You have many choices to make when you’re shopping for a new car. Do you want a luxury vehicle or something more practical? Are you looking for a lot of cargo space or do you need something smaller with better gas mileage? Among the many decisions you’ll mull over in the car-buying process is the one between two-wheel (2WD), all-wheel (AWD), and four-wheel drive (4WD).
What’s the Difference?
Two-wheel drive describes vehicles with a drivetrain that allows two wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously. According to Edmunds.com, the drivetrain of all-wheel drive cars provides independent power to all four wheels of the car with a front, rear and center differential. Four-wheel drive cars, however, provide power to all wheels through two differentials and a transfer case, a device that divides the power between the front and rear axles. Simply put, this distribution of torque can affect your car’s traction. The biggest difference between AWD and 4WD, according to Digital Trends, is that, for the most part, AWD can’t be turned off.
An easier way to understand the differences between the two can be to think of it this way: 4WD is for off-road and AWD is for on-road, according to Edmunds.com. They note that 4WD is usually on vehicles that are built for rough terrain, those with shielded underbodies and large, deep-ridged tires, while AWD can be found much more commonly on many types of cars, ranging from sports cars to SUVs.
MSN.com points out that the number of Americans opting for AWD and 4WD is growing; and last year, close to one-third of new cars sold came with some form of AWD. So why the growing interest? Let’s take a look at some of the features.
Bad Weather
If you’ve driven a two-wheel-drive car in bad weather, you know it can sometimes be a harrowing experience. As Edmunds.com points out, both the AWD and 4WD outperform 2WD vehicles in acceleration because of the distribution of traction. A few inches of snow can cause a front- or rear-wheel drive car to slip and slide all over the place when you accelerate, making it difficult to remain steady on the road. An AWD or 4WD car may be a better option for you if you live in an area with many rainy or snowy months.
All Terrain
You probably already know that a 4WD is best for off-roading. The advantage of 4WD, according to Digital Trends, is that it gets the best traction in rough terrain. So if you’re looking to blaze your own trail on the weekends, 4WD is a must.
Gas Mileage
Historically, one of the big drawbacks of both AWD and 4WD cars is that you’d have lower fuel economy due to heavier parts and a harder working engine, but, according to MSN.com, there’s a growing variety of AWD cars that get at least 27 mpg. In addition, 4WD offers the ability to switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive, allowing you to save more on gas mileage.
Cost
According to Edmunds.com, additional costs for 4WD and AWD vehicles can range from $1,000—$4,000. These cars also have additional required maintenance that can add up over time. You just have to decide whether the added safety and handling gained with the added traction and power make those increased costs worth it for your needs.
Still not sure what’s best for you? Head to your local dealership and chat with the experts, they can help determine which option is right for you.
Comment on this article
Comments
Lowell T. on May 30, 2014 at 6:30pm
Hy.My comments may be outside your control. If so perhaps you could forward it to the proper place. I have had a GM Mastercard for ten years I have about three thousand dollars accrued towards a new car. The problem is Iam on low ss income and can only afford entry level autos. Gm keeps deducting from my balance as a penalty for not buying a car. and now has reduced the amount I can use to five hundred dollars. This makes the inflated price of new cars beyond what I can afford. This is wrong. I should be able to use The credits I have earned to the full amount on any GM car. Or at least allow a percentage to be used for GM dealership maintenance. It is wrong to cheat customers by systematic changes of promotions offered. If I am denied a new car than at least let me use what I have earned for continued maintenance on the GM car bought in 2009. Thank you Lowell T .Warren
Ally A. on June 3, 2014 at 1:28pm
Hi Lowell, we’d like to help, however we recommend reaching out to GM about this matter.
Len on August 10, 2014 at 11:45am
I'd like to see you discuss the difference between front and rear two-wheel drive. My experience is that a front wheel drive handles much better in snow than a rear wheel drive. That is generally because the weight of the engine over the front wheels, and their being able to turn to claw a path, gives better traction than the real wheels can provide. I would say that most drivers using normally maintained roads would do very well with front wheel drive. Persons who must travel in any condition, or those using off-road or unmaintained roads should consider 4WD or AWD.
Ally A. on August 26, 2014 at 11:53am
Thank you for the suggestion, Len! That would be a great topic.