AWD vs 4WD: Which is Best? 

My question is, how does this guy have such a Professional set up, and only have 250K Subs? Dude clearly deserves more.

Bronco Sport is so underrated. If you can get over the name and accept that it is a more off-road capable Escape, then it shines. It's a nice alternative to something like a Subaru and you will get way better gas mileage and feels much more powerful. Much better looks and function than other crossovers

I am not an extreme off-roadie, by any means. I do have to say, however, that this video "explainer" broadened my knowledge of these systems, tremendously. Thanks, Ryan. Again!

This is a great video. I love my Bronco Sport Badlands. I chose it for fuel economy and capability over the big Bronco.

Mirroring everything everyone has positively said, Ryan.. Thank you for comparing the 4WD features, on all of these FORD Products.. Definitely gives a fresh perspective while ONLY having to watch one video, rather than juggling multiple videos out there, to find all the info you spent countless hours researching..

That was a lot to take in....BUT..it was one of the best overall descriptions I have listened to, and the diagrams really helped the commentary.. That is why I watch your videos. Good information without all the other junk that many end up adding to create more revenue for their channels. Keep it up..

Yet another A+ video. I learned more and faster from this video than the trade press and other articles over the past few years. This channel is simply excellent.

This is such an excellent video to introduce the concepts to people that have never heard of them before. Super cleanly explained in an awesome format. Thanks Ryan!

Awesome stuff! I hope a lot of people watch this. While some of us understand it already, there are so many that could benefit from this information. You continue to impress me Ryan. Although, by now, you would think I would be used to your terrific content! lol Keep up the great work. 🙂

Great details on how these systems work, nice job on the video!

This is the best description of how this stuff works I have found so far. Thanks!

This is absolutely the best show, I learned so much about the drive systems

I’ve wanted a maverick ever since you pulled the timber( exploder) out of the snow great reviews as always.

Having only pushed my maverick a couple of times due to snow depth over the winter, I was very surprised at how little time it took to "think" about anything in mud/ruts before climbing itself up and over pretty uneven and steep surfaces. I expected a lot more clawing and spinning. A twin clutch rear would be nice for bragging, but considering what my nerve is willing to do, the truck goes as far as I need it to. I just need better tires and a bit more clearance to avoid grinding on hard snow.

I got a Bronco Sport Big Bend with all the upgrades (except sunroof) a year ago and I had no idea they were this smart and capable.. Excellent video. Thanks!

Great job. Enjoyed learning even more about their systems.

Thank you for all the education and wonderful work you do!

This was excellent. Thanks for putting it together!

Nice video, Ryan. Really liked the format!

Great explanation and easy to understand graphics 👍👍👍

Thank you for explaining this! I was looking for the explanation of my “intelligent 4wd” on my Explorer. This was exactly what I needed.

I really like your channel. Thank you. Can't wait to watch the Sienna Woodland edition review soon.

Very very nice. Well done with the explanations

Thanks Ryan, Very informative

Great video Ryan... Well done..

Great explanation and useful information! Thanks !

Great info, thanks for making this video!

Ryan, Thanks for delivering the details. For absolute clarity you may have wished to say - the Bronco has independent FRONT suspension at 1:16 .

Great information...thanks for the comprehensive research.

Thank you so much as always for an amazing video!!

Appreciate this video! Thanks!

Great job as always.

Awesome, thank you! I learned a ton!

Well done: a picture tells a thousand words.

This was a nice deep-dive.

Super, a lot of useful information.

amazing videos! keep it up

Very informative video

Super informational! I have the maverick. Thank you for putting this together #maverick

Great Work ! I learned a lot about different Drive units. Unlike my JEEP Rubicon !

It would be interesting to see a breakdown of Mitsubishi's S-AWC for Evos.

Really enjoyed this. RU-vid, go do your algorithm thing and start recomending!

Alex On Auto and DSTV are my go to sources for my car information!

