Automobile Desk: These days, the demand for 4×4 (four-by-four) and all-wheel drive (AWD) SUVs has increased rapidly in the Indian automobile market. Seeing models like Mahindra Thar, Scorpio-N, Force Gurkha and Toyota Fortuner, people often make up their mind to buy them. However, choosing a 4×4 vehicle only on the basis of good looks and powerful image is not a wise decision for everyone. Choosing this system without any need can be heavy on the pocket.
4×4 technology is mainly designed for those roads where normal vehicles give up. In this system, the power of the engine is distributed equally among the four wheels of the vehicle or as per the need. If one wheel of the car gets stuck in mud, pothole, or slope, the other three wheels apply force to pull the car out safely. This is why the performance of 4×4 is unmatched on rough roads, snowfall, sand and deep climbs.
If your car is mostly used on city's paved roads, highways and for daily commuting to office, then a 4×4 car can spoil your budget. In city traffic and signal-to-signal driving, not even 5% of four-wheel drive's potential is utilised. Two-wheel drive (4×2) i.e. front-wheel or rear-wheel drive vehicles are perfectly capable and comfortable for normal city and highway driving.
From an economic point of view, the starting price of the 4×4 variant is much higher than that of the 4×2. Additionally, the weight of the vehicle increases due to additional gearbox and differential parts, which directly impacts the fuel efficiency i.e. mileage. Also, due to their complex mechanical setup, their maintenance and servicing costs are also higher than normal cars. This may prove to be an additional burden for buyers looking for a tight budget and low running costs.
On the other hand, for those who are fond of frequent road trips, adventure, off-roading camping or live in hilly areas and remote remote areas, the 4×4 system is a very useful and safe option. In such conditions, it provides extra grip and control, which significantly reduces the risk of driving on difficult roads.
While choosing a new car, it is more important to understand your real need rather than getting influenced by the power of the vehicle or just the badging of 4×4. Making the right choice of 4×2 or 4×4 by keeping in mind the driving habits, distance covered daily and road conditions is the right way to save money.
