All-wheel drives (AWD) aren’t just for surviving stormy roads or icy parking lots anymore. These modern marvels handle everything from rugged mountain trails to smooth city streets, offering a blend of performance, luxury, and utility. Here are 22 AWD champions who are more than just your bad-weather buddies.
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback has a 2.5-liter Boxer engine. It averages about 33 MPG on the highways, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, owing to which this AWD legend is primed for off-road adventures. Built with high-strength steel for greater durability, the Outback also features Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist technology, using the efficacy of technology against Mother Nature’s harsh will. Fun Fact: 97% of Subaru vehicles sold in the last ten years are still on the road today.
Audi A4 Allroad
The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine of the Audi A4 Allroad produces 261 horsepower. Its Quattro AWD system transfers torque between the front and rear wheels in milliseconds for excellent grip wherever you go. Did you know? The A4 Allroad’s adaptive damping suspension allows a smooth ride on rocky terrain or silk-smooth asphalt without missing a beat.
Volvo XC90
Safety takes on luxury under the auspices of the T6 twin-charged engine, which powers the Volvo XC90 with 316 horsepower and rides on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) for crash protection with high-strength boron steel. The Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving feature-fitted air suspension modifies ride height according to prevailing road conditions. Statistic: The safest SUV tested by Euro NCAP, the immaculate XC90, scored a perfect 100% in safety assistance.
Honda CR-V AWD
A 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine delivers power to the Honda CR-V, creating 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. Honda’s Real-Time AWD system connects only when needed and saves fuel while getting you off-road when necessary. Here’s a fun fact: The Cr-V is so large inside that you could comfortably fit a family of four’s camping gear.
Toyota RAV4 Adventure AWD
Equipped with a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force engine generating 203 horsepower, the Toyota RAV4 Adventure is perfect for those who want a dash of off-road flair with their AWD. The Multi-Terrain Select system offers Mud, Sand, Rock, and Snow modes for any journey. Its unibody structure, built with high-strength materials, keeps it light and robust. Statistic: Toyota’s reliability ratings are off the charts, with 90% of RAV4s from the last decade still on the road!
BMW X3 xDrive30i
This vehicle is powered by a proprietary 2.0–liter TwinPower Turbo engine generating 248 horsepower and paired with the company’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. The BMW X3 was constructed using a combination of aluminum and high-strength steel. The xDrive system senses changes in road conditions in real time to offer the most appropriate traction in every weather situation.
Mazda CX-5 AWD
The i-ACTIV AWD system in the CX-5 is a predictive all-wheel drive system with 27 sensors that help watch the road in advance. It comes with a 250 HP, 2.5 liters turbo engine capable of making any small SUV fun to drive. Made of ultra-high tensile steel, the weight of the CX-5 was reduced while enhancing its strength, thus enhancing its dynamics. Fun Fact: Mazda’s design philosophy, known as “Kodo,” emphasizes the creation of dynamic and expressive forms that evoke a sense of motion even when the vehicle is stationary.
Ford Bronco Sport Badlands ($42,000)
The Ford Bronco Sport Badlands is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine producing 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft torque. Its 4×4 system with GOAT (Goes Over Any Terrain) modes makes it tough enough for off-roading for real. Made through a process utilizing high-tensile steel, this SUV features ‘bash plates’ for extra under-body protection when roughing it with the SUV.
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC
This model, GLC 300, is one of the few midsized luxury SUVs that can compete in the market due to the possible 4MATIC system, which allows power to the wheels in all terrains. The GLC 300 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-4 that produces 255 horsepower. Fun Fact: As a Luxury SUV, the drag coefficient of the Mercedes Benz GLC 300 is one of the most impressive at 0.31.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
The 3.6-liter V6 engine with Jeep’s Quadra-Trac II 4WD system allows the Grand Cherokee L to traverse smooth roads and adverse conditions. Sporting a newly developed standard lightweight unibody chassis, it effectively retains off-road capabilities while achieving a quiet and smooth lateral performance. The Selec-Terrain system has been integrated with five driving modes for different types of surfaces. Here’s a surprising fact: The Grand Cherokee L can tow a maximum of 6200 pounds, equivalent to a full-grown rhinoceros!
Nissan Rogue AWD
The Nissan Rogue features a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine rated at 181 horsepower. This Intelligent AWD system can gauge wheel slip dynamics, allowing power to be applied to the tires that require it the most. It also has an ultra-high-strength steel body, which makes it quite strong yet lightweight for better fuel consumption. Over 350,000 units were sold in the United States of America alone in 2023.
