SnowRunner Phase 4 trucks: First impressions

SponsoredBuy A Tribe Called Cars merchandise

In this SnowRunner Phase 4 trucks video, I’m going to show you what has been added and what each can do, plus some old dogs with new tricks.

Hello and welcome A Tribe Called Cars. In this SnowRunner Phase 4 trucks video, I’m looking at the four new trucks added to the Public Test Server (PTS) thus far. Addons, effectiveness and customisation – you know the score.

Now this is the Public Test Server, which means things can and probably will change. We saw the Boar in Phase 3 made better before it was officially released, so maybe what you see here will differ to that of the official release on console and PC. In a few weeks, most likely.

However, this video should give you a rough idea of what to expect in Phase 4. Plus you’ll get to see these new trucks tearing it up, or not as the case may be, in the new Amur maps in Russia.

Feel free to check out my SnowRunner playlist for more content and subscribe to the channel if you want me to see more videos. Cue the elevator ding.

SnowRunner Phase 4 trucks: Khan 317 Sentinel

Up first of the SnowRunner Phase 4 trucks is the Khan 317 Sentinel, which is a UAZ Patriot pick-up thing. It’s missing its paintjob like when the KRS 58 ‘Bandit’ was first on the Public Test Server. So maybe this scout truck will receive some tweaks before launch.

To be fair, it’s already fun because of its combination of Tuned Custom suspension and its 41-inch mud tyres. Feels like a rock crawler yet it is not as tippy as it looks. Deep mud is, however, where it struggles but that can be said of most trucks.

As things stand, there are three engines. The Azov 146 and 160 in Rift and Zimnegorsk of Taymyr, Russia, respectively, are the best. Personally, I like the Fine-tune gearbox as it gives maximum control but the SnowRunner alternative is great too.

Tyres come in all flavours and are either 37 or 41 inches. Chained might be worth it in the Amur Oblast region given all the icy roads. But a case could be made for Mud or Chained as you sip from its 80-litre fuel tank and engage AWD manually.

As with any truck that can fit the Autonomous Scout winch, use it. It can and will help keep the Khan 317 Sentinel in action as you uncover the map. Other scouts are more useful, admittedly, but it’s fun to use and not especially expensive.

We’ll have to wait and see what addons and other customisation can be done, as both are currently missing on PTS. Given the size, I doubt it will be as versatile as Loady McLoadFace. What I can say though is that the devs are proud to have used actual engine sounds from its reference truck.

SnowRunner Phase 4 trucks: GMC Brigadier 8000

I’ve heard rumblings the GMC Brigadier 8000 might be a freebie to celebrate a year of SnowRunner (PC graphics guide here) and therefore not part of Phase 4. Whatever the case, this is a decent way to cruise around in SnowRunner. Dual Off-Road or Chained tyres offer balance and grip although the maximum 46-inch size isn’t huge.

Meanwhile the Westline V6 bumps it up to an S+ power-to-weight ratio. There’s the usual array of gearboxes, take your pick, and you can go for Raised or Tuned Custom suspension for maximum ride height and tyre size.

It’s actually a Highway truck, according to the PTS build, but it can cope off-road thanks to switchable AWD and Diff Lock. Plus a pretty high snorkel, spare wheel and decent front and rear overhangs.

Like its GMC MH9500 sibling, the Brigadier 8000 has many addons. Heavy crane, log carrier front, flatbed, van body, logging frame. Even a sideboard bed and small crane at the same time, both saddle types, metal detector and the seismic vibrator.

Less impressive is the customisation amount, but you can choose between mud or steel fenders. Overall, I’d say this is my second or third favourite truck seen so far in Phase 4. Plus I like the design.

Caterpillar CT681

And now we come to the Caterpillar CT681 – the second most useful Caterpillar in SnowRunner because the 745C is limited to refuelling and logging, the 770G is just large and the CT680 has two extra addons – the logging crane and metal detector.

The new Heavy Duty Cat reminds me of the TwinSteer 49X. Its 260-litre fuel capacity is lower than I’d like and it has no mud tyres. However, engageable AWD and Diff Lock and most frame addons make it versatile. It just lacks the very similar CT680’s logging crane and metal detector.

