AWD vs FWD for "enthusiast" driving

[Mike Romayo]

Honestly what I got from the OP's original post (noting his "highly modded MX-5" reference) was more about the dry road performance of the AWD and not so much about tires and s*** and trying to drive hard in the snow... which is basically what these 3 pages seem to focus on..

Bingo. No offence to anyone, but the bulk of this thread has little to do with my original question. I have no snow to deal with. No even worried about safety, per se. I can be a safe driver in anything I'm in. My specific question is about the fun side of this vehicle. Take off from a stop, twisties, playing with the shifter in sport mode, etc. I am an spirited/enthusiast driver looking for a more practical day to day vehicle that is still fun and can be pushed a bit. I had fun pushing the FWD but have yet to test the AWD. Hence the reason for this thread.

As a side note, I test drove a Rav-4 on the way home tonight. No comparison. No fun factor and so-so looks. Asked the salesman about "sport mode" shifting and he replied "no one uses that".

 

[Unobtanium]

Bingo. No offence to anyone, but the bulk of this thread has little to do with my original question. I have no snow to deal with. No even worried about safety, per se. I can be a safe driver in anything I'm in. My specific question is about the fun side of this vehicle. Take off from a stop, twisties, playing with the shifter in sport mode, etc. I am an spirited/enthusiast driver looking for a more practical day to day vehicle that is still fun and can be pushed a bit. I had fun pushing the FWD but have yet to test the AWD. Hence the reason for this thread.

As a side note, I test drove a Rav-4 on the way home tonight. No comparison. No fun factor and so-so looks. Asked the salesman about "sport mode" shifting and he replied "no one uses that".

Try the AWD. I think you will find it superior. All the people complaining about how "it's not tossable" are probably just being a bit gingerly with the throttle and it's pushing a bit in the corners when they should be more aggressive with the throttle. Initially, I had that issue too, as I came from a Grand Jeep Cherokee, which had a HEMI and required a lot less aggression and was a more "neutral" cornerer than the CX-5.

 

[Srad600]

Simple test, plant your right foot in a tight turn with a FWD CX-5, then do the same in an AWD CX-5...turn off the traction control first. Even more fun, come into a corner hot, trail brake to the apex and power out. The AWD system is a little heavier but it's very well balanced. As far as fun factor is concerned, nothing compares to railing a corner and hearing all four tires "chirping" but not sliding. I recently moved to S. Cal with my AWD, and most of my AWD fun has been driving over nearby Glendora Mountain and Mt. Baldy in the dry (admittedly also on my KTM).

I agree, that the bast way to know is to drive them back to back. The smile afterward will tell the tale.

 

[mazdadude]

I have been lucky enough to own and try them both out (FWD vs AWD)

I am not sure if I ever want a new 2wd car again...

Stoplight launches for the AWD in the rain, feel like I am launching off of an aircraft carrier. (naughty)

 

[Mike Romayo]

You three are reinforcing what I imagine will be the case. The AWD being held for me will be shipped from the port next week. They have plenty of 2WD in their storage space here in town. Sales rep was the first to suggest both back to back. He will prep both for me and it will be out of one and right into the other. Either way, I am VERY impressed with this vehicle. Kudos to Mazda.

AND... this one doesn't have the screen that sits up on top of the dash! Not a fan of the tacked-on look that. The dash in this thing is sweet. I appreciate the soft touch materials and the entire cockpit seems well designed. Right down to the carbon fibre bits. Seats have decent bolster for a vehicle of this type.

Thanks all for the input.

 

[Natey]

No idea why it's so difficult for people (not specifically this board) to understand.

4X4 > AWD + winter tires > FWD + winter tires > AWD + all seasons > FWD + all seasons > walking > anything with summer tires.

You forgot one. No Subaru-inspired AWD can touch a true 4X4 with locking diffs and live axle when it comes to going off road. Like a 4-Runner or Jeep Wrangler. They aren't as smooth on the freeway, but a 4X4 will take you places no AWD SUV will ever go.

 

[Mike Romayo]

As I mentioned before, in the title I meant I am the enthusiast. I already have an car which goes to the track. I am now looking for a practical vehicle that provides the potential for some spirited driving. I am not going to track this thing, but there are many twisty roads and s-curves in my area. And they all seem to have my name on them. Even with groceries in the car!

As for which version? Looks like I have to wait for the test drive. I figured one would be the obvious choice of owners/forum members. And yet there seems to be a healthy split for both.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

As I mentioned before, in the title I meant I am the enthusiast. I already have an car which goes to the track. I am now looking for a practical vehicle that provides the potential for some spirited driving. I am not going to track this thing, but there are many twisty roads and s-curves in my area. And they all seem to have my name on them. Even with groceries in the car!

As for which version? Looks like I have to wait for the test drive. I figured one would be the obvious choice of owners/forum members. And yet there seems to be a healthy split for both.

You should get as much rain as me here in WA state... get the AWD... IMO...there are lots of advantages beyond snow.

