Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive? They are not the same
Many people think all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are the same thing, but they are two separate drivetrains.
- AWD and 4WD have similar names, but they are very different.
- AWD is always active in most vehicles, but you can customize 4WD depending on the situation.
Although many people use the terms four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive interchangeably, they are very different.
Although they share many similarities and are available on similar types of vehicles, they operate in unique ways. Four-wheel drive (4×4) is found in pickup trucks and rugged SUVs, while all-wheel drive is found in most SUVs and many sedans and crossovers. So what’s the difference between the two drivetrains?
What is all-wheel drive?
All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles use a center differential that provides equal power to the front and rear wheels as needed. This allows all-wheel drive vehicles to perform well in everyday driving. Excellent performance in rain, snow and slippery driving conditions. AWD is standard on most SUVs, crossovers, and many sedans.
What is four-wheel drive?
Four-wheel drive (4WD) is primarily found in trucks and rugged SUVs. This drivetrain works by sending power to all four wheels, but the driver can select different modes depending on the driving situation.
Many 4×4 vehicles have the option to switch from 2WD to 4WD and other driving modes depending on the vehicle. The standard mode is 2H (2+), which is ideal for driving on general roads on sunny days. 4H (4 High) or 4A (4 Automatic) are suitable for wet, icy or muddy roads. 4L, on the other hand, is a great option for extreme mud, snow, and rock crawling.
Most 4×4 trucks and SUVs are equipped with larger off-road capable tires, as opposed to the regular all-season tires found on all-wheel drive vehicles. These sturdier tires are great on dirt and dirt roads, but are less comfortable on regular roads.
What are they best for?
All-wheel drive is ideal for everyday driving under normal conditions, and no additional input from the driver is required for this system to function. AWD allows you to drive comfortably even on slippery surfaces such as paved roads. Another advantage that AWD has over 4WD is that AWD is much more comfortable on the road compared to 4WD. However, AWD is less fuel efficient than front-wheel drive.
4x4s, on the other hand, are ideal for off-roading because they handle rugged dirt roads and trails well and can be customized by the driver depending on the difficulty of the terrain. 2WD trucks tend to weigh less on average and carry more payload, while 4WD trucks perform better on dirt roads and offer better traction while towing.
Kenan Thompson is a car culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Keenan at kthompson@freepress.com. Follow him on Instagram @keenanaautos. To sign up automotive newsletter. become a subscriber.
