That isn't what it cost the car company, that is what is cost the consumer. Look at most car/trucks that offer AWD, it is a $2K-$3K option

 

A quick look at Edmunds TMV MSRP shows.

Mercedes C240
2wd 31,560
awd 32,760

BMW 325
2wd 28,100
awd 29,850

Volvo s60
2wd 29,610
awd 31,385

Audi A4
2wd 25,250
awd 27,450

Infinity G35
2wd 30,100
awd 31,900

 

Audi's QUATTRO system is the most expensive, especially when translated into CDN funds. However, I am a very strong supporter of quattro (in case you didn't catch the drift ) - their system is one of the best, if not the best. Not only is it great that it's in a car (sitting quite low), it also is very effective in transferring power when wheels start slipping.

 

I think the point is; that more people (according to the article) wanting AWD are probably just really relying on "IT" and not skill or wisdom to help them negociate bad weather.
I fear that, just as "Air bags", AWD will give people a "SuperMan" complex, and you'll see more people sliding through stops, or overshooting turns in bad weather.
And really, for a prepared winter driver, is it really going to make a HUGE difference...

And have they considered or been informed of the decreased milage, increased complexity, repair expenses etc....probably not..

And when the snow really gets deep, you'll need some ground clearance to go with your AWD. That's where a good 4x4 truck comes in; their heavier, more agressive tread, more ground clearance from bigger tires and taller suspension, plows through where AWD cars fear to tread..

I like the commercial where the car (asuming AWD) tries to plow though the snow bank of a road entry that was buried by a plow truck. It ends up getting half way through, both sets of tires off the ground, just spinning its wheels... And some SUV comes along later, same situation, but just walks on through with little trouble..

 

While I understand all this talk of the "superman" complex with AWD... and I agree to a point....

The same thing can be in place for:

SUV owners.

FWD owners who think their car is far superior to RWD in the snow, so they drive like idiot.

RWD sports car owners who drive like idiots on drive payment, because they think they own it, and it is their birthright.

And many, many, many others.

In short... this is not a very valid arguement for manufacturers not to build AWD.

 

Well, the dealer's sure as heck not going to tell them. A smart consumer would read up on these things....Unfortunately most people rely on hearsay.

 

Looks more like a $1000 to $2000 difference in consumer cost. Almost the same as choosing between an automatic transmission and a manual. While car companies may charge slightly more for it, THEIR cost is not as high. AWD has more than just bad weather benefits. Your mileage is typically not any worse, your tires last longer and you can get better handling. What I mean by better handling is that AWD cars typically have faster lane change speeds than FWD or RWD cars (for dodging idiots who don't use their mirrors).

As far as any "superman" complex goes, let's face it, anyone who thinks they're superman is going to do it in RWD, FWD or AWD regardless. To borrow a line from Forrest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid does."

 

As far as repair costs go, I wouldn't know. I've not had to repair mine. But Subaru has a better quality rating that Toyota. I still see a lot of their AWD cars on the road. If AWD was any less reliable than RWD we'd have heard about it by now. Also, let me remind you that AWD and 4WD are NOT the same. While they share similarities, the technology behind both are different. I dare say most of you haven't even driven an AWD car and those that did probably didn't drive it for very long. Is AWD "better" than FWD or RWD? I'd say yes.