AWD vs. 4WD: What’s the Difference?

If you’re shopping for an SUV or a performance vehicle in Philadelphia, you may be asking yourself, “What is the difference between AWD and 4WD?” or even, “Is AWD the same as 4WD?” To better understand the difference between AWD vs. 4WD and figure out whether AWD or 4WD is best for you, read on, and then fill out a pre-approval and explore our new vehicle specials.

What is AWD?

When determining the differences between AWD and 4WD, whether or not AWD is the same as 4WD, and if AWD is better than 4WD, Exton drivers will first need to know what AWD is. AWD stands for “all-wheel drive.” With this drivetrain, torque is directed from the engine to the front and rear axles and then to all four wheels via differentials.

One thing that may complicate your choice between AWD or 4WD is that there are multiple types of AWD systems, including full-time, which sends torque to your wheels all the time. There’s also part-time, a system that monitors driving conditions and works to balance out your traction with torque on an as-needed basis.

What is 4WD?

There may be some Boothwyn drivers wondering, “Is AWD the same as 4WD?” or “What is the difference between AWD and 4WD?” Believe it or not, there’s a subtle difference between AWD and 4WD. In a 4WD system, your engine is able to allocate torque — not just to front and rear axles — but to left and right axles as well. This further optimizes your vehicle for off-road driving.

Which is Better: AWD or 4WD?

Is AWD better than 4WD, or is it the other way around? It depends. 4WD offers you better traction but can be more expensive. If you’re looking to do a lot of off-road driving, then we recommend 4WD. If you simply want better traction on wet roads and ice, AWD will do the trick.

Land Rover Models Available With AWD

• Land Rover Range Rover: AWD
• Land Rover Range Rover Sport: AWD
• Land Rover Range Rover Velar: AWD
• Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: AWD
• Land Rover Discovery: Terrain Response 2 System (Intelligent Part-Time AWD)
• Land Rover Discovery Sport: AWD
• Land Rover Defender: AWD w/ Configurable Terrain Response

Land Rover Models Available With 4WD

• Land Rover Range Rover: 4WD
• Land Rover Range Rover Sport: 4WD
• Land Rover Range Rover Velar: 4WD
• Land Rover Discovery Sport: 4WD
• Land Rover Defender: 4WD

Land Rover West Chester Can Help You Decide Between AWD and FWD

Do you have lingering questions about what the difference is between AWD and 4WD that our AWD vs. 4WD comparison hasn’t covered? If you’re unsure of whether to choose AWD or 4WD, give us a call at . We’d love to show you the Land Rover AWD system in action. If you have other fundamental questions about automobiles or the Land Rover brand as a whole, be sure to check out our manufacturer guides for more information about where Land Rover models are produced and how Land Rover Adaptive Cruise Control works! You can also explore our inventory to find the used AWD SUV that’s best suited for your driving needs!