AWD vs. 4WD: What's the Difference Between Them
Decades ago, most cars were rear-wheel drive, requiring drivers to strap on snow chains when the weather turned nasty. That started to change when front-wheel drive became more prevalent, but it wasn’t until all-wheel drive showed up that the game truly changed. Subaru pioneered AWD in mass-market cars in the 1970s, and Audi used the technology with great success in Group B Rally racing. That said, four-wheel drive has been around quite a bit longer than all-wheel drive, though its use was initially limited to commercial and military applications. Today, four-wheel drive is common and is gospel in off-road communities because of its ruggedness and ability to tackle serious off-road terrain. Which system is best for you, and which is best overall? We compared the two to help you get a feel for what they are, how they work, and which might be best for your driveway.