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

MHG replied on 08/05/2018 10:57

MHG

Posted on 08/05/2018 10:57

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

12 replies

jennyc replied on 10/05/2018 05:45

jennyc

Caravanner from Suffolk

Posted on 10/05/2018 05:45

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.