When you're in the market for a new or pre-owned vehicle, you're going to hear the terms two-wheel drive (2WD), four-wheel drive (4WD), and all-wheel drive (AWD) get tossed around. But you might not necessarily know what these terms mean or understand which one you should decide to go with.
To help you get a better feel for what 2WD, 4WD, and AWD are, we've put together a complete breakdown of each one below. This will help you see what the differences between them are and allow you to pick out the best option based on your needs. The following is a list that defines and describes each type:
What Is 2WD?
New Wheels by jeff_golden is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
A 2WD vehicle is a car, truck, or SUV that is powered by just two of its wheels. While all four wheels on the vehicle will obviously turn to keep it moving forward, only two of them are going to provide power.
There are two different types of 2WD vehicles that you can buy. The first type is a front-wheel-drive vehicle. As its name would suggest, this kind of vehicle is powered by its front two wheels. These wheels are also going to play a key part in the steering of a 2WD vehicle. Generally speaking, front-wheel-drive vehicles tend to be cheaper to make for auto manufacturers, so they'll be some of the most affordable vehicles around.
The second type of 2WD vehicle is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Instead of relying on its front two wheels for power, this kind of 2WD vehicle will count on its rear two tires to do a lot of the heavy lifting by providing the power that the vehicle needs to move forward. Most rear-wheel-drive vehicles are quicker than front-wheel-drive ones and are also easier to handle.
What Is 4WD?
While a 2WD vehicle is only powered by two wheels, 4WD vehicles are powered by all four wheels at once. If you’re driving a 4WD vehicle, you’ll usually be able to alternate between 2WD and 4WD modes as necessary. However, there are some 4WD vehicles that will remain in 4WD for the most part.
4WD vehicles are ideal if you spend a lot of your time traveling over uneven terrain. They're also great if you have to drive in wintry conditions. When all four wheels on a vehicle have power, they provide you with a much smoother ride in these types of situations.
However, you need to be careful about when you use the 4WD setting on a vehicle that is equipped with 4WD. You might think that leaving 4WD drive on at all times would help you take control of your car, truck, or SUV more effectively. But it could actually cause you to burn through more fuel than you might like while also putting your transmission at risk. Therefore, you should pick and choose when you decide to use 4WD to avoid any unnecessary consequences that might come along with using it all the time.
What Is AWD?
Some people confuse 4WD and AWD, and it's hard to blame them for doing so. There are, after all, some instances in which a 4WD and an AWD vehicle will operate in the same way. The difference is that AWD vehicles are cars, trucks, and SUVs that have both 2WD and 4WD capabilities. They basically offer you the best of both worlds.
AWD vehicles provide power with all four of their tires, but they don't do it in dramatic fashion like 4WD vehicles do. They're specifically designed to use all four wheels at once while driving under normal circumstances. So, you're going to get a much better response from them when you're driving around town or doing some light off-roading than you would get from the wheels on a 4WD vehicle.
Should You Buy a 2WD, 4WD, or AWD Vehicle?
Now that you know a little bit more about 2WD, 4WD, and AWD, you might be wondering which option would be right for you. The fact of the matter is that it's all going to depend on how you plan to use your vehicle.
If you're only going to be using your vehicle to drive to and from work, you should be able to get away with a 2WD vehicle, though you might also want to kick the tires on the idea of securing an AWD vehicle. If, on the other hand, you're going to be using your vehicle for off-roading adventures, that will be reason enough to move forward with buying a 4WD vehicle.
You should also keep your budget in the back of your mind when you're trying to decide whether to buy a 2WD, 4WD, or AWD vehicle. If you're on a tight budget, you might want to consider going with a 2WD vehicle, but if you have a little bit of extra money to spend, going with a 4WD or AWD vehicle could be your best bet. This will give you more options when you're driving around and ensure that you're always safe, regardless of which types of terrain you might have to travel across.
Search for the Largest Selection of 2WD, 4WD, and AWD Vehicles at Our Dealership
The best way to learn about the differences between 2WD, 4WD, and AWD is by driving different vehicles that have these features. When you test them out, you’ll be able to see how they work so that you can select the right option.
Here at North End Mazda, we have plenty of 2WD, 4WD, and AWD vehicles for you to choose from. We’d love to take you out on a test drive so that you can experience the differences between 2WD, 4WD, and AWD for yourself. We would also love to get the chance to speak with you about 2WD, 4WD, and AWD and answer any other questions if you still don't fully understand what sets them apart.
Reach out to us today to schedule a test drive at our dealership.
