AWD vs 4WD - What's the Difference?

AWD vs 4WD - What's the Difference?

As you shop around for a new car, you may find that all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are both options, especially when you're looking to buy a truck or SUV. Although there are many types of features available on different types of models, AWD and 4WD are popular options. If you don't have a lot of experience using these features, you may assume they're the same. However, there are a few main factors that set them apart from one another. It's important to obtain the right information to ensure you make an educated decision and select the right car for your needs.

What is All-Wheel Drive?

When your vehicle comes with an all-wheel drive, torque is delivered from the powertrain to all of the wheels on the front and back of the car you drive. This includes a full-time all-wheel drive option that is available to make the four wheels always move. With the part-time system, it uses the two-wheel drive mode most of the time, but it can still switch to all-wheel drive when additional traction is needed.

When you use all-wheel drive, you don't need to spend time engaging the system. However, there are still a few types of cars available that offer more control. Each wheel gets enough torque with the differentials, clutches, and couplings.

What is Four-Wheel Drive?

Most larger cars come with the option of four-wheel drive to stay planted on the ground. This uses a set of differentials in the center, rear, and front, along with couplings and transfer cases to ensure enough power is delivered to each wheel.

With a four-wheel drive in use, each wheel on the car receives torque and has the option of being used in the part-time or full-time mode, just like all-wheel drive. You can select between low and high ranges while the car is in use. An electronic switch or lever is available to set this up. If you want extra traction, you can use the low setting to ensure you have more traction. The high setting is ideal to use when you're driving on road surfaces that are slippery, including gravel, snow, and sand.

You're invited to reach out to our dealership when you're ready to obtain additional information about the four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. We're here to assist you when contacting us during our business hours or when you visit our location to ensure you talk to one of our reputable experts.