If you live near the beach AWD is just better here on the coast. Well worth the extra cost (for me).

 

AWD is only good for traction accelerating. You do not get any AWD benefit while braking.
If your area regularly gets a lot of snow, then 2WD with snow tires would probably be fine for city driving. If you go offroading in your CRV then yes AWD would be handy.

If you are planning to just use all seasons in snowy weather, then AWD is better than 2WD. But snow tires on 2WD will be way better than any AWD car with all seasons.

 

I suppose there's a performance boost in theory, but if you want a "performance" car, a CR-V probably isn't for you.

Is AWD worth it for safety reasons? Here in Raleigh, the safest thing to do when there's a bunch of wintery stuff on the ground is to stay home and out of the way of the idiots that forget 4 Wheel Drive doesn't really have much relevance when it comes time to stop. (Everybody's got 4 Wheel Stop.) So, yeah, AWD's not real useful here.

 

My '07 CRV was a FWD and I lived in GA, AL and then upstate NY the last 3 yrs with it. I never had a problem although there were a few times AWD would have been handy since being in NY. I certainly wouldn't say it was necessary in GA but if you have plans on traveling up north it may be nice to have. You would probably never need it but there are times it is nice to have.

 

Nuthin' is going to help you on ice except studded tires.

Even with that, in Atlanta you would be restricted by all the dweebs who don't have studs. (You can only go as fast as the guy in the old Corolla ahead of you, the guy with the worn-out tires.)

My opinion is that a 2wd vehicle with good snow tires is superior to a 4WD vehicle with all weather tires. A recent Consumer Reports bears this out.

http://www.consumerreports.org/tires/winter-snow-vs-all-season-tires-comparison/?loginMethod=auto

Consumer Reports tests consistently show that winter/snow tires deliver better grip to start in snow and stop on icy surfaces. They offer an extra margin of performance over all-season and all-terrain tires, and we have the data to prove it.

+++

AWD vehicles cost 10% more than 2wd, but you get that back at trade-in. You DO pay for the extra drive hardware in MPG on every fill-up. (1 - 2 MPG less over the time you own the car) So, YOU make the decision.

 

Nuthin' is going to help you on ice except studded tires.
My opinion is that a 2wd vehicle with good snow tires is superior to a 4WD vehicle with all weather tires. A recent Consumer Reports bears this out.

I'll certainly vouch for that. I've had an Audi A4 and Subaru Outback with AWD and all-seasons, and RWD BMW 325i and FWD Mazda3 with winter tires. The two with winter tires easily best the other two in snow, with the RWD BMW being the best since you aren't steering and accelerating with the same wheels.

 

I was in the same boat, 2WD or AWD. I live in Northern VA, and I also have a Yukon. I gave it alot of thought and realized that my 17 year old YUKON has been in 2WD for most of its life. Yea, there have a few times over the years after big snows I put in AWD just to have some fun. I can't even recall putting it into 4 wheel drive in the last 10 years.

So, this past weekend while trying to decide on my new CRV, 2WD vs AWD, I chose 2WD. Another reason for my decision was price. I was almost ready to pull the trigger on the EX with AWD, an discovered that the EX-L 2WD was only 1200 bucks more... That made it a no brainer.... I was out the door with a price of $29.5, including all taxes and fees.

Got a 150 miles on it since picking it up this past Saturday. Runs like a champ, and if it ever does snow, the city clears snow faster than it can build any depth around this region. Front wheel drive can handle 4 inches with no problem. More than that, I would just wait for the snow plows to do their job....

Unless your in area further north, or you have do deal with any off road situations regularly (muddy areas etc etc), I see no reason for AWD and the extra maintenance expense associated with it down the road.

 

Thanks everyone for the opinions! They are helpful.

 

If 2WD with snows is superior than AWD with All Seasons, then AWD with Snows is Superior to 2WD with Snows. When comparing the two versions, I don't think it makes sense to compare them with different tires.

AWD will be better in the snow than 2WD (assuming the same kind of tires) but in the real world, it's ultimately better to stay home as others suggested.

