AWD vs. FWD

I bought the FWD for the greater range. My Premiere accelerates plenty good for me.

AWD will have better handling under adverse road conditions. You'll lose some range compared to FWD.

For the acceleration... you may or may not notice it. If you've driven other EVs or are used to sporty cars, you'll probably prefer the 0-60 speed of AWD (~5s) compared to FWD (~7s). I regret not buying AWD for that reason. The range of our FWD has exceeded the 279 estimate, so I think the AWD will be close to 300.

My primary interest in the AWD version was that it was supposed to be more comfortable for passengers, by reducing the tilting of the cabin during acceleration and braking. However, I am finding the FWD version to be plenty comfortable as a passenger. As previously noted, FWD will have greater range, but it also should have a larger cargo area. I removed the 10" thick styrofoam block under the floor, and plan to get a spare tire that will fit in its place.

Astros said:

My primary interest in the AWD version was that it was supposed to be more comfortable for passengers, by reducing the tilting of the cabin during acceleration and braking. However, I am finding the FWD version to be plenty comfortable as a passenger. As previously noted, FWD will have greater range, but it also should have a larger cargo area. I removed the 10" thick styrofoam block under the floor, and plan to get a spare tire that will fit in its place.

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Did you ever see the Nissan ramen commercials advertising that gentle braking?

If Nissan allowed true one pedal driving where regen could take you to full stop, it becomes very comfortable for passengers. But they didn't, so the AWD is using some software to help with that.

I originally ordered FWD because I wanted the added range. After all, AWD does nothing for stopping and not a lot for turning in ice and etc... FWD and snow tires covers that for better.

I did decide I wanted AWD, and until this forum proved my dealer was full of BS I believed I would be able to change my order. Nope, had to cancel. Why did I move to AWD?

1. History shows AWD has better resale value.
2. I get into deep snow once in a while and AWD would have been handy
3. While I've plenty of tow vehicles, why not have the ability to tow reasonable loads around town w/o burning gas?
4. 389hp makes short work of passing.

AWD comes with a range costs, but I addressed that to my satisfaction.

I am going AWD for safety reasons. In those rare but critical emergency situations (deer, bad passing coming at you, slippery roads, snow windrows, sharp corners,) the control that well designed AWD (eg Acura, Subaru, now Nissan,) provides may very well save your life. I can think of three instances in the last 12 years where my Acura super handling AWD saved our bacon. The system literally kicked in to steer properly and smoothly out of danger. There are several test drives now online of the Ariya AWD system under wet and slalom course conditions....test drivers extolling the virtues. The off line speed means not too much to me at 72 😊. Passing acceleration can also be a life saver. To me it's all about confident and safe driving.....in a good ride. Price difference isn't all that much spread over 10 years.

Tom said:

I am going AWD for safety reasons. In those rare but critical emergency situations (deer, bad passing coming at you, slippery roads, snow windrows, sharp corners,) the control that well designed AWD (eg Acura, Subaru, now Nissan,)
...
it's all about confident and safe driving.....in a good ride. Price difference isn't all that much spread over 10 years.

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Tom Voelk did a pretty good demo of the AWD maintaining control while accelerating around a wet turn. I liked the handling and control (the speed off the line is a nice bonus). Sadly, its not feasible for me to trade in for AWD now.

They just released a semi technical presentation on YouTube talking about e4orce.

Awesome👍. Great technology.

Marketing to dog owners.

ab13 said:

Marketing to dog owners.

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Off to the hounds and highlands! Luv it!! Happy passengers.

ab13 said:

Marketing to dog owners.

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I have to turn off my Estep whenever my dog sits in the front leg area.

Not to be contrarian, but I consider the safety advantages of emergency maneuvering of AWD vs FWD to be something between non-existent and fantasy. Can I, while off-road racing, run faster w/AWD? Yep. React better to a deer or etc. Nope. No time to set-up the kind of drift or turn, nor the space needed, to leverage 4 driving (well, 2) driving wheel. It's all conditions, quality of tire and skill of the driver. I could make a solid case for AWD vs RWD, or even RWD cs FWD, but AWD being better in an emergent event then FWD? Nope.

The difference in them is all reduced by today's handling augmentation system too, so not sure I'd consider it a factor at all.

The only place I found the 4WD on my Pilot to be really useful, and the only place I ever used the 4WD-locked mode, is on my quarter mile long driveway when it was covered in deep snow and I was either too lazy to clear it, or coming home from work after a heavy snow. The FWD Ariya has high enough ground clearance and I'm familiar enough with how to do these things that I don't anticipate having issues with it either, but I doubt it'll plough through that like the Pilot did.

dafish said:

I originally ordered FWD because I wanted the added range. After all, AWD does nothing for stopping and not a lot for turning in ice and etc... FWD and snow tires covers that for better.

I did decide I wanted AWD, and until this forum proved my dealer was full of BS I believed I would be able to change my order. Nope, had to cancel. Why did I move to AWD?

1. History shows AWD has better resale value.
2. I get into deep snow once in a while and AWD would have been handy
3. While I've plenty of tow vehicles, why not have the ability to tow reasonable loads around town w/o burning gas?
4. 389hp makes short work of passing.

AWD comes with a range costs, but I addressed that to my satisfaction.

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Isn't AWD cost more money to insure? Can someone get a quote on FWD vs AWD Ariya using your vin# for the AWD?