Anyone have a link to an article that discusses the AWD (not necessarily the actual vehicle - just the AWD system) systems of the major car brands and shows the technical differences, etc? Googled to no avail.

Just trying to make sense of the 10+ AWD systems in the market right now. I've heard a lot of things around this board but nothing conclusive...

Reason i ask is that my wife will be in the market for a sporty sedan/coupe in the next few months and she'd like AWD...so the brands that probably apply are:

Benz
Audi
Volvo
Porsche (although she doesn't like used and won't be spending enough for a new C4)
BMW
Honda/Acura
Nissan/Infiniti
Subaru
Toyota/Lexus
Mitsubishi (I don't see her buying an EVO, but what good is this conversation w/o mentioning the EVO, really?)

Realistically we're probably talking BMW vs. Audi vs. Subaru vs Acura vs Lexus given the models in their lineups.

 

The best I can think of is the Subaru training video where the awd systems of various cars were put through the tests that simulated real world awd needs - it was an internal video for Subie salespeople, but it was cool to watch. It shows how cars (that were direct competitors to various Subaru brands) hold up:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...42340359932162

As for awd systems, Subaru and Audi are considered the best, with Subaru taking a "low tech" approach to awd and Audi taking a "high tech" approach. Mercedes and Porsche also have good reputations for awd, and Honda's sh-awd has been positively received, but for on-road applications for its performance merits mostly.

I'd start with a price range and car type, then see whats available in those ranges to start comparing. Also, why you want awd may be important. If you just want more on road grip, capability in snow, slush, etc, may be important.

If you want a truck or SUV (4wd), you'd want to look at Jeep, Rover, GMC, Ford, etc.

Pay attention to the type of awd in the car, full time awd like quattro or Subaru means you always have four wheels working, and Subarus are one of the few cars that will send 100% power to the rear wheels if needed. I've owned Subarus and Audis, and they are my awd of choice.

 

Audi and Subaru are the top AWD manufactorers. There are a few videos going around the internet that show comparisons between AWD systems and those 2 are always top of the game.

 

There are significant differences in the systems.

One of my favorite videos:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0-FLbgL7KKQ

I've told this story a dozen times, but bought an FJ Cruiser with 33" snow tires. Used the locking differential in 4x4 mode. My wife's Audi kicked the FJ's ass. So much so that I traded the Toyota in on another Audi.

Unless ground clearance is an issue, I'd take Quattro over a 4x4 truck for on-road snow. It does an amazing job of tracking and holding lines in the worst conditions.

And FWIW, the FJ was better than the Honda Pilot on Blizzaks.

But the Audi's are by far the best AWD systems I've ever driven. For most people, this is not ever going to be an issue. But if you test them at the limit, Audi and Subaru are the best.

I'd take rally race bred over "monster truck" and tractor pulling any day.

 

Here are a few more:

YouTube Lambo in snow

YouTube: RS4, turn up the volume

YouTube: RS4 wagon. Only the first few seconds of vid worth it.

YouTube TopGear: Q7 vs Volvo XC

YouTube: Top Gear Mitsu Evo Rally Car on ice track.

YouTube: Top Gear: AWD vs RWD on ice.

 

I prefer the symmetrical AWD sytem offered by Subaru myself. Kudo's to Subaru for offering a "real" AWD system on the base Impreza which competes with the mid-range FWD Civic. Audi's Quattro system is very good also.

 

I am something of AWD nut meaning I have 3 and sold one.

Sold- Trooper (had auto-AWD system which could be swiched off to make it a RWD truck or switched on sends a portion of power to the front all the time. also had low-range for getting out of mud or such). I drove it in RWD a few times but it was tail happy and so a bit unsafe so I left it in AWD mode all the time. I took a hit on gas mileage only about 14 mpg. I never used the low range either. The Trooper had high ground clearance and got me thru 20" of snow on un-plowed streets and was all around stable on wet and snow but being a truck based ute was not as easy to control (high center of gravity) I never had snow tires for it so if I was driving in icy or light snow I would prefer my Subi.

Sienna AWD. I mainly got the AWD b/c I dislike FWD wheel-spin especially noticed in wet conditions. Basically it's invisible can't tell it's working or how much is front/rear, just know when I punch it in wet conditions it goes without any spin or traction control intervention. It drives good in snow, not great b/c it's an big beast so I still prefer the Subi if I was driving in white knuckle ice conditions.

Subi Legacy Wagon (2.5i non-turbo) with MT. Subi has a number of different AWD setups depending on if you have a MT or AT and also different from engine or car line. I'm not sure what mine has, but it works great. I put winter tires on and it's the most fun and not scary car I have ever driven in the snow. It helps that the car is small-ish and not too powerful and MT makes it easy to control.

Acura MDX SH-AWD. We just go this so I have nto driven it rain or snow. On dry roads it's fine and sporty and gets the power down well but honestly I can't say there is a big difference or improvement over the Sienna. Maybe it's b/c they both are 4500+ lbs vans with AT. The MDX has an extra 70hp so it's got more work to get the power down.

I really prefer AWD to FWD, I know its got more weight to carry and more cost and worse gas mileage. But we get some weather in the north-east so better safe than sorry. Before I got my Legacy, I drove the Camry and Accord and it came down to me wanting the AWD more than the FWD.

 

greatest AWD ever designed is on the Porsche 959... it re-distributed front-rear torque bias on the fly based on throttle position sensor's... well... and it was good enough to with the Paris-Dakar Rally...

 

Quattro>*

 

"AWD systems compared, ...which is the best?"

Best for what?

Best for reliability?

Best for driving your family around in the winter?

Best for rally racing?

Best for dry, tarmac performance?

The right answer to each of those questions will be pretty different.

Andrew