Porsche Macan AWD
The Porsche Macan delivers sports car agility with its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine, producing 261 horsepower. Porsche’s Active AWD technology and Torque Vectoring ensure superb control on any terrain. Its body is built from aluminum and high-strength steel, giving it the perfect balance of strength and lightness. The Macan can do 0-60 mph, despite being an SUV, in just 5.8 seconds.
Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD
Chevrolet tried to combine power and femininity into the design of the 5.3-liter V8 engine, which generates 355 horsepower. It has four-wheel drive (4WD), which is better than the all-wheel drive (AWD) system. The Tahoe has a frame-on-body structure ideal for heavy-weight carrying and justifies its off-road activities. Owing to this, the Tahoe has a maximum towing capacity of 8,400 pounds, which means it can easily tow a small motorboat or even a small trailer with horses inside.
Jaguar F-PACE AWD
F-PACE introduces the end of the luxury-performance crossover. The 3.0 liter inline-6 mild-hybrid is undeniably powerful, producing a whopping 395 horsepower. The vehicle driver of Jaguar’s line Intelligent Driveline Dynamics System AWD may not be concerned about the surface of performance driving. This will eliminate the problem of added weight, and at the same time, the car body will be made up of solid aluminum alloys. The rear wheel bias of the AWD F-PACE facilitates a more engaging driving experience while ensuring safe driving in unfriendly weather conditions.
Lexus RX 350 AWD
The engine under the RX 350’s hood is the standard 3.5 liter V6 engine that delivers 295 hp. Lexus’ Dynamic Torque AWD system uses an active mechanism that automatically alters the torque distribution between front and back axles per the requirements to overcome the traction. As much as the RX has a classic appeal, it contains structural, high-quality steel and aluminum alloy.
Tesla Model Y AWD
Powered by two electric motors, the Tesla Model Y delivers instantaneous torque and a combined 384 horsepower. Its AWD system provides precise control by independently adjusting the power sent to each motor. The Model Y is designed for safety and efficiency and is built from an aluminum and steel mix. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds, proving that electric doesn’t mean slow.
Land Rover Defender 110 AWD
As the name suggests, the Defender 110 is powered by a 2.0-liter boosted engine that produces 296 horses, but the Terrain Response system makes this brute even better. It engages automatically depending on the surface, whether sand, snow, or rock. The Defender is built on a robust D7x aluminum platform, ideal for extreme off-road conditions. The Defender can wade in water up to 35.4 inches.
Acura RDX SH-AWD
The turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-4 engine in the Acura RDX generates 272 hp. Its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system can vary the output between the two rear wheels for improved corner performance. The RDX SH-AWD system is estimated to enhance cornering grip by around 30%, which is why this SUV is one of the most versatile vehicles in its category.
Volkswagen Tiguan AWD
The Tiguan is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo engine that produces 184 horsepower and is perfect for users who are utility concerned, but performance is equally critical. With respect to the 4MOTION mechanism fitted to Volkswagen vehicles, torque distribution is done front to rear for stability enhancement. Thanks to its high-strength steel body structure, the Tiguan is also highly efficient and resilient. The Tiguan has a third row of seating, and therefore, it offers one of the very few compact SUVs that comfortably seat seven people.
Kia Sorento X-Line AWD
The Kia Sorento X-Line AWD features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine generating 281 hp. Its AWD system has a center-locking differential for improved off-roading capabilities. The Sorento X-Line is built with a robust, high-strength steel frame for superior safety and durability.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD
The all-new Hyundai Santa Fe is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 281 hp. It also has an HTRAC AWD system, which applies an ideal torque balance between the front and rear wheel surfaces depending on the kind of surface for maximum grip. The Santa Fe is constructed using high-tensile steel, so it is safe as well as light.
Subaru’s Crosstrek AWD
Under the hood, the Subaru Crosstrek boasts a 2.0-liter boxer engine that can produce 152 horsepower, while the car’s symmetrical AWD system enhances its stability. Subaru’s X–Mode is designed to enable the vehicle to work especially with surfaces that need more braking power and higher engine output. Its ground clearance of 8.7 inches makes it one of the best compact all-wheel drives, ideal for off-roading.
12 Cars That Are Known for Their Unbreakable Reliability — They Just Don’t Quit
Reliability is a core feature that defines a vehicle. Over the last few decades, some vehicles have emerged as a reliable and durable option, standing out as workhorses that never quit. These vehicles not only prove themselves in terms of performance but transcend their role and become reliable partners, always fulfilling their role. Here are 12 Cars known for their unbreakable reliability.
12 Cars That Are Known for Their Unbreakable Reliability — They Just Don’t Quit