Ultimately, it will come in handy in some situations. I prefer to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Also, it isn't 10% more expensive than 2WD, it's anywhere from 3.9% to 5% depending on what trim you're buying. It's $1300 more.

Some people are very certain they want 2WD and I suspect they won't have regrets. But because you are not totally certain, I would side with AWD unless you can come to certainty that 2AWD is all you'll ever need.

 

I'm also in Atlanta, went with AWD because, unlike our Gen2 CR-V, the AWD system in the 2017 is working for you on dry pavement, rain, and snow. The AWD system costs $1,300 (around 4% more on the Touring), which isn't much to me. The AWD system requires a little more maintenance, and loses 1 mpg. Not enough negatives to make me not want it. The extra traction is useful, particularly on a gravel road when we drive up to the mountains and go mountain biking.

 

In my shopping at various dealers before buying, I don't recall seeing a single FWD CR-V on the lot. (Upstate NY).

Having owned FWD, RWD (part time 4WD) and AWD vehicles, I like the AWD. It's especially handy for better "getting going" from stop signs/lights. Especially when making turns at intersections as they tend to slush up/snow piles up - it keeps you heading where you want to head. We can get multi-inch per hour snowfall rates here, so even with plowing, it's not uncommon to be on the road with several inches of snow since the last plow pass and with lots of snow at intersections. (I live in a suburban area). Not all of us have the ability to stay home and off the road in bad weather.

Although at least based on limited driving in snow since I bought my CR-V, I may have to get different tires or snow tires for next year. I was underwhelmed with handling/traction compared to my previous AWD vehicle (a Ford).

 

I am a big fan of AWD. Even if you only need it once every couple of month or even a couple of times a year. When you need AWD traction(not for stopping, but for going) it will be worth the $1300-$1500. Plus, you get most of it back when you trade in or sell the car later on.

 

I live on a cul-de-sac with north facing steep hill. I have had AWD on my preceding two CR-V's and got on my 2017. Without it I would be stuck at home for days. With it I can get up the hill and on my way when all my 2WD neighbors are home bound.

Also, after a dry spell, when it rains the roads have an oil build up and the intersections become rather slick. AWD really helps me get up to traffic speed when I have to start and make a turn onto the road.

Would not have a vehicle without it.

 

My wife wants AWD because she "might" need it in case of emergency. Back in the "good old days" of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, I put snow tires on her car every winter and she never drove in the snow at all. $1,300 is a cheap price to pay for her peace of mind and peace in the family. Also, the resale is more than the cost of AWD and it makes the car much easier to sell. Besides, if it is FWD, it's just another station wagon.

 

whats nice about AWD is the vehicle seems to handle better in all situations. And I agree about winter tires vs. all-season. I put 2 different sets of winter tires on 2 of my BMW 3 series coupes, and BOTH drove better in light snow than my current front wheel drive Accord Coupe. I personally do not like FWD, never buy another one again.. Too front heavy and tires spin at hard acceleration from standing start.

Plus regarding CRVs, our primary residence is in NJ and its actually difficult to find a non-AWD CRV. And if you purchase AWD, resale easily helps getting most of the lousy $1,300 back. To me that is a bargain price for AWD

 

So the resale value is more if you have AWD. Why shouldn't it be? You paid a lot more for the vehicle. It is all proportional.

I'll take the FWD and save money on the purchase and maintenance, plus more mpg. Yes I drive in the snow and ice and maintain control of my vehicle. All cars have all four wheels braking as needed. It's called driving with common sense, which really is not all that common.

"You pay your money and your take your choices."

 

Go FWD. Better gas mileage, less potential repairs, less waste of power being sent to rear wheels and I doubt you'll be slipping much in that climate. The ride will also be smoother too in a fwd.

 

I agree with all reasons plus one more. With the 2WD, if you get a non-repairable flat you don't need to replace all for tires just because on have 20,000 miles on them. I live in Virginia Beach, never go off road. 2 WD is all I need.

 

I wouldn't buy AWD in Atlanta, GA. FWD is more than enough in Atlanta, GA.

