Four-Wheel Drive: Which Brand Is Better?

Last Updated on August 2, 2023 by John Robinson

White Land Rover in a snowy terrain

Four-wheel drive (4WD) cars or trucks are powerful vehicles that make hauling and other heavy-duty activities, such as off-road driving, a breeze.

These vehicles have twice the traction of two-wheel drive cars. The power of these 4WD vehicles comes from the engine powering all four wheels of the vehicle evenly. 

There are a lot of SUVs on the market, but not all of them are four-wheel drives. However, you still have a vast number of options when it comes to vehicles and brands. That said, not all automotive brands make the best four-wheel drive vehicles. So, which brand makes the best 4WD? This article will cover four of the best brands on the market.

Toyota

Brown Toyota pickup truck

Toyota has been in the business of making top-notch vehicles since the late thirties. The Japanese company started off in 1937 and has become one of the leading automotive companies in the industry. It is a multinational Japan-based company with its headquarters in Toyota, Aichi, Japan.

Toyota offers various 4WD in its catalog, some of which include C-HR, Kluger, Prado, RAV4, Fortuner, and Land Cruiser 200. That said, this brand also offers other options like GR, utes, and others. Two of the best Toyota four-wheel drive cars include: Toyota Sequoia and Toyota Tundra

2024 Toyota Sequoia

This 7-seater vehicle is one of the best on the market. Besides being ahead of its competitors, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia is a massive improvement from its predecessor when it comes to comfort, performance, and technology. 

It can tow up to 9,520 pounds, and its fuel efficiency is much better than older models. The vehicle comes in 5 trim levels, with the most sought-after style being the Limited 4WD. If you want the Limited 4WD, you would be spending about $69,000 and above. 

2024 Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra has always been a fan favorite, and this year’s model is no exception. This model got many impressive upgrades, including a hybrid engine, infotainment system, and refined suspension system. The vehicle is a 5-seater with 10 trim levels.

Jeep

Black Jeep Wrangler

Jeep is an American brand owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The brand was created in the 1940s, and one of the first vehicles was initially created to transport soldiers during the Second World War. 

After the success of this model, Jeep continued to create innovative 4×4 cars, which led to models such as Grand Wagoneer, Wrangler, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Trail Rated, and Cherokee. Two of the best models include the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Wagoneer.

2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee lives up to the name Jeep has spent years building. The SUV is equipped with various trims, a lot of room, and impressive capabilities, not to mention the fact that this SUV works wonders off-road. 

The 7-seater has 6 trim levels, with the Limited 4WD being the most popular model. To get this model, you would have to spend at least $51,650. When driving in the city, you should expect 19 MPG, but you should be able to get 26 MPG when driving on the highway.

2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

This is the most premium SUV produced by Jeep. Its top-notch materials make it a standout vehicle both on the interior and exterior. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is an 8-seater with 5 trim levels. 

This 2023 model is a massive improvement from the 2022 model, with the newer version being more powerful and fuel-efficient. 

If you want a more extravagant option, you can opt for the Grand Wagoneer model. Regardless of the model you purchase, you will get a variety of safety features and incredible technology. 

That said, the starting price of this incredible car is about $89,000. If the price is too high for you, you can consider getting the lesser-priced Jeep Wagoneer.

Ford

Blue Ford pickup truck

Ford is an American-based global automotive company. The company is based in Dearborn, Michigan, US, and has over 180,000 employees and over 60 plants. 

Ford is known for its numerous award-winning vehicles. The brand offers a range of vehicles such as Mustang, Ranger, Mondeo, Everest SUV, and others. Two of the best models include the Ford F-150 and Bronco Sport.

2024 Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is among the best-selling pickup trucks in the United States. The vehicle does not ride as smoothly as other trucks, but it makes up for it with other features, such as a roomy cabin and high tow ratings.

The 5-seater comes with 8 trim levels. Furthermore, you can customize your F-150, choosing from three cabs, three beds, and four-wheel or rear-wheel drive.

2024 Ford Bronco Sport

The Ford Bronco Sport is the smaller version of the Ford Bronco. This model is just as rugged and comfortable as its larger sibling. However, due to its smaller size, the Bronco Sport is more agile and has better fuel efficiency. In addition, the vehicle is a 5-seater with 6 trim levels. 

The Bronco Sport is a formidable SUV that works exceptionally well both on and off-road. It has safety technology that ensures you are safe on the highway and drive smoothly off-road. That said, the Bronco Sport is not as fuel-efficient as other fuel economy SUVs.

Land Rover

Black Land Rover Range Rover

Last but not least is the Land Rover. It is a British brand that started off in 1947. The brand has always been known to create the very best four-wheel drive cars. Some of these exclusive vehicles include Range Rover Velar, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque, Defender, Discovery Sport, and Discovery. Two of the best-performing Land Rover vehicles include Defender and Range Rover Sport.

2024 Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender is a midsize SUV with the best technology to help it blaze through any terrain. While this SUV does not have the best cabin or fuel economy, it does make up for it with its off-road-friendliness. 

The Defender is a 7-seater with 8 trim levels and seamlessly merges luxury and ruggedness without compromising one for the other.

One of the best things about this Land Rover Defender is that it has some of the best technology among midsize SUVs in its range.

2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

This is a 5-seater with 4 trim levels that stand out among the rest when it comes to luxury and robustness. 

The Range Rover sport is a spectacular vehicle that combines luxury with off-road capabilities to provide stellar performance. However, you would have to pay a premium price for these features.

This model is so formidable that you won’t find any vehicles that compete with it outside the Land Rover line. The only vehicle that might come close is the Lexus LX 600. 

Which is the Best Four-Wheel Drive Brand?

While this article covers four of the best four-wheel drive brands on the market, there is no best brand. You need to consider a few factors before buying a vehicle.

Off-Road Capability

Firstly, you need to think about how much off-road driving you will be doing. Remember that the more off-road capable your vehicle is, the less comfortable it will be on-road. 

Hence, you should consider how often you will be driving off-road. It is possible to find four-wheel drive cars with a balance of ruggedness and comfort both off and on-road, but you will have to pay a high price for them.

Price Range

Secondly, you need to consider your price range. Depending on the brand, you should be able to find four-wheel drive vehicles that range between $23,000 and $89,000. In some cases, you might find vehicles that go above or below this range, but these are the prices you should typically expect to see. So, you need to select a car based on how much you much or are willing to spend on a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Car or Truck

Another thing to consider is whether you want a car or a truck. According to WallStreetZen, GM sold 1.223 million trucks in the U.S. in 2021, more than half of the total (2.218 million) vehicles it sold that year. 

It seems like most people are going for trucks, but ultimately, it boils down to what you need the vehicle for. Company car users and businesses might enjoy tax benefits from pickup trucks, while other users might want to stick to regular cars.

Conclusion

Four-wheel drive vehicles are superb when you have heavy-duty tasks to accomplish. These days, you are likely to find various cars built like SUVs. However, they might not meet the benchmark of 4WD vehicles. 

Therefore, you need to look out for certain brands with stellar reputations and a history of delivering the best cars. Some of these brands include Toyota, Jeep, Ford, and Land Rover. These are renowned brands that specialize in making 4WD cars in different markets across the globe.

John Robinson
John Robinson

Howdy! I’m John Robinson from Levittown, New York. I am a mechanical engineer for 15 years and already had an established car repair company. I developed a personal relationship with cars since I was a kid. I always love the sounds and smell emitted by a car or truck and even at construction machinery. Since then I have been married but my love for cars only grew.