Motor Trend RWD vs AWD Thoughts

[Dan1028]

2018 Kia Stinger GT Long-Term Update 4: Crashing for Science - Motor Trend

Oh, Jonny. It's not a prepro thing.

 

[brancky3]

"This allows me to make a key observation after driving two vehicles essentially back to back for the same duty cycle: Unless you absolutely need all-wheel drive, buy the rear-driver. The biggest difference is that the steering feel is worlds better."

That's kind of how I feel too about never buying AWD unless you absolutely need it. The negative aspects would outweigh the positive for me, living in the south. When I lived in Detroit I had multiple AWD cars, because the positives of AWD far outweighed the negatives. But, I'm surprised to hear the RWD steering feel is 'worlds better'? I didn't think there was anything different about the steering between the two?

Also, I haven't heard of any issues with the shift-by-wire shifter, in fact I absolutely love mine. Hopefully his was just a one-off issue like he was told

 

[Callum]

I've never had any transmission issues. That sounds like a low ATF situation. My AMG did that, I was 2 quarts low. Instead of complaining about it and making it sound like the car are improperly engineered take it in and have it checked.

" Moreover, I spent a bunch of time trying to reproduce the flaw (violently putting the car in gear, whacking it forward with the palm of my hand) from the other car, and I couldn't."

I mean, if I sat there and slammed the rear hatch and banged around the rear cargo area violently I'm sure I could make something rattle, but I don't. I take it to the dealer and get it fixed. If my transmission slips or goes into neutral I don't violently abuse the transmission by slamming it into gear and vigorously slam the shifter back and forth. What kind of review is this?

 

[mldavis2]

I drove both AWD and RWD and didn't notice any significant difference. Maybe if you're throwing the car around a rally course there might be a heavier feel to the extra weight on the AWD front end, but for daily driving, it's a non-issue. This isn't a rally car, it's a GT.

I originally tried to order a GT1 to avoid the drive-by-wire shifter (and the 2X more expensive windshield) but they couldn't get one the way I wanted it so I settled for a GT2. In retrospect, the shifter is a non-issue since the paddles are what you use. The solenoid shifter is perhaps less likely to cause problems with a simple solenoid than adding the mechanical linkage to the same computer transmission controls. The only function of the solenoid shifter that I can see is F/R selection, and returning to D quickly after using the paddles. Again, a non-issue for me.

 

[CaliSting]

Depends on driving you do. For most of middle of US roads are fairly smooth and straight. Would be tough to tell difference.

If you live in mountains with twisty roads and don’t need traction for winter snow then RWD car feels way better with great turn turn in.

I have driven both and difference is huge for enthusiast driver.

To me the RWD GT is essence of Stinger concept. AWD is further removed and a compromise of the design. Plus lots of AWD sedans but not many rear wheel drive GTs left in the world.

 

[brancky3]

Depends on driving you do. For most of middle of US roads are fairly smooth and straight. Would be tough to tell difference.

If you live in mountains with twisty roads and don’t need traction for winter snow then RWD car feels way better with great turn turn in.

I have driven both and difference is huge for enthusiast driver.

To me the RWD GT is essence of Stinger concept. AWD is further removed and a compromise of the design. Plus lots of AWD sedans but not many rear wheel drive GTs left in the world.

I only drove the AWD 2.0T and it felt HEAVY compared to a RWD GT; it was probably mostly the engine making it feel heavier though... Living 10 minutes south of the mountains myself, I don't regret my decision for RWD in any regard.

 

[Doel]

I haven't driven the AWD Stinger myself but from my experience with other AWD cars steering feel is generally dulled a bit because your steering wheels are also drive wheels.

AWD cars launch harder though, so just pros and cons.

 

[Waynerm002]

The RWD has a tighter turning circle and I think it makes the car more nimble as well, based on how they felt when I drove them. The AWD was a compromise for me.

 

[Callum]

The RWD has a tighter turning circle and I think it makes the car more nimble as well, based on how they felt when I drove them. The AWD was a compromise for me.

I did not want AWD at first. I figured I can get a "sports sedan" that's good in all weather then go get a hardcore performance car for the real fun.

I'm happy I did the AWD

 

[eljay]

I haven't heard of any issues with the shift-by-wire shifter, in fact I absolutely love mine. Hopefully his was just a one-off issue like he was told

Nope, it's not a one-off. There's a whole thread on here about it. Mine, a 2017 build, has intermittently had the problem ever since the beginning—generally when, I'm shifting to D after slowly backing out of the garage or a parking slot. It's not just popping into neutral randomly, but only when I shift from R to D or, occasionally, D to R while braked. On the thread, several of us reported the problem and were basically gaslighted, being told (by know-it-alls with later builds) that it was our own dumb fault, and that it either had something to do with the way we held the gearshift button or our not having our feet firmly on our brake pedals. The thread died, evidently because people with 2018 builds don't have the problem. I was thrilled to read this article and find that I was right all along, and it's not me.

