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

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......?

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

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.

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.

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

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.....

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.

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.

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

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

Thanks again,

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