Another FWD/AWD/4WD Thread

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: LoneRanger
Originally Posted By: Pablo
How good is the Subie Imprezza AWD set up?

At least it gets 27MPG or so.


I'm seeing an avg or 24-25mpg in mixed city/suburban driving and 28-29 on the interstate @ 75mph. My Forester uses the Imprezza running gear, an actual Imprezza should do slightly better due to more aerodynamically shaped and less weight. EPA sticker said 20/27 so as long as its meeting that, I'm happy. It has the manual transmission 50/50 f/r bias.


The EPA MPG est is now 27-35 with the new 2.0.

 

[LoneRanger]

Yeah, that's not bad. Fuel economy has never been a strong point for Subaru's. I'm waiting for them to bring the boxer diesel to the North American market, I would trade-in my '09 on a diesel Forester... if it had a decent automatic transmission. Not sure I want another stick shift.

 

[JHZR2]

Just asked at the auto show, the lady there was quite knowledgable, and they may send Subaru Corporate folks since Phila is so close to Cherry Hill.

Just got a shake, no on that one...

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: LoneRanger
Yeah, that's not bad. Fuel economy has never been a strong point for Subaru's. I'm waiting for them to bring the boxer diesel to the North American market, I would trade-in my '09 on a diesel Forester... if it had a decent automatic transmission. Not sure I want another stick shift.



Fuel economy is fine now with Subaru and their CVT in both Impreza, Legacy, and Outback. They all achieve within 1 MPG of other vehicles in their size class and have decent AWD to boot.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: LoneRanger
Yeah, that's not bad. Fuel economy has never been a strong point for Subaru's. I'm waiting for them to bring the boxer diesel to the North American market, I would trade-in my '09 on a diesel Forester... if it had a decent automatic transmission. Not sure I want another stick shift.



Subaru is betting on CVT for MPG. It seems to work not sure of longevity.

 

[Pablo]

How puny is the 2.0L engine?

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I understand the need of AWD/4WD for snow belt states, but I don't understand why people in Southern California bought MB 4-Matic (MB's AWD), Audi AWD and BMW AWD ... We never have snow here (may be once a century at less than 1/4") and less than 10-15 rainy days a year.

What are the advantages of AWD/4WD over regular 2 wheel drive(rear) on dry and smooth road ? None that I know.

Why not ask that to someone with a Subaru WRX, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, or Nissan GT-R.

AWD does give an advantage on dry paved roads but you have to push the car hard to feel it.

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: artificialist

AWD does give an advantage on dry paved roads but you have to push the car hard to feel it.


When comparing vs a similarly powered FWD car all you have to do is stab at the throttle a few times going around a corner at speed

 

[LoneRanger]

AWD exhibits none of the torque steer FWD can tend to have. Anyone who says continuous [full-time on tarmac] AWD doesn't offer better curve carving ability over FWD, has not driven a continuos AWD equipped car in a spirited manner through some twisties. You can add Audi AWD equipped cars to artificialist's list above. Even my tall Forester feels more planted than its size and height would suggest, when applying power through curves.

 

[subiedriver]

I get to drive a twisty mountain road on my way home every day, the awd is fun, definitely handles curves much better when driving aggressively.