What is the Difference Between AWD and 4WD?

People love to throw the words all-wheel and 4-wheel drive around, but what is the difference and what do they mean? 

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Table of Contents

1. What is AWD

2. Pros of AWD

3. Cons of AWD

4. What is 4WD

5. Pros of 4WD

6. Cons of 4WD

7. Which is Better?

What is AWD?

AWD or all-wheel drive is a system that powers all four wheels when driving. This is made specifically for cars and SUVs and is not necessarily ideal for off-road performance but is optimized for on-road use.

There are two kinds of AWD systems; full-time and part-time. A full-time AWD system will always be powering all 4 wheels, all the time. Whereas a part-time system is in 2WD until you are in a slippery or poor traction situation, then it will move into AWD. This will end up saving you gas and in-turn, money.

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Pros of AWD

1. Mindlessly works for you

2. Great for on-road use

3. Great for cars and SUVs

4. Safety

Cons of AWD

1. Considered inferior to 4WD

2. Not made for off-road driving

3. Not optimized for trucks

4. Increase cost of the vehicle

5. Reduces fuel economy

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What is 4WD?

Found in trucks generally. 4WD or 4-wheel drive, also is a system that powers all 4 wheels, hence the name. This system will be more robust than AWD and optimized for off-road driving.

The most significant thing that a four-wheel-drive does is send power to all four wheels equally. Having equal power across all four wheels makes easy work of low-traction situations.

Similar to AWD, 4WD also has full and part-time systems to have it working all the time or only sometimes when it is slippery or on rough terrain, etc. This can be automatic or manual. 

Usually driven by a mechanical connection, 4WD systems use a series of front, center, and rear differentials, along with transfer cases and couplings to provide torque to all four wheels. These systems have become more advanced over the years. 

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Pros of 4WD

1. Best in adverse weather conditions

2. Best for off-roading

3. Optimized for trucks

4. Maximum power

5. Safety

6. Does the work for you

Cons of 4WD

1. Increase cost of the vehicle

2. Can make the ride stiffer

3. Adds weight

4. Worsens fuel economy

5. Not optimized for SUVs (if that’s what you drive)

6. Not optimized for on-road driving (if you don’t go off-road)

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Which is Better?

This is all dependent on what kind of vehicle you have or want, and what kind of terrain you want to drive on along with the conditions that you drive through. Take all the information here and decide what is best for you.

Be sure to go take a look at our wheel and tire packages too! We offer free shipping and free mounting and balancing on all packages! We also offer as low as 0% APR financing. 

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