Whether you’re gearing up for snowy winters or off-roading joy rides, getting behind the wheel of a Toyota with AWD can make all of your rides smoother. With the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Highlander, your car’s handling on dicey road conditions can be a game-changer.

Having all-wheel drive (AWD) can help you combat unexpected conditions and offer peace of mind for you and your passengers no matter what’s happening on the roads.

Here to answer your AWD questions is the

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super app

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. We’re breaking down how AWD works, which Toyota models have it, and how to determine what your navigation needs are when it comes to AWD. (We can also help you save big on your

Toyota car insurance costs

down below.)

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How do Toyota AWD models work?

Some may say Toyota missed a trademark opportunity in the ‘90s when they outfitted their crossovers with an All-Trac system intended to offer AWD capabilities. Without question, their current Dynamic Torque Control AWD is a technology meant for the times, but how exactly does it work?

With AWD, your rear and front wheels have a built-in communication system. With Dynamic Torque Control AWD, a driveshaft is integrated into the transmission that leads to the rear wheels. Using an electromagnetic coupler, the rear wheels are activated by the driveshaft, which adjusts the front/rear torque split as needed.

The particular technological package driving your Toyota’s AWD feature will vary between models, but here are some key terms to keep in mind when assessing your options:

Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD with Driveline Disconnect is a unique, elevated system found in the

Toyota RAV4

and the

Toyota Highlander

that detects slippage for each wheel and distributes power accordingly.

Electric On-Demand AWD features single electric motor-generators managing the wheels’ functions that are powered by the hybrid battery onboard the likes of the

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

AWD-e is found only in the

Toyota Prius

, and it’s at its intuitive peak at speeds below 6 mph. Since the electric motors are more efficient at low speeds, this system thrives below 43 mph. If you’re a speedy driver, you may want to steer clear of the Prius.

Now that you know how AWD works, let’s take a closer look at the Toyota models offering it.

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Which Toyota models have AWD?

Toyota Prius

Starting price: $27,135

Body style: Hatchback

Engine type: 1.8 L 2ZR-FXE I4 VVT-i (Atkinson cycle)

The LE AWD-e and XLE AWD-e Prius trims are the only non-luxury hybrid passenger models to offer AWD. Featuring the AWD-e technology that electronically administers torque to each wheel when obstacles on the road are detected, you’ll get the traction you need in a small package.

Toyota Camry

Starting price: $25,395

Body style: Sedan

Engine type: 2.5 L 4-cylinder, 3.5 L V6

As one of the original AWD Toyota vehicles, the

Camry

offers the feature in five of its eight trims, including the LE, XLE, SE, SE Nightshade, and XSE. When there’s a snag on the road thanks to snow, rain, or gravel, the system transfers half of the torque to the rear wheels for traction.

Toyota Avalon

Starting price:$36,375

Body style: Sedan

Engine type: 3.5 L V6

If you’ve got your eye on the

Avalon

, know that it comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD) instead of AWD. If you upgrade to the

XLE

and Limited trims, you can opt for AWD with a four-cylinder engine without any additional costs.

Toyota Highlander

Starting price:$35,405

Body style: SUV

Engine type: 3.5 L V-6

The Highlander gets the best of the Toyota AWD world with Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD with Driveline Disconnect—when you spring for a little extra cash. All six Highlander trims come with FWD, but the AWD feature is available for $1,600 or $1,950 depending on the trim you choose.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Starting price:$39,055

Body style: SUV

Engine type: 2.5 L four-cylinder and two electric motors

Fuel efficiency is the keystone of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, and the Electric On-Demand AWD system can keep you going at an environmentally-friendly rate with an estimated 36 mpg combined rating.

Toyota RAV4

Starting price:$26,525

Body style: SUV

Engine type: 2.5 L four-cylinder

Nobody knows how much handling is improved by AWD in inclement weather quite like a RAV4 driver. The RAV4 LE, RAV4 XLE, and RAV4 XLE Premium all come standard with basic AWD, which is intuitive enough to keep you feeling confident enough to weather any conditions.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Starting price:$29,075

Body style: SUV

Engine type: 2.5 L four-cylinder engine and two electric motors

The RAV4 Hybrid is one of the flagship models featuring Electric On-Demand AWD, which provides smooth handling and balanced dynamics for all road conditions. By electronically supplying power to the rear wheels, traction is instantly improved on the fly.

Toyota Sienna

Starting price: $34,710

Body style: Passenger van

Engine type: 2.5 L inline-four-cylinder engine

Often touted as the best minivan for winter driving, the

Toyota Sienna

is no stranger to handling the elements on the road. However, AWD is only offered on the LE, XLE, and Limited trims, so you’ll be paying slightly more to access the AWD feature.

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14 safe driving tips

What are the benefits of having AWD?

While AWD is ideal for combatting severe weather, it’s a dream for those who spend time driving on or near unpaved roads. Rural areas with mountain roads are prime for AWD and its traction-increasing capabilities.

Certain areas in

New Hampshire

and

Vermont

have their fair share of snowy days (and months) throughout the year, and states like

Florida

Alabama

, and

Mississippi

are prone to rainfall at any time. Residents of those states should consider investing in AWD features to increase safety and handling year-round.

Keep in mind that AWD has its pros and cons. Some would argue snow tires can do the trick for the winter months, and proponents of 4WD may skip AWD entirely.

Differences between AWD and 4WD

If a vehicle comes standard with 4WD, why shell out the extra bucks for AWD? Both terms get used interchangeably, but making the right choice for your needs and finances takes discerning AWD from 4WD. Let’s break down the differences between the two.

AWD (all-wheel drive) powers all four wheels from the engine. It’s usually integrated into unibody frames, and it offers both full-time and part-time options. While full-time AWD keeps the wheels engaged regularly, the part-time feature works as needed, which leans in fuel efficiency’s favor.

4WD (four-wheel drive) is usually incorporated into tuck-based, body-on-frame models. By directing power to the front and rear axles, and emitting dedicated power to the left and right wheels, it provides increased control over handling. This command over the vehicle is best suited for off-roading.

Key Takeaway While both AWD and 4WD enhance your vehicle’s safety and control, you’ll need to consider whether you’ll be spending time traversing dirt roads, snowy winters, or both to nail down your decision.

Do I need AWD?

Any vehicle with AWD packs in more power, dynamic handling, and defense against icy roads. That doesn’t mean you need it for daily driving, though. If you spend at least 90% of your time on paved roads, the investment most likely isn’t worth it.

Take into account your driving habits—do you take the roads less traveled? Do you drive up to the mountains multiple times a year for family trips? What’s the climate like where you live?

Only you can weigh the benefits and costs of AWD, but there’s no doubt that it’s nice to have no matter what your situation looks like.

How to save money on car insurance

With all this talk about dangerous driving conditions that AWD can help you stand up against, we would be remiss not to mention car insurance. Whether you upgrade to AWD or not, unexpected accidents happen, from collisions to battery blunders requiring

roadside assistance

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