I’d say the maverick is best in class for AWD, but that’s a little bit too easy since it’s really the only vehicle in its class lol. It’s still really impressive for an open-diff AWD system though!

Awesome video

Wow…so comprehensive and in a relatively short video. No surprises on the Bronco, but very impressed with the AWD systems and options for the Sport and Maverick which likely give them more capability than most people will ever use. Not sure of the durability if pushed hard often though, but time will tell and again for most likely fine. Curious how the AWD system compares to Subarus for effectiveness. Will check out the other videos. Well done!

Just a small nitpick at 10:12 you said the maverick fx4 package replaces sport and eco mode with slippery mud/ruts. It's sand and mud/ruts slippery is a default mode.

Great testing. Maverick for me

Ryan, I would love to see a video of your maverick going up against someone's similarly modified bronco sport!

This is a fantastic video I like the Bronco sports car looks great I never going to off-road if you have a situation then you have to go off-road if you need otherwise it doesn't need that kind of stuff However I liked a Bronco logo this is a beautiful sports car I've never seen before I watched a lot of cars but this model super awosome

excellent

To make it very easy, AWD cannot be “shut off” by the driver, whereas 4WD can.

I’ve always said “awd is good for making sure you don’t go into a ditch, 4wd is good for getting you out of the ditch.”

Your review are So much better than TFLtrucks!!

That's a pretty cool rack on the Mav, Ryan. Is this the first video it's been featured? Please tell me we're going to see you with a tent setup!

You can add Sport/Eco to FX4 models with ForScan. 😎

Excellent video. Kinda like Jeep with their systems.

I thought you said this was factually correct? . 4:39 locking differentials do NOT split power/torque evenly only RPM. A wheel on ice cannot generate much torque so how is it possible to get even power/torque from the opposite wheel with grip? Answer: you can’t. . Open diffs split torque evenly. When one wheel is on ice the opposite wheel can only generate as much torque as the wheel on ice which is why you get no drive from either wheel because they are equal. Notice I said torque not power since RPM difference allows for difference in power at either wheel. . Lockers bias torque to the wheels with the most grip, which is what makes them so good.

Maverick looks good dirty. Not partial at all :) Love the rear rack thing. How much does that weigh and what's the impact on mileage etc?

I think it would be awesome to do a video with 2wd with a rear locker and how capable it is vs 4WD. Obviously we know which is better but it would be awesome to do a comparison because there are a lot of models out there at are 2wd with a rear locker. Please!

Great video and explanations.. wow the Maverick has terrible rear wheel droop. The bigger Bronco is a beast. Smaller one seems decent in the badlands for a daily driver although the chassis is still i think from the Focus ?

This is so geeky I love it! Being a european I would love to see the same comparision between Xdrive,Quattro and 4Matic in the bigger cars of the german brands. Thanks for the video!

When did you install the bed rack on the Maverick? Need a video on that 😯

Goes over any terrain more like greatest of all time

Can you make a video of the differences ford maverick awd vs ford maverick awd fx4

Great review. Makes me want a full size Bronco! What about these Toyota hybrids that have a separate, independent motor on the back axle? Seems as though there is no connection between the front and back axles. Reply

Hey can you do some more videos on your 4runner?

9:20 my Mav. Tremor Has is so yes It's in The Maverick Tremor package

What are some good tips around knowing if your vehicle is capable of handling a particular route? What would you look for that might make you say "the Bronco could probably handle this, but the Bronco Sport would be biting off more than it could chew" or "this is just out of the Maverick's league, even with the FX4 package"? I ask as someone who's probably going to get he Maverick at some and plan on doing some off-roading and camping with it. I currently drive a Forester but haven't really ever pushed that to it's limits, just the occasional dirt road to a campground or trail head.

