If you’ve ever fishtailed on a wet road due to harsh weather conditions, you know that all-wheel drive (AWD) can be the difference between regaining traction and control or winding up in a car accident. To maximize your safety, consider getting behind the wheel of one of

Chevy’s

AWD cars.

No one wants to white-knuckle it down the highway on a snowy day, but driving an AWD Chevy can make a less-than-ideal situation easier to handle. Chevy models like the

Trax

and

Blazer

are available with AWD, offering stability and confidence when road conditions are tough.

However, AWD isn’t a flawless drivetrain. AWD drive makes cars a lot heavier and as a result—less fuel-efficient.

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Wondering if an AWD Chevy is the right ride for you? Here to guide you through the ins and outs of Chevy’s AWD cars is

Jerry

, the

super app

designed to maximize your savings on

car insurance

. We’ll go over how AWD functions, which Chevys come with it, and how to get the best deal possible on your Chevy insurance.

How do Chevy AWD models work?

All-wheel drive is not a new concept—in fact, it dates back to the year 1900! But as you can imagine, Chevy’s AWD capabilities have come a long way since then.

In most cases, the all-wheel-drive powertrain is always engaged—meaning the driver does not need to set the powertrain with the push of a button or pull of a lever. The AWD system employs digital sensors that are placed on the wheels to monitor how much traction they’re getting as you cruise down the road. Anytime there’s a loss of traction, the AWD system will transfer power to the front and rear wheels as needed.

One exception to this is the AWD Chevy

Equinox

, which features what is known as part-time AWD. By pushing the AWD button, the rear drive axle will engage the rear wheels. Some car experts could argue that this technically makes the equinox a four-wheeldrive (4WD) SUV.

Something else to consider is that Chevy uses twodifferent systems of AWD in its cars: F48 AWD and G99 Advanced Twin-Clutch AWD. F48 AWD functions as any regular AWD system would—by allocating torque evenly to the front or rear wheels to improve traction.

As its name suggests, G99 AWD is more sophisticated. This system operates with an automatic locking rear differential, which means that torque can be applied individually to the right and left rear wheels based on road conditions.

MORE:

Car loan for Chevy 2022

Which Chevy models have AWD?

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into Chevy’s AWD model lineup. Keep in mind that the prices listed include the upgrade to AWD.

Chevy Trax

Starting price: $23,215

Body style: Subcompact SUV

Engine type: 1.4L 4-cylinder turbo engine

Introduced for the 2015 model year, the

Chevy Trax

is a sporty compact SUV that can comfortably fit the whole family. Plus, ithas some pep in its step thanks to its turbocharged engine.

The 2022 Trax is available in two trim levels: the

and

, both of which are available with an AWD drivetrain. If you want an inexpensive, subcompact Chevy SUV that handles harsh road conditions with ease—act fast. Chevy recently announced that the Trax will be discontinued after the 2022 model year.

Chevy Trailblazer

Starting price: $24,995

Body style: Subcompact SUV

Engine type: ECOTEC 1.2L or 1.3L 3-cylinder turbo engine

Roomy, dependable, and filled with great tech features, the

Trailblazer

is a small SUV that packs a punch. AWD is an option on the

ACTIV

, and

trims.

Upper trims like the ACTIV have available features like adaptive cruise control, as well. With driving features like these, traveling in a Trailblazer isn’t just safer—it’s easier too.

Chevy Equinox

Starting price: $29,045

Body style: SUV

Engine type: 1.5L 4-cylinder turbo engine

The

Equinox

is Chevy’s bestselling SUV, but remember what we said about the part-time AWD? Available in all Equinox trim levels—

, and

Premier

—this is a driver-controlled system that is engaged when the AWD button is pushed on the Driver Mode Selector.