 

[Mike Romayo]

Oops. Not sure what happened. I went to edit my reply, hit a button, and the post I was responding to disappeared. Weird.

Didn't know I could delete someone else's post. Sorry about that.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

See if can delete my last post. This shouldn't be possible. I'll repost. I'll let Antoine (admin) know to fix.

 

[Mike Romayo]

You should get as much rain as me here in WA state... get the AWD... IMO...there are lots of advantages beyond snow.

Funny you mention that. I just got off the phone with a buddy (another enthusiast) and I brought up AWD being better for rain. He responded with, "When do you do spirited driving in the rain? Don't you just slow down and drive normal?" Had to laugh. He does have a point. Although I can see situations where AWD would be an advantage on wet pavement.

Still leaning towards AWD.

 

[Mike Romayo]

See if can delete my last post. This shouldn't be possible. I'll repost. I'll let Antoine (admin) know to fix.

Not sure what I did? The post that disappeared was the post that ended with the CX-5 was not designed as or meant to be an enthusiast vehicle. Something to that effect.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Funny you mention that. I just got off the phone with a buddy (another enthusiast) and I brought up AWD being better for rain. He responded with, "When do you do spirited driving in the rain? Don't you just slow down and drive normal?" Had to laugh. He does have a point. Although I can see situations where AWD would be an advantage on wet pavement.

Still leaning towards AWD.

Again... I'm not advocating driving faster in the rain ... but launch and merging from standing starts. I drive in a lot of areas with hills that merge onto a flat thoroughfare or street with limited sight distance... all from a stop. One often has to jump on it to get out into the flow of traffic.

 

[Mike Romayo]

Again... I'm not advocating driving faster in the rain ... but launch and merging from standing starts. I drive in a lot of areas with hills that merge onto a flat thoroughfare or street with limited sight distance... all from a stop. One often has to jump on it to get out into the flow of traffic.

I hear what you are saying. Not about driving faster in the rain. Slippery is slippery. Snow or rain. I can totally see situations where AWD would come in handy. Matter of fact there many places on the highway near me where you start with a stop sign (no ramp whatsoever).

 

[Unobtanium]

Simple test, plant your right foot in a tight turn with a FWD CX-5, then do the same in an AWD CX-5...turn off the traction control first. Even more fun, come into a corner hot, trail brake to the apex and power out. The AWD system is a little heavier but it's very well balanced. As far as fun factor is concerned, nothing compares to railing a corner and hearing all four tires "chirping" but not sliding. I recently moved to S. Cal with my AWD, and most of my AWD fun has been driving over nearby Glendora Mountain and Mt. Baldy in the dry (admittedly also on my KTM).

I agree, that the bast way to know is to drive them back to back. The smile afterward will tell the tale.

I have found trail-braking too much in the AWD CX5 leads to pushing. It's not a very neutral vehicle. I come in VERY LIGHTLY on the brake for the first 1/3 of the corner, then a smooth transition to WOT. The AWD sticks it.

 

[Unobtanium]

You forgot one. No Subaru-inspired AWD can touch a true 4X4 with locking diffs and live axle when it comes to going off road. Like a 4-Runner or Jeep Wrangler. They aren't as smooth on the freeway, but a 4X4 will take you places no AWD SUV will ever go.

My JGC was very smooth. GREAT on-road manners. I did run Bilsteins, though. E-diffs front/rear, SRA.

 

[halfast3]

Funny you mention that. I just got off the phone with a buddy (another enthusiast) and I brought up AWD being better for rain. He responded with, "When do you do spirited driving in the rain? Don't you just slow down and drive normal?" Had to laugh. He does have a point. Although I can see situations where AWD would be an advantage on wet pavement.

Still leaning towards AWD.

Every chance I get! (cabpatch)

 

[jhu8]

Funny you mention that. I just got off the phone with a buddy (another enthusiast) and I brought up AWD being better for rain. He responded with, "When do you do spirited driving in the rain? Don't you just slow down and drive normal?" Had to laugh. He does have a point. Although I can see situations where AWD would be an advantage on wet pavement.

Still leaning towards AWD.

I don't know about where you live but around me, when it rains, people drive like crazy. Awd isn't just for spirited driving. When I have to swerve, maneuver, etc around other cars in the rain, awd is extremely beneficial.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

I have found trail-braking too much in the AWD CX5 leads to pushing. It's not a very neutral vehicle. I come in VERY LIGHTLY on the brake for the first 1/3 of the corner, then a smooth transition to WOT. The AWD sticks it.

Add a stiffer rear sway and it greatly improves cornering performance.

 

[Unobtanium]

Add a stiffer rear sway and it greatly improves cornering performance.

I wouldn't doubt that, but I get nervous changing just one thing, like such. I feel like shocks, struts, springs, and sways are a package deal, and should be changed accordingly, except in the case of known deficiencies that occur from time to time in the automotive world.