A lot of people up here want AWD, the advertising departments make them think they need it. I hate it because you have to live with it all year and its heavy.

I like AWD, it's the reason I bought the 4matic, quattro, H1, Land Rover, etc. It usually isn't "necessary", but a convenience like a heater or A/C. Having more than twice the tractive force to accelerate or better distributed forces for cornering, I could make a list after driving AWD for over 20years. Unless you drive in an area with no rain, no gravel on intersections, no snow and ice, no traffic, or simply don't mind waiting for large openings in traffic to pull out AWD is useful. Once you have it you don't want to go back.

The down-side is you're always behind someone with bald tires and FWD who has to be out driving in the snow or rain.