Evidentially a huge difference between S. Cali desert and mountains and Eastern U.S. red clay and mud. A winch is a necessary item for at least one member of your party - without one eventually you will get stuck and cannot get out. I've been stuck in mud with both 2wd and 4wd ATV's and have pulled out the same many times. While most of the time you can yank a stuck in the mud ATV out with a big ol' 700 pound Outlander, sometimes they will just not come out unless you are pulling with a winch. Try and hop off your stuck 400 pound 2wd machine and the only thing that will happen is you'll be walking home without your boots.

So it all depends on where you ride.

 

Would never take anything hunting other than a 4x4. You never know where the animal may go (unless you are a perfect shot all the time). The major diff between 2x4 and 4x4 is how far you get before you get stuck!! I personally think that a 2x4 utility is kinda dumb. My reasoning, you are purchasing something for off-road purpopse, at some point you will want the 4x4, guaranteed.

IRS and SRA, to each his own. I own both currently. The only time it makes a big difference to me is at higher speeds in rough terrain. JMO

 

ROFLMFAO