AWD vs 4WD - Which System is Better and How Do They Work? We Demonstrate the Differences

All-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles have many similarities today, but there are still lots of differences as well. We take a 4WD Nissan Frontier, an AWD Nissan Rogue and our new set of rollers to show how they work.

#Nissan #4WD #AWD

[Libertarian_Neighbor]

I loved my Limited 4Runner with full time 4WD/AWD via a Torsen Center Differential. It wasn’t a rock crawler, but this system drove through snow, rain, loose gravel and mud like a mountain goat.

[fritty]

I had the best of both. My 93 land cruiser was 4WD with the ability to be a 4 wheel drive having a rear, center and front lockers.

[polsok]

These rollers do a great job showing real world slip, looking forward to more videos with the rollers testing different awd systems

[alekpolick]

Just bought the wife a Rav4 AWD. Took it out in a blizzard and a half foot of snow to test the AWD system and I am a believer now. Handled it like a champ.

[exmortis]

Awesome video on the the AWD vs 4WD. I had no idea any other vehicle had limitations with the rear locker, I can turn it on/off on my F150 at any time in any drive mode. Although not something I do often, but it does prove to be useful on a boat ramp or when towing a heavy load in slippery conditions when weight is pulled off the front wheels. 4x4 becomes less useful, and the rear locker a helpful tool in the box.

[ericgosselin]

I think one of the better system is the full time 4wd with lockable torsen center diff in the 4runner and land cruiser. With Toyota Atrac system on top of that it is a pretty nice setup and certainly one of the best on the market.

[sakarihannula]

With 3 rollers it would be nice to see the differences in behaviour when 2 rollers back and 1 front vs. 1 rollers back and 2 front. I think that rear locker would not help in case that there are 2 rollers back and 1 front?

[hughmackellar]

Have both. AWD Escape, good winter commuter, don't go off the beaten trail. F-250 4wd, my farm truck. Have not been stuck, that i could not get it out, once i unhooked what ever i was either pulling into or out of a field.

[aidenp]

In my case, my X5 first gen x-drive, its an awd system but when I take off traction control (DSC), the drive train turns into a 4x4 system, theirs no aid In traction control, it sends power with the transfer case at a fixed rate to the wheels. Best of both worlds, I personally go 4x4 all day. Ive been through some rough stuff and snow, DSC off, the x5 acts like a different vehicle in a good way, its way more capable.

[pierrelemoine]

Another aspect is 4x4 transmission binding in corners. A lot of people assume that 4x4 can be left on and driven around for extended periods. But 4x4 excels when the trajectory is primarily straight. When left on for long periods it can cause transmission binding in corners and possibly a repair bill long term

Where AWD is meant for everyday driving around town and isn't subject to binding. This isn't to say one us better than the other but they serve different use cases. 4x4 more off road or pulling a trailer up a slope etc... AWD is a daily jack of all trades but struggles more off road.

[sail]

1. Glad you didn't crack your skull on the driveway when surfing on that roller. 2. I'd oil the s**t out of those bearings, rusty on the outside indicates a lack of maintenance from the former owner. Great video!

[bulletproofoverland]

All wheel drive was first coined by International Harvester it's product branding like Ford with 4x4 and Toyota with 4WD. They all describe the engine turning the front and rear wheels.

What you are trying to describe or differentiate is the difference between road oriented four wheel drive or Off road oriented Four wheel drive. Both have examples of vehicles with part time and full time systems. Some with diff locks some with low range some with low gear some with traction control. But the main dit is some are oriented and configured for on road or primarily on road performance and the off road oriented systems.

[quintili]

I can use the rear locker on my ZR2 in 2wd. I can only use the front locker in 4 low. My F-150 work truck also lets me use the rear locker in 2wd.

[HungNguyen-mobs]

Great demonstration of the two systems. The big difference for me is AWD is driving all 4 wheels all the time, rain, snow, mud, or dry. The 4WD is running in RWD when on pavement, which is 99.9% of the time for me. For the 0.1% when not on pavement, which is soft, muddy camp grounds, I've never had a problem with AWD. 4WD doesn't provide max grip the vast majority of time unless you live off road.

[alanj]

Very true, just all depends on what you personally need and how you are going to use it. My 2wd suv is perfect for me now, but soon enough that will be a HD 4x4 diesel truck so I can tow a travel trailer. We all have different needs and those needs change with time. Great video and review. Both did a great job.

[nlken]

I think the rear locker will work on F-150's in 2wd. It don't need to be in 4wd which was nice.

[bikebudha]

For 99% of us, the all-wheel drive that is always on (or the computer allocates power automatically) is the best system. Can't tell you how much of a pain it is to be driving down the highway at 70 and drive into a snowstorm - have to slow down to under 40mph to shift into 4x4 then speed up. Not to mention what 4x4 does to your turn radius (it's terrible).

[DrivenHard]

I’m questioning how “new” those rollers are 🤔

[stevelevine]

I feel like I wonder this at least once a week and never get around to getting proper answers from Google. Great video love the rollers they remind me of the old Honda crw awd scam videos

[gregferris]

I think this test is very important to us in Upstate New York.