What is the Difference Between All-Wheel Drive and 4-Wheel Drive?

May 7, 2021

With the inclement weather of the winter months rapidly approaching, drivers can soon expect to find themselves dealing with adverse road conditions. The fickle nature of Maryland’s climate doesn’t help matters, when a partly cloudy sky can turn into a sleet storm in a moment’s notice. In times like these it pays to have a vehicle engineered to handle these situations, one with the added traction and acceleration of an all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) drivetrain. Both of these set-ups apply power to all four wheels, which helps the vehicle grip slippery surfaces better, as well as help prevent wheel spin.

While both of these drivetrains sound similar, there are notable differences between the two. To get technical, AWD vehicles feature a front, center, and rear differential to power all four wheels simultaneously. Vehicles equipped with AWD run it continuously; there’s no switching to a two-wheel set-up. All-wheel Drive systems rely on computers to calculate which wheels to send power to, letting the driver just focus on driving. AWD drivetrains are typically found mostly on car-based SUV and crossover platforms, as well as some passenger cars. They’re primarily made for road use as opposed to off road exploration. Toyota makes a variety of cars featuring this platform, including the Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Venza and Sienna.

Four-Wheel Drive vehicles have been around longer than all-wheel drive ones, and are a bit more specialized. The main difference from AWD is that 4WD vehicles primarily run in rear-wheel drive (RWD), with the option to switch to 4WD. While AWD equipped vehicles rely on computers to distribute power between the wheels, 4WD models put the decision in the hands of the driver, who can choose between low and high modes depending on the terrain conditions. Low mode excels when traction is needed in deep snow or sand, whereas high is primarily used on slippery roads. 4WD is the drivetrain of choice for off-roading, as most vehicles equipped with this setup possess a high level of ground clearance, and the low power mode excels in climbing uneven surfaces. Cars equipped with four-wheel drive tend to be larger SUVs and trucks, including the Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, and Sequoia

Although both drivetrains offer many benefits, they aren’t without their drawbacks. On average, an AWD or 4WD vehicle will tend to average 1-3 miles per gallon less than the same model equipped with front-wheel or rear-wheel drive. This is primarily due to the extra curb weight, as well as engine workloads these drivetrains require. In addition to lower fuel economy, AWD and 4WD vehicles require more maintenance, including regular oil changes to the differentials. Flat-bed towing is also advised, since towing an AWD or 4WD vehicle on its wheels can seriously damage the drivetrain. The most obvious drawback however, is the premium prices vehicles equipped with these systems command in relation to their two-wheel powered counterparts. On the flip-side, AWD and 4WD models tend to retain better resale value, so it could potentially be a better investment, especially if you live in a climate where they’d be put to good use.

To sum it up, both AWD and 4WD vehicles are the best to handle inclement weather conditions. AWD will be adequate if you plan to stick to the road, while 4WD offers better off-road capabilities. Either way, just remember that although these drivetrains allow for better traction and acceleration on slippery surfaces, they do not improve braking or cornering. One should still take extreme care in piloting these vehicles on a snowy road – just because they offer better traction does not mean they will perform as predictably as they would on a dry surface!

Jerry’s Toyota Baltimore is proud to offer a wide variety of both AWD and 4WD vehicles to choose from. We’ve even conveniently linked them below!

All Wheel Drive Toyota Baltimore Inventory:

Toyota Highlander AWD

Toyota Venza AWD

Toyota Sienna AWD

Four Wheel Drive Toyota Baltimore Inventory:

Toyota 4Runner 4WD

Toyota Sequoia 4WD