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Difference between AWD and 4WD

If you are looking for a new car then for sure you must have landed in the classic confusion to understand which one is better for your need AWD vs 4WD. In today's world, most of the modern world SUV comes in either AWD or 4WD option. The basic difference is that an AWD or All-Wheel Drive is a recent innovation which drives all of the four wheels, all the time whereas 4WD or Four-Wheel Drive is used for large SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicle) to use extra traction in off-road situations. The easiest way to tell them apart is that AWD system are always on and utilizing electronic sensors, it is smart enough to know which wheel needs power. 4WD is usually disconnected and needs effort from the driver to be engaged, turning all four wheels at the same time.

Here are the main differentiators:

  1. AWD is always on and it comes quite handy during unexpected situations, especially when negotiating sandy patches or slippery corners. AWD definitely make more sense for Dubai or UAE roads where sand and little off road patches is in abundance. AWD is always engaged and the traction required is readily managed by sensors automatically and the driver does not need to make any selection of terrain or gear.
    4WD are mainly useful for truck-based vehicles with large wheels and off-road tyres thus proving advantageous to negotiate very difficult terrain. It comes with two versions: either full-time - they stay automatically engaged allowing the car to switch between two and four-wheel-drive mode; or part-time - the driver has to manually shift between two and four-wheel drive. 
     
  2. In most AWD systems, power is delivered to one set of wheels, front or rear. On detection of any slippage at one axle, power is diverted to the other axle automatically. 
    In 4WD, the gears split the power between the front and rear axles so that the maximum torque goes to each wheel. When the transfer case splits power evenly, it ensures that each wheel turns at the same speed. There is also a ‘high’ and a ‘low’ 4WD. In the ‘high’ mode, power splits less evenly and is recommended for speed up to 95 kmph. In low mode power splits more evenly and is recommended for tackling serious off road conditions i.e stuck in loose sand, pulling another car or towing the trailer. In low gear speed should not be increased more than 30 – 40 kmph or else it will stress the gearbox and drive-train noticeably. 
     
  3. AWD provides better grip and offer sportier handling and traction to a wide range of sports car, performance SUV and crossover’s. But it reduces fuel economy, as it increases weight and is not ideal for extreme off-road conditions.
    For extreme off-road conditions, 4WD comes across as sturdy. It can be turned off to improve fuel economy but it adds weight as well. And needless to say It is expensive than the two wheel drive models.

While AWD offer excellent benefits if the weather gets rough, or the road is not as it is meant to be, hence the All-Wheel Drive is still the best choice to use in Dubai and UAE conditions. In conclusion, if you are a die-hard fan of 4-wheel-drive for extreme off-road adventure, opt for a 4WD, if not then AWD makes lot more sense.

If you need more help, or need specific answer for any question then try the ‘Carnity Forum’ (http://carnity.com/) section or find car businesses near you with the Carnity ‘Business listing’ (http://carnity.com/business_listing) section.





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