FWD vs AWD: Is Audi's Quattro All That It Is Cracked Up To Be?

I was asked to do a comparison on two cars with very similar credentials. Both are powered by a 2-litre direct-injection turbocharged engine and both possess a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. But one big difference is that while one is front wheel drive (FWD), the other features Audi’s  Quattro all wheel drive, albeit in Haldex guise.

The two cars I am referring to are the Volkswagen GTI and the Audi A3 2.0T Quattro. I tried to assess the cars objectively, with the differing drivetrain in mind, but in truth the A3 differs so much from the GTI that it deserves a review of its own. But, that’s another article for another day, so for this piece I shall concentrate on the different driving styles the two drivetrains offer.

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Photo Gallery