Most noticeable is that 49X-inspired second row of wheels, which can be raised and lowered. Because they are not powered the benefits are debatable. In fact, they can actually hinder going over steep objects.

Also unlike the other Caterpillars, the CT681 offers all the customisation. Novelty horns, LED fog lights, windscreen visors, air conditioner and more.

Weird though is the fact you almost sit on the steering wheel in the cockpit view so you cannot look down at the dials properly. Somehow Saber has made a digital space feel claustrophobic, which is impressive and disturbing.

Jokes aside, I wouldn’t say the Caterpillar CT681 is revolutionary. Still, I have enjoyed using it in Amur and it does what you would expect of it.

International HX 520

Moving on, we have the International HX 520. Yet another Heavy Duty SnowRunner Phase 4 truck, the HX 520 reminds me of the CT681 albeit with six wheels instead of eight. This means it should be better over steep terrain, yet it has a lower power-to-weight ratio.

Tyres are either 43 or 47 inches in size, with highway, allterrain, off-road and chained available. It also has switchable AWD and Diff Lock, but the snorkels aren’t as high as some rival trucks so maybe avoid swimming.

Meanwhile its addons list is that of the CT681 and less comprehensive than the Brigadier 8000. Fortunately, you can do a sideboard bed and crane at the same time, which will be especially useful in Hard mode where only manual loading of cargo is free.

As for customisation, the HX 520 again reminds me of the CT681. Neither feels like something we haven’t seen before. With that said, it drives nicely and there’s a rugged charm to the interior, which has more screens than a cinema.

Zikz 605R

Last of the new SnowRunner Phase 4 trucks we have seen thus far is the Zikz 605R. Expect a guide to getting it because it takes more effort than most trucks including the also Russian DAN 96320.

To be honest, it’s worth the effort as the 605R is a beast off-road (just like the 10 best trucks for Wisconsin). The nose is a bit stubby so not great for rock crawling, but in deep mud, water, snow or whatever those 61-inch ZHM tyres perform admirably.

In fact, while going from mod trucks to the other new Phase 4 trucks can be painful, the 605R keeps up nicely. Once in fifth gear, it has that unrelenting feel of the Azov 73210.

Sadly though, it lacks the same versatility. At the moment there are only four frame addons: Saddle high, heavy crane, sideboard bed and trunk repair supplies. So, yes, you can carry two slots of cargo while hauling small and certain big trailers.

But said repair supplies addon cannot be used with the sideboard bed, forcing you to rely on the 380-litre fuel tank. Not so good as the big 530 T engine makes it a thirsty machine – especially as AWD and Diff Lock are always on.

At least you get rooftop snorkels so water is no issue, which is what you want from a truck designed to conquer SnowRunner’s harshest terrain. Also I think it looks cool and those who played MudRunner will appreciate its arrival.

Maybe Saber will rectify the 605R’s addon issue. Maybe it’s intended to provide gameplay variation. You decide. While you do, check out the fact it has a searchlight as well as a Sunvisor and horns.

Also cool is the underside exhaust exit and chunky front bumper selection. So you can look good while you laugh at SnowRunner’s attempts to slow it down.

Zikz 5368

Speaking of the Zikz family, the 5368 has been given some upgrade love to make it better. It can now equip a set of Tayga tyres, 42 or 47 inches in size. Coupled with the raised suspension, it’s now a more useful off-roader.

However, the Zikz 5368 is still not exactly a beast in really deep mud and snow. So prepare to spend a lot of time looking at the new skin as you make moderate to slow progress.

Azov 73210

Did you think we were done? Not yet. Because as usual the Saber Interactive devs have tried to sneak in some other changes – and no I don’t mean curtains. My beloved Azov 73210 now has Active Suspension.

Located in the Chernokamensk area of the Amur region, the new addon allows you to raise the ride height of a truck prone to banging its nose on the floor.

Honestly, the Active Suspension should help retain the 73210 as a top tier SnowRunner truck. Although the ride height change isn’t huge so the problem has not gone away entirely.

And that’s it for this new trucks showdown. Maybe we will see others added as we head towards the Phase 4 release date, which is probably a few weeks from now. Feel free to subscribe, like and I shall see you in the next video. Take care, bye.