Regal GS FWD vs. AWD?

[STAllen]

Considering purchasing a 2014 Regal GS, and i want to hear if AWD is worth the extra weight and money. Some reviews say it totally transforms the car, while others say that it doesn't make much difference.


Please set the record straight.

 

[DonRican]

Depends on how you drive. If you have a heavy foot it's worth every penny. The FWD has a light torque steer that can be annoying when you hit the gas hard and turn at the same time. With AWD you can also launch better if you like drag racing. If you put mods on the car it's a must. If you live in a state with snow it's worth it. If you live in Miami and you just tool around town looking good then it's not worth it. If you just want to impress your clients without following the crowd or need a daly driver that looks awesome then you don't need it. The FWD Hiperstrut system is the best I've driven. Tooling around town you don't notice torque steer.

Hope that helps.

 

[RegalGSLover]

I would definitely go with the AWD version.

 

[kranz38]

awd... then give it to me il trade you

 

[MikeC725]

I think Don summed it up pretty good.

Come on kranz, we all know you wouldn't want an auto......... 😉

 

[polo3433]

I had an ATS 3.6 AWD for a week. It was a huge difference in acceleration and handling over my GS. Haven't had my GS a year yet but want to trade it in for the AWD version.

 

[Sonny@bnr]

Wish the awd came with a manual

 

[TheGS]

I wish i had an AWD...

on the other hand when i hit a pot hole it cost me $43 for a prorated tire. My friend at work with an A4 hit a pothole... There goes a $1000. For the people that dont know, your tires have to be of the same tread wear or it messes with the AWD system. So in his case he is half way through is tire life and now is screwed and has to buy a whole set.

 

[bennyblaze]

I wish i had an AWD...

on the other hand when i hit a pot hole it cost me $43 for a prorated tire. My friend at work with an A4 hit a pothole... There goes a $1000. For the people that dont know, your tires have to be of the same tread wear or it messes with the AWD system. So in his case he is half way through is tire life and now is screwed and has to buy a whole set.

DO not mind AWD, but as you said the maintenance is expensive!

 

[cubaniche]

FWD on the GS is really good. I haven't had any hint at torque steer at all.

It depends on your goals for the car. AWD drive train losses are kinda huge on this Haldex system. I guess if you add power and go bigger turbo whenever one becomes available then it wouldn't be so bad. But in stock form, the AWD system saps power from the already measly 259 crank HP.

Its all in the eye of the beholder I guess. Best thing you can do OP is go drive both variants and make a decision based on your own opinion having driven both.

 

[DonRican]

"2014 Buick Regal GS AWD 0-60 mph 6.2 Quarter Mile 14.3"

That isn't as bad as I thought it would be. With a better exhaust and tune you could be under 6.

http://www.zeroto60times.com/Buick-0-60-mph-Times.html

 

[wierz11]

I'd definitely pick AWD over FWD, even if I lose the 6MT. Traction > Power when you launch, and you can always tune it to gain more power while retaining traction. You can't retain traction with more power with FWD, just ask Kranz 😉

 

[talan7]

this car is too heavy with awd, and too underpowered. I would go awd just for the safety/traction. Also, if you tune, awd would be better setup. But no manual.

BTW, I saw a Chevy SS on the road the other day. Nice looking in person. I think it's overpriced though.

 

[cubaniche]

I'd definitely pick AWD over FWD, even if I lose the 6MT. Traction > Power when you launch, and you can always tune it to gain more power while retaining traction. You can't retain traction with more power with FWD, just ask Kranz 😉

Agreed. The AWD system is nice for sure.

But think about all the moving parts involved in the Haldex system always having to shift power. If your goal is to make bigger power on a bigger turbo, the launches are going to kill that system.

I haven't seen a stock AWD setup making considerably more power over stock that hasn't failed eventually due to how harsh launches are on an AWD setup.

Like I said earlier, it just depends on what your goals are and what type of money your willing to throw at it. If you don't care, then everything I said is moot 😉

I drove an AWD and a FWD and it was a big difference. I had my heart set on the AWD and was let down by the power delivery. Then started thinking about the modding plans I had in mind and got scared by the idea of the AWD system braking and everything that entailed.

It was kinda like the XTS Vsport I test drove. 410HP and it felt like a WHALE. Then I drove the new CTS Vsport and it was a night and day difference. CTS MOVED out.

It just comes down to personal preference, how you plan to drive the car and what you plan to use it for in the end.

 

[NormT]

Legitimate BMW competitor? The GS AWD must be good!

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1403_2014_buick_regal_gs_awd_snow_drive/?fullsite=true

 

[DonRican]

Legitimate BMW competitor? The GS AWD must be good!

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1403_2014_buick_regal_gs_awd_snow_drive/?fullsite=true

The context of this is the snowy northeast.

I would like to hear from the creator of the thread on how he intends to use it. If you aren't racing a BMW in the snow then the AWD might be too much. Then again if you simply don't want to feel any torque steer ever then it might be worth it.

My understanding of AWD is that some take time to build pressure before launch. Power braking would most likely resolve that. But no one power brakes from light to light anyway.

Haldex makes the AWD system for the Bugatti Veyron. At least its a company that seems to know what they're doing.

 

[cubaniche]

Haldex makes the AWD system for the Bugatti Veyron. At least its a company that seems to know what they're doing.

For sure! It's definitely a nice system, no argument there. Here is a quick vid of how the new system works, which I believe is the same one on the '14 GS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbs9TeS6Qxo

As I mentioned earlier, I was all gung-ho about the AWD system in the 14's and then disliked it enough to where I opted for the FWD. The decision, mainly based on the fact that I live in Houston where AWD is not necessary, I don't plan on going to the drag strip and doing dig runs all the time from light to light, and I didn't care much for the expense of fixing it when it eventually broke due to the power I was throwing at it.

Since there was no RWD version, the FWD with it's HiPerstrut and IDC system, was enough for me.

So, back on topic, as with everything, there are going to be people that are pro and people that are against. None of that really matters though. It all comes down to personal preference and how you plan to use the vehicle.

 

[BamCam]

which I believe is the same one on the '14 GS:

I believe the '14 comes with the Gen IV version. Not really sure what the differences are.

Having owned both the FWD and AWD version, from my experience the FWD did seem quicker from a dig but there are too many differences between the two cars (one a '12, 6spd, FWD and the other '14, auto, AWD) to say the AWD is the only contributing factor to this. I blame the auto more than the AWD.

 

[cubaniche]

I believe the '14 comes with the Gen IV version. Not really sure what the differences are.

Having owned both the FWD and AWD version, from my experience the FWD did seem quicker from a dig but there are too many differences between the two cars (one a '12, 6spd, FWD and the other '14, auto, AWD) to say the AWD is the only contributing factor to this. I blame the auto more than the AWD.

Awesome, thanks for the clarification!

I guess the auto could be blamed. To be fair, I kinda love the new 6T70 in the '14 so, my opinion is a bit biased 😉

 

[jepva]

For me AWD would kill the car. I like the point and shoot nature of my FWD 6MT. It would really be the automatic and extra 300-400 lbs that killed it for me.