AWD vs 4WD: Differences + Which is Better?

AWD vs 4WD: Wondering which drivetrain will be your faithful companion through thick, thin, and slippery bends?

Well, to choose wisely, you need to arm yourself with the nitty-gritty details of both systems, and that’s why we’re here.

Read on as we decode these acronyms to help you select the drivetrain system that best suits your needs. We’ll also share some factors you should consider when choosing the right one.

What Is an AWD System?

All-wheel drive (AWD) is a drivetrain system that powers both front and back wheels — automatically adjusting power between the different wheels to ensure traction isn’t lost.

For example, if one wheel starts to slip, the system can redirect power to the other wheels with more grip. This helps maintain stability and traction control, especially on paved or uneven surfaces, making it easier and more efficient to drive.

AWD systems use various mechanisms to distribute power across all sets of wheels, such as:

Torque vectoring: Uses brakes to control the spin of specific wheels.
Viscous couplings: Uses thick fluid to transmit torque between the front and rear wheels.
Multi-plate clutches: Uses friction and steel plates to manage torque distribution between axles.
Differentials: Allow the wheels to rotate at different speeds while distributing power.
Transfer cases: Distributes power from the engine to both the front and rear axles.

You can also test drive and check a vehicle’s capabilities before picking one.

Next, let’s check out why you should or shouldn’t go for an all-wheel drive system:

A. Pros of the AWD System

Here are the advantages of the AWD system:

Driver doesn’t need to manage the AWD system
A wide variety of vehicles are available with AWD
Requires less maintenance than 4WD systems (in general)
Most AWD vehicles are more fuel-efficient than traditional 4WD systems

B. Cons of the AWD System

Here are the disadvantages of the AWD system:

Incapable of handling extreme situations, like steep or uneven terrains
Leads to price changes, usually increasing the vehicle’s total purchasing cost
Reduces a vehicle’s fuel economy when compared to two-wheel drive cars

Now, let’s explore the four-wheel drive system in detail.

What is a 4WD System?

Four-wheel drive systems generally power front and back wheels through differentials, transfer cases, and couplings. Drivers can opt to activate 4WD according to driving directions and road conditions.

Ideally, you should only use a 4-wheel drive system on slippery, loose, or rugged surfaces.

Here’s why:
In some 4WD modes, the front axle and rear axle lock, making all wheels rotate uniformly, which helps maintain grip in harsh conditions. But on dry pavement, particularly during turns, this uniform rotation can lead to drivetrain stress because the outer wheels turn faster than the inner ones.

Meanwhile, engaging 4-wheel drive on slippery or loose surfaces like gravel allows the wheels to slip slightly. This helps accommodate different turning arcs without stressing the drivetrain.

Let’s check out the advantages and drawbacks of 4WD vehicles:

A. Pros of 4WD System

These are 4WD advantages:

Increased control in off-road settings
Affordable price range
Generally, most 4WD vehicles have serious towing power

B. Cons of 4WD system

Conversely, here are 4WD downsides:

Generally, four-wheel drive cars offer a rougher ride
Less fuel efficient than AWD systems
Tend to require more regular maintenance

Still confused about which system you need?
We’ll help you out.

AWD vs 4WD: Which Is Better?

These factors can help you pick out the ideal drivetrain system:

1. Driving Conditions

If you primarily drive on paved roads and encounter any mild off-road condition like light snow, rain, or gravel, an AWD car might be more suitable. It’s designed to handle everyday driving conditions, providing better grip and control on slippery roads.

Go for 4WD for off-roading, a drive on rugged trails, or when living in an area with severe weather conditions.

2. Type of Vehicle

In most cases, it’s more about the type of vehicle you need than the drivetrain system. For example, most pickup trucks only use 4WD, but some vehicles also offer AWD, like the Ford Maverick (a Ford pickup) or the Hyundai Santa Cruz.

Meanwhile, AWD is commonly used in cars, sedans, and minivans. On the other hand, SUVs and crossovers can usually accommodate both systems.

