The sales associates at Toyota near Fullerton have recently witnessed a sharp increase in SUVs and dual-cab utes, which has led to more Americans purchasing vehicles with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicles.
Unlike two-wheel-drive vehicles driven from the front or rear wheels, power is sent straight to all four wheels in an all or four-wheel-drive drive.
Many people opt for cars with all-wheel drive (AWD) traction for safety reasons, while adventure seekers go for four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles so they can do some off-roading. Here the fellas at Fullerton car dealerships examine the advantages and disadvantages of all-paw traction.
What’s The Difference Between AWD and 4WD?
Everyone at Toyota near Fullerton tells us that there is very little disparity in all – and four-wheel-drive mechanicals. All-wheel drive chronicles vehicles with a four-wheel-drive system designed to beef up road traction, for instance, on slippery roads. Many car manufacturers use all-wheel-drive as a safety feature. Many AWD systems restrict the drive to one set of wheels, either front or rear, and only employ the other set of wheels when the system notices a slippage or a lack of traction or for efficiency and performance intentions.
Four-wheel drive is used to define vehicles that are more likely used for real off-roading. Many, but not all, 4WD vehicles have a center differential that lends a hand when dividing the power and torque between the front and rear axle.
Typically, severe off-roaders at Toyota near Fullerton will usually have high and low-range gearing. The low range makes it easier for the engine to push the vehicle lower over steep terrain. Many four-wheel-drive models do not have high and low ranges but will still have off-roading capabilities.
There are several different four-wheel-drive systems found in various models. Some need the driver to stop the vehicle and put the four-wheel-drive system into action, while with others, all four wheels are employed at all times.
Toyota trucks and SUVs that currently offer real 4WD systems include:
- Toyota 4Runner
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Toyota Sequoia
- Toyota Tacoma
- Toyota Tundra
Are AWD/4WD Vehicles Safer Than Two-Wheel-Drive Ones?
This boils down to the conditions of the roads and how the vehicle is driven. So, it isn’t easy to surely say that an AWD vehicle is safer than a two-wheel-drive one since the level of mandatory safety features is now equipped for all new passenger vehicles.
One of the primary advantages of AWD or 4WD is that a vehicle equipped with one of these systems will move from a standing start with more traction than a two-wheel-drive vehicle. This is very true when the road is wet or slippery since the traction is allotted equally between all four wheels.
AWD and 4WD also help traction when towing a boat, caravan, or float, depending on the conditions. This is precisely the case when pulling on wet or slippery roads, at a damp boat ramp, or on unsealed roads designed for off-roading. It is also useful when driving on sand.
Many 4WD vehicles are just more extensive than other vehicles, and this can improve crash performance.
Are AWD And 4WD Vehicles Worth The High Price Sticker?
AWD or 4WD models usually cost more than the same two-wheel-drive models. Many SUVs are available in the same model grade but with the option of 2WD or a 4WD. When this is the situation, the 4WD is usually a minimum of $2000 more than the 2WD version.
Whether the extra expense is worth it depends on how the vehicle is used and where you plan on driving it. If you’re driving a lot of miles on country roads, especially unsealed roads, then it could be worth the extra cost, similarly if you reside in an area that experiences a lot of rainfall or snow. When it comes to towing a caravan, boat, horse float, or bigger trailer, AWD or 4WD is a better way to go.
Are They Fuel Efficient?
Since the components of AWD and 4WD weigh more than 2WD components, they put a heavier load on the powertrain. This results in more fuel usage with AWD and 4WD, but depending n the vehicle, it may not be all that much.
Are SUVs All 4WD/AWD?
SUVs are all the rage in America and have overtaken traditional passenger sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks as our favorite type of vehicle. But anyone purchasing an SUV believing it will have some off-road ability might be disappointed. In previous decades, what we now know as SUVs were rugged four-wheel-drive wagons engineered and built with off-road driving in mind.
Car manufacturers realized a long time ago that the general public likes the appearance of an off-roader – chunky wheel arches, big wheels, rigid design, and that all-important ride height – but they didn’t really want to take their car off-road. Nowadays, many high-riding wagons on the roads are not AWD/4WD, even though they may appear to be. SUVs of all sizes have taken over, and a brief look at the small SUV segment reveals that only a few variants are available with all-wheel drive – most are front-wheel drive only.
Nevertheless, a new output of ‘real’ off-roaders is available for individuals considering the shift to soft-roaders. Toyota sells SUVs based on their respective 4×4 utes, and many of them are made for off-road adventures. However, those same utes they are based on are very useful off-road too.