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![Best All-Wheel-Drive Cars of 2024 (2) Best All-Wheel-Drive Cars of 2024 (2)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.carbuzzimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/930201.jpg)
When it comes to sure-footing on and off the road, AWD cars are your best bet. Sending power to all four wheels means extra traction on slippery surfaces like rain-slick or snowy roads. In the past, this function was limited to SUVs, but these days you can get a sedan, a muscle car, or even a compact hatchback with AWD. Many hybrid and electric cars are all-wheel drive by default, too. Here are our rankings of the best American AWD cars of 2024.
2024 Chrysler Pacifica
9.5/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $39,400
- Fuel Economy
- 19/28 MPG
- Horsepower
- 287 hp
2024 Kia EV6
9.0/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $42,600
- Fuel Economy
- 136/100 MPG
- Horsepower
- 167 hp
2023 Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $136,000
- Fuel Economy
- 80/80 MPG
- Horsepower
- 509 hp
2023 Kia Stinger
9.4/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $37,135
- Fuel Economy
- 22/29 MPG
- Horsepower
- 300 hp
2023 Volvo V60 Recharge
9.4/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $70,550
- Fuel Economy
- 74 MPGe/31 mpg
- Horsepower
- 455 hp
2023 Tesla Model S Plaid
9.4/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $89,990
- Fuel Economy
- 119/112 MPG
- Horsepower
- 1,020 hp
2024 Porsche Taycan
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $90,900
- Fuel Economy
- 79/88 MPG
- Horsepower
- 321 hp
2023 Audi S8
9.4/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $120,500
- Fuel Economy
- 15/23 MPG
- Horsepower
- 563 hp
2023 Porsche Taycan Turbo
9.4/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $153,300
- Fuel Economy
- 81/80 MPG
- Horsepower
- 616 hp
2023 Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo
9.4/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $155,900
- Fuel Economy
- 80/78 MPG
- Horsepower
- 616 hp
2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $32,575
- Fuel Economy
- 80 MPGe/35 mpg combined (PHEV) | 38/38/38 mpg (Hybrid Blue)
- Horsepower
- 226 hp
2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid
- Base MSRP
- $36,990
- Fuel Economy
- 79 MPGe/34 mpg combined (PHEV) | 39/35/37 mpg (Hybrid FWD)
- Horsepower
- 227 hp
2024 Volvo XC40
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $40,500
- Fuel Economy
- 24/30 MPG
- Horsepower
- 247 hp
2024 Genesis G80
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $54,400
- Fuel Economy
- 22/30 MPG
- Horsepower
- 300 hp
2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge
8.9/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $71,900
- Fuel Economy
- 58 MPGe/27 mpg
- Horsepower
- 455 hp
2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
9.3/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $87,500
- Fuel Economy
- 21/29 MPG
- Horsepower
- 335 hp
2023 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
9.3/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $97,700
- Fuel Economy
- 80/80 MPG
- Horsepower
- 375 hp
2023 Rolls-Royce Ghost
9.3/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $348,500
- Fuel Economy
- 12/19 MPG
- Horsepower
- 563 hp
2024 Kia K5
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $25,590
- Fuel Economy
- 27/37 MPG
- Horsepower
- 180 hp
2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $28,220
- Fuel Economy
- 45/38 MPG
- Horsepower
- 196 hp
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $28,750
- Fuel Economy
- 25/28 MPG
- Horsepower
- 191 hp
2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $31,725
- Fuel Economy
- 41/38/39 mpg
- Horsepower
- 219 hp
2024 Kia Telluride
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $36,190
- Fuel Economy
- 20/26/22 mpg (2WD) | 18/24/20 mpg (AWD)
- Horsepower
- 291 hp
2024 Hyundai Palisade
8.4/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $36,650
- Fuel Economy
- 19/26/22 mpg (FWD) | 29/24/21 mpg (AWD)
- Horsepower
- 291 hp
2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $42,995
- Fuel Economy
- 110/96 MPG
- Horsepower
- 266 hp
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $44,670
- Fuel Economy
- 37/34 mpg
- Horsepower
- 245 hp
2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $48,800
- Fuel Economy
- 23/30 MPG
- Horsepower
- 247 hp
2024 Lexus RX Hybrid
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $50,750
- Fuel Economy
- 37/34/36 mpg (350h) | 27/28/27 mpg (500h)
- Horsepower
- 246 hp
2024 Genesis GV60
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $52,000
- Fuel Economy
- 125/99 MPG
- Horsepower
- 225 hp
2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45
2024 BMW i5
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $66,800
- Fuel Economy
- TBC
- Horsepower
- 335 hp
2024 Tesla Model S
8.4/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $74,990
- Fuel Economy
- 124/115 MPG
- Horsepower
- 670 hp
2023 Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupe
2024 Audi A8
8.5/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $90,900
- Fuel Economy
- 19/28 MPG
- Horsepower
- 335 hp
2023 Tesla Model X Plaid
8.5/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $94,990
- Fuel Economy
- 103/93 MPG
- Horsepower
- 1,020 hp
2024 BMW i7
8.4/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $105,700
- Fuel Economy
- 87/95 MPG
- Horsepower
