Mazda's i-Activ All-Wheel Drive versus Subaru. Mazda’s i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive system is predictive and intuitive, allowing you to maintain full control through all road and weather conditions for a thrillingly tenacious drive.
The Subaru x mode is not enabled and I think the test is biased to have had the case on my subaru xv / Crosstrek it comes out without problem probably to commercial purpose
+rotaxrider Bingo! I just finished watching a presentation by a Mazda engineer that explains an exploit in Subaru's AWD that limits torque to the rear wheels from a stop to prevent binding with the wheels turned that thier system doesn't do. It's not fake, just Mazda taking advantage of an very specific characteristic of the system.
What they don't explain is that Mazda used to have a traditional AWD system, but when the first CX-5 came out it was completely overhauled. Their new system is significantly better than their old one (which one not unlike other Japanese cars). The main advantage that Subaru has always had is less torque loss through an inline boxer engine. So Mazda got around torque loss through two ways - optimising torque split using their computer system. They have 17 sensors onboard which report various metrics at a rate of 200 times a second to other systems including the AWD system. This allows it to immediately switch traction to the back. The Subaru uses one guide only - lack of traction. So it takes a while longer. By optimising the torque using the computer, Mazda was about to shave about 30kg from their diff, so the size of the diff they use on the CX-9 is significantly smaller than the diff on any non Mazda vehicle (we're talking about 80kg versus 50kg). The other trick that using the sensors allows is predictive traction. For example, if the car senses that it's snowing or raining (some of the sensors monitor external temperature, changes in g forces, use of controls such as wipers, headlights, fog lights etc), it can predict in certain scenarios that there will be a need for rear bias or split torque. Doing a hill start on ice for example in the Mazda will start bias between front and back. With a slight turn of the wheel on snow, it will be mostly rear. The Subaru is always front biases in both cases. The Subaru system was always the best AWD system. However since introducing the i-active AWD system, there aren't many examples where the Subaru outdoes the Mazda these days. It's on on the CX vehicles. Later models also include G-Vectoring Control, which unlike more expensive systems found on something like the Boxster, reduces torque and doesn't brake. There are cheap versions of the torque vectoring system that use brakes, but this trick tends to waste energy (something that Mazda is against). Pure torque vectoring systems are on anything less than $100,000 cars these days. You would find a similar system on Audi's S Range - S4, S5, and S6 and BMW's M Range BMW X5 M and X6 M. When Mazda release their pure torque vectoring system, I think Subaru will have to do some work.
Thx for demonstration. Next time you demonstrate a Subaru use the higher model. Crosstrek has the basic features. I’ve own Subaru and I love it especially when it’s raining. Mazda on the other hands aren’t good on nasty weather.
In THIS test, was the Mazda in NORMAL driving mode, not a traction enhancing mode? If it was, the Subie should be in the same corresponding mode, thus Apples to Apples comparison. Just curious about the drive settings in this video.
This makes no sense... I've seen the same test, but instead of blocking the rear, it was setup as an incline and the front wheels were pointing straight. In these hill climb test with roller ... even with 3 wheels on rollers, the Subaru always makes it. I have a funny feeling that there might be some programing in the Subaru setup to limit the power transfer to the back, when the steering is turned like that. Could this be because it's a weak point the Subaru setup or possible a feature to keep the axles from binding? You know on a turn, the outside wheels have to spin faster than the inside... So maybe Subaru reduces what power goes to the rear when the front wheels are turned at a given angle to prevent binding ... and Mazda figured this out and might now be exploiting it??? Mazda, can you do a incline roller test with 3 wheels on rollers? I'd love to see how Mazda's i-Activ system does in that situation. BTW, how does i-Active do in soft sand? I ask this because I enjoy driving on the beaches of the Outer Banks and I'd love to be able to drive an AWD vehicle that can save me some fuel costs in getting to and from the beaches... I'm current in a 1 Ton pickup... Does great on the sand, but boy is it expensive to drive to and from there! Thanks!
+crabjoe As the driver pointed out in the video, it would have worked if he had revved it more. He's trying to show off the Mazda, so of course he won't actually get it unstuck. Also, the new Subarus with a CVT don't have the same AWD system that they used to. - www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/not-every-subaru-all-wheel-drive-system-is-created-equal/
Correct me if I’m mistaken but when the front wheels are turned, the awd is disengaged from the Subaru, this is a safety feature to stop sudden forward movement into traffic??
These are the videos people want to see and should be shown on a regular basis. A company "known"'for AWD vehicles clearly doesn't build an AWD system worthy of the praise they receive, yet a company know for fun and sportiness should also be known for a well built and intuitive AWD system. I would say the only system better would be that in the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk. But $26k compared to $35k in a sub-compact segment means the Mazda is much more affordable for their AWD!
+Curtis Mandeville If Mazda showed more than this one thing to show their AWD was better than Subaru,. I'd agree. But as it stands, I don't know if or when I've ever been stopped on a snowy surface, where I had to make an immediate turn. Now there's this other thing... From my understanding, Mazda's system cuts out at 40mph and when it isn't below that speed, being predictive, it's really FWD (2% of power to the read is just preload, it can't move the vehicle on level ground). From my under standing Subaru's system sends a minimum 40% to the rear, but can drop to as low as 20%... What happens if Mazda's doesn't predict correct? Are you basically a FWD vehicle until whatever caused that issue is fixed? If a sensor goes out, that makes Mazda's system predictive, are you again just stuck in FWD? Until I see Mazda's setup become more than a one trick horse, my nod still goes to Subaru.
Mazda DEFINITELY didnt pull the awd fuse out from the Crosstrek....nope nope nope! Come on, Im a fan of Mazda myself, but seriously, people are believing this?!
The video is not true. Under normal conditions, the Subaru would have no problem getting past the Mazda. Only a fool would think this video is true. It's definitely in Mazda's favor. The video is fake
