AWD vs FWD Q&A

[plemieux]

Guys, I am looking to buy a CX-5 Touring with Bose/Moonroof pkg. I am trying to decide between FWD and AWD. I live in Loudon, TN which is near Knoxville. Terrain is hilly & mountainous. We get lots of rain but generally only average 10-12" of snow. Ice is rare but not out of the question. I am really trying to justify the cost of AWD. Is it really worth it? I have never owned a car with AWD so I guess you can't miss what you never had. To the current owners, was AWD a big deal to you? I am sure in northern latitudes it is a must. Here in the south not so much. However, I do plan on towing small personal watercraft and a buddy of mine said AWD is nice when you are backing in and pulling off from a boat ramp but not completely necessary.

Final question, can you actively switch off AWD to save fuel or is it on constantly with no control?

Thanks!

 

[OutdoorJunkie]

Your buddy is right. I tow a 14 foot bass boat and live in Ohio. AWD was a must for me because I hunt, fish, hike, camp, etc... I have been through the town you live in once during winter. In my opinion the AWD is well worth the money because of the mountain sides around the area as well as it makes towing much better. The AWD is built into the traction/stability control. So you cannot turn it on or off it is automatic when needed which is nice because you dont need to guess if you do need it. So until it kicks in you are in FWD. You cant even tell if it kicks on but you can tell the difference is the way is drives. It is definitely worth the extra money in my opinion especially if you do alot of outdoor activity's and tow a small boat. Also check out these videos to help you decide. Hope I could help.

http://youtu.be/MJH_fyArew4
http://youtu.be/H_b06FYls1g

 

[mazdadude]

Deciding between the FWD vs. AWD is an even harder decision on the CX-5. This is because of the fact that the AWD makes very little impact on the MPG's on the CX-5, as compared to other AWD vehicles in this catergory. In addition, the seamless operation of the AWD is also nice to have, as it is only there when it is needed.

However, your car will weigh a little more, you will use a little more fuel, it will be a little bit slower, and you will pay a little more for insurance. That being said, driving on ice, snow, and boatramps will be less stressful.

Tough decision... (whistle)

 

[ManMachine]

If you have survived the past winters without an issue, then IMO there's no need to pay for AWD. Even in the cold north, most people would do fine with winter tires without AWD.

Guys, I am looking to buy a CX-5 Touring with Bose/Moonroof pkg. I am trying to decide between FWD and AWD. I live in Loudon, TN which is near Knoxville. Terrain is hilly & mountainous. We get lots of rain but generally only average 10-12" of snow. Ice is rare but not out of the question. I am really trying to justify the cost of AWD. Is it really worth it? I have never owned a car with AWD so I guess you can't miss what you never had. To the current owners, was AWD a big deal to you? I am sure in northern latitudes it is a must. Here in the south not so much. However, I do plan on towing small personal watercraft and a buddy of mine said AWD is nice when you are backing in and pulling off from a boat ramp but not completely necessary.

Final question, can you actively switch off AWD to save fuel or is it on constantly with no control?

Thanks!

 

[smithsm1984]

It sounds like you probably don't need AWD. It's nice to have when it snows, but it also becomes one of those "if you have it, you're gonna use it" things. About five years ago I had a 4WD Jeep Cherokee that was slightly lifted, and whenever it snowed I went about my business like normal. But there wasn't a single of those times where having 4WD was actually necessary - I could have just waited a day to go to the store when the roads were plowed. Or I could have bought snow tires.

 

[Tree Castle]

I live just east of you, and AWD is a requirement for me if I want to get off the mountain I live on. My last car was a FWD Mazda3, and I just didn't have the confidence in it. Of course there was no problem this past winter.

 

[CX-SV]

The fwd vs awd decision is less difficult for SUV buyers living somewhat close to ski country in the western US. The higher resale value of the awd/4wd SUV means means much of the MSRP cost difference is recovered at resale.

 

[V8toilet]

If you drive a FWD vs an AWD over the course of 100,000 miles the FWD will cost you $492.61 less in gas than the AWD assuming the price stays the same.

 

[OutdoorJunkie]

The fwd vs awd decision is less difficult for SUV buyers living somewhat close to ski country in the western US. The higher resale value of the awd/4wd SUV means means much of the MSRP cost difference is recovered at resale.

CX-SV is right, AWD and 4x4s hold there value much longer and higher. IMO as stated earlier it is well worth it

 

[inodes]

I didn't have a choice. Going Diesel here means going AWD. Going GT means going AWD.
The fuel difference is minimal between the two.

For us, insurance costs get reduced. Why any insurance company would increase costs for an AWD is beyond me....
Safety is key....
See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV18ZBXwwYM

But biggest benefit to me for AWD apart from the safety benefit is for going to the snow.

We don't worry about snow tyres in Australia. But by law the CX-5 FWD would have to carry snow chains at all times. The CX-5 AWD is exempt from carrying snow chains. I was sick a tired of carrying snow chains in my Mazda 3. Such a pain - and never wanted to put them on for fear of screwing alloys.

