re: Any reason not to get a AWD suv over standard FWD?

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Taxman2010

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You’re showing your stupid again.

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AWD you have to replace all of the tires if you get a flat.

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bruh...

Thats loosely accurate, at least with Subaru. I dont remember exactly what the manual says but it doesn't like having 3 worn tires and 1 new one on it.

It doesn't really matter. Just accept that you will be buying tires slightly more frequently. You should still get 40-50k miles from good ones.

I saw a study many years ago(maybe motortrend) that showed AWD had nearly 70% less accidents than FWD. We’ve only had awd for the last decade or better. True, the tire situation is less than desirable but I’m ok with that in exchange form overall safety and piece of mind.

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What does it do better than a 4wd capable vehicle?

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Two different use cases.

Having lived in snow country for over two decades, I can tell you the difference first-hand. There are many times where traction loss on the road is spotty and unpredictable. You might be driving at highway speeds on clear pavement, and then conditions instantly change—hitting a sudden snow squall, rounding a curve onto the shady side of a mountain where ice lingers, or encountering an isolated patch of packed snow.

In a traditional 4WD vehicle, you have to manually engage the transfer case to get power to all four wheels. But that requires both time and judgment, you need to notice the change, decide it’s worth switching, and then physically engage 4WD. Often the slippery patch is brief, and by the time you react, you’re already past it. There are many times in my F150 where I'm constantly debating with myself if and when to engage 4wd. With AWD, you don’t have to think about it, you’re already there. AWD systems constantly monitor traction and automatically route power where it’s needed, even if the change in conditions only lasts a few seconds. That’s when AWD really shines.

Another important factor is how 4WD systems are designed to be used. Most part-time 4WD vehicles should not be driven in 4WD mode on dry pavement. Doing so creates driveline binding and puts excessive strain on the transfer case and other components, which can lead to expensive damage. AWD systems, on the other hand, are specifically built to operate full-time on any surface, seamlessly transitioning between dry roads and slippery conditions without risk of mechanical harm.

So, while 4WD is great for deeper snow, mud, and off-road use where you need maximum traction for long stretches, AWD provides a critical advantage in real-world driving, where traction needs can change instantly and unpredictably.

All fair and valid points, but don't most modern 4WD vehicles come with auto 4WD? Engaging power to the front wheels when traction is lost?

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auto 4WD

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It works differently than true AWD. Most AWD vehicles tend to bias torque to the front wheels in normal operation but it's always split to some degree. Auto 4wd systems are normal RWD trucks and will engage the front drive shaft if wheel spin is detected. All that takes time, and it's more useful for something like a lazy man driving across a pasture who doesn't want to bother with shifting into and out of 4wd than it is for dealing with spotty road traction at speed.

With an AWD system you don't even get a revolution of wheel spin before the torque is being sent elsewhere. Auto 4wd systems are nowhere near that reactive. Auto 4wd works exactly like you clicking the 4 hi button once you realize your back end is losing traction. It's a great system and super handy, but AWD it is not.

You'd have to drive one in poor conditions to really understand how good AWD is. Its vastly better than most traditional 4wd systems that are actually 3 wheel drive at best and more often 2 wheel opposite corner drive. AWD is true four wheel drive, nearly full torque to any individual tire available all the time.

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Another important factor is how 4WD systems are designed to be used. Most part-time 4WD vehicles should not be driven in 4WD mode on dry pavement. Doing so creates driveline binding and puts excessive strain on the transfer case and other components, which can lead to expensive damage. AWD systems, on the other hand, are specifically built to operate full-time on any surface, seamlessly transitioning between dry roads and slippery conditions without risk of mechanical harm.

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There's a reason the front end parts of a 4wd truck are half the size of the rear end parts. The rear end has to be able to handle the full torque all the time. The front end is only meant to deal with half the torque at most, and very infrequently. Driving around with 4wd engaged all the time, even on slippery surfaces, is going to wear a lot of stuff out very quickly. It isn't designed for that.

Also, everyone ignores the fact that four wheel drive for most pickups is basically never actually fourwheel drive. It's usually 3 or 2 wheel drive, depending on what's going on. It takes a lot of complicated stuff to make a true four wheel drive vehicle that is also street usable. All wheel drive natively acts as true four wheel drive when it is needed. It's intelligent, and sends torque to tires that have traction. The front axle of most trucks does the opposite, as does the rear of many of them.

AND - the best thing about AWD - your wife has no idea it's even there or doing anything. No special knowledge or instructions necessary. Just drive it. Goes off the side of the driveway after a big rain? Doesn't matter. Sleet on the road? Doesn't matter. Generally physics-retarded and no concept of hydroplaning? Doesn't matter. Just drive it.

The advantages for us in Louisiana are far less apparent than they are for you rocky mountain people. Snow and ice on inclines its obvious. Flat and usually dry is a less obvious use case for AWD. It's one of those things that doesn't really sound useful until you have it and find out that it is wonderful.