If you are in the market for a used or new car, don't write off all-wheel drive vehicles, even if you are not that familiar with driving an all-wheel drive vehicle. With all wheel drive vehicles, you have full traction on all four wheels, not just the front or back wheels like you get with front wheel drive and rear wheel drive vehicles.

Improved Traction

One of the biggest benefits of an all-wheel drive vehicle is that you will be able to experience increased traction. Since all four wheels are spinning at all times, you have more wheels that will be making contact with the road. If two of your wheels get stuck, you still have two more wheels to pull you out of whatever jam you find yourself in.

If you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow or ice, all-wheel drive is essential. With all-wheel drive, you great reduce the risk of hydroplaning or sliding on the wet and icy road. You also greatly reduce the chance that you will ever get stuck in the snow.

Heavier Vehicle

All-wheel drive vehicles tend to be heavier than two-wheel drive vehicles due to the extra pair of differentials at the axles that turn the vehicle into an all-wheel drive vehicle. That extra weight is one of the reasons that all-wheel drive vehicles get such great traction.

The one drawback to all-wheel drive vehicles being heavier is that the fuel economy tends to be a little lower in all-wheel drive vehicles. However, poor fuel economy is often over-stated with all-wheel drive vehicles. Oftentimes, the different in fuel economy is only a couple of miles per gallon.

Great Resale Value

Another benefit of purchasing an all-wheel drive vehicle is that they retain their value really well over time. All-wheel drive vehicles retain their value better over time in comparison to two-wheel drive vehicles. Part of this is due to the fact that all-wheel drive vehicles usually cost more up-front, which helps the vehicle retain a higher percentage of value over time. When you purchase an all-wheel drive vehicle, you may not be able to make back what you paid for it, but you should get a nice return on your investment and have an easy time selling your vehicle in the future.

If you are in the market for a used or new vehicle, consider an all-wheel drive vehicle. All-wheel drive vehicles provide you with great traction, have a great resale value, and are heavier than their two-wheel drive counterparts. All-wheel drive vehicles make great cars.