AWD or FWD for SUV??

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Alex21

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#248940 16-Apr-2019 21:02

Hi experts.. with all research, reviews and expert advice I have decided to go of Mazda CX-5 above 2015 model. What do you reckon with if I sud go for AWD or FWD. I live in Auckland, Newzealand.. don’t have anything for towing. please advice

RunningMan

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#2219452 16-Apr-2019 21:17

Perhaps continue in your existing SUV thread?

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=162&TopicId=248732

Batman

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#2219461 16-Apr-2019 22:15

If you don't need it fwd is enough. They are 99% of the time fwd even if they are awd.but if you want to pay for it that's your choice.

alasta

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#2219556 17-Apr-2019 08:17

I just recently bought a CX-5 myself and I went with AWD for the following reasons:

I occasionally drive the Desert Road and South Island alpine passes in winter.
When I attend airshows and sports events I sometimes have to drive onto paddocks to park, which is dicey in wet weather.
The FWD variants of the CX-5 are only available with the 115kw petrol engine which is a bit under-powered for me.

As a general rule if you can't think of any use cases for AWD then you probably don't need it.

Senecio

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#2219559 17-Apr-2019 08:25

If I didn't need AWD I wouldn't buy an SUV. A standard car/hatch would be much more comfortable and economical to drive if AWD isn't needed.

Geektastic

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#2219560 17-Apr-2019 08:26

Four. Always four.

Unless it's a sports car and you want to slide the tail, why would you get anything else?

dafman

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#2219563 17-Apr-2019 08:29

Here's a good explanation of the pros and cons of AWD vs FWD - Link here

I have a Outback with Subaru's symmetrical AWD which is full time four wheel drive, so different to the Mazda. To me, the Outback drives like it is on rails, I love driving it.

sidefx

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#2219618 17-Apr-2019 08:55

dafman:

Here's a good explanation of the pros and cons of AWD vs FWD - Link here

I have a Outback with Subaru's symmetrical AWD which is full time four wheel drive, so different to the Mazda. To me, the Outback drives like it is on rails, I love driving it.

Is OP talking AWD vs 4WD or FWD? (I had taken it to mean front wheel drive since a lot of the crossovers seem to come in AWD or front wheel drive flavours)

Looking at getting a newer 2nd hand Outback after years driving a Legacy with AWD. Would not be averse to another brand, but I've had the legacy on many unsealed roads, beaches, rough as guts campsites, up Ruapehu on very icy\snowy days, etc and always felt completely safe in it, never got stuck, etc. Rented a AWD Rav4 for a Mt Hutt trip a few months back and while it was fine - I mean it drove well enough, got us up the mountain fine, etc it just didn't quite feel the same. Granted that Mt Hutt drive is a bit of a different drive though ;-) The extra clearance was definitely nice though.

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Scott3

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#2219669 17-Apr-2019 09:49

Geektastic: Four. Always four.

Unless it's a sports car and you want to slide the tail, why would you get anything else?

Fwd advantages over awd:

- Cheaper to buy (cheapist fwd cx5 is $5750 less than cheapist awd)
- lighter weight.
- more effichent ( lighter, and less paracitic drag due to extra cv's etc).
- less things to go wrong, sometimes less maintince requirements ( read diff oil change etc)
- some part time 4wd's need to be run in 4wd mode for lubrication, this cannot be done on paved roads. (I.e. hilux, 17km every month.)