Despite the increasing number of online resources and shifting dealer strategies, car shopping is still a headache. There's a long list of confusing topics when choosing the right one, but all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) seem to consistently confound salespeople and car shoppers alike. Often, these terms are used interchangeably, but are they really the same? In the motoring world, they actually refer to very different systems, which can produce radically different results on and off-road. But let's get to the point: what's the difference between the four-wheel drive and the all-wheel drive, how will each affect your daily driving life, and which badge belongs to your car?
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
Let's start with the old-school version. 4WD, sometimes referred to as Four by Four or 4 × 4, is typically used on off-road vehicles - or at least vehicles with all-terrain capabilities.
Unfortunately, 4WD does not fit nicely in one-sentence explanation, but we'll stick to the basics.
Power goes from the engine, to the transmission, to what is known as a transfer case. This system splits power between the front and rear axles so that the torque is evenly applied to each wheel. This process is nothing new, and is still used in modern Jeeps to tackle just about any off-road obstacle. It's not perfect, though.
When the transfer case splits power evenly, it ensures that each wheel turns at the same speed. This is really problematic when doing things like turning. You see, for a car to make a turn, the inner wheel must turn more slowly than the outside wheel, which covers more ground. If the vehicle can not do this, the inside wheel loses traction and spins freely. This, as you may be able to guess, is not great for maintaining the momentum.
The difference between the four-wheel drive and the all-wheel drive 2017 Jeep Wrangler
There are a couple of ways that modern 4WD systems get around this. For starters, most modern 4WD systems are only on when you activate them. This can be done electronically or by using that protruding lever that sits somewhere between your radio and the center console. That way, you can use 4WD at low speeds when traction is at a minimum (for example, in snow or mud), but you can enjoy the efficiency of two-wheel drive in normal conditions. When left in 2WD, there are fewer moving parts, and therefore fewer restrictions to forward motion. Said a different way, you'll save fuel when you do not need to engage 4WD.
More modern 4WD systems are activated with buttons or switches rather than a manual lever, and include multiple settings for the 4WD system. These systems usually have two 4WD gears. 4WD 'High' splits power less evenly and allows a 'limited slip' between the inside and outside wheels. This corrects the locked, spinning inside wheel problem by channeling more power to the wheel with a traction (in our example, the outside wheel). 4WD High power available on wheels, so you can move quickly over slippery surfaces (up to about 60 mph). For the most available power, however, you'll want 4WD 'Low.' The low gear limits wheel speed but is perfect for the arduous terrain. A word of advice: you really do not want to go too fast in 4WD Low ... things start breaking.
4WD Pros 4WD Cons
Best traction and off-road conditions. Adds weight and complexity to cars
Proven, rugged technology Can not be used in all conditions
More expensive than two-wheel drive models
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
All-Wheel Drive is a much more recent innovation, and, as you might expect, much more complicated. It crops up on everything from supercars like the Audi R8 to grocery-getters like the Buick Encore.
In fact, a good rule of thumb may be to think of AWD as the "car" system while 4WD is the "truck" system. It's not always the case, as some vehicle segments are overlapping with drivetrains, but if you're asked the question on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, this rule might win you some money. Consider crossovers like Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, and Mazda CX-3 tend to fall under the "car" category while SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota 4Runner fall under the "truck" category. Here's how to better understand the differences between crossovers and SUVs.
The biggest difference between 4WD and AWD is that AWD drive system is on all time. Well, mostly.
There are two types of all-wheel drive: mechanical and electronic. The most common way of creating a capable, mechanical AWD system is by using three differentials. A differential is a box of gears, a.k.a. engineering magic, which can take power from the transmission and split it at different levels between the two wheels (front or rear axle) or four wheels (front and rear axle).
In AWD, this system works to get power to the wheels with the most traction by splitting the torque between front and rear axles on the center differential, and to the individual wheels by way of front and rear differentials.
