They are better to have of course. But .......

They use more fuel, they have higher emissions.

Now, what about noise ?

Are the 4x4's noisier inside, other things being equal ?

Not been in a normal 2wd version of the superb, but my 4x4 is not noisy at all.

It's not like you hear anything coming from the rear.

You do feel something though when the haldex kicks in. Hard to explain what it feels like, but I know it works.

Anyone been able to compare them ?

No transmition noise as a result of 4x4 ? No greater tyre roar ( couldn't see why but I'm asking ) ?

My 2010 4x4 estate is no noisier than a 2wd version.

There is also no sensation of the 4x4 "kicking in" during normal driving - The Haldex system is always "in" it just varies how much torque is going to the back & front ends. - the only time i think i can feel something, is at around 10mph, when it transfers a whole shed load of power back to the front... but this could also just be my imagination!

From Wiki about the 4th Generation (which I believe is used on the Superb)

"The XWD system can transmit 100 percent of available torque to either the front or rear wheels. However, for those conditions to occur one end of the vehicle would have to lose all traction, like driving on ice for instance. During a standing start the rear wheels are put to use, without the need for any slip to occur. Then under straight-line cruising conditions, to conserve fuel and driveline wear, the torque split to the rear wheels is reduced to a level between 5 and 10 percent. Also up to 85 percent of torque can be transferred by the eLSD between to any single rear wheel if necessary"

So, 100% can go to either front or back, and upto 85% can go to one individual wheel

But, Under "normal" conditions 5-10% goes to the back all the time.

And, you can NOT spin the wheels from a standing start! - I've tried, but as explained above, rear and front wheels are been driven at that time.

The 4x4's look to use around the same amount of fuel as a DSG Superb. in my case, around 41-42 mpg in the real world.

Al.

Not sure about the Superb but I have an Octy 4x4 and have driven FWD Octys and, as far as I can tell, there is no discernable difference other than potentially an almost imperceptable increase in wind noise, potentially due to the increased ride height?

Not sure about the Superb but I have an Octy 4x4 and have driven FWD Octys and, as far as I can tell, there is no discernable difference other than potentially an almost imperceptable increase in wind noise, potentially due to the increased ride height?

Ride height on Superb 4x4 is the same as Superb 2wd.

Al.

He must mean he has the Scout version, which is higher.

He must mean he has the Scout version, which is higher.

Nope mines an Octavia 4x4 which has a raised ride height (35mm?) over a standard Octavia. The Octavia Scout is higher again than the Octavia 4x4 (17mm?) due to larger tyre sizes.

If the Superb is the same ride height regardless of 4x4 hardware then I'd anticipate no extra noise. The 4x4 system on the Superb is pretty much the same as that on the Octavia and there is no extra 4x4 hardware related noise in the Octavia in my experience.

Edited 27 June, 201214 yr by skomaz

They are better to have of course. But .......

They use more fuel, they have higher emissions.

Now, what about noise ?

Are the 4x4's noisier inside, other things being equal ?

I have noticed absolutely no difference in internal noise since moving from 2WD to 4WD (Twindoor to Combi) - I have however, experienced tremendous noise difference with different tyres. Latest Contact Sport 3 are the quietest tyres to date, but wearing quickly. Also moved from diesel to petrol which imho is quieter.

The noise it's caused by the tyres. i didn't feel any difference wile drivind my 4x4 superb or my firend's fwd, both twindoor, same winter tires, but different color ! maybe that's it .. the color

I've got Toyo C1S tyres on now - replaced all 4 Conti SportContact 2's at around 27,000 miles.

The new tyres are MUCH quieter than the Conti's.

Al.

My experience is limited to recently swapping between my 2WD Superb and a 4WD Audi A4 - although completely different models, there wasn't any noticeable sound difference from the transmission.

Certainly I feel mine "kicking-in". Put the boot down coming into a bend with limited traction on the road surface and the Haldex definitely kicks in and not gradually, either.

I am guessing it is the traction control kicking in not the Haldex (?) I have my favourite piece of road and when I boot the car around in the wet I hear/feel/sense something going on. This doesn't happen when the road is dry. Also, my Superb is way quieter than my previous Audi which had the Torsen AWD system and Michelin Pilot tyres. The Superb still has the original Conti tyres and if they are considered noisy tyres I await the time I fit the new Michelins. Of course the noisiest aspect of the car is the engine when I get it up to 5,000 +, don't mind that one bit!

I've recently been in Gilly's 4x4 CR170 , and I was amazed how quiet this car is.... granted, I haven't been in the 2WD version, but I'm very impressed with gilly's

at work I drive CR140 octavias in both 2WD and we have a 4x4 scout..... no difference in noise between them.. the scout feels slower though, ours might just be knacered though

I have the 170 Tdi 4x4 manual and its probably the quietest car I've ever owned. Amazing power for a 2 litre engine - tows my caravan like a train too (it's why I went fr the 4x4). Without the caravan averages around 42mpg including having the cruise control set at 80mph on the French autoroutes.

When solo AND when with caravan I have NEVER felt any sort of surge or any strange sensations as have been described on here - I assume the Haldex system and the traction control are working in the background!!!!

Not been in a normal 2wd version of the superb, but my 4x4 is not noisy at all.

It's not like you hear anything coming from the rear.

You do feel something though when the haldex kicks in. Hard to explain what it feels like, but I know it works.

Yes I would agree about that certain something when the haldex kicks in. I have been driving in some really awful wet conditions in June on motorway and B roads and the car just feels 'planted' on the road. As a consequence I have much more confidence driving it than my previous Mercs / BMWs in similar conditions. Great car ,