 

[Doel]

Nope, it's not a one-off. There's a whole thread on here about it. Mine, a 2017 build, has intermittently had the problem ever since the beginning—generally when, I'm shifting to D after slowly backing out of the garage or a parking slot. It's not just popping into neutral randomly, but only when I shift from R to D or, occasionally, D to R while braked. On the thread, several of us reported the problem and were basically gaslighted, being told (by know-it-alls with later builds) that it was our own dumb fault, and that it either had something to do with the way we held the gearshift button or our not having our feet firmly on our brake pedals. The thread died, evidently because people with 2018 builds don't have the problem. I was thrilled to read this article and find that I was right all along, and it's not me.

you should definitely swing by the dealership about it.

 

[eljay]

you should definitely swing by the dealership about it.

I've asked them to look into it, but they couldn't reproduce it, nor could I. Since it doesn't happen predictably or all that often, I didn't press the issue and focused my complaints on getting a free fix for my paint chip. I'll be calling the corporate line now that I have the article as back-up to prove I'm not just a whiny woman who doesn't know how to drive.

 

[MerlintheMad]

"One more difference between the two cars: The crash victim is a RWD Stinger GT. The replacement car turned out to be AWD. This allows me to make a key observation after driving two vehicles essentially back to back for the same duty cycle: Unless you absolutely need all-wheel drive, buy the rear-driver. The biggest difference is that the steering feel is worlds better. But everything about the Stinger—its sportiness, the joy of just driving around—is better. More so than you might think."

That is poorly written. I cannot tell which car he's on about. I suppose he's lauding the "worlds better" steering feel as the RWD. But he's saying something in the last two sentences that either seems redundant or counter. The steering "feel" in my AWD is fantastic. So, "it's Greek to me".

(edit to add: Okay, I just needed to reread it ten times. He loves the RWD and would put up with an AWD if he "absolutely" needed it; but either Stinger is better at being a joyful, sportier ride than, whatever other ride you are comparing it to. )

 

[Doel]

"One more difference between the two cars: The crash victim is a RWD Stinger GT. The replacement car turned out to be AWD. This allows me to make a key observation after driving two vehicles essentially back to back for the same duty cycle: Unless you absolutely need all-wheel drive, buy the rear-driver. The biggest difference is that the steering feel is worlds better. But everything about the Stinger—its sportiness, the joy of just driving around—is better. More so than you might think."

That is poorly written. I cannot tell which car he's on about. I suppose he's lauding the "worlds better" steering feel as the RWD. But he's saying something in the last two sentences that either seems redundant or counter. The steering "feel" in my AWD is fantastic. So, "it's Greek to me".

considering he just say buy the rwd, it's pretty clear he's talking about the rwd.

He doesn't say the AWD drives badly, just that the RWD drives better.

 

[MerlintheMad]

considering he just say buy the rwd, it's pretty clear he's talking about the rwd.

He doesn't say the AWD drives badly, just that the RWD drives better.

Yeah. See my added edit comment.

 

[BBB]

Move to Canada and then you don't have to worry about which to buy - AWD is the only option.

 

[Wilzer]

Agree, the steering wheel feels better, or more like what I am used to with a RWD, but I bought AWD on knowledgeable friend's advice, we will see how that turns out but can set the effort to 80% read 20% front in custom by selecting AWD sport. Feels pretty good and I also Drive Wife's front wheel drive Volvo, so am used to feel. What I wish is that you could switch it off and on like you used to be able to do in off road vehicles. I probably could find the fuse that turns front off and then wire a switch back to the cabin, but what would that do with warranty?

Am getting used to the difference, and think there may be some benefit, traded in a Corvette and really hated how it would spin out on acceleration.

 

[GRStinger]

I found the most interesting thing about the article is that a guy who drives cars for a living backed into his neighbor's car in the the middle of a sunny day. Maybe he's also a part-time wine taster.

 

[westcoastGT]

I found the most interesting thing about the article is that a guy who drives cars for a living backed into his neighbor's car in the the middle of a sunny day. Maybe he's also a part-time wine taster.

I resemble that remark ...........................

 

[Doel]

I found the most interesting thing about the article is that a guy who drives cars for a living backed into his neighbor's car in the the middle of a sunny day. Maybe he's also a part-time wine taster.

hmmm maybe this guy is actually angel's wife??