 

So many opinions and you have to remember that is what they are. I lived near where you are and no, I can't say I needed AWD. BUT, I do have this one stop close to my house that as soon as you need to start accelerating it is a brief steep incline. My FWD CRV always struggled with that stop in every weather condition. Dry, wet, snowy...whatever. My back wheels always fought a bit before finding a grip. My '17 AWD CRV goes up that incline without a problem at all. I put up the AWD icon and saw and felt the AWD engage...such adifference.

Point of my story is that you may never need it but there may be those rare times you do. Being where you are you certainly would not be buying winter tires so that factor doesn't mean much for you. My advice, if you have the money, go AWD. If going with AWD brings your car payment to an uncomfortable level or it means going down a trim to get it, then you'll 99% of the time be fine without.

 

Interesting pros and cons. I live in Wisconsin in the city. We get plenty of snow. I've never had an AWD vehicle and have never got stuck. We have a 10 Prius and had an 05 Odyssey. We got about 3 inches of snow yesterday. Not a problem at all for my FWD CR-V. Again, I don't drive in rural areas much. FWD CR-Vs are definitely rare to find at dealers around me. Obviously it's in their interest to sell more AWD.

 

I think some folks are missing the point of AWD, snow is only one aspect & I admit doesn't impact many people who live in the South. To me the vehicle handles better in all road situations including dry

 

I will not buy one without AWD. Why? Its not about snow, although it does help. Its about everyday driving. Its about taking off from a stop sign on a rainy day and there is traffic coming. You don't want wheel spin and the loss of control that comes with it. I really notice that when I drive our FWD Fit. With all the low speed torque the CVT gives you easily spin the front wheels without the AWD system.

The AWD system engages all four wheels on every take off. It turns off around 15 MPH or so if I recall. Then it will come on as needed based on wheel speed if it sees slippage. I worked over 40 years in the automotive industry in technical program development and education. I drove hundreds of different style vehicles with every type of drive, traction control system, and AWD system. For me AWD is the only way to go and the computer controlled system Honda uses is just great for me. It is different and it is worth every penny it costs for me. Besides, I get my money back out of it when I sell or trade it. Why on earth would I get the FWD car?

I ran into a lady one day who had driven AWD models for a few years. Someone had told her not to waste her money on AWD where we live due to low snow here (usually). She bought a new FWD car and ended up trading it off after a year to get back in a AWD model. Ask her about AWD and see what she has to say.

Its your money, spend it as you will. But for me and many others AWD is the way to go. Once you buy the car its too late to upgrade. Now, if you are some old fart that drives around at 25 MPH, creeps away from stops, never drives in the rain or snow then maybe FWD is good enough for you. When you go to sell or trade that car notice that buyers are also looking for AWD models and will pay more to get them. There must be a reason.

 

With AWD you can go on the beach farther than most cars can travel to get a great location to surf and beach comb. Only live once!

 

I'm a firm believer that I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. That being said the wife has a new AWD Touring model.

 

I have two stories to tell

Story #1: I was at the Audi dealer in Nashua, NH, talking to a young salesman, I was asking for the 2WD A4, he looked at me confusingly and said "are you sure? you know we are living in the snowy area, right? can't drive anything unless 4WD, just can't". I was like "were your grandpa living here in the northeast since? either there was no snow whatsoever in the last 50 years or he had had AWD car back then which was good for him"

Story #2: I've seen many many many AWD SUV owners zipping fast and very fast on snow, slush, sleek, icy road on I-93, passing everyone on the interstate, ended up in accidents and still mumbling "what the h. just happened, I have a 4-wheel-drive, it supposes to be great".


It all comes down to the driver common-sense and their driving skills.
That's it

The CR-V is my very first AWD, I'll see how it cuts through snow or climbs up my driveway during winter.
Hope I can find something good to say about it.

 

Well jeez. Finally some real data. A lady didn't like FWD. Who cares? All BS. You buy what you like. I buy what I like. Period.

 

I am really pleased with AWD for wet weather traction in our new CR-V. I hated the FWD and the intervening traction control when starting from a stop with my previous car. I had to apply the throttle so gingerly in any wet weather. Now, I don't give it a second thought, just go without any slippage and without any electronic nannies cutting the power or applying the brakes to stop wheel slip.