RWD or AWD? GO!

[Eugene Onegin]

AWD ,better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it .

 

[mldavis2]

I think it depends on a couple of things.
If you want straight line acceleration (drag strip, stoplight racing) then the RWD/LSD has a theoretical weight advantage of about 170# over the AWD. However 0-60 times seem to be virtually identical depending more on the track and driver than the powertrain configuration.
If you like drifting and cutting donuts in your company parking lot or showing off to the neighbors with clouds of burning rubber smoke, go with the RWD.
If you want to just save $2,000, it's RWD.
If you prefer handling on winding roads using front wheel grip to prevent excessive oversteer, go with AWD.
If you need traction in the winter on bad roads, AWD is the only way to go.
Finally, if the 167mph speed is important, you may find it more difficult to find an AWD with 19" wheels unless you get the GT2.

 

[danohboca]

Back to back can you tell a difference in steering feel?

 

[mandasol]

First 10 years driving I drove only RWD muscle/sports cars. After driving FWD/AWD family cars and SUV's for the past 20 years I'm happy to be back in a fun RWD car. That being said I live in Georgia where is snows very rarely.

 

[Soca Boy]

In Canada we can only get the AWD as of now. I personally love it, toss it into corners and great acceleration.

 

[gen8888]

Has anyone noticed if the ride height is any different between the AWD and RWD models?

 

[Mikebluegt1]

AWD - The GT engine is a beast and the last couple of snow storms I had in the NY area was a good test for "FUN" in the snow with my Stinger. Now I have driven AWD Subaru's for the last 15 years V6 , turbos, all versions and I swear by that brand. So when I drove this Stinger I was blown away by the handling in the snow. You just have to be aware of the ground clearance. For me AWD is a no brainier with changing weather in NY. Dry performance, all I can say is I have a friend with Comp ed. M3 and he was overly impressed when he drove it... He still can not believe this car is a Kia....

 

[CDv6]

Has anyone noticed if the ride height is any different between the AWD and RWD models?

It is not.

 

[Brandondrums]

Sorry for bumping an older thread but I'm hoping to buy a GT2 AWD in the next few weeks. I'm curious to see if anyone has really analyzed the springs on AWD vs RWD. It's not uncommon on other cars - often SUVs to have different spring rates to make of for different vehicle weight as drivetrain and engine choices vary, I wouldn't be surprised if we found the springs and sway bars on an AWD stinger to be a couple mm thicker. Even if just on one end or another.

Heck, on my 2008 subaru Outback the sway bar sizes varied between the base, turbo and H6 models and also between manual vs automatic transmissions. So I'd maybe attribute the feeling of more stable cornering feel the AWD owners report to that.

Just speculation, but I'd love to see some measurements if they can be found.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Intriguing question! I've never even heard of anyone suggesting different springs and sway bars across the different trims.

 

[wcbjr]

It is not.

Sorry for the 2.5 year old thread bump. Are we sure about that? Why would the same lowering springs lower AWD by at least 1/2" more than on RWD?

 

[PaFromFL]

Living in FL, I prefer the lower weight and handling characteristics of RWD. It is getting harder to find fully-loaded RWD sedans. Most manufacturers are selling way more AWD fake SUVs than sedans, so the trend is to only offer one-size-fits-all AWD on the sedans to save money.

 

[StingerMG]

RWD, but I'm biased because mine is RWD lol

 

[LordKOTL]

I like experiencing the g's on acceleration, so AWD. Plus the sure-footedness in wet conditions is a plus.

 

[Bbrownjohnd]

I've owned both. I prefer AWD. I felt the RWD is more raucous, but in a softly damped car like this, it wasn't the fun kinda of raucous, like I'm gonna carene into a telephone pole. The AWD is definitely more planted, but to me seems a little more sluggish than I remember that RWD feeling. But both cars are fast enough for what they are stock, so the seeming acceleration loss is a fair trade off for the added stability. I live in houston

 

[Buzzman12]

When I bought mine in 2023, there was only one trim level available in Canada.
They cut down and simplified the offerings in the last model year of availability. The only one being sold was the fully loaded GT Elite AWD V6.
Lower trim levels, RWD or 4 cyl cars were not on offer anymore. The colour choices were also limited.
I'm pretty happy with what I have.