Whether you’re taking to the trails or regularly encountering rough road conditions, it’s always convenient to have four- or all-wheel drive to back you up. Our parts specialists at Jake Sweeney Chrysler Jeep® Dodge RAM are quite adept when it comes to understanding different drivetrain types, so we want to take a moment to explain the difference between AWD and 4WD so you can determine which is a better fit.
AWD transfers power to each of your four wheels all the time. This constantly-active drivetrain is quite intuitive and can be useful when taking on poor road conditions or light trails. That said, it isn’t quite robust enough to take on truly rigorous trail running. While some drivers may attempt to tackle rough terrain behind the wheel of a vehicle with AWD, the results may be less than stellar.
Alternatively, 4WD is far more robust, pumping power to all four wheels dynamically. 4WD allows you to adjust your drivetrain based on the terrain you’re traversing, and as a result, it provides far greater traction and control than AWD. Excelling on dirt roads, extensive trails, and the roughest of road conditions, 4WD is truly the more rugged option.
So, which is better? While 4WD is arguably gives you more control and traction than AWD, it is not necessarily the better fit. Determining which is superior truly depends on what you expect out of your car and what kind of driving you do on a regular basis.
At Jake Sweeney Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM, we believe that there is a car out there for everyone. As one of the leading Chrysler, Dodge, RAM, and Jeep car dealerships in the Cincinnati, OH area, we’ll go above and beyond to ensure you leave our lot behind the wheel of something truly remarkable.
