[DAVISinGP]

If you are never going to use a vehicle in snow, mud or on dirt roads, I personally don't think rain - even heavy rain - is justification for having AWD.

That being said, when I lived in southern California, I did have AWD (or 4WD) on my SUVs, mainly for the times we headed to the nearby mountains during the winter.

But if you drive like you're supposed to drive in rain, I don't think having AWD will make much of a difference.

Just my two cents...YMMV.

 

[DAVISinGP]

Just to clarify, I'm not unaware of the value of having AWD. But the way I see it, the OP was asking a cost/benefit question and I stand by my opinion.

In fact, I'd be willing to bet that even those who know and state the benefits of having AWD in this thread probably also have 2WD vehicles in their households.

If cost is no object, sure, go for it. (Better to have it and not need it vs. need it and not have it. ) But having AWD mainly in case of an emergency is an expensive option for some. And I seriously doubt that an AWD Passport will accelerate faster or even handle better than FWD in normal driving on paved roads.