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Are cars with AWD worth it compared to FWD.

I am potentially looking at buying a new car in next coming months. I’m looking at the Nissan rogue because my current car is Nissan and I’ve been pleased with it for the past 12 years and I would like the extra room an suv has. The only thing I don’t like is that the majority of suvs are AWD. Nissan does make the rogue in FWD but I was only able to find 1 in my nearby dealerships. So it seems that if I want an suv I’m stuck with AWD or I have to stick with a sedan. For context, my first and current car is a 2012 Nissan versa.

Tldr: do the benefits of AWD and having an suv outweigh the downside of having to replace every tire if you get a flat in one with AWD. Or should I just try and stick with FWD?

EDIT: thank you for all the responses. It is very clear now that I do not need AWD and will stick with FWD. And apparently, I need to look into different cars makers. I have had good luck with my Nissan but according to comments Nissan isn’t a good company anymore.

EDIT 2: I didn’t realize that there are 2 different types of AWD. There’s full and reactive. Technically, the car I have now is AWD because it does divert power to the back wheels if it detects them slipping. My apologies for not fully understanding the terminology before making the post. My original post was directed towards full AWD, when there is power to all wheels all the time. Thanks for the help !

_haha_oh_wow_ ,
@_haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works avatar

I don’t think I’d drive an SUV at all if you were concerned with cost or handling, but IMO it depends on what you need: Modern traction control with good all terrain tires can handle extremely well in snow or rain - AWD isn’t necessary.

That said, my current daily driver is an AWD manual Subaru sedan and I have to admit: It corners better and is just a bit more resistant to losing control and a little faster in regaining control. If cost is not a concern, go with an AWD sedan especially if you drive in adverse conditions a lot.

If money is tight, stick with your FWD sedan and make sure you have quality all season tires as well as keeping your brakes and related systems in good condition - this would likely be more than adequate in any reasonable conditions especially if you are already a good driver (and if not, it’s never too late to learn).

pumpkinseedoil ,

AWD often is the difference of if you have to put on chains to keep going upwards or not. Downwards you’ll need them anyway.

Never had to use chains? Not getting any snow? It’s not very useful then.

notnotmike ,
@notnotmike@programming.dev avatar

I think AWD is widely unnecessary for most people in most climates. It is just an unnecessary feature to sell you a more expensive car.

I have lived in snowier climates my whole life and have also driven 2WD vehicles the entire time. I have only gotten stuck once, and I know that for a fact because I remember it being surprising that it had never happened before. You really don’t need it if you just drive carefully when conditions are suboptimal.

AWD gives you a false sense of invincibility as well. It’s important to keep in mind that “all wheel drive” does not mean better stopping. If you’re going to stop, more wheels with power doesn’t help. And in terms of dangerous situations, it’s usually the lack of stopping that’s the problem, not the lack of going.

There are also issues with fuel efficiency to consider. AWD vehicles generally get lower fuel efficiency compared to 2WD versions of the same car.

Overall, no, you really shouldn’t get AWD unless you really need the feature.

NoIWontPickAName ,

People always think 4wd will help, when for most people it will just help them get stuck deeper

Sneptaur ,
@Sneptaur@pawb.social avatar

Usually not worth it. AWD only matters if you’re trying to push a lot of power to go fast.

If you need snow safety, snow tires are going to do way more for you than some gigantic gas guzzling brick. Buy a vehicle that meets your needs and use snow tires in winter and you’ll be fine.

SUVs are a huge racket. Don’t waste your money and contribute further to climate change by buying inefficient garbage.

TheFeatureCreature ,
@TheFeatureCreature@lemmy.world avatar

With AWD I’d be more concerned with the fuel consumption.

PP_BOY_ ,
@PP_BOY_@lemmy.world avatar

Not unless you’re focused on performance (acceleration).

AWD’s safety boosts are overinflated, to say the least, and the higher initial cost and the cost of maintaining an additional powered axle (plus the increased fuel costs to power said axle) make it unnecessary for most regular people.

If you absolutely need off-road/snow capabilities, a proper 4x4 will outperform any AWD system. If you drive on the roads and don’t live in Siberia, FWD will be plenty 99% of the time for 99% of people.

IchNichtenLichten ,
@IchNichtenLichten@lemmy.world avatar

AWD is useful but if you’re driving a lot in cold snowy conditions having a set of dedicated winter tires is better.

WeebLife OP ,

Thank you for the input. This and the other comments have confirmed my thoughts that i don’t need AWD.

cymbal_king ,

There is a noticeable difference in EVs with AWD vs FWD, because the drive wheels all have independent motors. More motors= more power. As other commenters said, the main other consideration is if you have snow.

We’ve really enjoyed our Hyundai Ioniq 5 crossover SUV. It has a ton of leg room (I’m 6’2" and can fully stretch out my legs), 300 miles of range, and more acceleration than any car I’ve ever owned. The cost of charging at home is about 70% less than we were paying for gas, plus there’s almost no maintenance needed (e.g. there’s no oil to change). With super chargers on road trips Hyundai and Kia EVs can charge from 10%-80% in about 15 mins for slightly less than the cost of gas.

Suck_on_my_Presence ,

I’ve been casually looking at the ioniqs - is anything in the interior intrusive? I have a problem with EVs having massive screens or way way too many buttons.

meekah ,
@meekah@lemmy.world avatar

Can’t really give you a reply, but I suggest you to just go to a dealership and take whatever ioniq you are most interested in for a test drive. I sometimes to that just for fun, even though I’m not even actually interested in buying one lol. tbf, I get that sometimes dealerships are quite far to go to, but having an hour or two with a car to drive around really gives you a good idea of how you like it.

cymbal_king ,

The Ioniqs have much smaller screens than the EV industry average, and many more physical buttons than industry average. The only time I really touch the touch screen is related to the Android Auto GPS/Google Maps, or very rarely I’m fiddling with a setting in my driveway.

meekah ,
@meekah@lemmy.world avatar

also regenerative charging causes brake pads to wear much more slowly. to the point that sometimes the rotors start to rust badly because the actual brakes get used so little.

fuckwit_mcbumcrumble ,

Do you regularly drive off road (not dirt roads, off road) or are you climbing mountains in the middle of snow storms? If not then you’re better off sticking with FWD.

Since you said you live in Colorado I’d just get a pair of winter tires and call it a day. Just remember, AWD is only good for acceleration, it won’t help you stop any quicker which is far more important in slick conditions. Good tires will do far more for you than AWD ever will.

algorithmae ,

I test drive a regular Audi A4 and Infiniti Q50 a few times and became hooked on owning an AWD. It doesn’t snow where I live but the handling was everything I ever wanted. Currently searching for an AWD version of the car I want next and there’s like none down here, it’s super frustrating

WeebLife OP ,

I will def test drive several cars with AWD and FWD.

someguy3 ,

AWD is overrated imo. Really don’t need, my next will be FWD.

I haven’t looked but I’m sure you could find a SUV or crossover with fwd.

But I agree with the other commenter, don’t buy a SUV. Cars or hatchbacks are really all you need.

mlaga97 ,

Possibly not relevant to your use case, but one point that I haven’t seen mentioned yet is that for many SUVs that are available in both FWD and AWD, the tow rating will be significantly higher for the AWD version (like 5000lbs vs 3500lbs for FWD in the case of the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot)

WeebLife OP ,

Towing capacity isn’t something I’m worried about, the only thing I would be putting on the car would be a bike rack and some bikes

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