The greatest benefit of having an all-wheel-drive (AWD) automobile is the added stability and traction. This traction is important if you live in a region where rain or snow are frequent. In AWD cars, power is displaced to all four wheels, with different car companies displacing the power to front and rear wheels differently. The added traction, coupled with the vehicle's traction or stability control, provide the driver with excellent road grip.

On the Other: AWD Disadvantages

AWD cars tend to be a fraction of a second slower than rear-wheel-drive cars. AWD cars tend to get worse gas mileage than their two-wheel-drive counterparts, but this loss of efficiency is negligible. AWD cars incur a price premium, which varies by manufacturer. Due to the added complexity of the drivetrain, AWD cars tend to have higher insurance premiums.

Bottom Line

Cars today are built with sophisticated traction control and stability control systems. However, even the best two-wheel-drive automobiles do not offer the stability of all-wheel-drive autos in the snow. If you live in a region where snow is prevalent, AWD may be the best choice. For areas that are typically dry, the added benefits may not be so obvious.

Source:

AWD Report

AWD Cars