Topic: SUV - choosing between AWD or fuel efficiency?

[aaronk]

AWD is an unnecessary but advantageous 'extra'. Do you need it? No. Is it nice to have on a slippery, snow covered hill in January or if you're trying to man up and beat other cars at a set of lights in bad conditions? Yes. As with many other things, it boils down to your driving style and priorities. As a family we bought a new Santa Fe last year and specifically chose the model without AWD for a few reasons. First off, it was a $2000 option at the time. Secondly, we knew mileage would be poorer equipped with AWD, and for the amount of times we would use it there really wasn't much to debate. We have thoroughly enjoyed the vehicle for a year, and my only complaint is that there is some torque steer when goosing the gas, which may be tempered by a slip-and-grip AWD system. If someone tells you that you must have AWD/4x4 in a CUV/SUV they have bought into the marketing hook, line and sinker. It's completely up to your preference and driving style, and like I said we have found our 2WD to perform well.

X2

With 26000 km on mine, including a nasty Montreal winter with 4 good winter tires and 2 trips to Florida, I would'nt trade it for an AWD.

This is an old thread, but question - what winters do you run on your Santa Fe? We will be buying a set for ours for the first time this winter and I'm considering General Altimax Arctic but just curious as to what others have used...

[Factger]

Once you drive AWD in all seasons you will never go back. AWD is very forgiving when you drive beyond your abilities by mistake or design.

I like to add to the post also.

After a year with the edge I have to agree with this statemant. I use the awd everytime I get in the edge. No wheel spin. I am not say the edge is limiting the spin with traction control to the front wheel but when I am dropping power the edge goes with no drama.

No drama = torgue steer. Since it is fwd powertrain it is nice not to have no torgue steer effects because the portion of the power is going to the back wheel.

Saved my pride this summer on a dirt road on a turn in wash board condition. As I entered the turn it was gradual and then got sharp. I could not brake because the edge would have (undertsteered)skipped into the ditch so I drifted through (foot off the accelerator) the turn and felt the rear wheel power kick in and pull us through the turn. Wife two kids and mother inlaw in the vehicle. It was a bad turn, bad condtion, bad design(banked to the ditch) and bad decision making but the awd saved me allot of misery. That incident could of easily cost me $2000 in damage and emotional pain.

I never had AWD before and never had an accident before but it is nice to have especially with a heavy larger vehicle (4000lbs)

[Gardiner Westbound]

Some see all wheel drive (AWD) and four wheel drive (4WD) vehicles as the solution to all their winter driving issues. That is not necessarily the case. AWD and 4WD vehicles may get you going a little faster but they won't stop any quicker than their front wheel drive (FWD) and rear wheel drive (RWD) brethren, especially if the latter are equipped with competent winter tires on all four wheels. If you really need AWD or 4WD drive to get there, maybe you shouldn't be going.

[tpl]

I am of the opinion that  driving on snow and ice  with 4 winter tires can be improved by proper AWD. Not slip and grip but the real thing.  Quattros, Subarus, M-B, BMW  and of course the Evo.

But for sure AWD without the right tires is no answer.

[Shnak]

I am of the opinion that  driving on snow and ice  with 4 winter tires can be improved by proper AWD. Not slip and grip but the real thing.  Quattros, Subarus, M-B, BMW  and of course the Evo.

But for sure AWD without the right tires is no answer.

While I definitely agree that a full-time AWD system is better than slip and grip, the most slip and grip setup on our Sportage has proven useful on many occasions... flip that switch to lock it in AWD and it gets you thru almost anything. I've been stuck once, and that was me trying to back out of my driveway when there was around 2 feet of heavy snow, it lifted the vehicle up and the wheels just didn't touch the ground anymore... full-time AWD or not, no system was getting my vehicle out of there, only a shovel could.

I can see why someone would buy a FWD CUV as there are cost savings up front (around $2k usually), maintenance is less expensive as well as lower running costs (less fuel), but for me, if I buy a CUV, I want that piece of mind that I can get thru anything with it and that I'll never get stuck, and that is worth the extra costs all around.

[airbalancer]

Some see all wheel drive (AWD) and four wheel drive (4WD) vehicles as the solution to all their winter driving issues. That is not necessarily the case. AWD and 4WD vehicles may get you going a little faster but they won't stop any quicker than their front wheel drive (FWD) and rear wheel drive (RWD) brethren, especially if the latter are equipped with competent winter tires on all four wheels. If you really need AWD or 4WD drive to get there, maybe you shouldn't be going.

Unless weather changes once you get going
Have to change my position on 4wd, since the truck is 4x4

[Red Line]

I've been wondering if ppl that have purchased the Escape/Tribute V6 FWD versions over the V6 AWD (For fuel economy) have ever regreted their decisions down the road.     This actually applies to any makes/models that offer both possibilities.

Thanks for the input.

[johngenx]

If you really need AWD or 4WD drive to get there, maybe you shouldn't be going.

Then I'd miss out on most of my winter activities in the mountains.  In an urban environment, you're right.  My wife's Blizzak shod Corolla easily manages even the worst urban winter conditions.

