Snowy weather and overall conditions which are damp and cold bring along several problems for drivers. Spinning Wheels, fishtailing, and over steering are just a few nuisances to mention. If you find yourself facing similar problems it might be the perfect time for you to buy an AWD car. This technology would not only make it easier for you to get back home safely every day but would also greatly increase your overall driving experience on the road, yes, even in hotter climates. Finding a luxurious AWD ride can be a difficult task, thus, this stick along to get informed about all the features and options to choose from.

What is AWD

Most of the cars we encounter on the road are front-wheel drives, which means that the engine sends all the torque solely to the front wheels of that car and similar is the case with rear-wheel drive vehicles where are the torque is transmitted to the rear-wheels, mostly the rear-wheel-drive is seen in trucks, truck-based SUV’s, luxury sedans and performance cars.

AWD stands for All-Wheel Drive. AWD is the technology where the engine is optimized specially for the road and has the ability to send power to all four tires at the same time. This feature is used to increase the traction of the car and is perfect for snowy or wet conditions where cars tend to lose traction and experience over-steers and accidents subsequently. This would greatly increase the capabilities of your vehicle in those harsh conditions as compared to forward-wheel or rear-wheel drives. On snow-covered and rain-slicked roads the option for you is an AWD luxury car.

The Difference between AWD and 4WD

Many people cannot distinguish between AWD and 4WD cars, however, when in the market to purchase a luxury AWD car it is important for you to know the difference between the two. It is important to note that four-wheel drive vehicles make use of systems that do not have the ability to vary the individual axle speeds, which translates to the fact that you cannot drive them on dry streets and plain roads. If you still do so the axle would bind as we need to remember that the inside wheels of the vehicle turn slower than the outside wheels when you are going around a corner. The reason for the inclusion of four-wheel-drive systems is for part-time use only. They have specifically added for off-road use or in the scenario that the road is very slippery. Apart from these scenarios, the vehicle must be driven only in two-wheel drive.

Types of AWD Systems

There are different ways in which AWD systems function and they might not all be the same. There are three main types of AWD that you must consider.

Full-Time AWD

In full-time AWD, the engine would always send the torque to all four wheels. This is done regardless of the conditions of the road. Most of these systems split all of the torque equally among the rear axle and the back axle by making use of the center differential, however, there still are full-time systems that would vary the entire amount of power which is distributed between the front and the rear wheel, which would depend upon the available traction. There are other types of full-time AWD systems that would also offer a fixed torque rate, which mostly gives the real axle a slightly larger amount in order to mimic the performance of a car which is a rear-wheel drive.

Full-time with Automatic Engagement AWD

Normally the torque is only given to one axle and its pair of wheels, however, this system would detect automatically tire slippage and then provide the axle with torque. This is particularly activated on roads that are wet and windy. These AWD are the most commonly used AWD systems in the market.

Best Luxury AWD (all-wheel drive) Cars

2022 Volvo S60 Recharge

It has recently been announced by Volvo that in the upcoming years it would be moving all of its cars and SUVs to hybrid and electric platforms. The core of that mission is the S60 Recharge. A sophisticated and midsized sedan has been given a plug-in powertrain that can run upon gas or electricity. Accompanied with 400 hp this sports sedan is the perfect sedan for this modern age. This Volvo is a 5-seater vehicle that comes in 4 trim levels. It is estimated that S60 Recharge will deliver 30 MPG combined.

Pros 

• Quick acceleration
• Standard all-wheel drive
• Cabin materials and craftsmanship
• Great fuel economy

Cons

• Expensive with option added
• German rivals are sprier
• Average electric range

Overall Review 

It might not outshine every electric car in its class, however, the Volvo S60 Recharge still is one of the most attractive additions to the hybrid world. It uses the trusty midsize platform of Volvo and then greatly boosts its fuel economy, without lowering its performance. The All-wheel drive comes with the standard, which would also satisfy your safety standards, accompanied by a plethora of safety features. It would prove to be a very comfortable sedan to live with due to its safe and secure handling.

2022 Audi S3

The performance version of the entry-level A3 sedan is what the Audi S3 really is. It comes with a powerful engine along with sharp handling. The interior is luxurious and provides the users with a range of features, however, there is the problem of limited space in the rear seats. This version of the Audi is a 5-seater which comes in 3 trim levels. The most ordered style is the prestige which starts at $45,945. Also included is an All-wheel drive system which greatly increases the safety standards of the vehicle. It is estimated that the Audi S3 can deliver 23 MPG while traveling in the city and could deliver up to 32 MPG when driving on the highway.

Pros 

• Amazing handling
• Luxurious interior
• Performance is strong due to turbocharged engine
• All-wheel drive

Cons 

• Expensive for a sedan its size
• Rear seats have less space

Overall Review 

The new Audi S3 has splendidly taken the already amazing Audi A3 sedan and has made an even better version of it. The design used for its exterior is sleek and gives it a breathtaking look accompanying the luxurious design of the interior. The comfortable and plush seating also successfully creates good support which makes it even more enjoyable to drive on long trips. The rear seats can easily fit 3 adults however, they are not especially spacious and fail to outshine the spaciousness of some of its rivals.