Thats interesting that they say they aren't using GKN hardware. I was never able to get in touch with Ford engineers when I was researching mine and the best I could conclude was it was the GKN. The main problem with Ford is that they have had a history of bad PTO's. They can't take shock loads and they overheat too easily. It's a big problem, and you can look it up. I know the twin clutch system has a PTO cooler, but I know that the single clutch version doesn't and it has a tiny amount of oil capacity. If it were me, I would be worried about it off-road.

Please review Dodge Durango! It's system seems similar to the Bronco Sport described here.

what is your spread on your Yakima rack HD bars. I was only able to get 37 inches center to center on mine. I also had to purchase 1/8" rubber sheet from McMaster Car due to the uneven bed rails.

This was really interesting!! Any chance of doing this type of breakdown with Toyota's??

Should have included the explorer in this video! Does it have the same system as the other cross overs? Obviously not exactly because it’s rwd but it’s also not the same as the bronco!

The 2023 Maverick Tremor package add the locking rear from the Bronco sport. FYI it’s too late to order one.

Quality video! I’m not a fan of how many manufactures now refer to their AWD systems as 4WD, and their crossovers as SUVs. These words should have meaning, and it’s just dishonest. It confuses the average customer that’s not a “car guy”.

Are you going to be testing the new 2023 Kia Sportage offroad soon?

Just one word for you "Pro"

instead of lockers they should let you select brake lockouts. like you as the drive know your wheel is a foot in the air, select that wheel it just clamps down like an electronic e brake but only one side to get you out sooner than later, a lot of the computer controlled brake vectoring does not instil confidence almost feels like a roll of the dice if it’ll get you over that hump

Thanks for sharing, lots of great information. Can you tell me what truck rack the Maverick had. Looking for another option other than the elevate truck rack.

Maverick 2.0T 4WD was on the plate until gas prices and inflation. Gotta keep my Acura wagon which sadly get about the same MPG as a small truck or small crossover

As much as I’d love to buy a new pickup, I’ll keep driving our 2011 Ford Ranger XLT super cab. It only has 34K miles on it. I’ve had a few mods done on it. I had a K&N intake and a Flowmaster exhaust installed. We bought it in 19 & it only had 21K miles on it then. I HATE silver, grey and black. Ours is silver, so I had it 2 toned in Torredor Red metallic. The interior was gloomy grey and boring black, so I had it reupholstered in tan and red. We live in north central WA state and had to take it to MT last summer to pick up a full load of antiques from my wife’s family farm. Going to MT we got 22-26 mpg on I-90. I aired up the rear shocks to 50#, as well as the A/T tires. We were bucking a strong head wind on the first tank and only got 14mpg. On the rest of the tanks we got 19-25 mpg. I was impressed by how much gas mileage we actually got. Ford says our Ranger will only get 19 mpg on the freeway, so all I can say is that I guess the extra mpg is due to the intake and exhaust systems that we had installed. While in MT and parts of ID, the speed limit is 80, so I set the cruise on 85. In WA the speed limit is 70, so my cruise was set on 75. I wish my Ranger had the selection of 4WD that allows the system to switch from 4WD to 2WD as needed, like on the Bronco. We average 4-5 feet of snow every winter and our country roads always have snow and ice on them, but when I go down to Wenatchee the highway and city roads are well kept. Oh well, no more than we drive our Ranger, my wife will be using it after I’m dead and gone.

Is it only the Bronco Sport Badlands that has the twin clutch rear drive unit? I'm seeing some conflicting info online regarding whether the Big Bend has it as well. My GF just bought a 2022 Big Bend and we are wondering which rear end is in it.

Is the AWD in escape is same as the Maverick. I have the Escape ST

I hope they add the twin clutch setup from the badlands to the maverick for a future model. Did Ford hint at a Maverick Tremor or Badlands?

Long story short, the advanced version has central diff, while the regular does not. Funny you did not mention the Escape, which was the progenitor for both Bronco Sport and Maverick.

