FWD vs AWD

[KMJ]

I had some questions regarding opting for the AWD


Are most people buying FWD or AWD?
If not planning on off-roading or towing or driving in the snow, is AWD worth it? Will it handle better in just normal day-to-day driving? or is it better to opt for better gas mileage and just get the FWD?
Is AWD prone to more long-term reliability issues?

 

[MLD]

I bought an AWD because I live in Michigan. If you do not need AWD I would buy FWD to minimize cost & improve gas MPG.

 

[Michi-Tell]

Doesn't driving in "Eco" mode with AWD just mean front wheel drive unless there's some slippage detected by the system?

 

[Gwyn]

Doesn't driving in "Eco" mode with AWD just mean front wheel drive unless there's some slippage detected by the system?

From what I understand in order versions yes, in the telluride no. Eco changes the acceleration, gear shifting, and drive inputs. From what I understand the car will shift to the lowest gear selection and limit acceleration. The reason they put this into its own mode is because in some slow traffic, the eco mode will cause the car to shift gears every few seconds making a bumpy ride. But as I understand it would not effect fuel economy by disabling the rear drive. The car has x weight and y horsepower. The fuel lost in friction driving the rear is very little.

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[the_anj]

I mean, it's up to what your personal requirements are, yeah? I think if I'd live in a single-season area (eg San Diego) and had no reason to leave the road in less than ideal conditions, then I'd have no reason to go AWD. But I live in a 4-season state and very often drive I70 to go skiing, so AWD it is.

 

[SorentoSXL]

From what I understand in order versions yes, in the telluride no. Eco changes the acceleration, gear shifting, and drive inputs. From what I understand the car will shift to the lowest gear selection and limit acceleration. The reason they put this into its own mode is because in some slow traffic, the eco mode will cause the car to shift gears every few seconds making a bumpy ride. But as I understand it would not effect fuel economy by disabling the rear drive. The car has x weight and y horsepower. The fuel lost in friction driving the rear is very little.

If this system is the same Dynamax system that I had on my Sorento (which I think it is) than the AWD system is ALWAYS active. It's a predictive system vs a reactive one. Some GM Haldex systems can actually decouple the rear prop shaft but the Dynamax system cannot be decoupled. I believe the '20 for Edge and Explorer will have this capability as well.

Even in Eco mode, the PCM can assign torque to the rear axle if conditions demand more traction. For example, when starting on an incline in the wet, irresspective of the drive mode selected, torque will flow rearward because the rear axle has more traction. The downside is that there is more parasitic loss but the advantage is there is less delay in getting torque to the rear for superior traction when it's needed. I doubt torque steer will ever be experienced on the Kia because the rear axle is either engaged or preloaded at all times. I certainly never had it in my Sorento 2.0T which had healthy low end torque.

 

[Jelly bean]

We live in WI and had jobs that required driving for a greater part of the workday so had purchased several AWD vehicles. We now don't drive "all day" or drive farther north for winter activities since the kids are grown. While looking for our recent purchase we couldn't find a vehicle with AWD in the colors, interior and exterior, we wanted. That started our discussion about whether we could live with or without AWD and decided we'd probably be fine without. We purchased only a week ago so we'll, hopefully, have to wait 6-7 months for ice and snow.

 

[KMJ]

Thank you all.

Jellybean, do you notice any difference (FWD vs AWD) driving without snow, perhaps rain? How do you find the handling of the FWD?

I live in Southern California and hardly ever find myself in the snow.

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[Grayt8]

Thank you all.

Jellybean, do you notice any difference (FWD vs AWD) driving without snow, perhaps rain? How do you find the handling of the FWD?

I live in Southern California and hardly ever find myself in the snow.

I test drove an SX FWD and noticed a tiny bit of torque steer under harder acceleration at certain speeds. It was not that bothersome to me. I have not driven an AWD.

 

[RebelShadow]

I was on the fence about the AWD. I originally wanted the FWD but all I could find was SX AWD so I took a chance and I’m thoroughly glad I did. I had a FWD Sorento before this and it was a great CUV overall but had a few issues. One was when “stepping on it” say entering a road from a side street and there was some loose gravel the front wheels would slip which was an issue if an oncoming car was coming. Another issue was if you gave it full throttle to pass a car you would have over-steer or some call it torque steer and if you didn’t know how to drive it or didn’t expect it that would become an issue. Another issue I didn’t like was driving in heavy to downpour rain or a raging storm the front wheels would slip or I’ve actually driven through storms that were so strong they would literally be blowing me off the side of the roadway. I do not have any of these issues with this Telly AWD. it is throughly planted with no wheel spin and perfect traction.

From a performance standpoint the AWD system just feels more planted when weaving through traffic, driving on very curvy roads or generally driving like a daemon. In sport mode and hammering it from a dead stop it pulls much harder than my FWD ever did or could hope to. Power coming from all four wheels is a wonderful thing to behold! The body just feels more ridged, I don’t know if it’s the AWD system, extra drive shaft or what but it handles great. KIA’s implementation of this AWD system has really impressed me.

