Straightline

Impressively compact, too. That should keep weight and costs down.

How much is AWD being needlessly pushed on us? I agree that its good for it to be available, but I talk to people all of the time that want AWD and don't need it. It seems like its being marketed by manufacturers as a "must have" technology, and I assume that's because it means greater profits. But how necessary is it, really? In my area we don't have snow and ice to deal with, so is AWD needed?
 
I guess its safer than not having it, but does it justify the expense is my question. If you live in an area that doesn't have inclement winters, are you really just paying more for no reason?
 
I've never owned an AWD vehicle so I don't really understand the point under normal driving conditions. For anyone responding, lets assume a non-performance, average commuter, errand running type of driver. I realize that AWD can help with 0-60 times and is beneficial for hard driving, cornering and the like. But for the average Mom picking up the kids at school, is this a waste of money?
 
Any thoughts?

The biggest misconception out there is that AWD is only really good in snow. That's not true. It's better on all driving services—and especially in the rain.
 
I've owned RWD, FWD, part-time 4WD, on-demand 4WD and AWD. I'll take AWD over any of the above for year-round usage.
 
Think about it: on any marginal traction surface 4 tires grabbing for traction better than 2 wheels grabbing for traction.
 
As to whether it's "needed" or not is up for debate. it certainly makes driving "safer" under all driving conditions. Think of it as extra insurance. Now whether you want that extra insurance, that's your call.

I have an AWD and a FWD and lived in snow country a long time with just FWD.
  
It's the tires. :-)
  
Too bad all this emphasis on AWD isn't shifted to something really fun, like more manual transmission options.

"I realize that AWD can help with 0-60 times..."
 
Can it? I figure that with a skilled driver behind the wheel, an AWD car will always be slower in a straight line on a dry surface than a car that has only two driven wheels but is otherwise identical, due to the added weight of the AWD components.

I prefer RWD over all, but I can't overestimate how handy AWD can be.
For a pure race car, I'd rather have RWD. Personally, I don't think any other layout offers a better driving experience.
FWD is a great system because it's so cheap. It's also handy in snow.
AWD offers the potential for spirited driving and the practicality of FWD. However it's not as potent on the track and it's rather expensive.

"Personally, I don't think any other layout offers a better driving experience."
 
I think owners of Audis, EVOs, WRXs, STIs, Porsche 911 AWDs will take exception to that statement.
 
"However it's not as potent on the track"
 
Huh? AWD has been outlawed in a number of racing venues because it give AWD-equipped vehicles an unfair advantage.

AWD has one huge advantage - it provides maximum traction for both acceleration and (with some help from ABS) braking.
 
Case in point: Two '08 Subarus with AWD were parked on side of the road (left side over asphalt, right side over gravel), then the driver floored the accelerator. Both cars took off in absolutely straight lines with no tugging or weaving. Most RWD or FWD cars would simply spin the gravel-based wheel, or cut power to the engine.
 
Then again, wanna-be drifters and RWD tire smokers won't find much fun with AWD.

That's why I always thought that AWD was beneficial for acceleration, simply because of the traction and the power going to all four wheels.
 
I understand the safety issue. That makes a lot of sense, having 4 wheels providing power would be safer in all conditions, rain, snow, ice, and so forth. That's a great point.
 
I guess I just question the expense, but I'm also on a limited budget when I buy a vehicle so cost is usually number one. Efficiency too is key, and it seems that AWD vehicles usually get 1 MPG less. Not a big deal, I admit, but there it is.
 
How are they for reliability? By adding the extra hardware and moving parts, are you just setting yourself up for a more expensive repair down the road (when compared to a normal FWD car)?
 
Going back to the safety issue though, I guess for the added expense, I always figure that I can just drive intelligently so that I don't have to rely on safety features like traction control and AWD to bail me out. I know a lot of people aren't that aware of road conditions (like my wife who drives like a bat out of hell in torrential rain, blizzard, you name it). And still other people just aren't good enough drivers to be trusted hehe...for them AWD makes sense, and I don't disdain their choice. Its a great technology. To be honest, if money wasn't an issue, I'd opt for an AWD vehicle...
 
Still at least you don't have to rotate your tires with AWD.

Actually, you still do have to rotate your tires on an AWD car.

Really? Is that because its not a completely even 50/50 split on the power distribution?

Well, my car (WRX manual) does have a 50/50 front/rear power split. It might have something to do with driving forces, weight distribution, etc.

AWD has nothing to do with braking, which creates a huge portion of your tire wear.
 
RWD is simpler, less parasitic, and can allow a driver to take corners faster. Granted, AWD allows a driver to exit a corner a little faster, but a good RWD pumpkin should be able to push you out of a corner pretty fast anyway.
 
To be honest, I think an AWD application with a significant rear bias is best.

"To be honest, I think an AWD application with a significant rear bias is best"
 
Me too; somewhere around 40/60 to (but no more than) 30/70. I also like Acura SH-AWD, which has a RWD bias, and where power is also shifted to the outside rear wheel when cornering.

Will the Haldex systems in these Hyundais and Kias be FWD-biased? If so, booooo. If not, great!

I agree Loran. I believe Haldex is FWD, but the rear wheels kick in upon front wheel slippage.

I have also driven RWD, AWD,FWD, 4wd, RWD, etc. Rear wheel drive is fine on dry roads, below average any other time. Front wheel drive is perfect for 90% of driving but annoying in high powered cars.
 
AWD is great if you get a good one, a wallet killer if you don't.
 
Even though I drive a Subaru, my favourite system is the Jeep Select Trac. The ability to shift into 2wd, full time 4 wheel drive or lock the centre diff for part time 4wd is the best of all worlds. It take a bit of intellegence on the part of the driver but having a system that does it all and lasts the life of the car (truck) is more then worth it.