If opting for electric vehicles, you have options in both AWD and 4WD.

3. Fuel Efficiency

An AWD car tends to be more fuel-efficient than 4WD vehicles because they are typically lighter and have systems that engage all four wheels only when necessary. So, if fuel economy is a priority, an AWD vehicle might be the better option.

Note: AWD is less fuel efficient when compared to rear-wheel drive (RWD) and two-wheel drive vehicles (2WD).

4. Usage and Utility

If you need a vehicle for heavy-duty tasks like towing in challenging conditions or extra traction for rock crawling or driving in deeper snow, a 4WD vehicle is what you need. These vehicles are typically more robust and have additional features like a transfer case and locking differentials for extreme off-road driving capabilities.

Tip: When exploring drivetrains on an online buying site, you can request a test drive for the saved vehicles to get first-hand experience of their capabilities.

Next, let’s find out how much it’ll cost you to maintain each of these systems.

What Is the Service Cost of AWD and 4WD Vehicles?

Your service department might charge around $150 – $500 for‌ a basic⁣ servicing of a four-wheel⁣ drive vehicle. Meanwhile, servicing an AWD vehicle can cost around $200 to $700.

You can also expect some price changes according to your vehicle make and local labor charges.

That said, to keep your drivetrain working efficiently, you should schedule service regularly and never ignore any alerts on your dashboard. And if you do notice any alerts like 4WD warning lights, call a mechanic or your service center ASAP.

Pro tip: You can subscribe to price alert emails for service specials and new offers to get the best deals from your service department.

Have more questions?
Let’s address them next.

4 FAQs on AWD and 4WD Systems

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions:

1. What Is Part-time AWD?

Part-time AWD systems, also called automatic AWD, operate in two-wheel drive mode and automatically switch to powering all four wheels only when extra traction is necessary. Part-time AWD systems are not always on and offer better gas mileage than those with always-on AWD systems.

Examples: Toyota Land Cruiser 70, Jeep Wrangler, and Mazda BT-50

A Jeep Wrangler climbing a dirt slope

2. What Is Full-time AWD?

Full-time AWD systems continuously power the front axle and rear axle. It constantly monitors the traction at each wheel and adjusts the amount of power each wheel needs. If the system detects the rear wheel slipping, it redirects more torque to the front wheels. Conversely, if the front wheel starts losing traction, it increases power to the rear wheel.

Examples: Audi R8, Honda CR-V, and electric vehicles like Subaru Solterra

3. What Is Part-time 4WD?

A part-time four-wheel drive system is generally found in trucks and off-road vehicles. Drivers can manually switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. It’s important to understand driving directions about when and how to manually switch between 4WD High Range (4H) for less challenging conditions and 4WD Low Range (4L) for more demanding terrains.

Remember, driving part-time 4WD vehicles in four-wheel mode on dry, non-slippery roads can destroy the 4WD system.

Examples: Nissan Titan XD and Jeep Wrangler

These vehicles may also come in rear-wheel drive and two-wheel drive (2WD), but they aren’t suitable for harsh driving conditions.

4. What Is Full-time 4WD?

Full-time four-wheel drive constantly sends power to all four wheels and works similarly to the all-wheel drive system. Sometimes, drivers can choose how the amount of power is distributed.

Although full-time 4WD vehicles are still sold (especially as pre-owned inventory), this older system is gradually being phased out from new inventory. That’s because modern vehicles typically don’t need it.

Examples: Toyota Land Cruiser and Jeep Compass

Get Your AWD and 4WD Issues Fixed at Autonation Mobile Service

While AWD is ideal for on-road everyday driving and adverse weather conditions, 4WD offers rugged capabilities for serious off-roading and challenging terrains.

And if you need to schedule service but don’t have time to visit a service center — look no further than AutoNation Mobile Service.
We’re a mobile auto repair and maintenance service available seven days a week. We offer upfront pricing, convenient online booking, and a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty on all repairs.

Contact us and we’ll bring the service center to your driveway.