AWD vs FWD: is AWD worth it?
AWD price and mpg cost by trim.
AWD or 4WD vs 2WD, 2025 models
AWD adds $2,000 at the median.
$2,515median extra over 6 years
- 96 models sell both drivetrains.
- Cheapest pair of each model.
- 12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20.
Extra cost of AWD by model, 2025
| Model | Pair | Price step | Extra energy a year | Extra over 6 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 8 Series | 840i RWD 840i xDrive AWD | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Ford Maverick | XL FWD SuperCrew XL AWD SuperCrew | $0 | $27 | $164 |
| BMW M4 | Competition RWD Competition xDrive AWD | $0 | $112 | $674 |
| Buick Enclave | Preferred FWD Preferred AWD | $0 | $159 | $954 |
| Nissan Murano | FWD SV SV AWD | $1,000 | $0 | $1,000 |
| Toyota RAV4 | LE FWD LE AWD | $1,400 | $0 | $1,400 |
| Lexus NX | 250 FWD 250 AWD | $1,600 | $0 | $1,600 |
| Lexus TX | 350 FWD 350 AWD | $1,600 | $0 | $1,600 |
| Toyota Camry | LE FWD LE AWD | $1,525 | $15 | $1,615 |
| Toyota Prius | LE FWD LE AWD | $1,400 | $37 | $1,625 |
| Lexus UX Hybrid | UX 300h FWD UX 300h AWD | $1,570 | $21 | $1,698 |
| Toyota Corolla | Hybrid LE FWD Hybrid LE AWD | $1,400 | $56 | $1,734 |
| Nissan Kicks | S FWD S AWD | $1,500 | $41 | $1,748 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | L 2WD L AWD | $1,300 | $80 | $1,780 |
| Hyundai Sonata | SEL FWD SEL AWD | $1,500 | $47 | $1,784 |
| Honda HR-V | LX FWD LX AWD | $1,500 | $51 | $1,805 |
| Nissan Rogue | FWD S S AWD | $1,400 | $75 | $1,850 |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz | SE FWD SE AWD | $1,500 | $64 | $1,884 |
| Ford Escape | Active FWD Active AWD | $1,400 | $91 | $1,949 |
| Toyota Highlander | LE FWD LE AWD | $1,600 | $64 | $1,984 |
| BMW 4 Series | 430i Gran Coupe RWD 430i xDrive Gran Coupe AWD | $2,000 | $0 | $2,000 |
| Dodge Durango | GT RWD GT AWD | $2,000 | $0 | $2,000 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Laredo 4x2 Laredo 4WD | $2,000 | $0 | $2,000 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee L | Laredo 4x2 Laredo 4WD | $2,000 | $0 | $2,000 |
| Nissan Pathfinder | S 2WD S 4WD | $2,000 | $0 | $2,000 |
| INFINITI QX60 | PURE FWD PURE AWD | $2,000 | $0 | $2,000 |
| Cadillac XT6 | Luxury FWD Luxury AWD | $2,000 | $0 | $2,000 |
| Kia Seltos | S FWD S AWD | $1,500 | $85 | $2,013 |
| Toyota Grand Highlander | LE FWD LE AWD | $1,600 | $70 | $2,017 |
| Honda CR-V | LX 2WD LX AWD | $1,500 | $91 | $2,049 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | ES FWD ES AWD | $1,800 | $55 | $2,128 |
| Hyundai Tucson | SE FWD SE AWD | $1,500 | $105 | $2,133 |
| Lexus RX | 350 FWD 350 AWD | $1,750 | $64 | $2,134 |
| Toyota Sienna | LE FWD 8-Passenger LE AWD 8-Passenger | $2,000 | $30 | $2,183 |
| Kia K5 | GT-Line FWD GT-Line AWD | $1,600 | $98 | $2,188 |
| Hyundai Kona | SE FWD SE AWD | $1,500 | $133 | $2,296 |
| Acura ADX | FWD AWD | $2,000 | $51 | $2,305 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | SE FWD SE AWD | $1,900 | $70 | $2,317 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | LT FWD LT AWD | $2,000 | $55 | $2,328 |
| Alfa Romeo Giulia | RWD AWD | $2,000 | $55 | $2,328 |
| Kia Sorento | S FWD S AWD | $2,000 | $59 | $2,354 |
| Volkswagen Atlas | SE FWD SE 4MOTION AWD | $1,900 | $83 | $2,399 |
| Ford Explorer | Active RWD Active 4WD | $2,000 | $70 | $2,417 |
| Cadillac XT5 | Luxury FWD Luxury AWD | $2,000 | $70 | $2,417 |
| Volkswagen Taos | S FWD S 4MOTION AWD | $1,700 | $133 | $2,496 |
| Toyota 4Runner | SR5 2WD SR5 4WD | $2,000 | $83 | $2,499 |
| Hyundai Palisade | SE FWD SE AWD | $2,000 | $83 | $2,499 |
| BMW 3 Series | 330i RWD 330i xDrive AWD | $2,000 | $85 | $2,513 |
| Genesis G70 | 2.5T RWD 2.5T AWD | $2,100 | $70 | $2,517 |
| Nissan Altima | SV FWD SV AWD | $1,500 | $171 | $2,529 |
| BMW 5 Series | 530i RWD 530i xDrive AWD | $2,300 | $41 | $2,548 |
| BMW 2 Series | 230i RWD 230i xDrive AWD | $2,000 | $91 | $2,549 |
| Honda Pilot | Sport 2WD Sport AWD | $2,100 | $83 | $2,599 |
| GMC Terrain | Elevation FWD Elevation AWD | $2,000 | $114 | $2,683 |
| Lincoln Corsair | Premiere FWD Premiere AWD | $2,300 | $64 | $2,684 |
| Acura MDX | FWD SH-AWD | $2,200 | $83 | $2,699 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | S FWD S 4MOTION AWD | $1,500 | $212 | $2,771 |
| Kia Sportage | LX FWD LX AWD | $1,800 | $165 | $2,787 |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | E 350 RWD E 350 4MATIC AWD | $2,500 | $51 | $2,805 |
| Buick Encore GX | Preferred FWD Preferred AWD | $2,000 | $142 | $2,853 |
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What this cannot tell you
Resale, traction and insurance are not included.
Your own mpg will differ.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree