What Is AWD? All-Wheel Drive Explained

Choosing a new car involves looking at a lot of letters and abbreviations. One of the most common terms you will see is AWD. If you are looking for your next vehicle, you might be wondering what is awd and whether it is something you actually need.

What Does AWD Mean?

If you are wondering what does awd mean, the answer is quite simple. It stands for All-Wheel Drive. In a normal car, the engine only sends power to two wheels, either the front two or the back two. With an all wheel drive system, the car automatically sends power to all four wheels at the same time.

This gives the car much better grip on the road. When the roads are slippery, or you are driving around a sharp bend, having power in all four wheels helps the car stay steady. It is designed to give you a more confident, safe feeling behind the wheel, no matter the weather.

AWD vs 4WD — What's the Difference?

It is easy to confuse an all wheel drive with Four-Wheel Drive (4WD), but they work differently.

• All-Wheel Drive (AWD): This system is completely automatic. The car's computer decides how much power each wheel needs without you having to press any buttons. It is perfect for normal roads, heavy rain, and light snow.
• Four-Wheel Drive (4WD): This is usually found on big off-road trucks and traditional SUVs. Drivers usually have to turn it on manually. It is built for extreme driving, like climbing over big rocks or driving through deep mud.

For everyday driving around town or on the motorway, an AWD car is usually the best and easiest choice. If you want to know what does awd mean for your daily commute, it simply means less worrying about sudden changes in the British weather.

Is AWD Worth It?

To figure out if it is worth buying an all wheel drive car, it helps to look at what it could do for your daily routine.

There are plenty of great benefits to driving an AWD vehicle:

• Better grip: You get extra traction on wet, icy, or muddy roads.
• Peace of mind: It makes driving on country lanes or motorways in the winter feel much safer.
• Easier pulling away: The car is less likely to wheelspin when you start moving on a slippery hill.

However, there are a few honest things to keep in mind. Because the engine has to turn all four wheels instead of just two, AWD cars can use a little bit more fuel. They can also sometimes cost slightly more to service because the system is a bit more complicated. For many drivers, understanding an awd and how it protects your family makes the extra safety and confidence well worth it.

Which Cars at GMZ Motors Have AWD?

If you decide that you want that extra grip, you might wonder what cars are all wheel drive. At GMZ Motors, we specialise in German vehicles and Land Rovers, which means we often have excellent AWD options available.

You will frequently find AWD versions of these popular family and premium models in our stock:

• Audi Q7 and Q3: These models use Audi's famous "quattro" AWD system.
• BMW X3 and X4: These use the clever "xDrive" system for a sporty but safe drive.
• Mercedes-Benz GLC: This uses the smooth "4MATIC" system.
• Volkswagen Tiguan: Many of these come with VW's trusted "4Motion" system.

When customers ask us what cars are all wheel drive in our current line-up, we always point them toward these fantastic options. Because our stock changes quickly, we invite you to browse our online stock search to see what we have ready for you today. Every car we sell comes with a standard warranty and 12 months of free AA breakdown cover for your peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AWD in a car?

When asking what is awd, you are looking at a system that automatically sends power to all four wheels of the car to give you better grip and control on the road.

What does AWD mean compared to 4WD?

If you are confused about what an awd means compared to 4WD, AWD is automatic and stays on all the time for road driving, while 4WD is turned on by the driver for heavy off-road use.

Is all wheel drive better in snow and ice?

Yes, choosing a car with an all wheel drive system is much better at pulling away and staying steady on snowy or icy roads compared to a standard car.

What does all wheel drive mean for running costs?

When looking at what an all wheel drive means for your budget, these cars can use slightly more fuel because the engine works a bit harder. Maintenance costs can also be a little higher over time.

Can I get finance on an AWD car at GMZ Motors?

Yes, we offer flexible finance options like HP and PCP, including £0 deposit options. We can help you find a plan that fits your monthly budget perfectly.

Ready to Find Your Next Car?

If you are looking for a safe, smart, and reliable AWD vehicle, we are here to help. At GMZ Motors, located just a few miles from Newcastle City Centre, we make finding your next car simple. You can even reserve your favourite car online for just £100.

Explore our current range on our used cars stock page today, or get in touch with our team to book a test drive!