AWD vs 4WD – in the world of cars, what’s the difference? And which is best for you?
If you’re shopping for your next car and considering an upgrade for better handling or off-road capability, these terms are bound to come up. AWD refers to “all-wheel drive” and 4WD to “four-wheel drive” and if your vehicle proudly wears either badge, you’ll have a ticket to freedom of sorts – especially once you’ve organised your car insurance.
“That’s because these vehicles generally have more capability than the average front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive car,” says motoring journalist and Editor of Torquecafe Stephen Ottley.
Luckily, if you're in the market for an AWD or a 4WD vehicle, whether to enjoy extra driving capability daily or to start making those bucket list road trips, you'll be spoilt for choice. "Lots of cars come with all-wheel drive these days, and there have never been more 4WDs to choose from,” says Ottley.
For starters, there's the growing market in electric cars, with many models boasting two electric motors, giving them all-wheel-drive capability.
"And for those who want to go off-road, 4WD SUVs and utes are becoming increasingly popular," says Ottley.
AWD cars have more traction in slippery conditions than standard two-wheel drive cars, making for more secure handling, says Ottley.
“There’s a reason rally cars are almost always all-wheel drive,” he says. “If you live on a dirt road or in the mountains with snow, an all-wheel-drive car is almost compulsory. The only real disadvantages of all-wheel drive can be a bit of extra weight, a slightly higher fuel use, and they can be costlier to buy than two-wheel-drive cars. But that’s about it.”
What’s the difference between AWD and 4WD?
Mechanically speaking, AWD is generally simpler, while 4WD systems – also known as 4x4 systems – can be more powerful and capable. Both fundamentally mean all four wheels of the car take the power from the engine and use it to drive.1 AWD does this automatically, whereas 4WD gives the driver more control.2
“AWD is more likely to refer to a conventional car or an SUV designed for lighter off-road duties, such as dirt roads,” explains Ottley. “And 4WD is understood to mean larger body-on-frame SUVs or dual-cab utes with high- and low-range traction control – more suited for serious off-roaders. Think sand dunes, rutted dirt tracks, muddy inclines and trips to Cape York.”
“An example of an AWD might be a Subaru Outback, a Toyota RAV4 or a high-performance vehicle like a BMW M3,” continues Ottley. “In other words, passenger vehicles made more for the road, that you can just get into and drive. Whereas a 4WD requires a bit more understanding to get the best out of it. Examples of a 4WD might be a Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol or Jeep Wrangler.”
Furthermore, AWD cars can either power all four wheels all the time or power two wheels most of the time, engaging the other two wheels “on demand” as traction and grip are needed.3
And what about the world of caravans and campervans – a growing lifestyle segment in Australia?4
Ottley says while some campervans may come with a 4WD system for off-roading, or just a simple AWD system, what’s important to note is that most 4WD SUVs have a greater towing capacity than your typical AWD car – which is why you’re much more likely to see them towing a caravan.
Deciding whether an AWD or a 4WD is best for you will ultimately come down to your individual circumstances and lifestyle but, to help you make up your mind, we’ll now address some commonly asked questions.
Can you drive off-road with an AWD?
“It depends on the car,” says Ottley. “Just because your Tesla Model 3 is all-wheel drive doesn’t mean you can take it on a beach like you could a Land Rover. But regularly maintained dirt roads will be okay. Anything more challenging than that will require a proper 4WD.
“The real advantage of an all-wheel-drive vehicle is additional traction and security in wet and slippery conditions, such as a wet dirt road.”
Do you need a specific licence to operate an off-road vehicle?
While you do need a separate licence to drive a motorbike in Australia, that’s not the case with off-road vehicles, says Ottley.
“You can drive an AWD car or a 4 Wheel Drive SUV on a regular car licence in every state and territory in Australia,” he says. “It’s not until you start getting into larger vehicles, such as light trucks, that you need to look into licensing.”
Safety tips for venturing off-road
If you’re thinking of doing some serious off-roading, it might be worth investigating an off-roading course, says Ottley. “There’s much for a novice to learn, and a lot of ways you can come unstuck,” he says.
“You’ll learn how to use your car’s four-wheel-drive system – including things like low-range, differential locks and hill descent control – and, most importantly, how to get yourself unstuck if you get bogged or similar. They might also teach you about winching, the right tyre pressures for sand, and essential off-road trip equipment.”
Ideally, head off-road with someone else and a second vehicle with a winch, continues Ottley, and consider taking the following things:
- Recovery equipment such as tow straps, shovels and recovery boards
- A satellite phone and personal locator beacon if you’re going very off-grid,
- Extra jerry cans of fuel
- Extra containers of drinking water
- Extra non-perishable food
- First aid kit, including a snake bite bandage
- An additional full-size spare tyre
- Offline maps of where you’re going, in case you lose mobile reception
- A portable air compressor to re-inflate tyres
While roadside assistance might not be much use if you’re broken down in the middle of the Simpson Desert, it’s helpful to know that it’s included in some car insurance policies. For example, at Youi, Roadside Assist comes included as standard with all Youi Comprehensive car insurance policies, provided your car can be accessed from a permanent road by a two-wheel drive recovery vehicle.5
It’s also sensible to let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. “Drive within your limits, and stay with your vehicle if you get stuck,” says Ottley. “It’s better to do that than wander off into the wilderness.”
What are the insurance implications of driving off-road?
“If you’re driving on an unsealed public road in your all-wheel-drive car or four-wheel-drive SUV, you’re covered by your regular car insurance just the same as you would be on a sealed or paved road,” says Marni Jackson, Youi's Head of Product for Vehicle, Lifestyle and Leisure.
“And if you’re planning on going off-road often, you may wish to get in touch with your insurer to find out about any exclusions that may impact any future claims. With Youi, for example, you won’t be covered if you choose to venture into a four-wheel-drive or adventure park, or use your vehicle on a racetrack or in a rally.”
If the hunt for a new off-road companion is over and you now want to find the right car insurance for all the adventures ahead, consider starting a quote with Youi.
1 Source: Subaru Australia – What is the difference between an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) car and a Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) car?
2 Source: Ford Australia – What is the difference between AWD and 4WD?
3 Source: Drive – What is the difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive? December 2022
4 Source: Australian Government,Tourism Research Australia – Caravan and camping data
5 Available with Comprehensive policies. Exclusions, limits and fees apply. Not available if your vehicle has broken down or become immobilised within 24 hours of you purchasing or upgrading to Comprehensive cover and adding Youi Roadside Assist to your insurance policy. For full details, see the roadside assistance T&Cs and car PDS.
