AWD vs 4WD: What's the difference?

All-wheel drive vs four-wheel drive cars: a guide

What’s the difference between AWD vs 4WD vehicles?

There is very little difference in the mechanicals of AWD and 4WD vehicles. AWD describes vehicles that have a four-wheel drive system designed to maximise road traction, such as on slippery roads. AWD is sometimes positioned as a safety feature, and used by many brands, notably Subaru and Audi, to differentiate their models. Many AWD systems limit the drive to one set of wheels (front or rear) and only engage the other set of wheels when the system detects a slippage or a lack of traction, or for performance or efficiency purposes.

Four-wheel drive is used as a description of vehicles that are more inclined to be used for actual off-roading. Many, but not all 4WD vehicles, have a centre differential that helps divide the power and torque between the front and rear axle, while some will offer the ability to lock the rear and/or front differentials.

Serious off-road vehicles will usually have high and low-range gearing. Low range makes it easier for the engine to propel the vehicle at a lower speed over steep or tricky terrain. Many four-wheel-drive models do not have high and low range, but will still have off-roading ability. 

There are a variety of different four-wheel-drive systems found in different models. Some require the driver to stop the vehicle and engage the four-wheel-drive system, while others have all four wheels engaged at all times.

Do I need a 4WD or AWD vehicle to drive off-road?

It depends what you mean by off-road. If you're only briefly driving along an unsealed, dirt or gravel road that is largely free of obstacles then you can most likely get away with a AWD vehicle, or even a 2WD vehicle.

But if you plan on doing some serious off-roading regularly then you'll want to invest in a vehicle with 4WD. This is because 4WD drivetrains are built specifically to withstand different terrain types and supply maximum traction to the wheels, with the body of the car built higher off the ground to avoid obstacles.

4WD capable hybrids have arrived in Australia, with battery electric versions expected to follow. Image: Supplied.

Subaru's all-wheel drive system is well proven on Australian roads. Image: Supplied.

Are 4WD and AWD cars fuel efficient?

Componentry of AWD/4WD systems weigh more than 2WD components and therefore place a higher load on the powertrain. This means that fuel use typically increases with the addition of AWD/4WD, but depending on the vehicle, it might not be by much. For example, a 2023 Nissan X-Trail petrol auto with 2WD has an average official fuel-use figure of 7.4L/100km, while the intelligent 4x4 model (in reality, an AWD system) consumes 7.8L/100km. 

The difference is slightly more noticeable in bigger vehicles, like the Mazda CX-9 large SUV. The Mazda CX-9 Touring needs 8.4L/100km of petrol in front-wheel-drive guise, and increases to 9.0L/100km in the AWD version. The additional fuel costs can add up over a year of filling up, so consider whether you really need the AWD version.

In terms of overall running costs, the Subaru Outback 2.5 AWD CVT MY23 was one of the most affordable AWD vehicles to own in 2023, while the the most affordable 4WD was the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, according to RACV’s latest Car Running Costs Survey.

Are SUVs all 4WD or AWD?

SUVs are popular in Australia and have overtaken traditional passenger sedans, wagons and hatchbacks as the favourite type of car. But anyone choosing an SUV assuming it will have some off-road ability might be disappointed. In decades past, what we now know as SUVs were rugged four-wheel-drive wagons engineered and built with off-road driving in mind. Think of the likes of the Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol, and smaller fare like the Nissan Pathfinder, as well as tiny rock-hoppers like the Suzuki Jimny.

These days, a huge chunk of the high-riding small and medium SUVs on our roads are not AWD/4WD, much as they might look it. Car brands realised a while back that people like the look of an off-roader – chunky wheel arches, big wheels, tough design and that all-important ride height – but they didn’t necessarily want to take their car off road. SUVs of all sizes have taken over and a quick look at the small compact SUV segment shows that only a handful of variants are even offered with all-wheel drive – most small SUVs are front-wheel drive only.

There are, however, a new crop of true off-road 4WD/AWD SUVs available for those lamenting the shift to soft-roaders. Many manufacturers including Ford, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Toyota sell SUVs based on their respective 4x4 utes and all of them are built for off-road adventures. Alternatively, those very utes they are based on are also quite handy off road.

4WD EVs haven't hit Australia yet, but a few all-wheel drive EVs like the MG4 XPOWER use their dual-motors to drive both axles. Image: Ben Weinstein.

Are there electric 4WD or AWD vehicles?

If you’re looking for a 4WD battery electric vehicle in Australia you’ll need to wait a while longer, but 2024 will see the arrival of petrol-hybrid utes and plug-in hybrid utes with 4WD capability from manufacturers including Ford, GWM and BYD. 

EV Manager at RACV Liam Brady says there are a few potential reasons electric 4WDs haven’t hit Australia yet. “Most likely it’s simply due to consumer demand and market forces. That is, automakers favouring other markets where they believe they will sell better,” he says. “4WD owners may also be more likely to do longer trips in more regional and remote locations where there is a lack of charging infrastructure.”

However, Australians do have options if they’re looking for an electric AWD vehicle. “There are a few EV models that come with AWD as standard such as the Volvo XC40 Recharge, BMW iX, Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-PACE,” says Brady. “There are also EVs that have an AWD model variant like the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2.”

Do I need a 4WD or AWD car to tow my boat, trailer or caravan?

It's not the drivetrain of the vehicle, but torque that mostly determines a vehicle's suitability for towing. In reality, that does mean anyone towing a larger load, such as a caravan or boat, is going to require the torque that comes with 4WD and AWD vehicles, with diesel engines preferred for their ability to generate torque with minimum revving. Some AWD EVs are also capable of towing but typically have reduced maximium braked towing capacity over diesel vehicles.

Aim for between 400Nm to 500Nm of torque when selecting a vehicle for towing and familiarise yourself with terms like 'maximum tow capacity', 'tow ball download', 'gross vehicle mass', and gross combination mass'.

If you're towing smaller loads like a trailer, there are petrol and SUV options that may suit your needs. 
 

^{This is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs (“your personal circumstances”). Before using this advice to decide whether to purchase a product, you should consider your personal circumstances and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination. For copies, visit racv.com.au. RACV Car Insurance issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Limited ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed.}