4 wheel vs all wheel

[Nancy5]

I'm thinking of getting a new SUV but don't know the difference between 4 and all wheel drive,  I have front wheel now, but its not the greatest in snow.  Any help you guys can give I would appreciate.

[btajpb3]

From everything I've read 4 wd is probably only necessary if you're doing some off roading. For on road it sounds like you should probably stick to all wd.

[bremer51]

I have a pickup with a 4 wheel drive option. We use it occasionally to pull the boat up a steep ramp. For winter driving, I would prefer all-wheel.  4-wheel helps on snow, but its not very effective on ice.

[thoughtparticles]

AWD would be best. My mom owns a Subaru Forester and that thing handles rain and wet roads like a sunny day! I was with her recently in a DOWNPOUR... I was shocked at how well it handled. 

I own (and LOVE  ) a 4x4 Tacoma, it's great for steep boat ramps and the occasional off-road situations, but for general use, AWD is more "practical" for most people.

[bshee58]

Well I'm not the one to give advice on 4 wheel drives, hope someone can help you with that.

[BATISTAGIRL663]

unless you are going to do some heavy muddin  i would go with AWD  ! much better for just driving and good in winter also

[freedavis]

All wheel is so much better to drive.  So much better in weather

[Tresbn00]

I agree with the majority. My wife just got an wheel drive Subaru Forrester. Previously she had an all wheel drive Audi. My kids had all wheel drive Subaru Imprezas. We live in Colorado and they are really good in light snow and rain. Heavy snow is a different matter. I have a fifty two year old, four wheel drive Jeep that I drive to and from work everyday and have had to pull all of their cars out of heavier snow on several occasions. My jeep has good tires and the stock suspension and has always been good in snow and mud. I got stuck in eighteen inches of snow once-about twenty five feet from my house...till I realized that I had not shifted into four wheel drive. Once I was in four wheel drive I took an hour to get home because I went around the neighborhood pulling the new cars out of the snow.

[hkckk5]

I don't know much about 4 wheel drive. All I know is that I do not like front wheel drive. I always make sure my SUV I buy is rear wheel drive. Have had 3 so far in my life and plan on getting a new one next year and it will be rear wheel drive.

[sbenkoski]

iIve had 4 wheel drive SUV all my life and i love it.  I have a tahoe as of right now and its been the best i've ever owned !

[dancer139]

I have a mid size SUV,,,  it has all wheel drive and can flip to 4 wheel drive.  Have never had to use 4 wheel drive so I dn't know if I like it or not  LOL

[gaby_ro_2004]

AWD is good!

[alarisracing]

AWD

[ancmetro]

      Old fashioned 4x4 (four wheel) really works.
I do not know about AWD because it is a newer technology
than 4x4s. Can some people give us their honest opinion
about the difference between these two systems?

[mrisha]

Oh, I learned something today.  I assumed all wheel drive and 4 wheel drive was the same.