Unlike a 4WD system, however, AWD systems typically do not have a transfer case that the driver can use to select from extended gearing ranges for on- and off-road use.

First, some background. If they aren’t AWD or 4WD, vehicles will use either front-wheel drive (FWD), in which the front wheels are powered by the engine, or rear-wheel drive (RWD), where power ...

We describe how all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD)—also known as 4x4—work, explain their similarities and differences, and how these two systems can be confused for one another.

Look around the internet and you’ll find explanations different from the one you see here, such as if a system has a particular piece of hardware, it’s 4WD, and if it doesn’t, it’s AWD.

I’ve had this discussion with some AWD/4WD enthusiasts, and it basically boils ... There is a subtle difference between the diagrams shown and the AWD system on the Subaru pictured. The ...

"For the average driver, AWD is better – It automatically kicks in as needed," says Raynald Marchand, CSC general manager of programs, in an email. "4WD has to be manually selected, and it's ...

Your front wheels also travel further than your rear wheels, so in an AWD or 4WD vehicle, there’s a need for a differential between the front and rear axles as well. This system is great on the ...

4WD. Pros: This is the simplest system and it’s been around more for than 125 years.In most vehicles, drivers can turn 4WD on and off, locking the front axle to the drivetrain to spin all four ...

On 4WD vehicles, the transfer case can be manually actuated by a lever, dial, switch, or button to engage different gear settings. On AWD vehicles, the transfer case automatically works without input.

That's vastly less convenient than an AWD system. Basically, 4WD is of very little use on-road, so if you never plan to venture well off the pavement and into the rough stuff, you'll likely be ...

Find out more about 4WD and AWD here. No, they are not the same when it comes to off-roading. ... Dynamax's AWD system on the new Kia Sportage has all of this, ...