AWD vs RWD advantages/disadvantages
04-15-15, 07:57 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
AWD vs RWD advantages/disadvantages
I typed in Lexus GS350 AWD vs RWD and found no topics on this. Currently I have a AWD 3GS and because of this engine issue I am kind of scared of the AWD's all together. I am not a car tech and can't even change a tire. I am the type of person that wants to learn everything they can about whatever is they want to get before they buy.
From what I have seen the AWD will give me better tracking in bad weather such as snow, rain and maybe give me better tracking if I turn faster. The RWD will be more fun to drive and you can even "drift" the car if you are one of those racers. Is the AWD version still fun to drive though? I know the AWD version gets worse gas mileage and I am not sure why that is. If you live in a climate where it doesn't snow much at all if ever, would you even consider a AWD? I do know with the AWD you can't have a staggered wheel set so you can't make it look pretty aggressive.
Any downside? The AWD kills the tires faster? Kills the engine faster? Any comments would be appreciated.
From what I have seen the AWD will give me better tracking in bad weather such as snow, rain and maybe give me better tracking if I turn faster. The RWD will be more fun to drive and you can even "drift" the car if you are one of those racers. Is the AWD version still fun to drive though? I know the AWD version gets worse gas mileage and I am not sure why that is. If you live in a climate where it doesn't snow much at all if ever, would you even consider a AWD? I do know with the AWD you can't have a staggered wheel set so you can't make it look pretty aggressive.
Any downside? The AWD kills the tires faster? Kills the engine faster? Any comments would be appreciated.
04-15-15, 08:17 PM
#2
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Just a suggestion but why don't you start ONE thread and ask your list of questions? You keep creating new threads asking similar questions about whether you should buy a 4GS, etc. I gave my answers below ...
I typed in Lexus GS350 AWD vs RWD and found no topics on this. Currently I have a AWD 3GS and because of this engine issue I am kind of scared of the AWD's all together. I am not a car tech and can't even change a tire. I am the type of person that wants to learn everything they can about whatever is they want to get before they buy.
From what I have seen the AWD will give me better tracking in bad weather such as snow, rain and maybe give me better tracking if I turn faster. The RWD will be more fun to drive and you can even "drift" the car if you are one of those racers.
- Do you drift? The point of AWD is to help keep the car in control in all situations. I think you are form Louisiana. If so you probably will have a tough time even finding an AWD down there.
Is the AWD version still fun to drive though?
- Yes
I know the AWD version gets worse gas mileage and I am not sure why that is. If you live in a climate where it doesn't snow much at all if ever, would you even consider a AWD?
- No. Also, do you realize the newer 4GS's with RWD have 8-speeds and the AWD's have 6-speeds? This will obviously make a difference in MPG's.
I do know with the AWD you can't have a staggered wheel set so you can't make it look pretty aggressive.
- Not true at all. My 2014 IS350 AWD F-Sport came with a staggered set brand new from Lexus. Width can be different from front to back but the diameter of all the tires needs to be very similar.
Any downside?
- A small bit of weight is added for AWD.
The AWD kills the tires faster?
- Not in my experience.
Kills the engine faster?
- Absolutely not.
Any comments would be appreciated.
From what I have seen the AWD will give me better tracking in bad weather such as snow, rain and maybe give me better tracking if I turn faster. The RWD will be more fun to drive and you can even "drift" the car if you are one of those racers.
- Do you drift? The point of AWD is to help keep the car in control in all situations. I think you are form Louisiana. If so you probably will have a tough time even finding an AWD down there.
Is the AWD version still fun to drive though?
- Yes
I know the AWD version gets worse gas mileage and I am not sure why that is. If you live in a climate where it doesn't snow much at all if ever, would you even consider a AWD?
- No. Also, do you realize the newer 4GS's with RWD have 8-speeds and the AWD's have 6-speeds? This will obviously make a difference in MPG's.
I do know with the AWD you can't have a staggered wheel set so you can't make it look pretty aggressive.
- Not true at all. My 2014 IS350 AWD F-Sport came with a staggered set brand new from Lexus. Width can be different from front to back but the diameter of all the tires needs to be very similar.
Any downside?
- A small bit of weight is added for AWD.
The AWD kills the tires faster?
- Not in my experience.
Kills the engine faster?
- Absolutely not.
Any comments would be appreciated.
Last edited by kerplunk38; 04-15-15 at 08:20 PM.
04-15-15, 08:31 PM
#3
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Thread Starter
Ok thanks for the input. I was trying to make different threads with different ideas. If I did one thread I would have tons of questions and people might say forget this, too many questions to deal with. But I Learned a lot from your post. I didn't know AWD was heavier so that means it is a little slower but not by much. The 2013's all had 6 speeds I believe and then 2014 they went to 8.