2021 Polestar 2

If you are in the market for a powerful, tech-laden, 5-seat hatchback electric vehicle with all-wheel drive and good looks, the 2021 Polestar 2 is the choice for you. It is comfortable to drive and holds its own against other similarly equipped EVs. This 5-seater vehicle comes in 1 trim level. The most ordered style of the Polestar is the Launch Edition Fastback, the starting price for this is $61,200. This also comes equipped with an All-wheel drive system along with an electric engine. It has been estimated that this vehicle would provide around 96 MPGe when traveling in the city and 88 MPGe while driving on the highway.  

Pros 

• Powerful
• Comfortable and quiet 
• All-wheel drive

Cons 

• Tight Backseats
• Less interior storage space

Overall Review 

The Polestar 2 comes to par with other luxurious vehicles like the Jaguar I-Pace and the Audi e-tron. This is a well-appointed sporty hatchback sedan which is called fastback by Polestar. This SUV provides its drivers with amazing safety features and very safe and secure handling to go along with it. That’s not all, it also boasts scorching acceleration and driver assistance along with infotainment features. The interior of this car is also designed luxuriously as it provides users with amazing cargo capacity. It compares neatly with the likes of the most powerful performance cars like the Tesla Model 3. The price bracket of the car seems to be the only issue associated with it.

2022 Subaru Legacy

The Subaru Legacy proves to be an excellent family car as it has a comfortable interior and provides its users with a large range of safety features specially catering to families. It provides good value for money when compared to similarly-sized sedans especially when observed in its lower trim levels. This 5-seater vehicle comes in 6 trim levels. It has been estimated that it would deliver 27 MPG when used inside the city and 35 MPG when used on the highway.

Pros 

• All-wheel drive
• Starting price is affordable
• Provides a smooth ride

Cons 

• Fuel Economy is not very impressive
• The exterior design is bland

Overall Review 

A wide range of trims is offered in this midsize sedan, along with a choice of two engines and also an extensive list of standard features. The All-wheel drive system makes driving The Legacy much easier and safer when using it in snowy or rainy climates. The sedan also offers a quiet and smooth ride which makes traveling in it an enjoyable experience. This car however is not considered a sporty car, which makes it fall under the category of just luxurious. The acceleration that this car provides is modest at best and does not compete with other cars in its class.

2021 Mazda Mazda 3

The impressive interior and exterior finishes on the Mazda3 make it stand out of the pack. It packs a responsive engine and also has sporty handling. However, if you are looking to get one of the upper trim models, you should have a slightly bigger budget. This 5-seater vehicle is available in 7 trim levels. The most popular among the masses is the Premium 4-door AWD, which starts at $29,395. It has been estimated that this car would provide 25 MPG in the city and on the highway it would deliver 33 MPG.

Pros 

• All-wheel Drive
• Interior is top of the line
• Enjoyable to drive

Cons 

• More costly than other high-end rivals

Overall Review 

This car has been rated as one of the most engaging compacts available on the market. It could be bought as a sedan or even as a sleekly styles hatchback along with three responsive engines from which you could choose. There is also the option for an All-wheel drive for places that have colder climates. This car is very enjoyable to drive as it is specifically designed for people which like to drive thus it also has sporty handling. However, instead of a touchscreen, this car has a rotary controller situated on the center console which would take some patience to fully master.

2021 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima is a midsized sedan that is known for its combination of affordability with performance and comfort. In its class, it is one of the few sedans which offer an All-wheel drive to its users and embarks them on a journey of enjoyable and safe traveling. This 5-seater is available in 5 different trim levels. The 2.5 Platinum AWD is the most popular styling option. It has been estimated that this Altima would deliver 25 MPG in the city and on the highway it would deliver 35 MPG.

Pros 

• All-wheel drive
• Fuel-efficient engine
• Spacious and Comfortable Cabin

Cons 

• Does not provide enough power when compared to rivals
• Does not have a Hybrid option

Overall Review 

This midsize sedan has proven to have all the options which are required for your daily commuting needs and provides a safe and secure driving experience. It has a luxurious and comfortable interior. This sedan has been the best-selling sedan by Nissan and it continues to prove why that is the case. It has a turbocharged engine which continues to outshine most of the competition and provides excellent performance.

2021 Audi S6

This midsize sports sedan uses the sophistication and technology of the German automakers, which not only gives it the ability to outrun an average sports car on twisty and straight roads but also makes it a benchmark of luxury. The exterior of this car screams luxury loud and clear, however, looks can be deceiving. As a 444-hp mild-hybrid engine has been integrated inside it by Audi, along with an adaptive air suspension along with many other cutting edge components which give the Audi S6 outstanding driving performance which rightly matches its comfort. This car is also very practical as it is equipped with an all-wheel-drive system which makes it suitable for snowy and rainy climates as well as normal conditions.

Pros 

• All-wheel drive
• Powertrain offers enjoyable dynamics when driving
• The cabin is spacious and luxurious
• The infotainment system is outstanding
• Extensive safety features

Cons 

• The efficiency of the Mild Hybrid system could be increased
• Expensive for its segment

Overall Review 

This sedan delivers a very well-rounded packaged. This sufficiently delivers a luxurious car but along with it, it also is a sports sedan. The infotainment system in the sedan is top of the line, which provides users with a large number of adjustable settings which make the overall experience with using the car much more intricate and personal.