I'm sure someone must have covered this before but I googled this comparison.

Really well explained.

Here's to my Dad and some other people who keep nagging me about the differences.


http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...s-awd-cga.html

Bless

 

Pretty good read, one of my friends used to joke about this saying the difference is AWD includes the spare tire as well :cþ

 

haha

 

even the people in the dealership i go to cant make up their mind which is which for the Evo

 

That even seems to be a diluted explanation of things. I may be wrong on the newest models, but Ive always found that 4WD uses a mechanical engagement, while AWD uses some kind of slipping center differential, either with or without electronic control.

 

decent article.

 

Most of the guys where I work drive pickup trucks, the bigger the better. So, they come to me, the Evo driver, and ask, "So that has 4 wheel drive?" When I reply in the affirmative they ask, "Does that mean all four wheels are driven all of the time?" When I reply in the affirmative they ask, "Aren't you worried that the front differential will wear out?" To that I reply, "Are you telling me that you bought a truck with a crummy front axle?" Then, if I really want to stir up trouble, I ask, "Since your truck has most of it's weight on the front axle, shouldn't it be front wheel drive?"

Anyway, the answer is that 4WD is really two wheel drive with a front axle that can be engaged for extra traction.