In a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle, you have the option of choosing whether the engine powers all four wheels at once or just two. With an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle, the engine powers four wheels at all times. The majority of cars on the market only offer two-wheel drive (2WD), meaning the engine just powers the front or rear wheels. 4WD and AWD are optional and may even come standard on many SUVs.
SUVs with 4WD are always more expensive than the 2WD models. The additional cost of 4WD always differs depending on the model and complexity of the system. Various SUVs, such as the BMW X3 and X5, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Honda Pilot are only manufactured with 4WD. If you decide that 4WD is not important to you, this will help focus your search for a new car or truck.
| What are you willing to pay for 4WD? | |||
| 2007 Make & Model | 2WD | 4WD | Price Difference |
| GMC Yukon SLE | $36,350 | $39,150 | $2,800 |
| Ford Escape Hybrid | $25,655 | $27,260 | $1,605 |
| Lexus RX 350 | $37,400 | $38,800 | $1,400 |
The greatest advantage to a 4WD or AWD vehicle is easily the extra traction that it provides. Primitive versions of 4WD systems were intended for navigating through off-road terrain littered with large rocks, mud, and steep inclines. On the other hand, present day computer-operated 4WD systems are designed to increase traction on paved surfaces. This really serves as an added bonus on roads covered by rain, snow, dirt, gravel, and mud by lowering the probability of losing control if any or all of the tires are unable to grip the road. 4WD and AWD are also beneficial when carrying or towing a lot of weight; large trailers can cause a vehicle to become imbalanced and reduce traction, but 4WD compensates for this enough to maintain stability.
The more extreme winter weather is in your climate, the more reasonable it is to purchase a vehicle with 4WD. Overall, experienced drivers are able to navigate through snow completely fine with 2WD. Besides, vehicles lacking 4WD are often equipped with electronic traction or stability control, which is not quite as spectacular as 4WD but is almost as effective. 2WD vehicles, either front or rear-wheel drive, should be able to maneuver safely through almost any wintry conditions as long as they are outfitted with decent snow tires on each wheel. Studies have even proven that 2WD vehicles with four snow tires will surpass the performance of 4WD vehicles with all-season tires in the same amount of snow.
Auto manufacturers would probably tell you different, but the security that drivers contribute to having 4WD is often psychological. If you are not an off-road enthusiast or don’t live in the northern part of the country where snowfall is intense, you probably don’t need to splurge on a 4WD vehicle.
In summary, the disadvantages of 4WD/AWD in comparison to 2WD include: