Chevy AWD vs. 4WD: What's the Difference for Connecticut Winter Driving?

Here at Colonial Chevrolet, we help drivers in and around New London, CT, with their car shopping. Whether you need something bigger, more powerful, or electric, or you have questions our team can answer, our dealership is always ready to help. When it comes to Chevy AWD vs. 4WD and what the difference is for Connecticut drivers in the winter, we always tell people that all-wheel-drive is an "always-on" drivetrain, while four-wheel drive is something you'd turn on in bad weather and snowy road conditions. Of course, we want to explain this even better below, so stay tuned!

AWD vs. 4WD: Which is Better for Connecticut Winter Driving?

When you look at Chevy AWD vs. 4WD drive in a car, truck, or SUV, you're looking at two drivetrain options that can help in less-than-perfect weather conditions. As we said above, you'd activate four-wheel drive when driving in ice and snow, while all-wheel drive is something you would keep on while you drive, regardless of season. That means you want 4WD for extreme driving and weather, like in a heavy-duty truck or when off-roading, while AWD is ideal for everyday winter driving.

• AWD: It runs all the time automatically without driver input, adjusting power between wheels to handle everyday rain, light snow, or slick pavement.
• 4WD: It is built for rugged use, heavy loads, and deep snow or off-roading. It uses a mechanical transfer case rather than just a smart computer-controlled differential.

Our team at Colonial Chevrolet is here to help you see the difference in New London, CT, so don't hesitate to stop by and ask a team member to show you 4WD and AWD.

Do Chevys Come with AWD Standard?

Although many Chevrolet models have AWD, not all models have it at a standard trim level. Most base-trim Chevy cars, SUVs, and trucks come standard with Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), while AWD or 4WD is offered as an optional upgrade or standard only on select higher trims. This is a great question to ask us at the dealership, and we can show you what each car, truck, or SUV offers at the base level.

What Chevy Models Have 4WD Standard?

If you want four-wheel drive on your Chevrolet, the Silverado EV comes standard with a true 4-wheel drive (4WD) system across all models. Again, this is an example of a standard 4WD scenario, while models like the Colorado, gas Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban offer it as an option on certain trims. Again, 4WD and AWD are often seen as 'next-level' upgrades, so it is best to treat them as such when browsing and buying a new car.

Shop Your Next Chevy at Colonial Chevrolet

As soon as you're ready to shop a Chevy in or near New London, CT, come see our friendly and local sales experts here at Colonial Chevrolet. We are always ready to answer questions, get you keys for a test drive, and help determine what drivetrain is best for a winter out here on the East Coast. Drive safely; we'll see you soon!