This is useful in slippery conditions when different wheels might be getting different amounts of grip from moment to moment. The Mercedes-AMG E63 is a perfect example. It is now sold only in AWD in the United States because its power can overwhelm the traction of the rear wheels alone. Even when we aren’t talking about 500+ horsepower cars, splitting power evenly means added stability in all types of weather.
AWD isn’t quite as robust as 4WD and it can’t match the acute power delivery necessary for low-speed off-roading (i.e. rock crawling). However, AWD does have some clear advantages.
The pioneer and industry standard for AWD systems, Audi Quattro, distributes torque mechanically. Quattro allowed Audi to dominate rallying for nearly a decade in the 1980s, but heaven help you and your bank account if it went wrong.
These days, computers are involved in most AWD systems. Sensors on each wheel monitor traction, wheel speed, and several other data points hundreds of times a second. An ECU (engine control unit) dictates where power is sent and to which individual wheel depending on whichever has the most grip.
This type of system, usually called torque vectoring, appears on everything from the Subaru WRX to the Dodge Charger these days. Torque vectoring has allowed massive improvements in handling and all-weather capability.
AWD for EVs
But wait, there’s more. Electrified powertrains add another option when it comes to AWD systems, namely the ability to use an electric motor to power a set of wheels without any mechanical connection to the other set.
In hybrids and plug-in hybrids, an internal-combustion engine can be used to power one set of wheels, while an electric motor powers the other. This is called “through-the-road” AWD, and it’s currently used on vehicles such as the Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid and the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
whats the difference between four wheel drive and all 2120x920 ms redsunset 1 640x427 c
All-electric cars can take this concept a step further. AWD versions of the Tesla Model S and Model X use two electric motors — one for each axle. That’s why these cars get a “D” suffix, for “dual motor.” Besides the packaging advantages of not having to physically connect both axles to an engine, the power output of electric motors can be precisely controlled via software, helping to maximize traction.
As more automakers get serious about electrified cars, it’s possible that these AWD systems will become more common. Given the current popularity of SUVs and crossovers, automakers will have to offer AWD in order to take hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric cars into the mainstream.
AWD Pros AWD Cons
Provides increased grip and control under all road conditions. Reduces Fuel Economy.
Gives sportier handling and traction to a broader range of cars. Increases the weight and complexity
Works all the time . of vehicle sall the time. Not as good in extreme off-road conditions.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
Let's start with the old-school version. 4WD, sometimes referred to as Four by Four or 4 × 4, is typically used on off-road vehicles - or at least vehicles with all-terrain capabilities.
Unfortunately, 4WD does not fit nicely in one-sentence explanation, but we'll stick to the basics.
 |
| 2017 Jeep Wrangler |
Power goes from the engine, to the transmission, to what is known as a transfer case. This system splits power between the front and rear axles so that the torque is evenly applied to each wheel. This process is nothing new, and is still used in modern Jeeps to tackle just about any off-road obstacle. It's not perfect, though.
When the transfer case splits power evenly, it ensures that each wheel turns at the same speed. This is really problematic when doing things like turning. You see, for a car to make a turn, the inner wheel must turn more slowly than the outside wheel, which covers more ground. If the vehicle can not do this, the inside wheel loses traction and spins freely. This, as you may be able to guess, is not great for maintaining the momentum.
The difference between the four-wheel drive and the all-wheel drive 2017 Jeep Wrangler
There are a couple of ways that modern 4WD systems get around this. For starters, most modern 4WD systems are only on when you activate them. This can be done electronically or by using that protruding lever that sits somewhere between your radio and the center console. That way, you can use 4WD at low speeds when traction is at a minimum (for example, in snow or mud), but you can enjoy the efficiency of two-wheel drive in normal conditions. When left in 2WD, there are fewer moving parts, and therefore fewer restrictions to forward motion. Said a different way, you'll save fuel when you do not need to engage 4WD.
