All-Wheel-Drive vs. Four-Wheel-Drive

Here at Classic Kia in Waukegan, we take pride in providing the utmost service to our customers. For over 25 years, our dealership has been family owned and operated, offering top quality customer service. We’ve earned the highest rating from the Better Business Bureau and are ranked number one in customer satisfaction. Much of that approval is due to our knowledgeable sales representatives and our diverse selection of new and pre-owned Kia vehicles with both all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) powertrains. If you are inclined to drive a more agile AWD, our showroom carries the 2018 Kia Sorento and the 2019 Kia Sportage. If you are seeking a solid 4WD vehicle for our long snowy winters or are towing a boat to one of our lakes, you may want to check out our impressive pre-owned inventory.

Before you choose between a 4WD or AWD in your next vehicle, let’s take a look at the difference between the two types of systems that power the wheels. Four-wheel drive (4WD) is a well-established drivetrain system that uses two differentials and a transfer case to provide power to all four wheels of a vehicle. When the 4WD mode is chosen, the drivetrain’s power is split equally between the front and rear axles. This provides a 4WD vehicle with the best traction in off-road conditions and is built with rugged truck-like technology for all terrains. When it’s not needed, 4WD can be switched off for better fuel efficiency.

More recently, all-wheel drive (AWD) technology has been introduced. It is a drivetrain that uses a front, rear and center differential to provide power to all four wheels of your Kia vehicle and gives the driver maximum forward traction during acceleration and increased flexibility. AWD systems utilize computers to send information to the sensors on each wheel to monitor its traction and wheel speed. When slippage is detected through the ECU (engine control unit), power is diverted to the other axle to find more grip. Kia drivers praise AWD for its sportier feel and allowing faster driving speeds.

Living in northern Illinois throws lots of severe weather and tricky road conditions for our Waukegan customers. Lake effect snow and ice can make driving hazardous. If you’re often out in these rough conditions, a 4WD vehicle will ensure that your vehicle does not get stuck in mud or snow. It is also useful when you take your family off-roading in one of Illinois' many campgrounds or forest trails.

Our 2019 Kia Sorento and 2019 Kia Sportage vehicles are equipped with AWD to help you maneuver through sloppy northern Illinois road conditions or driving over moderate off-road terrain. Both of these vehicles provide a smooth comfortable drive with an enhanced level of safety and comfort. Kia drivers with AWD will notice the boost in acceleration since all four tires receive an equal distribution of traction.

At our Kia dealership near Kenosha, WI, we ensure that our showroom is filled with a wide variety of new Kia cars for sale to fit all your needs. Our expert sales representatives can provide you with a solid understanding of the engines, safety features, technology, and unique aspects of our Kia vehicles. Of course, choosing a Kia vehicle will entail more than comparing the differences between 4WD and AWD but it must be one of your key considerations. We invite you to visit our Kia showroom and discuss all of the amazing features of our vehicles. Then let us take you out for a test drive in a pre-owned 4WD vehicle and a Kia AWD vehicle so that you can better understand the differences between these two drivetrains. Be sure to check our new Kia specials to save even more on your next purchase!