Skip advert
Advertisement
Tips and advice

What is Volkswagen 4MOTION? Should you choose it?

Volkswagen’s 4MOTION models all have four-wheel drive, but there are pros and cons – read more here

What is VW 4MOTION

If you’re wondering what 4MOTION means, or where you’ve heard of it before, the chances are that you’ve seen it on the back of a Volkswagen car. It’s the name of the brand’s four-wheel-drive system, and it’s available on the Volkswagen T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace, Touareg, Arteon and Golf Estate Alltrack, among others. While it’s standard on some cars, it costs extra on others – it’s a case-by-case add-on.

The best 4x4s and SUVs 2023 heroTop 10 best 4x4s and SUVs

Read on to find out more about 4MOTION, to find out how it works, whether it’s worth considering on your next car and where choosing it makes sense.

What is VW 4MOTION?

VW’s all-wheel-drive cars use the term 4MOTION, just as 4x4 versions of Audis use the quattro name and four-wheel-drive BMWs are called xDrive. As with many modern four-wheel-drive systems, 4MOTION uses sensors and computers to detect wheel slippage and loss of traction, and will send power to the correct wheels to compensate and improve grip dynamically.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The sensors work in tandem with other safety systems such as (anti-lock braking system) and ESP (electronic stability package). Four-wheel-drive 4MOTION models send power from the engine to a differential in the centre, which then distributes it out to the wheels.

More expensive versions have permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive

There are different types in different cars. There’s a Haldex system that uses a clutch to move the power where it’s needed, and this works well in sporty models such as the Golf R to send power to the rear wheels when accelerating. It’s biased toward front-wheel drive in normal driving, though. For off-roading, the Volkswagen Touareg instead uses a Torsen mechanical differential, which is more suited to improving traction off-road, although the most adept model is the Volkswagen Amarok truck, which has a more old-fashioned type of locking differential.

Benefits and drawbacks of Volkswagen 4MOTION

4MOTION can provide a number of benefits, most notably extra grip in poor conditions. Even if you’re not planning arduous off-road trips, 4MOTION can come in handy; many customers like it for the extra security and peace of mind it gives in bad weather. In the case of performance cars such as the Volkswagen Golf R, 4MOTION means you can corner at higher speeds.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Volkswagen 4MOTION models do have some downsides. For a start, they tend to be more expensive to buy than their two-wheel-drive stablemates. All-wheel-drive cars usually can’t match the fuel economy of two-wheel-drive models, either, but it’s worth mentioning that they are more efficient than the permanent four-wheel-drive systems that you tend to get in the most rugged off-roaders. Parts, servicing and consumables may be costlier on 4MOTION models, too. However, 4MOTION cars tend to be highly sought after, so they may be worth more than two-wheel-drive cars when it’s time to resell.

4MOTION vs quattro

Audi’s all-wheel-drive models use a system called quattro, and it’s very similar to Volkswagen’s 4MOTION system. Again, there are several different variations, with some models sporting a multi-plate clutch and others getting a self-locking centre differential. Audi also offers ‘quattro on-demand’ on the Q5 and A5 Allroad, which switches between all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive to save fuel. There’s also a slightly different system on the Audi R8 mid-engined supercar. Read more about Audi’s quattro system here.

Should you buy a VW with 4MOTION?

We’d recommend choosing 4MOTION in some circumstances, but it’s not ideal for everyone. It’s useful if you live somewhere that regularly experiences bad weather and slippery roads. It also tends to improve a car’s towing capacity, so it’s a good choice if you regularly tow a caravan or a large trailer. If these points don’t apply to you, we’d suggest going with front-wheel drive instead, as the car will be cheaper to both buy and run.

Read our Volkswagen reviews here.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

All-new Volkswagen Tayron seven-seater added to VW’s SUV lineup
Volkswagen Tayron driving front quarter
News
9 Oct 2024

All-new Volkswagen Tayron seven-seater added to VW’s SUV lineup

New Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle is the biggest VW bus you can buy
Volkswagen Caravelle front quarter
News
1 Aug 2024

New Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle is the biggest VW bus you can buy

Volkswagen ID.2all concept previews one of several new budget EVs from VW Group
Volkswagen ID.2all concept show car front 3/4
News
29 May 2024

Volkswagen ID.2all concept previews one of several new budget EVs from VW Group

Volkswagen T-Cross review – a well-equipped small SUV
Volkswagen T-Cross
In-depth reviews
15 Apr 2024

Volkswagen T-Cross review – a well-equipped small SUV

Most Popular

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door
BMW M235 Gran Coupe front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
29 Nov 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers

2025 Toyota Yaris announced with minor upgrades
2025 Toyota Yaris front quarter
News
29 Nov 2024

2025 Toyota Yaris announced with minor upgrades

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024