All Wheel Drive Advantages and Disadvantages
You’ve probably heard about all the perks of AWD vehicles when it comes to off-road driving and are thinking about buying or renting one for future camping trips. You may want to know the pros and cons of vehicles that feature this kind of drivetrain. In this article, we delve into that. We’ve also included a short section on eco-friendly AWD electric cars that will help you make the planet a better place.
What does AWD mean?
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is a computer-operated drivetrain. In AWD vehicles, different amounts of power is transmitted to each of the four wheels of the vehicle. By comparison, in Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles, an equal amount of power is transmitted to all four wheels. That being said, AWD is simply a modern/advanced version of the 4WD drivetrain.
Unlike front wheel drive (FWD) and Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles, AWD vehicles power both the front and rear wheels at all times. Such a permanently-engaged system is also different from driver selectable 4WD systems that can be switched back and forth between two-wheel and a four-wheel drivetrains depending on the driving conditions.
Pros and Cons of AWD
Poor Fuel Efficiency
Since power is being sent to all four wheels all the time, AWD cars consume more fuel. You’ll- therefore- spend significantly more on gas if you’re driving an AWD vehicle.
Benefits Of All Wheel Drive 320
Great Traction
AWD vehicles have the best traction on slippery roads and terrain due to the engagement of all four tires. AWD cars have twice the traction of 2WD cars, and are thus less likely to skid as you navigate a turn. Its superior traction also makes it better at powering through mucky, muddy, offroad, or snowy terrain.
Due to the superior traction, AWD vehicles are considered safer on the road. The computer-controlled system senses when weather and road conditions are bad and sends specific amounts of power to each wheel. By contrast, the driver of a 4WD vehicle has to manually shift from 2WD to 4WD to engage all four wheels. This increases the chances of accidents due to poor traction should the driver fail to switch to 4WD at the right time.
Better Acceleration
Since AWD cars have great grip, they have the capability to get up to speed faster even under difficult road conditions. However- you have to ensure your tires are just as good and have minimal wear to enjoy this advantage.
Better Resale Value
If you’re planning to sell your car in the near future, chances are it’ll fetch more on the market if it’s an AWD than a 4WD or 2WD. The higher resale value is due to the added advantages that the AWD feature bring to the vehicle.
Are There Any AWD Electric Cars?
There are a number of high-performance, AWD electric cars on the market right now. We’ve reviewed the best of them below:
Mercedes Benz EQC
This electric-powered Mercedes Benz is a great example of just how much an AWD drivetrain can boost a vehicle’s acceleration. It goes from 0-60 in a spectacular time of 4.8 seconds.
Audi e-tron
Audi’s electric car- the e-tron is fitted with an AWD system that enables better performance. And that’s not all, you can also switch between five different drive modes depending on the road conditions.
