I have read the few posts on here about the AWD-E and still have questions. I watched the TFL slip test video and now am concerned that the awd is more of a marketing ploy than anything else. I am getting to buy my first Prius and live in chicago where we do see some nasty winters. Now the plows do a very good job of clearing the roads but still awd would help I believe. I also don’t like the idea of running without a spare and even though not all 2wd come with one there is a spot to add one. I was hoping there are more AWD-E owners out there that could chime in on if they would still buy it or just the 2wd knowing what they know now.
I have found that the AWDe (I have a 2020) works well at low speeds. I can now easily go up my steep driveway on snow/ice even with the poor Toyo Nanos that came with the car. With my previous Prii, the driveway was a difficult problem which was mostly resolved by getting Nokian WR tires (WR, WRg2, WRg3, and soon WRg4). I was also disturbed by the lack of a spare so I just keep the donut from my 2016 in back of the driver seat. JeffD
All things considered — extra trunk space and power drivers seat — I would’ve preferred getting an XLE instead of an XLE AWD-e. But in Seattle, they were running amazing lease deals on the latter that they weren’t on the former. The one day I drove in the snow this past winter (it rarely snows here), it did seem sure footed, FWIW. But I think in general AWD is overrated. I grew up in Michigan in the 80s, and no one had AWD.
The AWD works amazingly well for what it's meant to do - low-speed traction with Winter tires. I can honestly say I was doing better in the snow than every single AWD SUV in my area during the deep snow in Calgary last winter. I won't say anything about higher speed AWD, but no amount of AWD or brakes will help if you're above speed on snow and ice.
