What’s the Difference Between AWD and 4WD?

Even with the vast increase of resources available to car shoppers today, one topic that seems to continue to confuse buyers and salesmen alike is knowing the difference between 4-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive. Most people believe that these two are interchangeable, however, they are actually two very different drive systems that produce different outcomes.

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4WD

4WD is the older of the two drivetrains and is also known as a 4×4 drivetrain. Typically found in off-roading vehicles, 4WD consists of power going from the transmission to the power case, which then splits power between the front and rear axles so that maximum torque is going to each wheel. All this power is great for rough terrain, as it does great job at propelling the vehicle over anything and everything. However, 4 Wheel Drive isn’t the best drivetrain for turning, due to all 4 wheels turning at the same speed instead of the inside wheel turning more slowly than the outside wheel. In order to get around this, most modern 4WD systems are only on when you activate them through a level or electronically. This is helpful for those who want the option of powering through snow or mud but also want the ability to drive two-wheel in normal conditions. Some more advanced and modern 4WD systems allow the driver to switch between multiple 4WD settings, like limited slip mode.

AWD

All-Wheel Drive is more recent and much more complicated. Basically, AWD provides a certain amount of power to each corner, which helps give maximum forward traction during acceleration. AWD systems can deliver power primarily to one set of wheels, front or rear, to give better control on snow or other slippery terrain. When slippage is detected on one side of the vehicle, power is diverted to the other axle in hopes of regaining traction. Some AWD-equipped vehicles can provide 100% of the power to the front wheels until slippage occurs with the rear wheels only receiving power when the front wheels start slipping. The big difference between these two are that 4WD provides equal power to the axles and is either on or off, while AWD can direct power to certain axles as it sees fit.

Here at Miller’s CrossPointe Motor Cars in Winchester VA, we carry vehicles with both AWD and 4WD drivetrains. Check out our research pages for more information on our available used models or stop by today for a test drive!