What Changes When You Add All-Wheel Drive
Four things, and it's worth seeing them together before you decide. The price goes up, typically by a meaningful but not enormous amount on most models. Fuel economy comes down slightly, because you're carrying extra hardware — though on hybrid SUVs that use an electric rear motor the penalty is small. There's a little more maintenance over the long run, with additional driveline components and fluids. And resale tends to hold up better in the Northeast, where buyers look for it, which claws back part of the upfront cost when you sell. None of that argues against AWD; it just means the decision should come from how you drive, not from the assumption that more is always better.
AWD, Winter Tires, or Both?
The most useful way to think about it: all-wheel drive helps you go, tires help you stop. AWD gets you out of a snowed-in parking spot and up an icy garage ramp. Tires are what let you brake and steer on a slick road, and no drivetrain compensates for a worn set. If you drive mostly in the city on plowed streets, an AWD SUV with good all-seasons is a sensible setup. If you regularly head upstate or out east in winter, proper winter tires matter more than the drivetrain and are the first thing to buy. If you do both, get both. We'd rather have this conversation with you than sell you a more expensive vehicle you didn't need.
Five Brands, Five Approaches
Each manufacturer tunes all-wheel drive differently, which is easy to feel and hard to read off a spec sheet. Toyota offers several arrangements across the RAV4, Highlander, Grand Highlander and 4Runner, including the electric rear motor in its hybrid SUVs. Honda's system prioritizes efficiency on the CR-V, HR-V and Pilot, running in front-wheel drive until it detects slip. Hyundai's HTRAC on the Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade lets drive modes shift the balance. Kia takes a similar approach on the Sportage, Sorento and Telluride. Acura's SH-AWD on the ADX, RDX and MDX actively overdrives the outside rear wheel through a corner, which makes the SUV feel noticeably more eager. Since all five showrooms are within a 7-minute walk, driving two or three back to back is the fastest way to find your preference.
If You Want True Four-Wheel Drive
For a genuine 4 wheel drive SUV with a transfer case and low range — trail capability and heavy towing rather than snowy pavement — the Toyota 4Runner and Sequoia are the real thing on our lots. Every other SUV here uses automatic all-wheel drive, which is the better system for New York roads and the one most shoppers actually want. Narrow by size with small AWD SUVs or 3rd row SUVs, or by powertrain with hybrid AWD SUVs. Browse new, used or certified pre-owned inventory. Plaza Auto Mall has been family-owned on Nostrand Avenue since 1975, and our finance team works with all credit situations. Get pre-approved online, estimate your payment, or get an instant cash offer on your trade. Visit us in Brooklyn, NY 11210, or get directions.
