4S - Is all wheel drive better then rear wheel drive

[69Mach390]

OP asked for a simple input. This is my subjective evaluation after 3.5 years of ownership and many loaners & test drives:

For the OP, maybe add a line for “Colorado traction in the winter?”

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[JerryLNK]

@jkolorado - Your question has led to a great discussion, no surprise. This forum is my go-to for research. But then a decision has to be made. Not sure if you have made a decision yet as I haven't read every thread. However, I live in Nebraska and head to the Rocky Mountains frequently. While I drive my 22 RWD to the mountains in the summer, I drive the Cayenne in winter months. However, if I lived in Denver area, like you, then I would get a 4S and use Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tires for mountain driving for skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, etc.

Happiest of journeys to you and everyone in this stellar community!

 

[Avantgarde]

For the OP, maybe add a line for “Colorado traction in the winter?”

Thought that part is obvious was trying to clarify other controversial areas.

 

[69Mach390]

Thought that part is obvious was trying to clarify other controversial areas.

If he’s asking the question still, it’s probably not obvious to him.

Plus plenty here still pitching RWD as being suitable for snow. I’m in Florida, so my experience is only theoretical.

 

[prj]

Plus plenty here still pitching RWD as being suitable for snow. I’m in Florida, so my experience is only theoretical.

On winter tyres you can very much drive a RWD car in the winter and snow without problems, but it's just not a fun time, and the Taycan is supposed to be a fun car.

 

[Manni55TaycanRWDplus]

Hallo, wie hoch ist die Rekuperation beim Taycan RWD im Vergleich zum AWD .
Gibt es dazu Unterlagen von Porsche ??
Ich höre regelmäßig meine vorderen Bremsen bei der normalen Rekuperation.
Außerdem hat der RWd an den vorderen Bremsen einen höheren Verschleiß.
Ich habe in Deutsch geschrieben.

Danke

 

[Avantgarde]

If he’s asking the question still, it’s probably not obvious to him.

Plus plenty here still pitching RWD as being suitable for snow. I’m in Florida, so my experience is only theoretical.

I owned multiple BMWs and RWD porsches over time.

RWD BMWs are pretty much undriveable with snow on the ground even in flat geographies. I got stranded multiple times, in all odd and unexpected ways, until I started regularly using winter tires, which transforms the car.

I find Taycan RWD a lot more acceptable in Chicago winters with the conti-all seasons. Weight on rear wheels make quite a difference. Still feels like I always need to be extra careful but then main concern is braking not traction. For someone who is willing to do the snow tire swap in winters (which in the US most people don't) 4S could bring significant additional capability from traction perspective. Otherwise feels like braking will be your main bottle neck.

 

[69Mach390]

I owned multiple BMWs and RWD porsches over time.

RWD BMWs are pretty much undriveable with snow on the ground even in flat geographies. I got stranded multiple times, in all odd and unexpected ways, until I started regularly using winter tires, which transforms the car.

I find Taycan RWD a lot more acceptable in Chicago winters with the conti-all seasons. Weight on rear wheels make quite a difference. Still feels like I always need to be extra careful but then main concern is braking not traction. For someone who is willing to do the snow tire swap in winters (which in the US most people don't) 4S could bring significant additional capability from traction perspective. Otherwise feels like braking will be your main bottle neck.

It seems that rwd + winter tires is doable.

But AWD + winter tires is still much better.

If you have the option of AWD and can afford it, I see no good reason to not check that box.

 

[AutoX]

Just go test drive both. If the power in the RWD is enough, and you want to save a few $$, then get the RWD, otherwise get the 4S. I think you'll find the the driving dynamics will be very similar between the two on PUBLIC roads.

I have a MachE GTPE and and Tesla MYP (0-60 in 3.5 range. Faster than a 4S), both are much quicker than the my RWD, but I realize that that I rarely do 0-60 sprints after the first week, and all that power was wasted. The RWD has plenty of passing power even at highway speed. I would describe it as zippy, but not blazingly fast. Another 100hp would be perfect.

 

[69Mach390]

Just go test drive both. If the power in the RWD is enough, and you want to save a few $$, then get the RWD, otherwise get the 4S. I think you'll find the the driving dynamics will be very similar between the two on PUBLIC roads.

I have a MachE GTPE and and Tesla MYP (0-60 in 3.5 range. Faster than a 4S), both are much quicker than the my RWD, but I realize that that I rarely do 0-60 sprints after the first week, and all that power was wasted. The RWD has plenty of passing power even at highway speed. I would describe it as zippy, but not blazingly fast. Another 100hp would be perfect.

Sounds like a MapEV tune is in your future.

 

[Flying ace]

Ultimately, it comes down to your experience driving in the snow and your use of the car in the winter. If this is a daily car that you must take out in the snow, I recommend a 4/4S.

I recently took my GTS (also AWD) in 2 feet of snow on dedicated snow tires. This was probably the most confident winter drive I had despite owning the follow AWD vehicles (albeit on all-season): Lancer Evolution 8, E70 X5, G05 X5. Yeah, the AWD system of the Taycan is that good, much more responsive than any mechanical diff, and probably the weight of the car and the fat 285 contact patch of the snow tire helped alot.

 

[freinando]

Tesla MYP (0-60 in 3.5 range. Faster than a 4S)

Hmm, I’m not sure about that.

 

[69Mach390]

Hmm, I’m not sure about that.

Where I’m from, 3.1 to 3.4 is faster than 3.5.

I had a Mach E GTPE for 4 years. The 4S is faster to 60. And after 60 it’s not remotely close.

If it was a 2024+ Mach E GT, different story. That’s faster to 60 and ties 1/4 mile for a 4S 2020-2024. But right about at the 1/4 mile, the 4S trap speed is significantly higher. So while it’s playing “catch up” that whole race, anything past that it would crush the Mach E.

And of course a 2025+ 4S is significantly faster.

 

[kern417]

I owned multiple BMWs and RWD porsches over time.

RWD BMWs are pretty much undriveable with snow on the ground even in flat geographies. I got stranded multiple times, in all odd and unexpected ways, until I started regularly using winter tires, which transforms the car.

I find Taycan RWD a lot more acceptable in Chicago winters with the conti-all seasons. Weight on rear wheels make quite a difference. Still feels like I always need to be extra careful but then main concern is braking not traction. For someone who is willing to do the snow tire swap in winters (which in the US most people don't) 4S could bring significant additional capability from traction perspective. Otherwise feels like braking will be your main bottle neck.

I'm (still) in that same boat, and that's the main difference. 3500lb RWD is way different than >5500lbs. In this car I have yet to feel it lacking, but this upcoming week may be a test if I'm feeling ambitious.

To your point a bout BMWs getting stuck in weird ways - mine drove around town just fine on the michelin all-seasons in some light snow. The only time I ever got stuck? Back home, Trying to get up my driveway

 

[Sly_North]

RWD BMWs are pretty much undriveable with snow on the ground even in flat geographies
[...]
I find Taycan RWD a lot more acceptable in Chicago winters with the conti-all seasons. Weight on rear wheels make quite a difference.

The Canadian trick for RWD: winter tires (compulsory, whatever the car is), a big bag of sand in the trunk, and all's fine

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