AWD vs RWD

[Johnnyfive]

Hey all,
I am nearly able to test drive one of these beauties, and I know one dealer is getting the awd gt2 and another the rwd gt2. I can’t recall all the differences, so I’m enlisting your help. What is different? Obviously number of wheels with power. The awd has torque vectoring via brakes, heated steering, slightly heavier, and more dollars. What else?

I’m in Texas, so awd isn’t often needed. I’m not sure I’d notice the performance difference between them. Mainly, I want to know what I’m gaining/losing between the two drivetrains if one is the color I want with the right price.

Thanks!

 

[rdromance]

Hey all,
I am nearly able to test drive one of these beauties, and I know one dealer is getting the awd gt2 and another the rwd gt2. I can’t recall all the differences, so I’m enlisting your help. What is different? Obviously number of wheels with power. The awd has torque vectoring via brakes, heated steering, slightly heavier, and more dollars. What else?

I’m in Texas, so awd isn’t often needed. I’m not sure I’d notice the performance difference between them. Mainly, I want to know what I’m gaining/losing between the two drivetrains if one is the color I want with the right price.

Thanks!

Also with the AWD, you get the 18" wheels with A/S tires.

 

[Johnnyfive]

Is that a forced option or can you still get the 19s?

 

[Chris]

Is that a forced option or can you still get the 19s?

The 18s are an option. the default is still the 19s with summer tires.

 

[Johnnyfive]

So it sounds, then, that really the only notable difference is the drivetrain and it’s impact on how the car handles. I saw one review that said the rwd was more fun to drive but the awd was very well behaved. Performance numbers aren’t that different and I’m not tracking it anyway. Guess whichever is available checking the right boxes then!

Thanks to whomever corrected my title typo!

 

[Kia Stinger]

Thanks to whomever corrected my title typo!

That's one of my responsibilities here. I read every single post, every day, and make various corrections as I see fit. These days with tiny screen keyboards and autocorrect that makes mistakes - it's a necessary evil.

 

[zoop]

I think the RWD has LSD but the AWD doesn't but I'm not positive.

 

[Johnnyfive]

That sounds familiar actually. I don’t know that I’d be able to tell the difference. My car experience so far is a 91 Astro van, a 01 Ford Taurus, and a 10 Nissan Altima.

 

[zoop]

Confirmed, no LSD on AWD

 

[Johnnyfive]

In daily driving, I wonder if I would notice the difference. I’m unfortunately lacking the experience. May just have to drive both and see!

 

[zoop]

In daily driving, I wonder if I would notice the difference. I’m unfortunately lacking the experience. May just have to drive both and see!

Daily driving it won't make a difference. I'm wondering if the LSD will be enough to make it ok to drive the RWD occasionally in bad weather vs the AWD.

 

[Chris]

Daily driving it won't make a difference. I'm wondering if the LSD will be enough to make it ok to drive the RWD occasionally in bad weather vs the AWD.

LSD will not help near as much as AWD with torque vectoring. If you are talking just some rain no big deal. Snow and ice, it wouldn't even be a close comparison.

 

[Johnnyfive]

Born and raised in Texas. The only way I know how to drive on snow or ice is badly!

I had convinced myself that I wanted rwd but now I’m not sure!

 

[Kia Stinger]

Born and raised in Texas. The only way I know how to drive on snow or ice is badly!

I had convinced myself that I wanted rwd but now I’m not sure!

Are you moving up north that you're concerned about driving in snow or ice? All wheel drive does help in the rain but you probably won't notice unless you're pushing the car - like racing in the rain...

 

[Johnnyfive]

No intentions to move anytime soon, so I don’t really think the awd is a plus for me. I just don’t think it is necessarily a minus.

 

[Chris]

Born and raised in Texas. The only way I know how to drive on snow or ice is badly!

I had convinced myself that I wanted rwd but now I’m not sure!

For me it's not even a close decision. AWD all the way. But I do live in Minnesota, and have 2 inches of ice on the road in front of my house for the last 2 weeks now..

 

[STNGRNV]

I was going to ask this as well. People say rwd is more "fun" to drive, but not be a car guy I have no idea what that means. My wife will also be driving the Stinger (provided I still buy one) and I wonder if RWD makes it harder to control and AWD tames it a bit.

 

[zoop]

I was going to ask this as well. People say rwd is more "fun" to drive, but not be a car guy I have no idea what that means. My wife will also be driving the Stinger (provided I still buy one) and I wonder if RWD makes it harder to control and AWD tames it a bit.

AWD is definitely safer and easier to control.

 

[Chris]

I was going to ask this as well. People say rwd is more "fun" to drive, but not be a car guy I have no idea what that means. My wife will also be driving the Stinger (provided I still buy one) and I wonder if RWD makes it harder to control and AWD tames it a bit.

"Funner to drive" is code for being able to slide the ass end of the car around. Not something you would ever want or need anywhere but the track.

 

[STNGRNV]

"Funner to drive" is code for being able to slide the ass end of the car around. Not something you would ever want or need anywhere but the track.

Yeah, that's not my idea of fun. My wife has a lead foot, too. I'm trying to decide between if I want AWD or the Advanced Driver Assistance (or neither). I'm more worried about my wife's need for speed.