You can look at it another way. Rally sport race cars and a large number of sport cars are moving to AWD systems now for a reason!

 

[KMJ]

Rebel Shadow. I'm sold. That's a great comparison. Thanks!

 

[Crossefire00]

I mean, it's up to what your personal requirements are, yeah? I think if I'd live in a single-season area (eg San Diego) and had no reason to leave the road in less than ideal conditions, then I'd have no reason to go AWD. But I live in a 4-season state and very often drive I70 to go skiing, so AWD it is.

Marylander? I agree. AWD for a 4 season location. Also, if you want to head to the Outer Banks, you need to make it on the beach.

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[Jelly bean]

I was second guessing my FWD purchase but after my husband said we got 28 mph highway, I'm good. We'll see what the WI winter brings!

 

[CAsuKiHy]

I would buy AWD even if I lived in Florida, for when it rains, it pours. But me, I used to drive from FL to NC mountains for skiing..

 

[RW4]

Marylander? I agree. AWD for a 4 season location. Also, if you want to head to the Outer Banks, you need to make it on the beach.

Have you had success with AWD on the beach at the Outer Banks? I always thought the deep sand there required true 4WD like a Jeep or large pickup. Would love to know if folks are making it through on beaches with AWD.

 

[Crossefire00]

Have you had success with AWD on the beach at the Outer Banks? I always thought the deep sand there required true 4WD like a Jeep or large pickup. Would love to know if folks are making it through on beaches with AWD.

I'm yet to take delivery. However, I think that if you keep it below 40, you can lock in AWD to be 50% front and 50% rear. Beyond that, if a wheel starts to slip, the vectoring system will apply brake to the slipping wheel pushing power over to the wheel with traction. I've seen reviews where people said that the system worked well. I would love to give it a try out there.

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[Vietvet]

I bought an AWD because I live in Michigan. If you do not need AWD I would buy FWD to minimize cost & improve gas MPG.

I live in PA and ordered AWD. It will come in handy on slush/snow and if for some reason...driving nasty dirt roads (Hunting or camping) I don't see AWD adversely affecting mileage in the fact..it will only work up to 40 MPH. A bit ...maybe. Is it worth the $2K??? Maybe not for those who do more paved roads and in warmer areas... but, maybe that will be a selling point if and when you trade it or sell it.

As a sidebar...some people do buy options they don't need. Where I live...the altitude doesn't change a lot and I know guys who bought Motorcycles specifically with Fuel Injection. In our area... Carburation and jets do just fine. Now...different story if you lived in say, Colorado... Sometimes we buy what we WANT and not what we NEED.

 

[Gdouglas32]

I live in PA and ordered AWD. It will come in handy on slush/snow and if for some reason...driving nasty dirt roads (Hunting or camping) I don't see AWD adversely affecting mileage in the fact..it will only work up to 40 MPH. A bit ...maybe. Is it worth the $2K??? Maybe not for those who do more paved roads and in warmer areas... but, maybe that will be a selling point if and when you trade it or sell it.

As a sidebar...some people do buy options they don't need. Where I live...the altitude doesn't change a lot and I know guys who bought Motorcycles specifically with Fuel Injection. In our area... Carburation and jets do just fine. Now...different story if you lived in say, Colorado... Sometimes we buy what we WANT and not what we NEED.

I'm considering the AWD, but considering that AWD is deactivated above 40MPH, that has me concerned if driving in the rain on freeways. I'm replacing my 2005 Infiniti QX56 FWD and it's a stable in the rain above 60MPH. What has been your experience driving in the rain with FWD above 40MPH?

 

[jw_tx21]

I'm considering the AWD, but considering that AWD is deactivated above 40MPH, that has me concerned if driving in the rain on freeways. I'm replacing my 2005 Infiniti QX56 FWD and it's a stable in the rain above 60MPH. What has been your experience driving in the rain with FWD above 40MPH?

AWD works above 40MPH. The poster you replied to is incorrect (it is an old / stale post). The AWD system in Telluride functions like any modern AWD system - it sends power to wheels selectively. Also, when accelerating, it channels power to rear wheels too - especially in sport mode. What the Telluride does have, however, is a locking center differential for something approaching true 4 wheel drive - now that is designed to be used at lower speeds in 4wd conditions where you won't be going 40+MPH.

All details are in manual - posted on this site. Enjoy!

 

[Gdouglas32]

AWD works above 40MPH. The poster you replied to is incorrect (it is an old / stale post). The AWD system in Telluride functions like any modern AWD system. What the Telluride does have, however, is a locking center differential for close to 4 wheel drive - now that is designed to be used at lower speeds in 4wd conditions where you won't be going 40+MPH.

All details are in manual - posted on this site. Enjoy!

Thanks for the clarification.