Ask the Car People.SM


2011 Equinox FWD vs. AWD

8 messages,  Last post on Mar 23, 2011 at 4:31 AM

You are in the Chevrolet Equinox Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Equinox, Car Buying, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 1

  • All Messages Displayed

#1 of 8 2011 Equinox FWD vs. AWD by travkitty

Dec 13, 2010 (12:42 pm)

I'm on the verge of buying a 2011 Equinox. I live in Illinois, close to St. Louis. I'm debating whether I should forsake some gas mileage & add on cost by getting an AWD or saving some money & gaining mileage with a FWD. Thoughts? Is AWD worth it?

#2 of 8 Re: 2011 Equinox FWD vs. AWD [travkitty] by runox

Dec 13, 2010 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: travkitty (Dec 13, 2010 12:42 pm)
I would highly recommend going for the AWD. The AWD senses slippage then kicks in, otherwise you are running 100% on the fronts and about 10% on the rears.
 
See all that snow around you, that's when you really need it. You won't lose that much in gas mileage.

#3 of 8 Re: 2011 Equinox FWD vs. AWD [travkitty] by ray80

Dec 14, 2010 (6:45 am)

Replying to: travkitty (Dec 13, 2010 12:42 pm)
I don't have a nox, but with my 01 Pontiac with similiar AWD system combined with a good set of winter tires its a very competent winter machine that will get going and track very well in most cases (glare ice being exception). I think you would have very few 'white-knuckle' experiances with it as far as driving is concerned.
The only things I have noticed are when stopped at stop sign and turning, if the front wheels lose grip and rears get engaged there is a slight tendancy to push vehicle straight ahead (fronts sliding sideways), also it is easy to be a little to confident and go to fast for conditions as far as braking/stopping distance are concerned (AWD isn't going to decrease stopping distance).

#4 of 8 Re: 2011 Equinox FWD vs. AWD [travkitty] by oscar007

Jan 01, 2011 (5:00 pm)

Replying to: travkitty (Dec 13, 2010 12:42 pm)
I did research before buying our 2011 V6 awd . The awd for the snow is nice to have howver you lose (from what I researched) 2 to 4 mpgs with v6 and more with the 4 due to it being more weight to carry. I also went with the V6 since i have seen very little complains about the V6 and have seen many on the 4. We have 4,000 miles on our Nox and are averaging 21 mpg city/hwy driving (speed limits 55 to 65) and got almost 22 on a 3,000+ mile road trip with 2 adults and 3 kids and loaded with luggage. I have heard others with the v6 say they have gotten as much as 25/26 mpgs but We have not come near that even when just the wife drove it to n from work the last tank.
We have had 0 problems with our Nox thus far as to note to anything to complain about nothing has broken..

#5 of 8 Re: 2011 Equinox FWD vs. AWD [oscar007] by runox

Jan 02, 2011 (5:55 am)

Replying to: oscar007 (Jan 01, 2011 5:00 pm)
In comparison, with the 4AWD I routinely get 28-29 mpg highway, 25 city with no perceived loss of power.
 
The winter gas is killing the numbers, 22 city and 25 highway.

#6 of 8 AWD Type? by 1saxman

Mar 22, 2011 (9:11 am)

What kind of rear drive assist system does the Equinox use? Is it a variation of the Versatrak system such as on the VUE?

#7 of 8 Re: AWD Type? [1saxman] by ray80

Mar 22, 2011 (11:23 am)

Replying to: 1saxman (Mar 22, 2011 9:11 am)
I believe it is, not sure how it may have changed but same general idea,,,,,,front wheels start to slip and more power to rear

#8 of 8 Re: AWD Type? [1saxman] by bfamily

Mar 23, 2011 (4:31 am)

Replying to: 1saxman (Mar 22, 2011 9:11 am)
The AWD system is uses a power transfer unit bolted, to the transmission, and an axle both made for GM by GETRAG in North Carolina. There's a clutch module between the prop shaft and the axle that engages the rear drive when sensing slip. The Vue used this same setup starting in the 2007MY.

Messages Page 1 of 1

  • All Messages Displayed
To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement