Ask the Car People.SM


What car company has the best AWD system - READ ONLY

96 messages,  Last post on Jan 18, 2013 at 9:59 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views-Archives Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura, Infiniti, Volvo

Messages Page 10 of 11

#85 of 96 Potenza RE92 by morin2

Mar 29, 2009 (5:33 pm)

I just bought my 2009 Outback last sunday. All Outbacks had potenza 92's on them. My Special Edition Outback comes with 17' alloys and the Potenzas are 92A rated 260 treadwear, traction A, temperature A. The base model Outbacks have 16" steel wheels and Potenzas rated at 360.
 
With 260 treadwear rating, I expect to be replacing these tires soon (my trade-in had Bridgestone Dueler Revos rated at 520). I haven't driven the Potenzas in any demanding conditions yet but the comments are not encouraging. Recommendations for replacements?

#86 of 96 Re: Potenza RE92 [morin2] by steve_ HOST

Mar 29, 2009 (6:30 pm)

Replying to: morin2 (Mar 29, 2009 5:33 pm)
I put Yokohama Avid T4's on my '97 22,000 miles ago. Sort of a medium priced all season tire.
 
Owners are kicking tires around over in the Subaru Outback/Legacy Tires and Wheels discussion.

#87 of 96 AWD test by scottyscooter

Mar 29, 2009 (8:07 pm)

Hey, check out this Youtube Subaru AWD comaprison...
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooQRxlChvMw
 
You would expect any AWD car to be able to move up the ramp if remove traction from the front wheels while the rear wheels have full traction, right? Well, in this test the Honda CR-V and Toyota Highlander were unable to do this. I thought that was a little shocking; if a CRV or Highlander is AWD, I would expect it to climb that wimpy incline if the rear wheels had 100% full traction.
 
This video was obviously put together by Subaru so they mainly tested manufactures that had inferior systems. I belive that Audi has really good AWD systems, and I think that they would be able to match what Subaru does in a test like this.
 
In any case, I certainly think that Subaru's AWD system is one of the best.

#88 of 96 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD versus Infiniti G37xS by sam_k

Mar 29, 2009 (8:56 pm)

I've skimmed through the discussion and several people gave their vote to the Acura SH-AWD system. I'm curious how does the Infiniti system compare? I like the look and size of the Infiniti G37xS more than the Acura TL SH-AWD and Edmunds did the following comparison of the Acura TL SH-AWD and the RWD Infiniti G37 and they gave the nod to the Infiniti.
 
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=135807
 
I wish they had compared the TL SH-AWD to the G37x, the more logical comparison.
 
So does anyone have any opinions on the Infiniti AWD system?

#89 of 96 Re: AWD test [scottyscooter] by nippononly

Mar 30, 2009 (9:14 pm)

Replying to: scottyscooter (Mar 29, 2009 8:07 pm)
Holy smokes! After seeing that, the only AWD I will buy from now on is Subaru. (assuming I will never be in the market for one of the very expensive German AWD models, a fair assumption)

#90 of 96 Re: AWD test [nippononly] by lch77

Apr 02, 2009 (12:42 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Mar 30, 2009 9:14 pm)
For what it's worth, I tested my A4 Quattro after the mud had dried up a little, and it made it up the hill. Note, while the new Audi's are overpriced, I've seen some good pricing on used and CPO Audi's. The CPO's can be purchased with special financing from Audi.

#91 of 96 Re: AWD test [lch77] by gagrice

Apr 06, 2009 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: lch77 (Apr 02, 2009 12:42 pm)
If Audi brings their A4 Allroad Quattro TDI to the USA, it will be #1 on my list. For me that would be nearly the perfect car. With the 2.0L TDI that should get over 40 MPG highway I would be a happy camper. I prefer the looks of the 2001-05 Allroad Quattro. I am keeping my eye out for a good buy on a low mileage one. I would be surprised if the Subaru AWD is as good as the Audi.

#92 of 96 Re: AWD test [lch77] by rjm2519

Dec 11, 2011 (7:07 pm)

Replying to: lch77 (Apr 02, 2009 12:42 pm)
I think that companies are starting to make progress on AWD systems as time goes on. But one thing about the Subaru system is that it has been among the best for the longest time, with the same basic design that has worked for decades now with or without electronic nannies.
 
I have an older forester without any traction aides and I can tell you that it is still a great system, and consistently keeps the car pointed where you want it too!

#93 of 96 Re: AWD test [rjm2519] by janeyng

Sep 12, 2012 (6:14 pm)

Replying to: rjm2519 (Dec 11, 2011 7:07 pm)
I was very excited about torque vectoring when Honda introduced SH-AWD in 2004 and I thought it was coolest technology for cars. For couple of years, I considered Honda SH-AWD to be the best AWD ahead of Subaru and Audi even though I had never driven one. But about 3 years ago, I had an oppportunity to drive an Acura RDX and compare it with Subaru Forester driving up a dirt road. I discovered the Forester was much smoother and more efficient. There were times when Acura SH-AWD didn't have good traction and had to struggle and adjust. Now with more confidence and certainty than before, Subaru AWD is still the BEST AWD system in the world! Audi Quattro is second and not far behind is Acura SH-AWD. Here are couple of youtudes for you to enjoy!
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_MXK2nzt2Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRniF4JQN2U&feature=related

#94 of 96 Re: AWD test [janeyng] by thesmd

Jan 18, 2013 (9:27 pm)

Replying to: janeyng (Sep 12, 2012 6:14 pm)
All people who have contributed to this thread are in love with their cars - and that is absolutely great, that is why we are all here on this forum.
But I feel this discussion has taken many bad turns, like sport fans arguing about their teams, or soccer moms about their kids...
There is no such thing as the best AWD system. A farmer in Idaho most likely needs a different type of AWD than a NewYorker in a rain, or a motorhead on a dry race cource.
Many posters here have erroneously linked performance of an AWD system with the behavior of their vehicle during sharp turns. That is plain wrong. I know physics. The forces acting during a turn have nothing to do with the performance of an AWD system in the sense of preventing the car from skidding. Adding a tangential force to the centrifugal one most likely will decrease your chances of survival.
AWD is all about movind a car FORWARD (or where you turn the wheels).
I've had three Subaru Imprezas in the last 14 years. The best one was the oldest one, with viscous locking center differential. I could not stop myself from plain having fun with it in Lake Placid on all kinds of snow! Deep snow on grass, and downhill? You got it! Going back uphill? You bet! Compressed snow/ice on a parking lot in front of a restaurant? I put it into spins yet being sure it would not park itself inside that restaurant! And all that with just stock tires. If it had some Blizzaks on it, "it would probably be able to climb trees" - as one guy put it once.
Later I had a WRX with electronically-controlled CD. It was OK but very hard to control on some 6" snow. My latest WRX got me home safely when I got stuck in traffic on a 4" snow and just EASILY crossed the boggy-ditchy median to get to the opposite (but free!) lane, leaving hundreds of cars behind. I had my evil laugh at all those Beemers, Merces and Lexuses I'd left behind... sorry!
This year I quietly drove my wife's Honda CRV on 1" snow over asphalt, and had a feeling that the car was struggling to keep a straight line while wiggling side-to-side a few inches all the way. That CRV was OK in a pooring rain, though...
 
ALL I AM TRYING TO SAY: You guys - just go and test-drive all those different AWD systems, right where you live and the way you usually drive, and one of those systems shall be the best for you.
Only don't do that on a sunny Summer day going 'round the block -- if you want to test an AWD

Messages Page 10 of 11

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement