As you research new or used cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans, you may find that these vehicles feature all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). Both drivetrains provide power to all four wheels, giving you better traction on slick or rough road conditions as you drive around Richmond and Ashland. But what is the difference between AWD and 4WD? Read on to learn more about AWD vs 4WD to help you decide which drivetrain best meets your needs in your new or used vehicle from Whitten Brothers Automotive.
Both AWD and 4WD provide an advantage over a two-wheel drive drivetrain – either front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD) – because the engine in an AWD and 4WD vehicle sends power to all four wheels at the same time. This delivers more traction, which is important when driving on snowy, wet, icy, or rough roads. Does that mean that AWD is the same as 4WD though? While they’re similar, they are not the same.
All-wheel drive, or AWD, is a drivetrain configuration that sends the torque from the engine to all four wheels and the front and rear axles at the same time.
Torque is a rotational force that represents engine strength. This force is transferred from the engine to the wheels and determines how quickly a vehicle accelerates and how fast it can go. There are different types of AWD systems, including part-time AWD and full-time AWD.
With a part-time AWD SUV or car, technology monitors road conditions and driving behavior to change the amount of torque being sent to the front or back wheels. The system alternates between two-wheel drive and AWD to help you drive more efficiently. When your part-time AWD car, SUV, or van senses slippery, icy, or other difficult road conditions it sends power to all the wheels to engage AWD.
With full-time AWD, torque is continuously sent to both the front and rear wheels. Full-time AWD cars, SUVs, and vans monitor the wheel grip on the road to figure out how much power is delivered to the front and rear wheels. Under normal driving conditions, all four wheels receive a certain amount of power. If the rear wheels start to slip, the AWD system sends more power to the front wheels. Alternatively, if the front wheels are slipping, the back wheels get sent more power.
AWD is great for on-road driving as it’s designed for paved roads and works best to provide traction while driving during inclement weather when the road conditions may be bad.
Four-wheel drive, also known as 4WD or 4×4, is a drivetrain that splits power evenly between all four tires. Vehicles with 4WD have a transfer case that connects the front wheels to the rear wheels, ensuring that both axles turn at the same speed. Four-wheel drive vehicles often alternate between 4WD and 2WD because 4WD is best used for off-road driving. Front- or rear-wheel drive allows these vehicles to better handle driving on paved roads.
4WD is designed for off-road driving on mud, sand, snow, and other unpaved ground. Having even power to all four wheels allows you to power through slippery or rougher areas because you can keep moving even if more than one wheel loses traction.
Some vehicles have full-time 4WD that allow you to drive both on and off the road. These trucks and SUVs have additional equipment like low-speed gearboxes and locking differentials that vary the speed of the front and rear wheels. With a full-time 4WD system, you can drive on paved and unpaved roads, but it may affect fuel efficiency.
Now that you know the difference between AWD and 4WD, you might be asking yourself, “Is AWD better than 4WD?”. The answer is not necessarily. The best drivetrain is the one that makes the most sense for your lifestyle.
If you only ever drive on paved roads and want the peace of mind that added traction brings, an AWD SUV, van, or car may be the better option for you.
Drivers from Richmond and Ashland to Petersburg and Chester who love an off-road adventure or need a vehicle for odd-road work will likely prefer the benefits of a 4WD system.
Has comparing AWD vs 4WD helped you determine which drivetrain best suits your needs? Whitten Brothers Automotive has three showrooms in Richmond and Ashland with a great selection of new and used AWD vehicles and 4WD vehicles. Take a look at our inventory online to find a vehicle you’re interested in. Then contact us to learn more or set up a test drive.
At Whitten Brothers Automotive, our content team works hard to provide well-researched and balanced articles to help empower your automotive decisions. If you have questions or need further clarification about anything you’ve read, feel free to reach out using our Contact Us form. Whether you’re looking for advice on your next vehicle purchase or need help with vehicle maintenance, our Sales Advocates or Service Advisors are here to assist you.