I've talked to a few people and from the responses I've received, an AWD car that is not adequately powered is not that much better than a FWD car with moderate power (I'm looking at 140-160hp). Atleast... that's the idea I'm getting.

If the power out of the engine is too low, can the benefits of AWD be so low such that it is just marginally better (or not even better) than FWD?

I'm open to comments. I just thought I'd speak my thoughts.

 

Well, not quite.

I have a 165hp AWD car, one roommate has a ~110hp AWD car and the other has a ~175hp FWD car. I've driven all three in the snow/ice, and I would easily recomend an AWD car in those situtations. I am able to pull out of slides a whole lot easier then my roommates Maxima. In fact, I'm probably trust the 110hp AWD car over the Maxima car on snow/ice. 110hp is more then enough to get adequate power to any wheel that needs it.

But, with an AWD car, you have lots of power loss in the drivetrain (compared to a 2WD car). If you have two similarily rated (HP wise) cars, but one is AWD and on is 2WD, the 2WD car will have more wheel HP then the AWD car (like an SRT-4 versus a WRX in a straight line).

I think the advantages of an AWD car far outweigh those concerns though.

 

I think it deosnt really matter in regular conditions if the power is about 150hp.
but once it rains or snows, AWD's advantage becomes obvious.
handling is depending on the suspension of the car, I've seen horrible AWD and good FWD car.
Impreza is amazingly nuetral, I think.

 

I beg to differ. I personally believe RWD cars are better handling. It is just easier to control oversteer at the limit than understeer and the stock WRX does indeed understeer... As far as power. There is obviously more drive train loss in an AWD, however there is a traction advantage of AWD. That is one of the reasons for the WRX's blindingly fast 0-60 time. HUGE traction advantage. I've seen WRX's pull on Supras 0-30mph simply due to the traction advantage...

 

The drive train losses in AWD are greater..a rex typically dynos at 180ish(maybe less) while a RWD/ FWD car with the same crank hp might dyno at 190+