The Bronco Sport Badlands is also quicker than any of the full size bronco, Bronco sport Badlands is quicker from 0-60 than any other non luxury crossover, at under 6sec! I have a Bronco Sport Badlands and I love it, I can not wait for winter to truly test how much better it is in the snow than my old car. You can definitely feel the feel the turbo kicking in their still a bit of lag, it drives nice and big I feel like I’m in a much bigger SUV the interior of the badlands trim is as nice as any suv in the same price range, their is two normal outlets to plug laptops, and tool in because the one outlets in the back, the floor all rubber too unlike many other suvs in it’s class, and the 4Wheel lock can be activated all the time in bad weather conditions too, but the intelligent 4wd in the sport will also increase the vehicles torque of the line when you put your foot down to the floor it will kick the 4wd in you can view the activity with 4wd on the driver-side dash display, theirs also a spot under the one back seat to hide your contraband lol. But I have no regrets even thought if I sold it the week after I got it I would of made a 5 grand profit because of the value of the badlands sub model being so rare more then but it’s market price was 10 over the MSRP I did have to pay 5 grand over, but if I ordered I probably would of waited almost 1-1/2 and would not of gotten as good of a trade in value on my old car

For most of us, AWD is the best possible drive system. Not just better for our purposes than 4wd but it’s also the safest in varying conditions on the road itself. It’s the most versatile drive available. My old Silverado had both, I never needed 4wd , even when working in the oil fields of west Texas. My current Tundra is just 4wd. The 4wd is great but can’t really be used well in any on road situations. I thank Subaru for putting so much effort into on demand AWD

Where was this testing done? I see it's in Washington state.

Ryan, you and I have the same Maverick (engine, trim and options). I'm curious: after you turn the truck off with the button inside, 3 seconds later, do you hear a metallic mechanical sound like a flap closing or solenoid activating? Should be easy to hear in a garage or quiet space.

The funny thing is, the full size Bronco has a terrible brake lock differential system as you’ve shown in your 4Runner comparison. It appears the maverick and sport might actually do better here. Not every full size Bronco owner will opt for a locker, which really hurts their capabilities compared to a Jeep Wrangler sport, which has an amazing BLD system. I’m disappointed that Ford didn’t do better here. Hopefully they’ll improve this moving forward. Not fishing for views, but I compiled some full size Bronco BLD examples on my channel, Incase anyone was interested.

For a fair/accurate comparison every vehicle should have the same tires.

I'd like to see a fully locked Bronco tackle your course on the other side of the mountains.

I was hopping for more information which hasn't been said before, like how is the Bronco's Auto mode done, I'm guessing probably bypassing transfer case completely with another clutch box, or is it made into their transfer case? Also I hope in the future we can get direct comparison of breaks traction as I find some of them really responsive and some of them less But great all around information dump anyways, thank you

At 9:03 the diagram shows three clutches. Im pretty sure its just 2 - the side clutches - which act as both center and rear differential. Does Ford say there is a 3rd?

we need bronco sport vs forester

I want a suv that has the Bronco’s off-road capability and Toyota’s quality. Is that too much to ask? Hopefully the next-gen 4runner delivers

I appreciate the in-depth descriptions and tests of various 4WD systems, but the description of how brake traction control shifts power around in open differentials is not completely accurate. I feel it's important to point this out because I've heard Ryan state several time that open differentials allow the power to "bleed out" through the wheel with limited traction. The implication being that applying the brake at the spinning wheel prevents that power from being wasted and redirects it to the other wheel. While it can appear that this is visually what is going on, the true physics are quite different. An open differential always splits torque 50:50. What this means is if that a wheel has no traction, it limits the torque on the other side to the same, minimal amount that is required to spin the slipping wheel. This is often not enough torque to even turn the wheel with traction. Applying the brakes to the spinning wheel *increases* the amount of torque that is being delivered to that wheel as the brakes fight the engine, thereby also increasing the amount of torque available at the other side of the open differential, since torque is equal on both sides.

The bronco sport badlands AWD system is a complete copy of Mitsubishi S-AWC system.

Why did you get rid of the falcons on the Maverick?