Which trim level on a Prius has a higher trade in / resale value…a AWD or FWD model? I would think it’s the AWD model for the simple fact it’s a more expensive car by $1,400 to begin with. Is the answer as simple as that or when it’s time to sell the car depreciation sets in and the difference in the original selling price equals out?
In general, anything that makes a car more expensive is going to add something to its resale value. The amount any individual option adds will shrink over time with depreciation, but there should still be some kind of premium on an all wheel drive Prius as opposed to a front wheel drive, even after a decade or more. But if you don’t actually need all wheel drive and you’re considering whether or not to buy a car with it, the option is never going to be worth as much as you paid for it. That’s the nature of car prices, with very few exceptions.
Actually I’m torn between 2 cars. The one XLE doesn’t have AWD the other does. But the car with the AWD is a much better deal, it’s actually a fantastic deal! I don’t want the AWD, I would rather get the better gas mileage from the FWD car but the overall deal for the AWD car might be too good to pass up.
The Prius is a ton and a half car on weirdly skinny tires. Put all of a couple hundred hp through only two of those in slippery conditions and you will get outrageous understeer. I've found AWD occasionally helpful, though it does not eliminate understeer. The AWD weighs something like 140 pounds more than the 2wd, so I'm sure there is some penalty, but it isn't the penalty associated with mechanical AWD systems that may induce huge inefficiencies when not in use. If the EPA formula yields a 2% drop in efficiency, I wouldn't dispute that, but I would dispute your ability to notice the difference outside of very controlled conditions. I see greater differences in efficiency if I turn on the climate control. The difference between routes and driving styles will dwarf the 140 pound weight penalty. The car below is AWD.
If your talking about resale; It's whatever the local market will bear. AWD doesn't command a much higher price than a FWD in the southern states. High trim cars will be priced similarly to those of low trim cars; again whatever the local market will bear. You may get a few hundred extra for that few thousands in extra options - but nobody really cares on a depreciated car. Take whatever offered or leave......... Just my two cents......
