All Wheel Drive vs Four Wheel Drive

As the name suggests, the front and rear wheels of the vehicle are driven by an AWD system. AWD systems send torque, which is the force you feel when you press the gas pedal, from the engine to the front and rear axles, powering all four wheels simultaneously. This provides you with added traction while accelerating on slick conditions. AWD allows for a variety of torque splits so that the wheels can all rotate at different speeds to provide better handling on drive pavement as well. AWD is found commonly in the sedan and SUV classes and comes in two different variations: full-time AWD and part-time, which is sometimes referred to as automatic AWD. Full-time AWD systems, like the one Subaru uses, send power from the engine to both axles at all times. Meanwhile, part-time AWD is sometimes available for front- and rear-wheel drive vehicles. When roads are dry and smooth, the system will run in two-wheel drive. When the road conditions get a bit dicey, the system relies on a network of sensors to detect a loss of traction and automatically engage the other axle, shifting into AWD without any driver input.

Whether you get an AWD vehicle with full or part-time AWD, there are many benefits. The main benefit is that it provides continuous traction without having to shift a lever or push a button. A great benefit of part-time AWD systems is that they tend to get better fuel efficiency compared to the full-time AWD system. An example of a part-time AWD system is Jeep's Active Drive systems, found in the Compass, Cherokee, and Renegade. AWD vehicles are best suited for drivers with daily commutes that must be taken no matter the weather or road conditions.

Four-wheel drive is most commonly used for trucks and the more heavy-duty SUVs. Like AWD, 4WD systems send torque to both axles. However, 4WD locks the driveshafts, meaning that the power being sent to the front and rear axles are the same. Another way that 4WD is different from AWD is that, more often than not, drivers control and manually engage the system. This is usually performed by flipping a switch or pushing a button. Vehicles that use 4WD tend to perform their best on the trails, while some are not as well suited for on-road driving.

Vehicles equipped with a 4WD system make the vehicle more at home while hauling heavy loads and tackling rugged terrain. With the locking driveshafts of a 4WD system, it provides additional traction while taking on off-roading conditions like sand, mud, and snow. As mentioned above, some 4WD vehicles don't perform as well on-road as they do off-road. However, the exception to this is a vehicle that has a 4WD system with both "high" and "low" modes. Using the high setting will help maintain traction on slippery on-road surfaces, while the low mode provides maximum traction at low speeds for better off-roading control. Luckily, Jeep uses high and low modes with their Command-Trac, Selec-Trac, and Rock-Trac 4WD systems for the Wrangler and Gladiator. Meanwhile, the Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II 4WD systems use high and low modes as well.

There are many benefits to owning either an AWD or 4WD vehicle; it is just a matter of what you plan on using it for. If you know what you need from a vehicle, the friendly sales team here at Washington Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram will pay attention to your needs and help guide you toward the perfect car for you. You can also start your search for a new car right here on our website by checking out our new inventory page. However you choose to shop, we look forward to working with you!