AWD versus 4WD: What You Need to Know

By Kimberly Graf. Published on August 23, 2024

It's no secret that shopping for a vehicle is a headache. When it comes to the different types of drive-trains, many people believe that AWD (All-Wheel Drive) and 4WD (4-Wheel Drive) are interchangeable terms that mean the same thing. But that couldn't be farther from the truth! While they involve the same type of systems, there is a lot that is different between AWD and 4WD, including their applications.

Here, we're going to break down what each does and the pros and cons of using them.

4-Wheel Drive

4WD is an older system that is still available today. Don't let the fact that it's older fool you into thinking that it's going to be outdated or not effective. In fact, 4WD is still the choice of many drivers who live in slippery conditions and enjoy having control of the way their car runs.

It's good for off-road adventuring, because all four wheels are always receiving the same amount of power. It's more common in big trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. In winter weather, a 4WD with winter weather tires can make all the difference in getting around.

4WD also tends to be less expensive, because you turn it on manually. The overall cost of the system is generally lower than AWD, but it also improves your fuel economy to be able to turn the feature off when you are on a smooth surface. During highway driving, for example, it's much more efficient to be able to turn 4WD off to prevent overusing fuel and also to stop the wheels from sliding when they attempt to grip harder to the road.

But if you get really stuck in the snow or ice, 4WD has an option for getting you out – 4low is a gear that isn't available to AWD that might get you out of some really sticky situations. It's also generally better for towing in less-than-ideal situations.

Basically, if you live in a really snowy area and like to have control over the way your car drives in all sorts of conditions, 4WD is a good option for you. It's also the perfect option if you'd like to be able to go off-roading with your vehicle.

All-Wheel Drive

AWD is a little more complicated than 4WD. It's always on, which means that you don't have to worry about switching it on and off. You have the freedom and convenience to pay less attention to the conditions of the road than you would have to with 4WD.

However, it's not meant for offroading – only for slippery roads. It does all the controlling for you, and it does this by varying the power that each wheel gets at any given time. When the AWD system senses that you are losing traction, it works to divert power to the wheels that are getting traction, which might prevent you from sliding and slipping.

This means that the AWD system is much more automatic, even if the application is different. However, it is somewhat more expensive to repair because it's a more complicated system. In fact, it's a series of systems that work together. Finding a problem isn't always obvious. So it's more expensive to install and maintain if something goes wrong.

Besides that, there's no turning it off during smooth-road driving. This means that you will inevitably use more fuel with an AWD vehicle just because of its nature.

All-in-all, the choice will depend largely on your location and driving style. 4WD carries a lower price tag and control where AWD is a smarter system and more convenient. There are sets of positive points and negative to be had about each system, but which is better comes down to personal preference.