[safristi]

...Just call Mayor Bloomberg,he will shut down yer City every time the winds get above 50KPH.........NEW YORK(8 million sad sacks stories in this once vibrant place)wrapped in a cocoon of worry.........CNN all the TIME       Neopolitano....Homeland security DRUM BEAT..........
 over a tropical storm.........NO WORRIES FOLKS....wear crappy bald tyres...the GOV will rescue you.....or Move ya to Inuvik to avoid heatstroke next August..........

[Cord]

Saved my pride this summer on a dirt road on a turn in wash board condition. As I entered the turn it was gradual and then got sharp. I could not brake because the edge would have (undertsteered)skipped into the ditch so I drifted through (foot off the accelerator) the turn and felt the rear wheel power kick in and pull us through the turn. Wife two kids and mother inlaw in the vehicle. It was a bad turn, bad condtion, bad design(banked to the ditch) and bad decision making but the awd saved me allot of misery. That incident could of easily cost me $2000 in damage and emotional pain.

Sounds like Advance Trac saved you there moreso than AWD.

[mmret]

Saved my pride this summer on a dirt road on a turn in wash board condition. As I entered the turn it was gradual and then got sharp. I could not brake because the edge would have (undertsteered)skipped into the ditch so I drifted through (foot off the accelerator) the turn and felt the rear wheel power kick in and pull us through the turn. Wife two kids and mother inlaw in the vehicle. It was a bad turn, bad condtion, bad design(banked to the ditch) and bad decision making but the awd saved me allot of misery. That incident could of easily cost me $2000 in damage and emotional pain.

Sounds like Advance Trac saved you there moreso than AWD.

Yep, as you say you were off the gas.

[Minou]

AWD is an unnecessary but advantageous 'extra'. Do you need it? No. Is it nice to have on a slippery, snow covered hill in January or if you're trying to man up and beat other cars at a set of lights in bad conditions? Yes. As with many other things, it boils down to your driving style and priorities. As a family we bought a new Santa Fe last year and specifically chose the model without AWD for a few reasons. First off, it was a $2000 option at the time. Secondly, we knew mileage would be poorer equipped with AWD, and for the amount of times we would use it there really wasn't much to debate. We have thoroughly enjoyed the vehicle for a year, and my only complaint is that there is some torque steer when goosing the gas, which may be tempered by a slip-and-grip AWD system. If someone tells you that you must have AWD/4x4 in a CUV/SUV they have bought into the marketing hook, line and sinker. It's completely up to your preference and driving style, and like I said we have found our 2WD to perform well.

X2

With 26000 km on mine, including a nasty Montreal winter with 4 good winter tires and 2 trips to Florida, I would'nt trade it for an AWD.

This is an old thread, but question - what winters do you run on your Santa Fe? We will be buying a set for ours for the first time this winter and I'm considering General Altimax Arctic but just curious as to what others have used...

Sorry for having missed the thread.  I have Continental Extreme Winter Contacts in 235/70-16.  If you dig winter tires reviews from this site, there is a good one on these Conties.  They are the most "all season feeling" winter tires I have used.  Smooth riding and quiet with good traction when needed.  I definitely recommend you take a look at them.

[Hammy]

I live in frosty Newfoundland, I need awd, you do not.... if it does not snow where you are staying for the winter why would you buy awd?

[Angry Chicken]

I live in frosty Newfoundland, I need awd, you do not.... if it does not snow where you are staying for the winter why would you buy awd?

That's a rather simplistic view.  AWD is only good for snow?  How about muddy, wet roads, dirt back country roads..... 

People who buy Subarus, Audis and other cars with AWD probably don't share your opinion.  I've been to Newfoundland a couple of times recently and believe the money that I would spend on AWD would be best spent on a full brush bar for all the moose you have wandering around your highways and biways.

[sundas80]

We have been getting many new users lately who don't seem to know the finer points of our rules.

[mrthompson]

Indeed!

[Trainman]

We have been getting many new users lately who don't seem to know the finer points of our rules.

Oh how ironic!  The first post by this new member complains about the rules not being followed by new members.  Yet the post has nothing to do with the topic, and includes an advertising link in the signature area.


Back on topic, there is no right or wrong of AWD or not.  It is all dependent on what someone wants and needs.  We have both AWD (the Forester) and FWD (the Sienna).  Note that we could have gotten the Sienna as AWD but that was not the right choice for us, while the Subaru AWD was.

[Fobroader]

My moms little Suzuki SX4 has awd......thats selectable. front wheel drive, all wheel drive or locked AWD, dont know why more manufacturers dont have selectable awd. Im not saying lets put a NP205 t-case(first and foremost is because its heavier than the car its going into) into every RAV4/CRV/Forrester, but honestly, going on hwy 2 from Calgary and Edmonton in the summer, all awd is doing is burning more fuel and causing unnecesary wear and tear on the driveline. Living in Alberta though, I wouldnt buy anything without at least AWD, I dont know how many neighbors I had to push in and out of their driveway last winter in cars.