The Difference between AWD and 4WD
It’s summertime here in YYC and though it may feel like one of the only times of the year that we don’t have to worry about winter driving, it is the perfect time for you to be researching and shopping for your ideal vehicle for our upcoming winter. As Canadians, we are very cognizant of the treacherous road conditions that occur in the winter months and therefore it is essential for us to have vehicles that are equipped with the technology to keep us on the road.
A frequently asked question that a lot of our shoppers have regarding the beneficial winter features that our vehicles come with here at Advantage Ford is “what is the difference between All Wheel Drive (AWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4X4) and which one is better suited for our winter driver.
This blog will outline the similarities and differences between the two and hopefully give you piece of mind on which option may be better suited for you and your family. At Advantage Ford we offer both new and used four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles, as both of these features are great options for a vehicle driven in winter conditions here in Calgary.
When people walk into our store however, many think that these options are the same and the truth is that they actually operate differently and are found on different kinds of vehicles. So, while the terminology may be used interchangeably, the two options are in-fact different and this is what makes them different:
The Short and Sweet:
All-wheel drive vehicles, otherwise defined by their acronym AWD, are vehicles that employ front, center and rear differential to offer better traction and power. Whereas Four-wheel drive or 4X4 vehicles employ two differentials, transferring between the front and rear wheels and sending a fixed amount of power to each tire.
AWD is typically found in cars, crossover, hatchbacks and smaller SUVs and 4×4 features are typically found in larger SUV’s and trucks. Some vehicles now come with automatic AWD and manual 4X4 options.
The short-and-sweet when it comes to the difference between AWD and 4X4 vehicle options is that All-wheel drive is typically more suited for every day driving and standard road usage in conditions where the vehicle may need more traction or power, whereas 4X4 options are best suited for off roading conditions or getting a vehicle unstuck from a snow band- for example.
Want to learn more about the AWD or 4X4 features in our Ford vehicles? Contact us today!