A vehicle must be capable of driving on various types of roads, not only rough roads or snowy roads, but also on roads that surface characteristics change due to changing weather conditions. The best way to drive on rough roads is with a vehicle where all four wheels transmit power. In this respect, 4WD vehicles have several outstanding advantages over FF, FR or MR (Mid ship-engine, Rear-wheel-drive) 2WD vehicles.
1. Cornering stability
Since power is transmitted equally by all four tires instead of by only two, the load on each tire is reduced and the tires’ cornering force can be effectively utilized, providing excellent stable cornering.
2. Straight-line stability
With 4WD, since the amount of surplus grip provided by each tire is increased, external turbulence has no effect on the vehicle. Thus stable straight-line stability is achieved.
3. Starting and acceleration performance
The amount of tire grip with 4WD is approximately double that of 2WD vehicles, so even if the vehicle is equipped with a high-output engine, the tires do not spin when the vehicle starts off or during acceleration. This greatly improves starting and acceleration performance.
4. Hill-climbing performance
Since the available power is approximately double that of a 2WD vehicle, a 4WD vehicle can climb hills that a 2WD vehicle is incapable of climbing.
5. Driving on snowy/rough roads
In 4WD, since all four wheels are transmitting power, the power applied to the road can be double that provided by 2WD vehicles on snowy roads, and drivethrough performance on roads with low coefficients of friction () is outstanding. Greater power is needed when driving on sandy, muddy, or extremely rough roads. Since all four wheels are transmitting power with 4WD, the front and rear wheels help each other, and high drive-through performance is realized.