Creek to Coast | AWD vs 4x4: What is the difference?

Ever wondered the difference between an All Wheel drive and a Four Wheel drive? Here Roger from Creek to Coast explains & shows the difference.

[skirmich]

Let me simplify for the common man..
4x4 = Car able to select between 2WD and 4WD usually they come with a transfer for Low/High capabilities, Transfer will say: (2 High / 4 High / Neutral  / 4 Low)
4WD = Car that has a constant 4x4 function (Car cant go into 2WD) and it has a transfer for Low capabilities, Transfer will say: (Neutral / 4 Low) but they can also be locked into 4 High only with no Transfer Case.
AWD = Car that is 2WD (Usually front) and is able to automatically engage into 4x4 when slipping occurs, Modern AWD cars dont have a Low capability and don't transfer torque.
Constant AWD = Car that is mechanically engaged into 4 High so all wheels spins at all times but is able to manage power front to back or back to front or left to right.

This is the main difference from 4WD and Constant AWD:
Constant AWD can transfer torque to the axle or tire with most traction.
4WD will have always 50% of the power on each axle.

So the correct use will be:
Off Road = 4x4 or 4WD
On Road = AWD or Constant AWD

If doing max Off Road where a Low Gear is needed then 4x4 and 4WD systems will be needed, If doing mild off road a Constant AWD car can work only until a Low Gear is needed for Crawl.

[winston]

I got the Subaru with the 50/50 split full-time AWD. Front diff, rear diff, center diff.
Hill start assist? My '51 Studebaker had a hill-holder on the clutch.

[williamgoboff]

If you know how to drive awd works just as well off roading. I drive awd of roading every weekend with no issues. Just habe good tires and know what your doing for differnt surfaces.

[hellcat]

I've actually worked on a vehicle that was listed as all wheel drive that had a standard transfer case with a standard engagement solenoid. The only difference was that the computer was set up to keep the solenoid engaged full time until it failed and the vehicle went into two wheel drive mode.

[dundonrl]

Does the Prada not have a center torsen differential? I know the Lexus GX-470 based on the Prada does.

[rideRgetRDEn]

Why not just pay a driver to drive you around off-road if you don't want want to do any of the driving.

[dupont]

Very simple people, if you have a button that allows you to choose 2wd/4high/4low you have a 4x4, with possibly a center Limited slip differential.
If you don't have a button that allows you to select the above mentioned option and have AWD, then your car is always sending power to both front and rear axles at different percentages, starting off at 70/30 with a front or rear bias and depending on conditions your driving on it can change to 50/50.

[timramich]

It's really called 4WD pretty much everywhere in the world. Only a few places use the term AWD. In those few places, 4WD means to fully-locked differentials. In those same places that use the term AWD, it just means 4WD with LSDs or some fancy torque vectoring system.

[avseuheadquarters]

the world war 2 jeep is that a 4wD? Is all wheel drive means all the four wheels of the vehicle will turn always whenever the vehicle drives?

[albertskuks]

video title is missleading - this is a Kluga (and other softroaders) comercial

are they both unibody design or body-on-frame like the tradition truck based SUVs?

[giovanni]

American: Look at that Hilander!
Aussie: issa Kluger

[EDXR]

Hill start assist isn't all that new. My brothers 1994 Subaru L series has it and that model came out with it in 1984. and yes the video does highlight the differences between a slip and grip AWD system to 4WD but doesn't explain other forms of AWD like subaru's constant AWD system.

[stressedout]

if my 2008 jeep grand Cherokee has 4wd low only does that mean I have awd On the back it says Laredo 4x4 and has the trail rated 4x4

[wisb_]

in America the kluger is called a highlander

[Axessor]

Unable to use the Highlander name in Japan and Australia because of a trademarked Hyundai Terracan trim line, Toyota calls the vehicle the Toyota Kluger (トヨタ クルーガー Toyota Kurūgā?) (pronounced Klu-ger) there, the name derived from the German word klüger, which means clever or wise.

Thank you Wikipedia.

[JohnDoe-qgnk]

the difference between a 4x4 and awd is that 4x4 is the vehicle that pulls awd vehicle out of the ditch that the awd is stuck in

[runningonfullnostanks]

Hey Toyota! how bout making Kluger 4x4 from factory, we're paying $55k + already .

[mikeklaene]

Model names are different here in the USA. Had not trouble understanding this bloke.

[ladbrey]

Why would you go through all of this, then not show features of the Prado?!