Technology has enhanced both the traditional four-wheel-drive (4WD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) systems so they hardly compare to those of just five model-years ago.
Whether a 4WD or AWD vehicle will be better for your fleet is based on your fleet applications and geographical location. Investing in vehicles with 4WD or AWD can not only improve performance in certain scenarios, but it also has the potential to improve driver safety.

Four-wheel-drive vehicles provide stellar performance in off-road situation and for towing purposes. AWD systems, on the other hand, make sense for drivers that demand safety and predictability in all driving conditions and get some snow, rain, and ice throughout the year.

However, if you operate an area that doesn’t get snow, lacks hills, or rugged terrain, you can probably live without 4WD or AWD and not notice any issues.

Planning on towing heavy payloads? Then consider a 4WD vehicle. Driving in an urban setting over sloppy roads, then consider an AWD vehicle.

Four-Wheeling (4WD)

Not too long ago the hallmark of 4WD was an output shaft from the transmission that powered the transfer case, which shared the engine power to the front and rear driveshafts. Selecting four-wheel drive high or low power involved turning a switch, flipping a lever, or hitting a button, which would engage a chain drive that would turn the front and rear driveshafts and pinions at the same speed. This would allow greater torque to move the vehicle over or through snow or gravel with more power and surefootedness.

These so-called “part-time” 4WD systems (part-time because the operator had to manually engage the front wheels) have had, and still do have their place.

Many 4WD vehicles today employ computers chips with smart algorithms embedded in them that make decisions for the driver. Higher ground clearances, larger wheels and tires, give these vehicles the ability to go just about anywhere safely, without damaging expensive systems.

There are trade-offs when choosing a 4WD vehicle, and the first is the weight. The systems are complex and robust, and use heavier metals for strength, reliability, and durability. Added weight, means lower fuel economy, an issue even computers and algorithms cannot address. Second is cost. For the same reasons as weight, costs are higher and so is the price for maintenance and repairs.

All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

By definition, an AWD vehicle has an “on-demand” feature that can send power to the non-primary powered wheels when necessary. While 4WD has been around for many decades, AWD is more of a newcomer.

Typically, the most basic systems are front-wheel drivetrains that have a differential inside the transmission that can send engine power through a shaft to a rear differential and to the rear wheels.

Once again, computer power has enhanced these systems, and sensors detect front wheel slips and can redirect more power to the front and/or rear wheels. Today’s crossovers and SUVs — many of which were derived from passenger car designs — are more readily adaptable to AWD systems.

While AWD doesn’t typically offer low-range gear settings for climbing rocks or sashaying up sand dunes, they do offer excellent traction on wet roads and in snow and ice conditions. Computers have significantly enhanced the reliability of AWD systems in almost any conditions.

Predictable stability is the goal for the AWD system. Today’s system relies far-more on computers and less on complicated machinery, so costs and repairs have come down in price considerably. Without the heavier metals and more robust systems, they do not negatively affect fuel economy.