We've done both. Prefer the Jeep, but yes a smaller, front-wheel drive compact car will work. You won't want to go to Lameshur as the road is really bumpy for a non-Jeep car (limited clearance underneath) and you'll want to be careful on some of the north shore roads if/when they are wet.

Otherwise - it works fine. We've done a Tauras twice and Jeeps twice.

Good Luck! Have Fun!

We stay out on east end of St John and can't imagine being without 4 wheel drive. Sometimes the roads are wet and slippery on top of being steep and curvy.

This is a tough one. We are planning to stay in Coral Bay, where I know some of the roads can be steep and curvy, but I am just not sure whether we will need four wheel drive. I can't imagine that everyone uses four wheel drive to get around Coral Bay and the North Shore....

If you use the search function on this site, you will find the following discussion from last month: https://www.vinow.com/wwwtalk/read.php?4,104125,104222#msg-104222

4WD is not a must have. There are cars on STJ, and people drive them to the beach, so you too will be fine if you prefer to rent a car.

Where are you staying in Coral Bay? - for some villas a 4wd is a necessity so ask your rental company.

Pia

Thanks for all of the replies!

Pia, We are actually staying at Memory Daze Villa (thanks in part to your response to my last topic posting). You mentioned that the road is paved until just about the very end of the drive. I assume a front wheel drive non-jeep will be fine for that, but I can also ask Kay at Windspree.

Lisa

I agree with those that share that FWD is fine for most of the island. As you just mentioned, the key is knowing if your villa is accessible without 4WD. The worst situation that I have encountered is a pouring rain on Jacob's ladder between Trunk and Peter Bays on the north shore. We just ended up taking the long way back to Coral Bay via Cruz Bay. That's happened once in six visits to STJ. For the most part, you have relatively easy FWD access to all the north shore beaches, plus Salt Pond, Watermelon and Vi's beach. Some people (and I totally understand it) feel that
the "peace of mind" of 4WD is worth the extra 150-200 dollars. I guess I'm just too frugal ;). One other note if I may, IF you go with a 4WD, I recommend that you NOT rent an "open style" jeep. It can be very frustrating not being able to lock in your belongings while, shopping, hiking, dining out etc.

Mark

Markes - just fyi, Jacobs Ladder is the name of hill on the way to the Westin- no fun either in the rain as everyone will wait at the bottom 🙂

Also, non 4wd vehicles "usually" can't make the hill into The Marketplace (where the grocery store is) in fact I don't think I have ever seen one make it and in the rain I have to put my Jeep in 4WD.

Pia

Pia....thanks for setting my geography straight! 🙂

Mark

Pia, Do you mean that a FWD car can't make it into The Marketplace even if the road is not wet?

I know you have seen Memory Daze villa. Do you think we will be fine with FWD getting to that particular location? Thanks again!

Lisa

lisa marie,

I have driven a non 4wd vehicle up and down the hill into The Marketplace.

Thank you for the responses! I think we are going to go with a smaller front wheel drive car, unless Kay from Windspree gets back to me and says that the villa is inaccessible without 4 wheel drive (which I doubt very much).

Lisa