The difference between 4x4 vs 4WD vs AWD

What is the difference between AWD, 4WD and 4×4? The terms ‘four-wheel drive’ (4WD), ‘all-wheel drive’ (AWD) and ‘four by four’ (4×4) are often used to mean the same thing, but there are actually some important distinctions. While you may think you know what each one is, this might not be the case. A vehicle is considered a four-wheel drive (4WD) when its engine sends power to all four wheels equally. A transfer case uses the vehicle’s two axles to split the power allowing each wheel to move at the same pace. The benefits of 4WD include increased grip, traction and power, making these vehicles perfect for driving off-road or towing heavy loads.

There are two states of 4WD:

4L (four wheel drive, low range) refers to when a low gear ratio is used on all four wheels, usually on softer surfaces such as sand or mud and when driving on steep hills
4H (four wheel drive, high range) offers more traction for driving on firmer grounds such as gravel, dirt road and firmer sand.
It’s worth noting that even if a vehicle has more than four wheels – such as a six-wheel truck – and its engine distributes power to each wheel equally, it will still be considered a 4WD.

4WDs are typically heavier and more expensive than 2WDs. They can also be less energy efficient, although certain modifications can improve this.

What does 4×4 mean?
A 4×4 system sends power to all wheels equally (known as 4WD) but only applies to cars or trucks that have four wheels. So, while all 4×4 cars are 4WD vehicles, not every 4WD is a 4×4 – a six-wheel truck could be a 4WD but is not a 4×4.

The first four in ‘4×4’ refers to the number of wheels on the vehicle and the second four refers to how many wheels receive power. In contrast, most standard cars are 4×2 as they have four wheels but only two receive power.

Interested in modifying your 4×4? Discover the best mods in our 4×4 modification guide, and make sure you know how this might change your 4×4 insurance costs too. So, what’s the difference between 4WD and AWD?

While the engine in a 4WD vehicle sends power to each four wheels equally, the engine of an AWD can send different levels of power to each wheel. AWDs can distribute the engine power mechanically or electronically, but neither usually require driver action. With most AWDs, one axel is prioritised – the vehicle will generally work as a 2WD and provide additional power to the other axle when required.

There are four types of AWD:

Full-time AWD: when AWD is permanently working on your vehicle – the engine will always be powering each wheel.
Part-time AWD: when a vehicle mainly uses 2WD, but the driver can engage the second axle with the engine, for example in slippery weather conditions.
Automatic AWD: works similarly to part-time AWD, in which the vehicle serves as a 2WD car until conditions require AWD. However, the vehicle will automatically engage AWD, rather than the driver manually changing it. When the wheel starts to slip and the driveshaft rotates faster, a traction control will lock and engage with the other axle, sending torque its way. The vehicle will return to 2WD when the difference in the axle speed stops.
Selectable AWD: gives drivers the option between 2WD and 4WD. Similar to part-time AWD, but can be used for longer.

4WDs are suited to rugged terrain and severe weather conditions, as the vehicles can offer more pulling power when required. 4WD vehicles can offer some flexibility, with drivers being able to select between 4L and 4H.

AWD vehicles are also well suited for driving in snowy or icy weather. When travelling in these conditions, the surfaces you drive on can change, from gritted road to soft snow, hard snow to ice. If you are driving an AWD or 4×4 in winter, you should know how to maintain your vehicle in those conditions. The flexibility of AWD makes it suitable for adapting to each condition quickly. AWDs could be the ideal car if you live in a colder climate.

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[rickwarner]

There is some incorrect information in this video. For example on the AWD the split between the front and rear is rarely 50/50. It's usually either 60/40 or 70/30. Also, there are variations of both AWD and 4WD so they are not all the same. Most AWD vehicles have a smart system so they are not giving power to all 4 wheels at once. It may be using only front wheel or rear wheel drive and then give power to the other wheels as they need it. I could go on but this is already long enough.

[joshm]

The key difference between AWD and 4WD lies in how the front and rear axles are connected. AWD systems use a differential, while 4WD systems use a transfer case.

In an AWD vehicle (with a limited-slip differential), torque is distributed to the axle with better traction, whether it's the front or rear. However, if one axle loses all traction, the vehicle won't move unless the differential is locked or electronic aids intervene. This setup is advantageous for driving on paved roads, as it allows the axles to rotate at different speeds, which is necessary for smooth cornering.