More modern 4WD systems are activated with buttons or switches rather than a manual lever, and include multiple settings for the 4WD system. These systems usually have two 4WD gears. 4WD 'High' splits power less evenly and allows a 'limited slip' between the inside and outside wheels. This corrects the locked, spinning inside wheel problem by channeling more power to the wheel with a traction (in our example, the outside wheel). 4WD High power available on wheels, so you can move quickly over slippery surfaces (up to about 60 mph). For the most available power, however, you'll want 4WD 'Low.' The low gear limits wheel speed but is perfect for the arduous terrain. A word of advice: you really do not want to go too fast in 4WD Low ... things start breaking.
4WD Pros 4WD Cons
Best traction and off-road conditions. Adds weight and complexity to cars
Proven, rugged technology Can not be used in all conditions
More expensive than two-wheel drive models
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
All-Wheel Drive is a much more recent innovation, and, as you might expect, much more complicated. It crops up on everything from supercars like the Audi R8 to grocery-getters like the Buick Encore.
In fact, a good rule of thumb may be to think of AWD as the "car" system while 4WD is the "truck" system. It's not always the case, as some vehicle segments are overlapping with drivetrains, but if you're asked the question on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, this rule might win you some money. Consider crossovers like Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, and Mazda CX-3 tend to fall under the "car" category while SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota 4Runner fall under the "truck" category. Here's how to better understand the differences between crossovers and SUVs.
The biggest difference between 4WD and AWD is that AWD drive system is on all time. Well, mostly.
There are two types of all-wheel drive: mechanical and electronic. The most common way of creating a capable, mechanical AWD system is by using three differentials. A differential is a box of gears, a.k.a. engineering magic, which can take power from the transmission and split it at different levels between the two wheels (front or rear axle) or four wheels (front and rear axle).
In AWD, this system works to get power to the wheels with the most traction by splitting the torque between front and rear axles on the center differential, and to the individual wheels by way of front and rear differentials.
 |
| Mercedes E63 AMG |
AWD isn’t quite as robust as 4WD and it can’t match the acute power delivery necessary for low-speed off-roading (i.e. rock crawling). However, AWD does have some clear advantages.
The pioneer and industry standard for AWD systems, Audi Quattro, distributes torque mechanically. Quattro allowed Audi to dominate rallying for nearly a decade in the 1980s, but heaven help you and your bank account if it went wrong.
These days, computers are involved in most AWD systems. Sensors on each wheel monitor traction, wheel speed, and several other data points hundreds of times a second. An ECU (engine control unit) dictates where power is sent and to which individual wheel depending on whichever has the most grip.
This type of system, usually called torque vectoring, appears on everything from the Subaru WRX to the Dodge Charger these days. Torque vectoring has allowed massive improvements in handling and all-weather capability.
AWD for EVs
But wait, there’s more. Electrified powertrains add another option when it comes to AWD systems, namely the ability to use an electric motor to power a set of wheels without any mechanical connection to the other set.
In hybrids and plug-in hybrids, an internal-combustion engine can be used to power one set of wheels, while an electric motor powers the other. This is called “through-the-road” AWD, and it’s currently used on vehicles such as the Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid and the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
whats the difference between four wheel drive and all 2120x920 ms redsunset 1 640x427 c
All-electric cars can take this concept a step further. AWD versions of the Tesla Model S and Model X use two electric motors — one for each axle. That’s why these cars get a “D” suffix, for “dual motor.” Besides the packaging advantages of not having to physically connect both axles to an engine, the power output of electric motors can be precisely controlled via software, helping to maximize traction.
As more automakers get serious about electrified cars, it’s possible that these AWD systems will become more common. Given the current popularity of SUVs and crossovers, automakers will have to offer AWD in order to take hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric cars into the mainstream.
AWD Pros AWD Cons
Provides increased grip and control under all road conditions. Reduces Fuel Economy.
Gives sportier handling and traction to a broader range of cars. Increases the weight and complexity
Works all the time . of vehicle sall the time. Not as good in extreme off-road conditions.
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