Best AWD Cars

All Wheel Drive (AWD) is a very prominent technology that is incorporated in heavy vehicles, cargo trucks, and military vehicles. It is a system that enables the engine to control, or send power to, all the wheels of the automobile, regardless of how many wheels and axles the vehicle has. On the other hand, Four Wheel Drive (4WD) is a similar technology which is generally found in muscle cars, sports cars, luxury cars, and SUVs manufactured today. Remember that the 4WD system controls only two axles, or four wheels, of the vehicle. Many people get confused between the two of these automobile terms. If the vehicle has an AWD system, the driver does not have an option of switching between wheel controls. This means he cannot make the engine control only two wheels in case of an AWD vehicle, whereas, in 4WD cars, the driver can either drive the car with 2x2 or 4x4 control when required.

These are just the basic differences between the two technologies. Both the terms can generally be used interchangeably, as long as you do not get into the technicalities. If you are thinking of car buying in the winter season, or you live where there is a lot of snowfall and wet roads, it is suggested to make choices from the best AWD cars.

Best AWD Cars

Subaru Forester 2.5X
The Forester is one of the best AWD cars in the market, and is the brainstorm of Japanese automaker Subaru. Powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, the Forester produces 224 horsepower, making it a joy to drive. It's Symmetrical AWD and 8.9 inches of ground clearance make this vehicle easy to drive in snowy conditions. The car handles especially well in wet weather conditions and in snow. Delivering 21 mpg in city driving and 27 mpg on the highway, the car is quite economical as well. The Forester comes in a price range of $23,000 - $30,000.

Volvo S60
The Volvo S60 is another AWD car you can safely opt for if you are looking for the best AWD cars in the market. The model features 'Advanced Haldex AWD Technology with Instant Traction', which ensures better driving conditions on all road surfaces. It's electronically monitored system ensures that the wheels with the best grip get the most power. The S60 comes in 3 models that range from 250 horsepower to 325 horsepower, with city mileages ranging from 18 mpg to 30 mpg, depending on the model. Prices start at about $31,000 for the base model and go to $45,000 for the higher models.

Hyundai Tucson GLS AWD
The 2012 Tucson GLS AWD is powered by a 2.4-liter engine that provides 176 horsepower, and yet manages to keep the economy at relatively high levels of 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The Tucson features an optional AWD that uses the front wheels most of the time, but automatically moves to AWD if it senses loss of traction. In addition to this, there is also a button that allows the Tucson to be driven in AWD mode, where the power is split 50-50 between the front and real wheels. This makes it easy for driving in slippery conditions and snowy areas. The Tucson GLS AWD starts at $26,000 and goes up to $32,000 for the limited edition with navigation.

BMW 535i xDrive
The 535i xDrive comes from BMW's 5 series line up of sedans, and is powered by a 3-liter engine that generates 300 horsepower. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that makes driving this AWD sedan a pleasure. Virtually unnoticeable in dry conditions, the 535i xDrive's AWD comes into play in wet and snowy conditions, and makes it one of the best sedans to dive in such conditions. Being a BMW, the sedan does not come cheap, and is priced in the upper $50,000 price range. The high price, however, means that you get all the features that come in standard BMW cars, and that more than makes up for the price. At 30 mpg, the car is economical as well, and is one of the premier AWD cars to buy.

Acura MDX
The Acura is another of the best AWD cars, and the MDX falls in the midsize luxury range. As such, the pricing is on the higher side, ranging from about $45,000 to $55,000, depending on the options. With its 6-speed automatic transmission and comfortable seating for up to 7 occupants, the Acura MDX makes traveling a breeze, be it through dry weather or slick snowy roads. The Super Handling All Wheel Drive enhances driving in dry weather as well as wet weather conditions. The Acura MDX features a 3.7-liter VTEC® V-6 engine that delivers 300 horsepower.

List of Good AWD Cars

The above cars are by no means the only good AWD cars in the market, and there are many more options for you to consider as well. Given in the table below are some more of the best AWD cars that you can choose from.

Audi Q5	Lexus IS 250 AWD	Infiniti G37x	Cadillac CTS 3.6L Performance AWD
BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon	Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic	Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution	Lexus RX 450h AWD
Chevrolet Equinox	Infiniti G37x AWD	Volkswagen Tiguan	Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD
Ford Flex	BMW 335i xDrive Coupe	Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited	Ford Escape Hybrid
Subaru Outback	Ford Taurus	Mazda CX-9 Sport AWD	Subaru Legacy 2.5i
Suzuki SX4 Crossover	Buick LaCrosse	Ford Explorer XLT 4WD	Volvo V50 T5 AWD

These are some of the best AWD cars for the year. If you are thinking about AWD cars with best gas mileage; you can go in for options such as Subaru Impreza, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Mercury Milan, Saab 9-3, etc. AWD cars are certainly the best for going on a long drive in snowy weather conditions and slippery roads.