Two-Wheel Drive or Four-Wheel Drive.. ?

MHG
MHG Forum Participant Posts: 53
edited May 2018 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hello All,

I am after some friendly engine advice & (dare I say it) opinions please.

Looking at a specific tow car – a Mazda CX5 – so would really welcome thoughts on those that tow/have towed with this car.

All CX5 models share the same 2.2 diesel engine – however there are three variants available :

2WD 150bhp (two wheel drive)
AWD 150bhp (all/four wheel drive)
AWD 175bhp.

All models are rated same 2000kg for towing.

My current caravan’s mtplm is 1394kg… so in reality the 2WD on paper should be more than able?

I am wondering what peoples experiences are towing using similar size 2WD SUV’s.

Would I see a noticeable difference in the AWD or 170bhp version over and above the 2WD – to warrant the increase in ££ to buy, to tax and suffer the reduced mpg.

Thanks all

Comments

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited May 2018 #2

    Would I see a noticeable difference in the AWD

    You would on a muddy field or a sloping gravel track....

    Probably not on the M6...

    I suppose it depends on the type of sites you use......?

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #3

    I can't see there'd be much difference in mpg between a 150 bhp engine & the 170

  • MHG
    MHG Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited May 2018 #4

    We use hardstanding pitches on CC sites in the UK - no muddy or wet fields.

    Plenty of motorway miles - including treking to the South of France once a year. There are a few inclines - but nothing mountainous. 

    The Mazda AWD system i believe is 2WD as standard, sending power to the rear if & when required.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2018 #5

    Our AWD 'came with' the car we wanted (weight and seats) and there was no choice, it is like your - on demand but can be locked. While on normal roads and normal conditions I don't notice any difference but it really proved it in the snowy conditions and we kept moving when others were stuck and sliding about. Again not very helpful unless you live in the far north?

    What I do really enjoy when towing is it's 202bhp which makes going up hills and all actually all towing much easier.

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited May 2018 #6

    All through my motoring career I have found that the bigger engined, more powerful, most specified cars have given me the most driving pleasure....smile

    I would go for the best you can afford.....maybe even the company is paying...?

    Life is far too short to worry about a couple of mpg......

    Let the next generation worry about that.....innocent

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2018 #7

    AWD for me as we van all year and some of the campsites we visit are in remote and high (up to 2000 feet).  Unless it's changed recently I think the CX5 has a fairly low nose weight, seem to remember 75kg.

  • MHG
    MHG Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited May 2018 #8

    Good shout re the tow ball - Im not sure of the early models.

    The 2015 model won the Towcar Award for its weight and has 88kg nose weight.

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #9

    MHG,  We have been caravanning since about 1978 and over the years have tried pretty well all forms of front wheel drive, rear wheel drive and AWD.  We have stuck with AWD since 1998 and I don't think we will ever depart from that now.

    Its not just the mud etc you need to think about. I did get stuck once on a wet & greasy ferry ramp, that was with front wheel drive only, and the weight of the properly loaded caravan was enough to take too much downforce off the front wheels traction.  There are many other road conditions where AWD can make a difference to your security.

    In the end its really your choice, but if I can, i will always opt for the more powerful engine it can make driving that much more enjoyable.

    Enjoy your caravanning!

    TF

  • MHG
    MHG Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited May 2018 #10

    Cheers All.. i think unanimously AWD/4x4 is the way to go.

    Thanks again,

  • DavidOldmoley
    DavidOldmoley Forum Participant Posts: 43
    edited May 2018 #11

    In my opinion awd is only way. Had awd for ages now and would not change. Extra power always nice too.laughing

  • jennyc
    jennyc Forum Participant Posts: 957
    500 Comments
    edited May 2018 #12

    Our AWD experiences are similarly positive, as are people’s comments on power. But for real problem slopes and grip failure, you need FWD lock. You can’t use lock for mainstream driving because with lock engaged you’ll ‘wind up’ the transmission, but in an emergency it makes a difference. Real life situations for us have been, a very lose steep approach at Glastonbury festival, a very sharp incline with a friable surface on an Isle of Wight site, sloping wet grass on a C&MC site where the warden was having to tow vans out with a tractor.

  • MHG
    MHG Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited May 2018 #13

    Agree... and with that rationale.. anyone for a Six-Wheel Drive..?!! 

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