Best 4 Wheel Drive Cars

When it comes to choosing the best 4 wheel drive vehicle, you most importantly need to think about the purpose you would use the automobile for. Owing to the wide range of 4 wheel drive cars available in the automobile market, it is normal that you will get confused as to which will be the most appropriate one. You will have to make your choice from the best cars that are classified according to sedans, crossovers, and hatchbacks which differ in power and mileage. Before moving on to 4 wheel drive vehicles, let us understand the concepts of 4WD and AWD.

Four Wheel Drive (4WD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) - The Difference

The Four Wheel Drive (4WD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) technology is more often discussed with potential consumers looking forward to purchase powerful cars. You need to remember that even though both these term are normally used interchangeably, they are conceptually and technically different. The 4WD technology is fitted only in vehicles with four wheels, generic to cars. Whereas, the AWD concept is related to the drive technology in multi-axle and wheel vehicles such as cargo trucks and military vehicles. Another difference is that in 4WD cars, the driver is provided with a facility of changing the drive controls from front/rear wheel drive to four-wheel drive and back, whenever required. In AWD vehicles, wheels and axles are controlled by the engine full-time.

Be it 4WD or AWD, these technologies certainly contribute to increased traction of vehicles on slippery and snowy roads. These terms can be used interchangeably if we do not consider the technicalities. The following will tell you more about few of the best 4 wheel drive cars with good gas mileage available in the market.

Best 4 Wheel Drive Cars

Suzuki SX4 Crossover
Basic Features and Specifications
148 hp 2.0L four-cylinder engine
VAR speed automatic transmission
21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway

Audi A4 Avant
Basic Features and Specifications
211 hp 2.0 liter turbocharged DOHC engine
FSI Direct Injection
20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway

Subaru Impreza 2.5i
Basic Features and Specifications
2.5 liter 170 hp SUBARU BOXER engine
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway

Volkswagen Passat Wagon
Basic Features and Specifications
200 hp 2.0 liter four-cylinder spark-ignition engine
Fully electronic engine management with drive-by-wire throttle control
22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway

Volvo S60
Basic Features and Specifications
208 hp 2.5 liter inline five-cylinder
Sport-tuned adaptive suspension
17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway

Mitsubishi Eclipse
Basic Features and Specifications
162 hp 2.4L MIVEC I4
SOHC 16-Valve Valvetrain
20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway

Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan
Basic Features and Specifications
210 hp 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine
Cross-wheel drive (XWD)
20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway

Mercury Milan Premier V6 AWD
Basic Features and Specifications
240 hp 3.0L Duratec 24-valve flex-fuel V-6
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway

Lexus IS 250 AWD
Basic Features and Specifications
204 hp 2.5 liter engine
Sequential Paddle Shifters
20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway

Some consumers may prefer to buy fast cars with a good amount of acceleration, which is more common in all wheel drive sports cars. For such consumers, given below are some of the best 4 wheel drive sports cars.

All Wheel Drive Sports Cars

• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
• Audi S4
• Mazda CX-9
• Ford Fusion V6 SE AWD
• Acura TL SH-AWD
• Volkswagen R32
• Infiniti G37x AWD
• BMW 335i xDrive
• Audi S6
• Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport AWD

This is just a general all wheel drive cars list. If you are thinking about selecting a good one from the best small 4 wheel drive cars, the Suzuki SX4 Crossover might be your best bet. Hopefully, after reading this article, you might have got some basics about the best 4 wheel drive wheels.