AWD certainly can help in rain but I think PP was saying you don’t need it. If you are a cautious driver I would go ahead and get it— I liked having it on my Subaru for a while.

Teslas are AWD and good in snow (and rain).

The big thing in Mass. is AWD Subarus.

thanks for these responses from OP. I thought that awd helps in rain, too? this is my first time buying a car (my current honda accord is same used one I was given in college). I always feel more nervous driving in rain so thought awd could help.

You don’t need it but if you are headed to Mass you might consider getting it because they get a lot more snow and you might have to drive on what they consider cleared vs what you consider “cleared”

I have lived all over the country and never needed an AWD for rain.

I'm looking at getting a mid sized sedan like the Mazda 3 or Nissan Altima. I live in the DC area with lots of rain and often road flooding, and may be moving to Massachusetts in the next couple of years. I mainly do typical suburban lifestyle driving, some city driving. The AWD feature costs extra in these cars, do you think is worth it in my situation? I am concerned more about rain/fog/slick weather than actual snow as I don't like driving in the snow anyway and would wait until roads are cleared/salted.