This stinks....went in 2014 and had a front wheel drive regular rental car. Pulled up and inquired with the ranger how bad the road was and if he thought I could make it since 4WD was recommended. He said as long as I knew how to drive and could take it slow, I'd be fine. Made it up and down without issues...wasn't anywhere along the way I thought I might not make it. Have since driven an AWD SUV on Shafer Trail in Utah and that was almost too much. Has the road gotten so bad recently or just doing it to make sure they keep the riff-raff out? The scariest part was driving back to my hotel in Kona at night....super dark on 190, I was white knuckle driving there and probably one of the few places I've ever driven below the speed limit in my life.