When some people hear the terms 4-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive, they tend to think that the two terms are the same thing. In some ways that are true, but in fact, they are two separate applications of all four wheels on a vehicle having power instead of just two.
Four-wheel-drive has been around longer, so it is more familiar to most people. This type of powertrain uses a lower gear ratio and a split differential in order to power all four wheels. This is found mainly on pickup trucks and larger SUVs that are used in off-road situations. All-wheel-drive vehicles are usually crossovers, sedans, and high-performance types of vehicles. In the all-wheel-drive configuration, power is sent equally to each tire with additional power per wheel depending on road conditions. This application is for paved roads where slick conditions prevail such as rainstorms, ice, and snow.
Consumers have the choice of which drive method they wish to employ depending on their needs and expectations when they are driving. If you’re still on the fence about which is best for you, be sure to stop in and learn more at Cavender Toyota today!
