It says “4WD” on the bumper, but theres no low range. What gives?
Technically, both the increasingly popular all-wheel-drive systems found in crossover vehicles and the traditional truck-style four-wheel-drive systems with high and low range are both 4WD. Both systems do, in fact, drive all four wheels at least part of the time. But the marketing of all-wheel-drive as 4WD is a bit deceptive, since that term has traditionally been used to refer to a truck-style system with two-speed transfer case and high and low-range gearing. From a marketing standpoint, “4WD” might sound more masculine than “AWD,” which is why several automakers describe their lighter-duty AWD systems as “4WD.” It’s technically accurate, but also a bit confusing. Before you buy, be sure you know what you’re buying and that it meets your needs, no matter what it says on the bumper.
