't wait. Sometimes you can / should pull off if there is a good spot.