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I live in the 'mtns' of Western NC, at ~5,000 ft elevation...other than waddling down our mtn road to our town, or east to Asheville, much of our driving takes place on the narrow, steep, winding two lane roads in our area . My wife's car, a 4 cylinder Hyundai Tucson, does fine on any road we encounter. My VetteVert and motorcycles are more 'fun' on the fabulous 2 lane black tops, but the OP should not be concerned about any car's ability to get around the Blue Ridge Pkway, Smoky Mtn Nat Park, etc.
Rent whatcha like, but if you are 'stuck' with a 4 cyl I wouldn't worry...
GL, mD
I live in the 'mtns' of Western NC, at ~5,000 ft elevation...other than waddling down our mtn road to our town, or east to Asheville, much of our driving takes place on the narrow, steep, winding two lane roads in our area . My wife's car, a 4 cylinder Hyundai Tucson, does fine on any road we encounter. My VetteVert and motorcycles are more 'fun' on the fabulous 2 lane black tops, but the OP should not be concerned about any car's ability to get around the Blue Ridge Pkway, Smoky Mtn Nat Park, etc.
Rent whatcha like, but if you are 'stuck' with a 4 cyl I wouldn't worry...
GL, mD
Thanks. I'm planning on driving up to Clingmans Dome, then maybe over to Cherokee and Bryson City (I'm staying in Gatlinburg). If a Tucson can handle it with no problems, then I think a Malibu or Fusion should be fine too.
I'd get a Charger or 300, just because they are nice big cars.
I live at 8,500' and commute daily to 10,000' and a 200HP 4 cycl does just fine. I now have a 2.0T Turbo and it does even better. Every 1,000' in elevation you lose about 3% of HP on a naturally aspirated engine. Turbos and superchargers lose quite a bit less.
I'd get a Charger or 300, just because they are nice big cars.
I live at 8,500' and commute daily to 10,000' and a 200HP 4 cycl does just fine. I now have a 2.0T Turbo and it does even better. Every 1,000' in elevation you lose about 3% of HP on a naturally aspirated engine. Turbos and superchargers lose quite a bit less.
I'll be going from 1200' to 6600'. I'll ask for a Charger or Impala, but if I'm stuck with a Malibu ill just go with it.
we've made that run a few times since moving here from WI, though in v6 powered 4wd suv's and even towing our boat it was ok.
But to be honest, my sister was able to make that same trip a couple times in her low-powered Kia. Rio. With auto trans. So while i'm sure there may have been the occasional Amish buggy passing her on the steep grades, she made it thru in one piece lol
Thanks. I'm planning on driving up to Clingmans Dome, then maybe over to Cherokee and Bryson City (I'm staying in Gatlinburg). If a Tucson can handle it with no problems, then I think a Malibu or Fusion should be fine too.
You are welcome...I have driven/ridden that area/those roads dozens & dozens of times. The chug over 441 through SMNP is slow speed mostly, with gradual climbs, (packed on weekends), and the need for 300-400 hp is really unnecessary as the speeds are so low. ClingDome requires parking and a slightly heavy breathing walking 'climb' for 10+ mins to get up to the observation tower/walkway, but worth it if clear.
Not planning your route, but if you do come out at the 'bottom' of 441 at Cherokee, you have some options: Blue Ridge Parkway going east and north, and ascending out of Cherokee, or south past Bryson City to Robbinsville, NC: with some of the best 2 lane roads in western NC, inc Cherohala Skyway, which is mostly higher elev than the BRPkway and less crowded, Deal's Gap, (Tail of the Dragon but way overrated and no fun in a rental, imo), and wander back into TN and then north up along the TN border back to Gatlinburg.
GOOG map for your perusal showing a long half day to 3/4 day drive route, and just zoom in for better orientation. Enjoy your vacay and sightseeing; western NC/mtns of TN are a pretty special place, here in the East.
GL, mD
2012 or 2013 Ford Fusion V6 AWD from Avis or Budget
We rented the TCRDI version of this car (Mondeo) in the UK and it was a great mountain car. I didn't think a midsize diesel sedan could climb a 1 in 3 grade like that. And at 38 to 44 mpg.
And from that angle it sure looks angry.
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