[Riles24]

All,
New member here. I'm in the market for a used Highlander.
Have my eye on a few in my area, 2019 Highlander XLE to be exact. All are <40k miles.

I'm seeing All-Wheel-Drives (AWD) and Front-Wheel Drives (FWD) priced roughly the same, and wondering what the opinions are between going with AWD vs FWD.
I consider the MPG difference of +/- 1 gallon to be somewhat negligible.
However, more curious if any here have experience with both options and wanting to know if I should expect maintenance or longevity to be a big difference b/w AWD and FWD?
Am I at much more risk of more costs/repairs down the road with AWD?
What about driveability? Is it noticeable difference? (I drive primarily in the Carolinas and Georgia, and likely not offroad, so mud and snow aren't much of a concern.)
With basically all other features being equal, any other pros/cons between the AWD/FWD I should consider?

Welcome any/all opinions. I hope to make a purchase soon. Many thanks in advance.

 

[TheLowlander]

I like the on-road benefits of the AWD models. Better weight distribution (more rearward weight), less understeer and no torque steer or breaking traction if you floor it from a stop. The only maintenance added for an AWD is having to service the rear differential and front transfer case with new gear oil around every 8 years or 80k, etc.

My 225k mile 2008 RX350 never had them serviced until I did them according to the PO, the fluid was a little nasty but they were fine. My 20-yo Highlander’s AWD components are holding up beautifully, I definitely vote for AWD > FWD.

 

[Jeff M]

Some of it depends on where you are. Here in the northeast, AWD is much preferred due to winter driving conditions. You can't give away a FWD if AWD was originally available. The farther south you go, the less of an issue that is. I'd say where you are, if you don't want the additional traction of AWD, go with FWD just from the standpoint of less mechanical complexity. Having said that, I've never had a single problem related to the AWD with the three Highlanders I've owned.

 

[Tarsun2]

sounds like you're below the snow belt. i doubt you'd notice a difference, especially if you're not driving the car hard.
have you ever got stuck in your current vehicle? do you tow?

 

[Riles24]

Never tow anything and maybe have had an inch of snow combined in last 5 years.
Go to the NC mountains regularly but not off road. Will I feel a difference on mountain roads?

 

[Jeff M]

If you do feel a difference, you're more discerning than I am.

 

[arrow_cap]

Go for FWD, less maintenance items and cheaper parts for the rear wheels/suspension... Also, I would say the slightly better gas mileage is also worth it. I'm surprised they are priced the same in your area, very much the opposite here, AWD is usually at least 2-3k more on used vehicles if this vintage.

That said I have AWD and love it, but I live in snow/ice/mountain land so it's certainly nice to have (but not essential).

 

[KA4993]

I'd go with AWD since I prefer traction to all 4 wheels.

 

[2017Highlander]

Got snow, get AWD. No snow, FWD if it is cheaper.

 

[FarEast]

AWD will require driveshaft servicing at about 100,000 miles. My last three AWD Toyotas all required new driveshafts at about that mileage. I guess that’s one of the reasons the new models have a driveshaft disconnect so it only spins when AWD is required. Here in Newfoundland, once you’ve gone through a winter with AWD, there’s no going back!

 

[MikeInNH]

Got snow, get AWD. No snow, FWD if it is cheaper.

It really depends on the amount of snow. My wife has never had a problem with any of the FWD vehicles she's owned driving here in southern NH. But when we go north for ski trips or back to central NY to visit family during the holidays we take my AWD Highlander. Southern NH only averages 40" of snow a year. Not much at all. Where we ski at in the White Mountains they average about 130" of snow. Where I grew up in Central NY - over 200"/year.

 

[Nzott]

Awd end of story
Heavy vehicle with nearly 300hp going thru just the front wheels
Awd from my experience with the highlander gives very even tire wear if rotated at regular intervals
Never breaks traction in the wet
Price difference isn't huge and is retained as vehicle ages
Just get awd
Another thing ,people mention snow.
Bogus as snow tires and fwd are fine in snow
Where awd shines is wet roads and wet roads are more common and all year round

 

[2017Highlander]

^ Bogus. Compact snow IS slicker than wet pavement. This IS where AWD shines.

 

[MikeInNH]

I agree that AWD is superior to FWD in snow....but you have to ask yourself how often you actually see that much snow that it makes a difference. Here in NH I can count the number of days my wife actually drives on snowy roads on one hand. Will AWD be better? Sure it will. So you slow down and chug along. When it's extremely bad there's no need getting out of the house to drive somewhere. The number of times that my wife has been stuck in snow in the past 40+ years driving non-AWD vehicles is ZERO. I know that on a few occasions that if we took her car skiing then it might be a good chance for us to get stuck. In those instances we took the HL instead of her Lexus.

 

[Riles24]

All this feedback is very helpful.. all things equal, and maybe just $500 difference in local pricing for 2019 used, I sense AWD may make sense but it's the increased maintenance costs I was worried about but it almost sounds like no one is experiencing problems or more upkeep??

Also, does the extra components affect interior space (e.g. some cars have a hump in middle back seat so to accomplish extra components)?

 

[2017Highlander]

$500 with better traction in snow, which could just be the difference maker in avoiding an accident, not sure why someone would consider the FWD if they lived anywhere that got snow at least once a year.

 

[MikeInNH]

$500 with better traction in snow, which could just be the difference maker in avoiding an accident, not sure why someone would consider the FWD if they lived anywhere that got snow at least once a year.

95% of driving in snow is KNOWING how to drive in snow. I'll challenge my wife's ability to drive in snow in her FWD Lexus to anyone who sees limited snow in an AWD or 4WD vehicle. AWD will only give you an extra 5% improvement over your ability to know how to drive in snow. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people with almost zero experience in driving in snow and then buy an AWD vehicle and now think can drive in snow. Every snow storm I see people driving AWD vehicles in a ditch or off the road because they have no idea how to drive in snow.

 

[2017Highlander]

95% of driving in snow is KNOWING how to drive in snow.

And I can do it in a RWD car with ease. But I doubt the OP can, so he got the answer he did from me. Just because your wife can drive a FWD vehicle better in the snow than your neighbor doesn't mean AWD should not exist. Most cannot drive in snow so most would be better off with AWD for the $500 difference. It's a safety issue for most. 9 airbags are safer than 2, right?

 

[MikeInNH]

And I can do it in a RWD car with ease.

With ease? Depends. The hill I grew up on in Central NY...RWD had an extremely difficult going up that hill in snow. 4wd or FWD vehicle could make it. RWD vehicles that could make it were VW bugs and vehicles with a lot of added weight in the trunk.

 

[scipper77]

With ease? Depends. The hill I grew up on in Central NY...RWD had an extremely difficult going up that hill in snow. 4wd or FWD vehicle could make it. RWD vehicles that could make it were VW bugs and vehicles with a lot of added weight in the trunk.

Bit of a tangent but I do miss the days of driving RWD sedans with no option of traction control. While less capable I sure felt like I was more in control. Surely I’m not the only one in a snow storm who would kick out the rear end and see how long I could drive sideways just for fun.