- 449 hp
2024 Audi e-tron GT
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $106,500
- Fuel Economy
- 85/85 MPG
- Horsepower
- 469 hp
2023 Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid Sport Turismo
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $113,000
- Fuel Economy
- TBC
- Horsepower
- 455 hp
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $114,500
- Fuel Economy
- 20/28 MPG
- Horsepower
- 429 hp
2023 Audi RS e-tron GT
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $143,900
- Fuel Economy
- 79/82 MPG
- Horsepower
- 591 hp
2023 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $144,900
- Fuel Economy
- 17/24 MPG
- Horsepower
- 612 hp
2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS
2023 Porsche 911 Turbo
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $182,900
- Fuel Economy
- 15/20 MPG
- Horsepower
- 572 hp
2023 Mercedes-Maybach S
2023 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $195,700
- Fuel Economy
- 15/20 MPG
- Horsepower
- 572 hp
2024 Mazda CX-30
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $24,995
- Fuel Economy
- 26/33 MPG
- Horsepower
- 191-250 hp
2024 Hyundai Tucson
9.0/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $27,500
- Fuel Economy
- 25/32 MPG
- Horsepower
- 187 hp
2023 Toyota GR Corolla
9.0/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $35,900
- Fuel Economy
- 28/37 MPG
- Horsepower
- 300 hp
2024 Toyota Sienna
8.5/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $37,685
- Fuel Economy
- 36/36/36 mpg (FWD) | 35/36/35 mpg (AWD)
- Horsepower
- 245 hp
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $43,070
- Fuel Economy
- 21/28/24 mpg (FWD) | 21/27/23 mpg (best AWD)
- Horsepower
- 265 hp
Characteristics of The Best AWD Vehicles
Since you can find new all-wheel-drive cars in just about every classification, the similarities are not as clearcut as you may expect. That being said, there are still some qualities you can expect from the best AWD cars, for better or worse:
- Rugged design: Since all-wheel drive is meant to help cars overcome difficult road conditions, it only makes sense that many cars that include it as standard look more rugged than their run-of-the-mill front- or rear-wheel drive brethren. This is evident in the case of SUVs, crossovers, and even some wagons, where you can expect a bit more ground clearance to improve approach/breakover/departure angles.
- Performance: Many of the best all-wheel-drive cars are high-performance sports sedans or coupes. Sending power to all four wheels helps them accelerate fast while still maintaining excellent traction for superior handlingat speed. Also, to overcome the added weight of the AWD system, they often employ a potent V6 or V8 engine, or high-output hybrid powertrains.
- Fuel economy: Unfortunately, that added weight of all-wheel drive components harms gas mileage. If you’re looking for cars with the best mpg, you’ll want to compare with those that are front- or rear-wheel driven. Top performance models with high-displacement engines are even greedier, especially if they come equipped with a manual transmission - most smart-shifting autos and CVTs are a little more efficiency-minded.
- Price: If you’re buying new, the best all-wheel-drive cars will always cost more than their two-wheel-driven variants. In most cases, the difference is sometimes small can be a few thousand dollars. When you add this to higher fuel bills, the overall cost of ownership can be quite high. Of course, you can always buy used, with many older models selling for under $10k, assuming you’re willing to make sacrifices in terms of modern features.
What to Consider When Buying Cars With AWD
As you can see, you have to take the good with the bad when buying an AWD car, but if it’s something you need, the sacrifices are usually worth it. Here are the things to keep in mind when you're considering buying one of the all-wheel drive cars on our list:
Pros
- Confident handling through corners
- Traction on wet, slippery roads and in adverse weather conditions
- Improved acceleration
- Ability to go off-road (at least a little)
Cons
- Limited availability
- Poor fuel economy
- Not as cheap as standard models
- Heavier curb weight
FAQs
Which AWD car is best?
Subaru makes some of the best all-wheel drive systems out there, so it’s no surprise that the Subaru Crosstek, Impreza, Forester, and Outback all rank highly. Other great all-wheel drive cars in the USA include the:Honda CR-V
Hyundai Kona
Ford Bronco Sport
Dodge Challenger GT
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Is AWD better than FWD?
The answer here depends on your needs and what purpose your car’s drivetrain will serve. All-wheel drive cars have much better traction, and the fact that power is sent to all four wheels is beneficial to faster acceleration times and grip through corners. However, if that’s not important to you, the lower fuel costs of rear- or front-wheel drive cars make them a more attractive option.
Can AWD go off-road?
All-wheel drive should never be confused with four-wheel drive. While it is true that cars with AWD can more easily handle rough terrain than those without, this doesn’t qualify them as true or reliable off-roaders. All-wheel drive provides more traction, but it doesn’t offer the off-road gearing and drive modes that real 4WD vehicles have that make them adept at handling the road less traveled.
- Best Cars
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