Dodge’s all-wheel-drive options can get you through slick or rough road conditions, whether you’re driving a muscle car or an SUV. Click here for more.

Written by Mary Alice Morris

Reviewed by Jessica Barrett

Updated on Jan 31, 2024

Table of Contents

How do Dodge AWD models work?
Which Dodge models have AWD?
What are the benefits of having AWD?
Do I need AWD?
How to save money on car insurance

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If you’d like to do some trail driving, or you regularly face harsh winter weather and muddy roads, getting a

Dodge

with all-wheel drive can make your travels a little smoother. You can get each model of the 2022 Dodge lineup with optional AWD, though it’s not available for all trim levels.

Having an AWD vehicle can bring peace of mind if you live in an area with snowy winters, dirt or gravel roads, or slippery conditions. It’s also decent for light off-roading—think driving down a sandy beach or a well-formed off-road trail.

That said, AWD does have some drawbacks—it can make the cost of your car higher, it adds weight to the vehicle, and it can lessen the lifespan of your tires. So how do you know if you need AWD or not? And if you need it, which vehicle should you choose?

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, the

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comparison shopping

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, is here with a guide to help answer all your Dodge AWD questions. We’ll walk you through the basics of AWD technology, the models that offer AWD, and the pros and cons of driving an AWD vehicle.

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How do Dodge AWD models work?

Depending on which model you go with, you’ll find different AWD systems across the Dodge lineup. The most commonly used is the brand’s high-performance AWD system, featured in the Challenger and Charger.

This system has an active transfer case, which is an electronic power divider that can automatically send power to whichever axle needs it, without any input from the driver. Another feature of the high-performance AWD system is the front-axle disconnect, allowing the driver to stop the power transfer to the vehicle’s front axle and return to standard rear-wheel driving.

If you opt for a Dodge Durango, you’ll find one of the following AWD systems, depending on the trim you pick:

Pentastar models get a single-speed MP2010 AWD system that is fully engaged at all times. It divides the torque half-and-half between the front and rear wheels.

5.7-liter HEMI models feature a standard MP2025, which is a two-speed AWD system dependent on an electric shifter.

An optional 5.7-liter HEMI AWD system is the available single-speed MP2015, which stays constantly active.

The R/T Plus and SRT 392 performance models come with a four-model MP3010 single-speed system. This AWD system is on full-time using the 40/60 auto mode, the 50/50 snow and tow mode, the 35/65 sport mode, or the 30/70 track mode.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the Dodge AWD models and their specs.

MORE:

Dodge Durango towing capacity

Which Dodge models have AWD?

Dodge Charger

Starting price: $32,500

Body style: Sedan

Engine type: 3.6 L V6, 5.7 L V8, 6.2 L V8, or 6.4 L V8

Two

Dodge Charger

trims—the base level

SXT

and the

—are available with AWD. The AWD options are significantly more expensive than the RWD builds, starting at $36,495 and $38,370 for the SXT and GT. These feature the high-performance AWD system, which is immediately engaged when it senses a wheel spinning in order to provide more traction.

Dodge Challenger

Starting price: $30,825

Body style: Coupe

Engine type: 3.6 L V6, 5.7 L V8, 6.2 L V8, or 6.4 L V8

With the same AWD system as the Charger, the

Dodge Challenger

’s torque is usually 100 percent directed to the rear wheels, until the vehicle senses the need for more traction. Then the AWD system automatically activates, sending power to whichever wheels need it based on sensor input.

AWD comes available on the

Challenger SXT

, starting with AWD at $33,430, and the

Challenger GT

, priced at $38,370.

Dodge Durango

Starting price:$37,760

Body style: Mid-size SUV

Engine type: 3.6 L V6, 5.7 L V8, or 6.4 L V8

Every trim level of the

Durango

comes with an available AWD option except the

SRT 392

, which is only available with AWD.

The AWD option adds $2,000 to the MSRP of each Durango trim, meaning the base level

SXT

is $39,760 if you get AWD.

The SXT,

, and GT Plus trims all have the Pentastar engine, meaning they’ll use the MP2010 AWD system. The

R/T

and

Citadel

trims have the HEMI engine package, so they’ll come standard with an MP2025 two-speed AWD system, with an available MP2015 single-speed. The SRT 392 and R/T Plus will use the MP3010 single-speed AWD system.

MORE:

Dodge Charger SXT V6

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What are the benefits of having AWD?

If you live anywhere that sees extreme weather, AWD might be a good idea. AWD is useful on wet roads, icy roads, and less stable surfaces like gravel and sand because it engages all four wheels when needed. This allows more traction upon acceleration, allowing you to have more control over the vehicle in less-than-prime conditions.

Keep in mind, though, that AWD does have its limitations. While it enhances traction upon acceleration and through curves, it does nothing to improve stability when you’re braking on slick surfaces. You can slide off the road just as easily in an AWD as you can with a RWD car.

It’s good to understand the benefits of AWD without developing a false sense of confidence!

Differences between AWD and 4WD

It’s really important to understand that AWD is not 4WD. Unlike AWD systems, 4WD vehicles are designed for heavy hauling and really rugged terrain. They traditionally need to be switched on by the driver (though some today can automatically engage, and some trucks and SUVs are full-time 4WD).

If you want to actively engage the power that goes to your wheels with manual controls, and you don’t mind a heavy, bumpy suspension, then a heavy-duty 4WD system might be right for you.

If you just need good handling in the occasional rainy or winter weather, on muddy roads, or on beaten trails, AWD is your best bet. Its application across body styles and sizes is a bit more versatile, and it’s easier to use.

Key Takeaway Unless you’re doing some heavy-duty hauling and really rugged off-roading, AWD is probably sufficient for your needs.

Do I need AWD?

If you mainly commute to work and home on city streets or paved roads, without going out into rural areas or poor weather conditions, it’s likely that you don’t need AWD. Getting an AWD-equipped vehicle costs more and it increases fuel consumption and the rate of your tires’ wear and tear.

However, if you like to go out on the trail for camping trips or light off-roading, or you live in an area that sees slick roads from hazardous weather, an AWD might be the right choice. It all depends on your driving habits and your own cost-and-benefit assessment.

If there’s a chance that sometime in the next year or two, you could end up stuck in slick road conditions, consider getting an AWD vehicle to save yourself the headache and hazard of spinning out your car.

How to save money on car insurance

While you’re determining your risk factors for AWD driving conditions, you should also consider updating your car insurance.

Experts recommend shopping for new car insurance

every six months

. Not only would you need to update your insurance if you buy a new car, but with insurance rates fluctuating so frequently, it’s a good idea to shop around twice a year to see if there are savings.

If you’d like to do it the easy way, then you should download the

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