CX-5 with 2x4 transmission - any reviews?

[SenorDottore]

Hello, everybody. Has anyone driven CX-5 with 2x4 (instead of widely popular 4x4) transmission, which is the cheapest available version in Europe? I'd really appreciate impressions steering-wise, handling-wise. Any problems? Sharp turns? Sliding? Losing control?

Thanks a lot,
Mac

 

[craigo]

The AWD isn't the same thing as 4x4. In the states, FWD is very common in non-icy areas... I don't think the AWD has handling improvements in general use. It's not Acura's SH-AWD. Seems that it mostly makes acceleration smoother on slippery surfaces. This is true of the vast majority of AWD, with the exception of Acura's.

 

[erhayes]

Subaru is another outstanding AWD in which all wheels are driving 100% of the time. In adition, Subaru shift power back & forth depending on conditions.

 

[Beefy]

The AWD isn't the same thing as 4x4. In the states, FWD is very common in non-icy areas... I don't think the AWD has handling improvements in general use. It's not Acura's SH-AWD. Seems that it mostly makes acceleration smoother on slippery surfaces. This is true of the vast majority of AWD, with the exception of Acura's.

It is fairly easy to get the rear wheels of a CX-5 to kick in when going around the corner in snow. So what makes you think the rear wheels wouldn't also kick in during other potentially low-traction conditions like really wet roads? Or during aggressive cornering even in fully dry conditions?

 

[cybercruiser]

I thought the video(link below) was interesting, showing how different AWD systems behave in different slippage scenarios. I know it's meant to be a sales pitch for Subaru, but, still interesting if their basic info is correct(??). They don't mention Mazda, so, I don't know which system they test is most like what we have on the CX-5??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooQRxlChvMw

 

[craigo]

It is fairly easy to get the rear wheels of a CX-5 to kick in when going around the corner in snow. So what makes you think the rear wheels wouldn't also kick in during other potentially low-traction conditions like really wet roads? Or during aggressive cornering even in fully dry conditions?

In slippery, yes, it should help your odds of control. Of course, if all 4 wheels lose it or you have incorrect tires on for conditions, you're still boned. Some people (not sure if this true of the OP) think AWD magically helps with dry handling, which it doesn't, except for Acura's complicated SH-AWD system.

 

[fdew]

AWD vs FWD makes very little difference in real world everyday driving. Let me expand on that. Competition drivers have a term 9/10th driving This is where you are pushing the car hard and you have it near it's limits for traction. You see this in racing and in sports like Auto Cross.
Most of us only get close to this condition when driving on snow or ice or in an emergency (Accident avoidance for example.) I believe strongly that I should know how my car will feel and what the warning signs are when I am coming close to 9/10th so I will take the car out in snow and "play with it" I will also throw it around in a large flat empty parking lot so I know how it feels and what I can and can't do.
In these situations you start to feel the effect of the AWD. In normal driving the AWD is part of the entire car tuning (power, tires, suspension including sway control and shocks, weight distribution ETC.
In other words you won't feel it.

I have owned long term, RWD FWD and AWD. Rear wheel drive is out for me. I live in snow country and I won't own one again. AWD is good, I had it on my last car (Audi) and I have it on my CX-5 While owning both cars I also own a FWD car so I can compare. AWD vs FWD is much more subtle then either compared to RWD. To put it in perspective, choice of and condition of tires make a lot more difference in handling then FWD vs AWD.

 

[Beefy]

In slippery, yes, it should help your odds of control. Of course, if all 4 wheels lose it or you have incorrect tires on for conditions, you're still boned. Some people (not sure if this true of the OP) think AWD magically helps with dry handling, which it doesn't, except for Acura's complicated SH-AWD system.

You haven't made the connection. Slippery is relative, so if the back wheels help during slipping in the snow, they will help with slipping in the dry. You will obviously be travelling at dramatically different speeds, but the point stands. At the bleeding edge of grip, the AWD helps.

The CX-5 system might not be as good as a system that can direct 100% of torque to individual wheels, but to say that it doesn't help - even a little bit - is fallacious.

Competition drivers have a term 9/10th driving This is where you are pushing the car hard and you have it near it's limits for traction. You see this in racing and in sports like Auto Cross.
Most of us only get close to this condition when driving on snow or ice or in an emergency (Accident avoidance for example.)

In everyday driving, sure, it isn't an issue. Same with airbags and crumple zones. They are there to specifically help when you exceed the safety margins relative to conditions or your own ability. It might only help a small amount, but to say that it doesn't help is wrong.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

The AWD isn't the same thing as 4x4. In the states, FWD is very common in non-icy areas... I don't think the AWD has handling improvements in general use. It's not Acura's SH-AWD. Seems that it mostly makes acceleration smoother on slippery surfaces. This is true of the vast majority of AWD, with the exception of Acura's.

Sounds like a generalization. You either don't drive the AWD Cx-5, or you never drive it at high limits, at the least have not read anything about how the AWD in the cx-5 actually works (svc manual). It will help in dry cornering, especially at high speed, and you can feel it working.. before I got a stiffer sway bar I was even able to power slide with the right combo of turn and throttle..

 

[fdew]

In everyday driving, sure, it isn't an issue. Same with airbags and crumple zones. They are there to specifically help when you exceed the safety margins relative to conditions or your own ability. It might only help a small amount, but to say that it doesn't help is wrong.

Complete agreement. It helps a small amount. or as I said, very little difference. Good to have, but not as important as good tires.