Just because you drive an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t enjoy fuel efficiency at your fingertips. Modern AWD vehicles help you navigate complex and tricky surfaces during inclement weather. AWD vehicles are often associated with poor fuel economy, but this is not necessarily true.
What Are the Benefits of AWD Cars?
The full-time all-wheel drive systems can help you in adverse weather conditions and offer an enhanced grip over the steering system and navigation controls. These cars are also ideal for drivers handling specific road conditions where they need all the extra edge and boost to make it to their destination.
Superior Traction
All AWD vehicles offer superior traction as compared to other cars. The enhanced grip and traction with the surface offer a more powerful control and easily propel the car forward. One of the advantages about this feature is that even if one or two of the tires lose traction, the remaining tires can balance the load and take the burden.
Maximized Performance and Handling
AWD vehicles offer enhanced performance and faster acceleration times on all surfaces. This maximizes the handling mechanism and offers a higher level of performance. An all-wheel drive system can quickly transfer the engine’s power to the road.
Balanced Weight Distribution
AWD cars offer a better weight distribution system and transfer most of the vehicle’s load to the rear wheels. This results in the balancing of the weight of the engine and offers consistent handling throughout the drive. An even distribution of weight across the AWD vehicle’s frame further enhances handling and performance, and the power from the engine is utilized to its maximum.
Off-Road Prowess
Uneven terrain may be one of the biggest problems for drivers, but an AWD car can easily take on off-road driving and adventures. AWD cars can propel forward even with the minimum traction between the wheels and the surface.
What Are the Most Fuel-Efficient AWD Vehicles?
Up until now, drivers had to choose between a luxurious and powerful AWD car or a fuel-efficient vehicle. Well, those days are gone. You can enjoy both of these options in the same AWD car. Automobile manufacturers have finally listened to consumers and started offering AWD vehicle options with improved fuel economy for both city roads and highways.
You can now get more miles per gallon than before and enjoy the high level of all-terrain performance and handling with your modern AWD vehicle. Below are six of the top fuel-efficient AWD vehicles.
1. 2016 Cadillac ATS
Are you in search of an AWD car with a quiet interior and powerful handling system? The 2016 Cadillac ATS is your answer. This car comes with a solid and powerful engine, the 2.0-liter Turbo DI VVT. The engine offers a horsepower of 272 at 5,500 rpm and a torque of 295 pound-feet.
Moreover, this car comes with a state-of-the-art six-speed automatic transmission for better handling. The engine is designed to offer a fuel economy of 26 in the city and 36 on the highway. Therefore, you can get a combined fuel economy of 30 mpg on average, which is quite good compared to other options on the market.
Classy and stylish, the 2016 Cadillac ATS offers a lot of power and performance for an AWD vehicle.
2. 2016 Acura TLX
If you are currently searching for an AWD vehicle that is not only fuel-efficient but also offers a smooth riding experience, the 2016 Acura TLX is ideal for you. This premium midsize sedan comes with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that offers 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque.
You’ll get up to 31 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg in the city. The 2016 Acura TLX offers a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. The AWD TLX’s engine is a direct-injection four-cylinder V-6. This Acura TLX also features a nine-speed automatic transmission, aluminum alloy wheels, and brake assist.
The 2016 AWD Acura TLX is fuel-efficient but also rugged enough to handle off-road environments.
3. 2016 Ford Fusion
Are you looking for an AWD vehicle that is not only economical but also stylish? The 2016 Ford Fusion is the perfect solution to all your requirements. This is the ideal midsize sedan that can easily accommodate up to five passengers without feeling crowded. This is also a popular option among eco-warriors and people who are looking to commute in style.
You get up to 22 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The Fusion offers a combined fuel economy of 26 mpg that is excellent compared to other models on the market. The car has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that offers a six-speed automatic transmission and gets 175 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm.
Sharp and fun to drive, the Ford Fusion AWD model offers outstanding fuel efficiency in its class.
4. 2016 Volkswagen Golf R
This midsized sport-tuned AWD car comes with a powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that offers a good net fuel economy to drivers. The eight-speed automatic transmission system offers 292 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque at 1,800 rpm. This car can get up to 60 mph in merely 4.5 seconds.
You can enjoy a fuel tank capacity of 14.5 gallons and a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. If you want to drive this car in the city, you’ll have a fuel economy of up to 22 mpg. On the highway, it offers a 31-mpg fuel economy.
The Volkswagen Golf R’s sophisticated all-wheel-drive performance makes this one of the top cars in its class.
5. 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer
The superior-quality 2.4-liter four-cylinder for 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer offers a horsepower of 168 at 6,000 rpm and a torque of 167 pound-feet at 4,200 rpm. It also offers great handling with a modern continuously variable-speed automatic transmission made especially for this model. You can enjoy a fuel economy of up to 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. This car offers a combined fuel economy of 26 mpg.
This car comes with 16-inch alloy wheels and six-way adjustable seats. You also get state-of-the-art heated mirrors with integrated turn signals. The cloth seats and remote keyless power door locks will give you the feeling of driving a luxury car without sacrificing the quality or performance.
The all-wheel-drive Lancer is a fuel-efficient compact car with great features.
6. 2016 BMW 228i xDrive
With 23 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg, the 2016 BMW 228i xDrive is ideal if you want to combine style and fuel efficiency in one AWD car. This car comes with an eight-speed shiftable automatic transmission that allows for enhanced handling on all terrains. With its 13.7-gallon fuel tank capacity, you can take this vehicle around the city without worrying about gas mileage.
The 2016 BMW 228i xDrive comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that offers you a powerful 240-horsepower performance at 5,000 rpm. Moreover, you can also enjoy a torque of 255 pound-feet at 1,450 rpm. This car can easily seat four passengers and offers a post-collision safety system.
This affordable BMW offers you the features and performance you would expect from the brand.
The Bottom Line
While all of these cars offer something unique to drivers, the final choice will depend upon your personal preferences. All of these AWD vehicles offer great fuel economy. However, some of these offer more performance while others provide luxurious interior design and feel. You can compare the specs mentioned above and choose the car that suits your requirements.