In contrast, 4WD systems lock the front and rear axles together, meaning both axles spin at the same speed. If one axle loses traction, the other can still propel the vehicle, provided at least one wheel maintains grip. However, if one wheel on each axle loses traction, the vehicle won’t move—though this is uncommon since most 4WD and AWD systems include electronic or mechanical limited-slip differentials. While this configuration is better suited for extreme off-road conditions, the locked axles make it challenging to corner on paved surfaces, potentially causing damage to the drivetrain. For this reason, most 4WD vehicles operate in rear-wheel drive (RWD) mode on the road, with selectable 4WD for off-road use. AWD, on the other hand, is typically favored for vehicles designed for "always on" street-oriented use.

[clemsonrugger]

As stated in other comments, this article has incorrect information. Most AWD do not engage all wheels all of the time. Typically, they are front drives with an intelligent system that engages the rear axle when slippage of front wheels is detected. And more but I will stop here.

[pterosaurish]

AWD systems only detect slip in the direction the tires are turning. Slide slip is not detected. Plus the tires have to slip first, before the AWD engages. AWD is ok for usual snowy roads and around town situations, but it ain't 4WD. 4WD you can engage when you know you will be driving on ice or difficult conditions, and it is engaged BEFORE you slip in any direction. Definitely better.

[donaldcurtis]

Got a four-wheel drive truck posi rear two back tires always grip and one locks in the front limited slip

[sekiz_kelvin]

Can you also explain the difference between 4H, 4L and N. thanks.

[davidjacobs]

Are there any 4wd that disconnects the rear? Like he said most don’t but I never seen one have fwd mode

[OdisseoItalico]

there is some confusion in this video because those abbreviations referred to indeed are commercial / marketing terms and not strictly technical terms; there are a lot of variations even in seemingly identical and the technical details are way more important in some corner cases / boundary conditions that the terms used by marketing depts; for example, the presence of limited slippage differentials or interlocks or low gears can really make a difference

[okeynjere]

My AWD Volvo XC90 got stuck in loose sand. My 4th generation 4runner 4WD would have aced it without breaking a sweat. I choose 4WD with a low range transfer case anytime. I can drive with confidence that i can overcome almost every terrain
Infact a full time 4wd is your best bet. Enter the land cruiser or lexus GX

[manuelvpr]

I always get amazed at videos posted by people who claim to be experts and turns out the information they provide is wrong.
AWD or all wheel drive, is a system where all wheels have traction all the time, they provide power all the time. A system like this is found on most Subarus, Audi Quattros and some Acura cars.
When you have 4WD you have a system that has the ability to be AWD some times but at some times it will allow you to be only either rear wheel drive or front wheel drive; this is more flexible because some times you do not need all wheel drive and that allow the driver to save some gas.
Finally there is 4X4 or 4 by 4, this system is found on really tough all terrain vehicles, like Jeep wranglers, Ford Broncos, Some Land Rover vehicles and most pick up trucks. What is more important in these cars is that these cars have a transfer case with a reduction gear or LOW gear, in those cars you will find a selector that has 2H (2 wheel drive high), 4H (4 wheel drive high), N (neutral) and 4L (4 wheel drive Low) In this last gear the car wheel not reach high speeds, but will multiply torque.

[bruceli]

I prefer 1 wheel drive.
Fred flinstone style

[ricardosom]

I only have a question, for a 4x4 vehicle in this case planning to buy a 2000 Isuzu amigo that comes with the 4x4 option. When do I use it and how? Do I just simply move to the 4L or High??
Thank you.

[gjybqce]

While most comments here are correct, you are forgetting something. My wife's rav4 is awd. But it also has a locker on it that she can switch on .. So essentially it is better than my jeep with lockers. Although I will still go miles ahead of her hahaha

[chrisgeddes]

What about Full time 4 wheel drive vs 4 wheel drive LOCKED. There is a BIG difference there! Just try a tight U-Turn, locked. What about Low RANGE vs normal (Hight range)?

[alanwhiteside]

The title said 4x4, 4WD, and AWD.
Never heard anything about 4x4 only 4WD
I had a 4WD truck and it had 4WD HI & Low and Auto I usually used the Auto when it snowed and it did great.

[ADAPTATION]

This video should have also stated that you cannot remain in 4WD when on pavement as this can damage the transmission shaft via ''winding''. Which is not the cas with AWD.

[bdubu]

They will pull with both front wheels until the all-wheel drive is needed

[matthewhuszarik]

All three are used as marketing terms. Almost interchangeably depending of manufacturer.

[jamieeisenhower]

That's why the Jeep Wrangler is the king and also looks better and you can do anything to it and they get-twenties to gallon over the other SUVs they are bigger solid axles with all-wheel drive high and low and a true two-wheel drive back wheel drive

[heineken]

Nobody pays attention to the difference. Two terms have the same meaning: 4 wheels are powered from the engine, except AWD, in some cases can have more than 4 wheels powered.