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GMC Acadia - FWD vs. AWD

17 messages,  Last post on Nov 05, 2011 at 12:14 PM

You are in the GMC Acadia Forum.

What is this discussion about? GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 2

#8 of 17 Re: FWD vs AWD [nposaver] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

May 27, 2009 (8:40 am)

Replying to: nposaver (May 27, 2009 7:51 am)
You may enjoy a cruise through the 4WD & AWD systems explained discussion.
 
The FWD, AWD, RWD and the Luxury Performance Sedans is another that may target your concerns more closely, even though they aren't talking SUVs.

#9 of 17 Re: FWD vs AWD [steve_] by obyone

Sep 01, 2010 (3:09 pm)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (May 27, 2009 8:40 am)
Something is wrong with that title. FWD and Luxury Performance Sedan shouldn't be in the same sentence. It seems from reading that discussion that point is assumed.

#10 of 17 Re: FWD vs AWD [obyone] by tidester

Sep 01, 2010 (7:42 pm)

Replying to: obyone (Sep 01, 2010 3:09 pm)
Is your question regarding the luxury part or the performance part? There are plenty of "luxury sedans" with FWD but performance is often in the eye of the beholder.
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#11 of 17 Re: FWD vs AWD [tidester] by onefunkar

Sep 03, 2010 (4:59 pm)

Replying to: tidester (Sep 01, 2010 7:42 pm)
also live in minnesota had an 08 outlook (same car) and i bought fwd. with fwd its pretty tought to get stuck and never had any trouble with the snow. awd is worse mileage and more maintanance so unless you really need it id stick with fwd

#12 of 17 Re: FWD vs AWD [tidester] by obyone

Oct 15, 2010 (2:26 am)

Replying to: tidester (Sep 01, 2010 7:42 pm)
One of the reasons that Acura isn't considered luxury is that no V8 or RWD in their line up. They couldn't compete with Infinity or Lexus without either. So I guess I'm referring to the luxury part.
 
BTW, I tried parking a FWD Acadia in my garage and it barely made it into the garage with a whole lot of wheel spin with traction control on. None of my other vehicles have that problem. Course if I back it into the garage it's no problem. Can't see the wife doing that though. Backing it in that is.

#13 of 17 Re: GMC Acadia - FWD vs. AWD [dtroiter] by akillian24

Feb 20, 2011 (6:42 am)

Replying to: dtroiter (Mar 10, 2008 5:06 am)
Hello!
 
We are looking to purchase an Acadia, and making the FWD vs. AWD debate now. After reading this thread, I can say I believe we don't need AWD (we live in Dallas TX, don't tow anything) but I wondered:
 
1) Has anyone driven both the FWD and the AWD Acadia? Do they feel any different at all while handling?
2) Does the AWD/FWD option impact leasing residuals at all?
 
Thanks again for any help.
 
Angela

#14 of 17 Re: GMC Acadia - FWD vs. AWD [akillian24] by obyone

Feb 20, 2011 (11:41 pm)

Replying to: akillian24 (Feb 20, 2011 6:42 am)
1. I've driven both and the AWD does feel a little heavier on the steering. Does it rain in Texas? I live in Hawaii and while the dealers around these parts order 80% FWD, I have a steep driveway and wouldn't be able to make it up when wet and FWD. Too much tire spin.
 
2. I wouldn't think the residuals would be impacted much in Texas. You can have the dealer verify this.

#15 of 17 Re: GMC Acadia - FWD vs. AWD [akillian24] by jessicajo

Nov 05, 2011 (9:15 am)

Replying to: akillian24 (Feb 20, 2011 6:42 am)
I just purchased a 2008 fwd and it cost lessthan the awd model. I did have concerns too, but i did not feel i needed it. My husband has a truck so i feel that if worse comes to worse we will use it. another good thing the gas mileage is better too. I had a van before and i seemto be getting the same gas mileage.

#16 of 17 Re: GMC Acadia - FWD vs. AWD [obyone] by nposaver

Nov 05, 2011 (11:38 am)

Replying to: obyone (Feb 20, 2011 11:41 pm)
As I understand the AWD vehicle works this way; the vehicle operates always in FWD and the only time the rear wheels become engaged is when the front wheels lose traction and begin to spin automatically shifting power to the rear wheels which now become engaged. So if your front wheels lose traction and begin to spin because of your steep incline and wet pavement what make you think that the rear wheels when engaged by the AWD will have any better traction than the front wheels had? AWD does not produce or improve better traction on wet pavements and steeple inclines than a front wheel drive vehicle. Don't waste your money, buy a FWD vehicle since AWD will not allow you to have any better traction on wet pavement and a steeple incline than a FWD vehicle.

#17 of 17 Re: GMC Acadia - FWD vs. AWD [nposaver] by donl1

Nov 05, 2011 (12:14 pm)

Replying to: nposaver (Nov 05, 2011 11:38 am)
I beleive the Acadia AWD system is set up to deliver a 90/10 torque split (90% to the front wheels) in normal operation. When detecting front wheel slippage it can transfer as much as 35% to the rear wheels. So on a steep incline it would indeed be better than FWD. Not much sense to have an AWD system that delivers all torque to only one differential as the previous poster seemed to indicate.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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