[Bengoshi Jack]

It's an easy decision if you live in the sunbelt Living in Michigan you'd think it would be awd. The reality is I owned a Subaru for 4 1/2 years and probably got real benefit a handful of times at most. The Detroit area doesn't get those huge storms (10" plus) very often and I have never gotten stuck with my Mazda 6 in the last 6 1/2 years. So for me spending an extra $1400 on msrp when there is no difference in residual or money factor between these choices (I want to lease) seems just a waste of money. Am I wrong and do you think I should go with the awd regardless?

 

[conwelpic]

I live in southeastern Ontario and have no interest in AWD. I've been driving for over 50 years and haven't felt any need for this feature. It's additional cost ($2000) and increased service requirements, less fuel economy more components to break down in the future and if I need additional help in winter conditions then a good set of snow tires solves the problem.

I think many people who get AWD get over confident, as many times in snow storms the vast majority of vehicles in ditches are generally AWD vehicles at least what I've seen many times.

 

[Bengoshi Jack]

Problem is the mentality here is everyone must have awd. So virtually every in stock CX-30 is AWD. Would be likely that finding the trim and color choice you like may be difficult. Ordering of course, is an option. I have no urgency and probably would just as soon wait until the tail end of winter to get a new vehicle anyway.

 

[conwelpic]

Here in Canada the CX-30 will not be at dealerships for at least another 4-6 weeks on what I've been able to find out.

Things are simpler here as there is only 3 trim levels, and the first two (GX, GS) offer the AWD option the top model (GT) only comes in AWD. The only option package is on the GS and then it is only with the AWD version.

If Mazda did not offer FWD in the mid-range trim (GS) I would not even consider this vehicle, as it has features that I must have in my vehicle, like heated front seats and steering wheel for example, which I have on my current vehicle.

 

[Bengoshi Jack]

I hear where you're coming from. I long for the ala carte days when you could order an option you want without getting a bunch of others as part of a package most of which you don't want. In reality the trim level I want makes me spend $2300 for the one $300 item that I have to have. I see you can only get the top trim here in Polymental paint. So basically if that's what you want you need to pay $2000.00 more for the privilege.

 

[R-Brown]

I'm most likely going to go for the AWD option for my CX-30. I find it does help in the winter months. though I agree with you guys it gives a lot of drivers a false sense of confidence which is infuriating.

 

[Bengoshi Jack]

Just remember a year or two back driving to Toledo OH in winter weather and running into a road shut down on I-75 near Toledo. When I got to the accident ahead surprise there was a Jeep Grand Cherokee lying in a ditch on the side of the road. Obviously this guy didin't think the laws of physics apply to vehicles with AWD so you can do whatever you want.

 

[carbonized]

I'm debating between AWD and FWD... We do get snow here but the roads are usually good. I've never had AWD before, but have used snow tires. They say AWD is good for getting started, but really only snow tires are good for stopping. I wonder how many people bother to have both?

 

[EdRyan]

I'm debating between AWD and FWD... We do get snow here but the roads are usually good. I've never had AWD before, but have used snow tires.

The major benefits of AWD come when you are driving on a slippery unpaved surface. So if you are driving on top of a layer of snow, ice, mud, gravel or sand this would get you moving in situations where you might be stuck with spinning wheels. On slippery pavement, the advantage is minor and even then, you would still be able to move - just with some tire slips.

If you have snowy slippery pavement and want better traction, steering or stopping ability then that's what snow tires are for. AWD may make driving in those conditions more sure and efficient, but it can't create traction where there is none.

Basically, if you have to deal with unpaved roads then get AWD. In all other cases it is optional, and most times the money is better spent on a good set of snow tires.

 

[Redlugnut]

If I could have found a Premium with front wheel drive I would have bought it. Alas the only cx-30s available near me were all AWD. So there was no decision for me to make. Not exactly sure how much this adds to my monthly payment but I like the vehicle so much that I really don't care. I'm just happy the color combo I wanted was available to keep my wife happy. (poly gray with white leather)

 

[Bengoshi Jack]

I was surprised that any local dealers (Michigan) have FWD. I see a couple of Preferred models with FWD which is my choice.. Have some logistical issues which will delay my looking to lease for at least another month. Want Soul Red but not seeing that color in FWD or Preferred for that matter. Could order one because I'm not in any urgent need. As to extra cost of AWD, I worked out the additional monthly lease payment with AWD and looks to be around $17/mo. Not a deal breaker, but I still would prefer FWD.

 

[applejelly]

Also worth considering is the FWD is faster (lighter weight) and has a larger fuel tank besides getting better fuel economy and costing less up front.

 

[TunaFresh]

AWD. More fun to drive in wet and snowy weather.

 

[Zolton]

I chose the AWD. While doing my pre-purchase research, the Crosstrek popped up many times. One of the "advantages" it had over the CX-30 was standard AWD. I get why those who chose FWD did, but it's interesting that AWD would be considered an advantage in comparison articles.

 

[Zolton]

Looks like AWD doesn't have many fans.
I picked this vehicle for my wife. We have winter here for 6 months a year. She has been driving the same Civic with Michelin X-Ice snows for the past 10 years and has never been stuck but, she has frequently been in situations that I believe AWD would have been to her advantage. The X-Ice snows on the Civic are shot now and she should notice a difference if I put new ones on but she is not one to notice much about any car other than the color. The performance sacrifice with the added weight of AWD would be a non-issue with her and for me the addition of AWD gives me extra piece of mind when she is out on the roads in crap weather.
My son recently had a 2020 Mazda 3 Hatch with AWD as a rental car. He owns a 2016 manual transmission Mazda 3 hatch and likes to drive "with gusto" let's say. He seemed to feel the AWD gave the car an extra bit a performance edge but that could be attributed to the newer models electronic performance aids. His opinion was also part of my decision to go with AWD.

 

[#LFGM!]

Agreed. The AWD was the way to go, for me anyway. We live in MN and get plenty of ice and snow here. Maybe not so much this winter, but we normally do. I have X-Ice tires on my '16 Camry and could tell a HUGE difference in winter driving performance. I don't know what kind of tires you got with your CX in Canada, but here in the States we got Bridgestone Turanzas, which I've always considered to be an inferior tire. I guess we'll see what next winter brings...

 

[TunaFresh]

It's nice to have, especially in areas that see snow/ice. Even in the rain it's nice to have. I feel it's worth the 1-2 mpg hit. Mazda's I-Active AWD system is also very good.

 

[TunaFresh]

 

[Zolton]

I don't know what kind of tires you got with your CX in Canada, but here in the States we got Bridgestone Turanzas, which I've always considered to be an inferior tire. I guess we'll see what next winter brings...

We haven't actually taken delivery yet. We do so tomorrow. We signed the deal a while ago but things being what they are right now, it got pushed back. I'm sure the tires will be the same or very similar but I plan on getting winter rims and snows for it anyways, so the all season tires it comes with won't be an issue. It's law to have snow tires in one province and insurance companies offer discounts if you have them in the rest of the country.

 

[Zolton]

Another point...the horse power and torque improvement in the 2.5 engine in the GS over the 2.0 in the GX (Canadian models) more than makes up for any performance loss going with AWD which adds 185 lbs.
2.5 has 31 horse power and 36 ft lbs of torque over the 2.0