RWD vs AWD

[Toddasaurus]

Personally RWD is what I'd go for; in part because I'm partial to the bright 10 spoke rims. Then put the saved $2K towards a dedicated set of rims/snow tires for Winter driving.

Agreed with the look of the 10 spokers - they just look so good. I'll be getting the sport trim with the 5-spoke rims, and I would actually love to trade them for the 10-spokes instead.

 

[danygenesis]

Agreed with the look of the 10 spokers - they just look so good. I'll be getting the sport trim with the 5-spoke rims, and I would actually love to trade them for the 10-spokes instead.

That was the main reason I went with the Prestige instead of the Sport. I love the 10 spoke rims.

 

[kenbefound]

Agreed with the look of the 10 spokers - they just look so good. I'll be getting the sport trim with the 5-spoke rims, and I would actually love to trade them for the 10-spokes instead.

Agreed, but I love the look of the sport rims on the red G70 with the darkened trim. But mister cheapo here, only looking for a RWD w/ Advanced trim.

 

[steintm12]

Not the G70, but here's a relevant excerpt from a recent Motor Trend article on the closely related Stinger.

"Unless you really, truly, totally—be honest now—need AWD, I beg, plead, and implore you to go with the rear-drive Stinger. I've driven both versions back to back, and the RWD version steers, drives, and feels so much better. The rear-driver is 150 pounds lighter, and all of that extra heft sits over the front wheels. As for the Audis, all are Quattro (except for the loss-leader $349-a-month lease specials that are FWD), and although they drive well, there's no replacement for a proper rear-driver. Just the facts."

2018 Kia Stinger GT Review - Long Term Update 5 - MotorTrend

 

[Beefer]

^ totally disagree with that article. Quite idiotic actually.

 

[JayceM]

^ totally disagree with that article. Quite idiotic actually.

Making me feel better about my choice to get an AWD model this Fall. Thanks.

 

[joschneider]

I really wish we could have a real discussion about this. What motortrend said is the same thing Ive seen at car and driver, jalopnik, etc and Id like to know more. it seems odd that all these car people would be saying the same thing

 

[Toddasaurus]

I really wish we could have a real discussion about this. What motortrend said is the same thing Ive seen at car and driver, jalopnik, etc and Id like to know more. it seems odd that all these car people would be saying the same thing

I think there are two big differences between the G70 and Stinger when it comes to their respective AWD systems.

First, the AWD G70 has a rear LSD. The AWD Stinger does not (RWD does, though). This is important as it allows for power-on oversteer and gives an even stronger RWD 'feel' even though it's an AWD drivetrain.

Second, TCU software. When the traction control is turned fully off it allows up to something like 97% of power to go to the rear wheels, again enabling power oversteer.

Simply put, the G70 got things right with the AWD system, especially compared to the Stinger. So, even though the tranny and the transfer case are the same, there are other factors (listed above) that substantially change the behavior of the entire system to the point where you can't really compare them directly. That said, MotorTrend and Jalopnik are right - the Stinger's AWD system kind of really sucks. The G70's AWD setup, on the other hand, kicks ass.

 

[joschneider]

I think there are two big differences between the G70 and Stinger when it comes to their respective AWD systems.

First, the AWD G70 has a rear LSD. The AWD Stinger does not (RWD does, though). This is important as it allows for power-on oversteer and gives an even stronger RWD 'feel' even though it's an AWD drivetrain.

Second, TCU software. When the traction control is turned fully off it allows up to something like 97% of power to go to the rear wheels, again enabling power oversteer.

Simply put, the G70 got things right with the AWD system, especially compared to the Stinger. So, even though the tranny and the transfer case are the same, there are other factors (listed above) that substantially change the behavior of the entire system to the point where you can't really compare them directly. That said, MotorTrend and Jalopnik are right - the Stinger's AWD system kind of really sucks. The G70's AWD setup, on the other hand, kicks ass.

this is great info! I do think the type of AWD system matters, the same way the rwd diff matters. I do wonder though, if the awd in the G70 is supposed to almost go to 100% rwd in 'sporty' driving then wouldnt that mean that they know that rwd is the ideal driving dynamics for sporty driving? I dont know if that 5-10% going to the fronts would pull you out the corner any better than having less weight all around in a RWD version of the same car

 

[joschneider]

I should add....ideal conditions. Dry roads...anything slightly wet or slippery, and I can concede that AWD will be much better in those conditions all around

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[steintm12]

Good point on the differences between the Stinger and G70.

