AWD vs. 4WD: What’s the Difference?

At Midway Motors Newton, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of new and pre-owned vehicles of all types to the Hesston community. One of the first things you’ll see when shopping for a new ride is called its drivetrain: front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD), all-wheel drive (AWD), or four-wheel drive (4WD). The latter two involve directing torque to all four of your vehicle’s wheels, so you might be wondering: is AWD the same as 4WD? The short answer is no! There are some key distinctions between how these two drivetrains work, and you’ll want to be aware of the differences before you make a decision to buy the vehicle. The service team at Midway Motors Newton has put together a guide outlining the difference between AWD and 4WD below – check it out!

What is AWD?

In an all-wheel drive vehicle, torque is directed from the engine to the front and rear axles to all four wheels via differentials. Within AWD vehicles, there are two distinct systems: part-time AWD and full-time AWD. Full-time AWD sends torque to the front and rear axles all the time, while part-time AWD uses sophisticated technology to monitor road conditions, terrain, and your driving behavior to decide when to send torque only to the front axle. AWD systems are most commonly found on vehicles with unibody frames.

What is 4WD?

Four-wheel drive is a more traditional 4×4 drivetrain than AWD, and more powerful. Unlike AWD, 4WD systems are able to direct a specific amount of power between the left and right wheels, which makes them a better choice for Halstead who want to take their vehicle off-road, through challenging terrain, or into inclement weather conditions. You’ll most commonly find 4WD systems on vehicles with truck-based platforms. 

AWD vs. 4WD: Which is Better?

Now that we’ve addressed the question of “What is the difference between AWD and 4WD?”, your next question is probably “Which system is better?” The truth is that it depends on your unique driving needs. If you want a bit of extra traction on your daily commute, or if you live in an area that’s vulnerable to bad weather, then all-wheel drive is probably the way to go. On the other hand, if you’re planning on doing more serious off-roading, taking your vehicle to and from a worksite, or making frequent road trips through difficult terrain, you’ll probably want something with four-wheel drive.

Find Your Next AWD or 4WD Ride with Midway Motors Newton!

If you have any questions about the difference between AWD and 4WD, feel free to contact our office! You can also stop by our dealership to check out our AWD and 4WD models in person, or to take an available model out for a test drive around Sedgwick.