Suspension Geomery

[Engineer60]

Quick update on the fuel economy, handling and traction now the tires have settled and first service carried out.

Mpg is now averaging 22.5 which beats the Volvo S40 2.0 auto it replaced which always was 20 mpg.

Handling and traction is so much better in AWD in wet slippy conditions its a joke leaving it in 2WD mode and on dry roads using full WOT especially bumpy tarmac, it's still best to use AWD.

I can only assume the road test driver reports I've read from the USA / rest of the world really did not explore the outer envelope of this cars AWD handling capabilities.

[murcod]

I don't think anyone who owns a FWD Kizashi is going to argue the potential benefits of AWD- especially when taking off from a standing start.

(However, the extra weight- and availability only with a CVT- far outweighed any traction benefits for me! If the Kizashi had an extra 50kW and 100Nm it would certainly need the AWD.)

[bootymac]

The AWD has made a big difference in our rainy weather. Hard to believe as I've never had many traction problems on our FWD cars to begin with.

[KuroNekko]

I hear you Murcod. I too wanted AWD, but given it was paired only with the CVT, I opted for the FWD 6 MT instead. I don't really need the AWD where I live, but can enjoy the 6 MT most of the time (DC stop-and-go traffic is agonizing).