I'd be curious to see more G70 reviews directly discussing the differences between the AWD and RWD, subjectively and objectively. The Motor Trend COTY article tested both (minimal differences in objective test data) and seemed to favor the RWD ("this one, with rear-wheel drive, put it all together for me"), but nothing substantial. The Road & Track article mentioned previously (post #40) preferred the RWD more explicitly.

 

[CoconutRob]

this is great info! I do think the type of AWD system matters, the same way the rwd diff matters. I do wonder though, if the awd in the G70 is supposed to almost go to 100% rwd in 'sporty' driving then wouldnt that mean that they know that rwd is the ideal driving dynamics for sporty driving? I dont know if that 5-10% going to the fronts would pull you out the corner any better than having less weight all around in a RWD version of the same car

With traction and stability off full time 90% to rear wheels called by Genesis "Drift Mode". And I will say I thaught the Awd g70 felt a lot better then awd stinger.

 

[NLJ]

Some journalist just say shit to hopefully get street cred! RWD, stick, hydraulic power steering, etc.
How many of these guys even know the difference between a good steering or a clutch pedal anyway?

 

[Chad86tsi]

The GT2 version (highest trim) of the stinger has an LSD. I wonder which version was tested. All the other trims do not have LSD.

 

[JayceM]

The GT2 version (highest trim) of the stinger has an LSD. I wonder which version was tested. All the other trims do not have LSD.

The 2018 GT2 model didn't have it on the AWD though, while the G70 does.

 

[EdP]

Some journalist just say shit to hopefully get street cred! RWD, stick, hydraulic power steering, etc.
How many of these guys even know the difference between a good steering or a clutch pedal anyway?

Very true. The handing characteristics will vary with the situation too. They are often testing under conditions we get to see only a small part of the time. It can be fun to let loose on the back roads but the opportunity is minimal. Most of the driving we do though is a commute to work in some traffic, a trip to the grocery store with the kids.

I have AWD and lived in snow territory and it was really nice to have on the hills. Now I live where there is no snow and no hills and I honestly cannot tell what the difference in handling is 98% of the time. Chances are, I will pass on AWD next time.

 

[Chad86tsi]

The 2018 GT2 model didn't have it on the AWD though, while the G70 does.

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According to Kia ^ the LSD is standard on the GT2, and optional on the GT. AWD is optional on all trims.

 

[JayceM]

http://[URL]https://www.kia.com/us/en/build/stinger/2018/trims?trim=121&model=751

[/URL]

According to Kia ^ the LSD is standard on the GT2, and optional on the GT. AWD is optional on all trims.

Ok, so I followed the Stinger release religiously before deciding to go for the G70 instead. As you can see in the circled portion from the Kia site you just linked, there is no LSD if you get AWD. It's RWD only. The AWD models only have torque vectoring. There's even forums with people talking about possibly installing LSD in their 2018 AWD models.

 

[Beefer]

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Kia America, Inc. provides a wide range of cars that meet your lifestyle. Browse our luxury or sports sedans, hybrids, electric cars, SUVs & hatchbacks.

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According to Kia ^ the LSD is standard on the GT2, and optional on the GT. AWD is optional on all trims.

LSD is only the RWD version of the GT2...not the AWD.

 

[joschneider]

Some journalist just say shit to hopefully get street cred! RWD, stick, hydraulic power steering, etc.
How many of these guys even know the difference between a good steering or a clutch pedal anyway?

I do agree with this, so many times it seems they’re just saying shit because they feel they are required to in order to make sure others know they are part of the ‘car guy’ tribe.

All I’m saying is this could be proven if a reviewer wanted to. Take the same trim of both and awd and rwd g70, throw it on the skid pad, the drag strip and then you have your data. That way you can choose handling or speed or both if one happens to come out on top. I genuinely don’t know how that would play out and don’t think I’ve ever seen a test like that

I think one thing we haven’t mentioned that’s important for anyone to know: awd has higher drivetrain loss compared to rwd. Meaning more power from the engine is lost compared to what gets put to the wheels. We’re talking 5-10% more loss but it should still be called out