04-15-15, 08:33 PM
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Yes, in 2013 all of them had 6 speeds. Now the RWD's all have 8-speeds and the AWD's all have 6-speeds.
Ok thanks for the input. I was trying to make different threads with different ideas. If I did one thread I would have tons of questions and people might say forget this, too many questions to deal with. But I Learned a lot from your post. I didn't know AWD was heavier so that means it is a little slower but not by much. The 2013's all had 6 speeds I believe and then 2014 they went to 8.
04-15-15, 08:34 PM
#5
I love my AWD because it corners like it's on rails so long as I have performance summer and winter tire sets. Snow is a breeze in an AWD but I have found it drives better in heavy rains which may be a factor down in Louisiana... If you can find an AWD they are fun and fast to drive.
04-15-15, 08:45 PM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
The only reason to get the AWD is if you need to drive it in the snow. Otherwise I would get the RWD.
Theres no reason not to get the AWD, AWD Lexus vehicles have been out for years now, reliability isn't an issue.
Theres no reason not to get the AWD, AWD Lexus vehicles have been out for years now, reliability isn't an issue.
04-15-15, 09:10 PM
#7
Lexus Champion
Engine issues has nothing to do with whether a car is AWD or RWD. RWD is definitely more fun to drive and handles better in the dry than AWD. It should be expected that AWD gets worse mileage than RWD due to extra weight (more hardware adds a couple hundred pounds) and moving more wheels. Haven't seen any gas cars where AWD gets better mileage than 2WD counterpart. If you go for the F-sport, you also lose the bigger brakes on the RWD and option to get rear steering. RWD handles the rain just fine, so if you don't get snow then you don't need AWD.
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04-15-15, 09:10 PM
#8
With AWD you have to still be cautious in extreme conditions, because it helps steering a bit, acceleration alot, however it does not help braking. Good tires are key.
If it rains alot, and you like to take off from a stop around a corner (merging onto busy streets) you will appreciate AWD. My GS and my old 4runner had AWD, but when i drive my tacoma, it tends to smoke the tires in the wet... A scary feeling when merging - though I'm sure a RWD GS has much better wet traction.
You can still get the rear end to come out on an AWD, I've done it a few times, but id rather not wreck the new car. You know thats when you are really pushing it.
I got AWD because it's a DD, and I've never owned a non AWD/4wd up here. Many do, but they are usually the people i spot in the ditch from december to march. I deal with the 2mpg penalty, it is worth it. One day i'll pick up a RWD run car, but the AWD GS is more than fun enough for now
If it rains alot, and you like to take off from a stop around a corner (merging onto busy streets) you will appreciate AWD. My GS and my old 4runner had AWD, but when i drive my tacoma, it tends to smoke the tires in the wet... A scary feeling when merging - though I'm sure a RWD GS has much better wet traction.
You can still get the rear end to come out on an AWD, I've done it a few times, but id rather not wreck the new car. You know thats when you are really pushing it.
I got AWD because it's a DD, and I've never owned a non AWD/4wd up here. Many do, but they are usually the people i spot in the ditch from december to march. I deal with the 2mpg penalty, it is worth it. One day i'll pick up a RWD run car, but the AWD GS is more than fun enough for now
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04-16-15, 06:57 AM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
Bigger brakes, staggered tires & wheels, summer tires and 8 speed transmission on the RWD. I cared about each of those things so my F Sport is RWD.
I feel like I have answered this question before, recently. Hmm.
I feel like I have answered this question before, recently. Hmm.
04-16-15, 06:59 AM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Your Tacoma is an entirely different animal. RWD pickups are very difficult in situations like that because there is no weight over the rear wheels. A RWD Lexus sedan with TRAC and VSC won't behave that way in the rain.
04-16-15, 07:15 AM
#11
Snow, ice, rain, mud, gravel are all good reasons to get AWD. Gas mileage, ride height, no rear wheel stering, and the lack of fun factor of drfiting a RWD car are the downsides.
04-16-15, 07:28 AM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
I also forgot the ride height is a little higher on the AWD like mentioned above.
04-16-15, 07:36 AM
#13
What about copious amounts of rain? At least give me that. LOL
04-16-15, 10:17 AM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
I've not had a RWD GS but I have had two RWD LS's. They were hilariously bad in the snow, but in any other situation they were 100% fine. I had those LS's on gravel roads and driving up hills with 2 foot tall grass in WV with 5 passengers, no problem.
The only reason I would get AWD is if I had rot drive it in the snow.
The only reason I would get AWD is if I had rot drive it in the snow.
04-16-15, 10:20 AM
#15
the taco has TRAC and VSC as well. VSC only kicks in when you are sliding.