 

[inodes]

If you drive a FWD vs an AWD over the course of 100,000 miles the FWD will cost you $492.61 less in gas than the AWD assuming the price stays the same.

But the $492.61 extra would pay for itself in the first situation where the AWD would help you escape a dangerous situation.
And it would also be paid in insurance premium savings in the same period (if your 100,000 is over 6 years lets say)

 

[geocord]

I have had a 4wd SUV for almost 10 years in the Chicago area. I have probably turned on the 4wd once or twice a winter for one day(unless I forget to turn it off). I am looking at the CX-5 FWD. Initial cost, increased maint cost, extra weight which translates into slower performance and less MPG. I also have a V8 pickup which is RWD only and have never had a problem even in snow. I grew up in Michigan driving RWD cars with no ABS, Trac Control, Brake Assist, etc and managed to live through it. I tow a boat with my pickup and never had a problem on the ramps with slippage.

Bottom Line: It is nice to have on the rare occassion but it is not necessary to get around. The resale value where you live(somewhat temperate) wouldn't be that big a deal RWD vs AWD IMO. That is why, if I buy the CX-5, I will buy the FWD for the better MPG and the little extra pep....not really to save money at purchase which is also a plus.

I have to temper all my comments with the fact that on extremely bad days I do have the luxury to not have to commute if I choose and I don't really go off roading at all. Hope this helps in your buying decision.

 

[OutdoorJunkie]

Why any insurance company would increase costs for an AWD is beyond me....
Safety is key....

You need to talk to your insurance company. My insurance stayed the same because they said it was safer but because it was so new it would not go down.

 

[CX-SV]

Comparing insurance costs for most is not apples to apples comparison, usually people are replacing an older vehicle with a new and much more expensive (higher replacement cost) vehicle.

As nice as AWD is in snow country it does not have near the safety benefits of systems including ABS, VSC, BA, EBD. Safety experts and insurance companies know this and realize importance especially with higher CG vehicles like SUV's.

 

[plemieux]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I do not yet know what path I will take (AWD or FWD.) It may all come down to price and availablility in the end. Regardless, I will post pics of the new CX-5 when I finally pull the trigger on it.

 

[CodyZoom]

I grew up in Buffalo, NY which is notorious for it's snowy conditions. We had FWD or RWD vehicles growing up and did just fine. I bought the AWD just because I like to play in the snow as much as possible! With a set of winter tires on, most FWD cars do just fine in snow. Like someone else said, I find excuses to use the AWD like blazing my own trail during trips to the ski resort.

When you're 50 years old, are you going to regret getting the AWD? probably not... I say do it!

 

[snadboy]

The best way to determine if you want it or not is also to test drive both and see if you notice a drive difference in going up hills, accelerating, taking corners each will perform differently for each driver and one feels more in line with the way you drive. Personally I love all wheel drive especially in the twists and turns, you can feel the difference and for me having all wheel drive is important because I leave for work before the plows hit the roads. Again it is a personal preference neither is right or wrong, just choose what it is right for you!

 

[thegrapeguy]

Well I am 50 years old and I'm glad I got the AWD. I survived the last 2 years with a FWD Honda Odyssey and just plain drove slow and steady. The stock tires on these new cars are hardly good in snow and I learned that the hard way when the first winter with my Odyssey I got stuck in the mountainous hills of Upstate NY. The minivan could not make it up the darn road so I had to do a K turn and go back. Then I could not get up the other side of the valley I was in. I had to rock back and forth gaining speed to finally get over the crest of the hill.

I do not think I would have been stuck with the Mazda CX5 AWD. Even though it's tires are not snow tires I believe the AWD would make up for it. I definitely don't want to fart around with a set of snows to put on every year.

In your locale the chances of using the AWD are less than mine but there will be a time or two when you will use it and you will be glad you got it. That being said the real wrestle is with the extra mile or 2 of MPG you'll get and the difference in pep from the extra weight and the savings on the purchase price. Hence the reason for your post.

I test drove the FWD Touring and AWD Touring side by side and found little difference in pep and cornering. I'm sure there is some difference but I did not get out into the hills and really "work" it. Right now for me the difference is psychological. I feel better that I have that extra little perk. However I'm paying for that extra perk. In the end it really makes me happy that I have it If I didn't get the AWD I think I would always regret it. But I would still survive without it. Would the car be that much "unsatisfying" without it?

 

[nizzy1115]

I too have only driven FWD cars and I live in the chicago land area. I only once had an issue with my mazda3 but that was going up a steep hill that was also at a very good slope across the road (passenger side high, drivers side low) and the road was packed with about 4-5 inches of snow. TC off and lots of tire spin but I got up it. 95% of all snows the roads are plowed just find that a bicycle could drive down them. I'd rather get the better gas + less maintenance + less up front cost with FWD over AWD. Now if you live in rural mountain country then by all means get AWD. If your a typical city/suburban driver stick with FWD.

 

[densitywave]

4WD/AWD Words of Wisdom

My friend's father always used to say "4WD/AWD just gets you stuck deeper and farther away".

I live in the Midwest and could not justify AWD for the handful of bad-weather days every year. I also had my heart set on the 6-speed manual, so AWD was not an option.