Chevy Blazer

Starting price: $37,495

Body style: SUV

Engine type: 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine or 3.6L V6 engine

The 2022

Blazer

swapped its former base engine out with a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo and offers AWD as an available feature on all trims. The sporty

reaches new heights of AWD technology with the advanced-clutch AWD that can send torque to each of the rear wheels individually.

Pair that with its standard V6 engine and this is definitely the kind of Blazer you want to be driving when a storm hits.

Chevy Traverse

Starting price: $37,095

Body style: SUV

Engine type: 3.6L V6 engine

This solid seven-seater SUV brings the power with a V6 engine as a standard feature on every trim. AWD is an option from the base model

right up to the top-tier

High Country

—a great feature to keep the optional 20-inchtires firmly gripped to the road.

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Chevy Tahoe K1500

Starting price: $56,795

Body style: SUV

Engine type: 5.3L V8 engine, 6.2L V8 engine, or 3.0L Duramax turbo diesel engine

Chevy’s iconic three-row

Tahoe

is a large SUV and currently Chevy’s only SUV model available as a

hybrid

. The drivetrains on the Tahoe are categorized as either C1500 or K1500, with the K1500 indicating AWD.

When you equip your Tahoe with a V8 engine, AWD, and the 3.73 axle ratio, not only will you get some major traction but you’ll also get a monstrous towing capacity of 8,000 pounds.

Chevy Suburban K1500

Starting price: $59,495

Body style: SUV

Engine type: 5.3L V8 engine, 6.2L V8 engine, or 3.0L Duramax turbo diesel engine

The

Suburban

is a large SUV that doesn't skimp on style—or safety. All trims can be upgraded from rear-wheel drive with the exception of the sporty Z71 trim (starting at $64,200), which offers 4WD as a standard feature.

MORE:

Driving in the snow: 7 tips for winter safety

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What are the benefits of having AWD

When road conditions get unexpectedly dicey, you’ll be thankful for your AWD Chevy, which is certainly a candidate for driving in inclement weather. It’s also great for those whose lifestyle takes them on unfinished or rocky roads.

Differences between AWD and 4WD

Let’s say your Chevy comes with 4WD as a standard feature. Would you really need to upgrade to AWD? Although they are similar, AWD and 4WD are not the same drivetrains.

Let’s go over some of the differences between the two.

All-wheel drive works through a system of sensors that deliver torque from the engine to the wheels in varying degrees of power to maintain traction. Full-time AWD (as opposed to the part-time configuration on the Chevy Equinox) requires no involvement from the driver and remains engaged at all times.

4WD is typically equipped on trucks or SUVs with a 4x4 truck-like body style. In fact, all of Chevy’s pickups have 4WD as a drivetrain option. In 4WD vehicles, a fixed amount of power is brought to the front and rear axles. In general, 4WD vehicles are ideal for off-roading.

Key Takeaway AWD and 4WD both help your vehicle stay grounded and in control when road conditions get tricky. If you live in a cold-weather climate, you might be inclined to select an AWD vehicle. Love going off-roading? A 4WD vehicle could be right for you.

Do I need AWD?

When you get behind the wheel of an AWD vehicle, you can expect an increased amount of handling and control. Think about where you live—if you are faced with driving through snow, ice, or both year after year, AWD is a worthy investment.

Do you reside in a milder climate? Spend most of your driving time on flat, paved roads? If this sounds more like you, it may be in your best interest to save a few dollars and stick with a two-wheel-drive (2WD) configuration.

How to save money on car insurance

There’s no question that AWD will keep you safe on the road when you encounter sleet, heavy rain, or snow—but the best way to keep you and your car safe regardless of the drivetrain is with quality

car insurance

. When it comes to finding the lowest-priced coverage in record time,

Jerry

is your best bet.

In less than a minute, Jerry scours the internet for the most affordable insurance quotes and delivers the best ones directly to your fingertips. See a quote you like? Just give it a tap and Jerry will help you get enrolled.

When you pick a policy with Jerry’s expert assistance, you could save more than $800 a year on car insurance!

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