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Pickups that have a true AWD, and not a 4WD system are rare, and few in between. AWD offers better on-road performance, and better (smarter) traction than 4WD. It allows for quicker response when there is slippage at a specific tire, and allows for better traction in turns.
Unfortunately not many pickup trucks offer the AWD system, because trucks tend to be more meant for work, or off road capabilities, and AWD doesn’t normally lend well to that portion of the demographic.
Because of this, there are very few options to choose from if you want the SUV or car like capability with AWD, but still want to have a bed in back!
While they may be rare, they do exist though! These are the trucks that have a true AWD system, and not a 4WD, or full time 4WD system.
1. Honda Ridgeline
The king of the SUV-like truck is the Honda Ridgeline! While it is built on a crossover platform, it still offers the bed of a truck.
It may not be quite as tough as its full size, body on frame brethren, but it does offer a very usable bed (its extendable), as well as an extremely smoothe drive that no one else can really compete with.
If you don’t need the off-road performance, or the massive towing/payload capacity, but just want a good lifestyle truck, this may be that!
2. GMC Sierra Denali AWD
Not many people know this, but for a while GMC made an AWD version of the GMC Sierra. Of course, as we all know, the Denali is the top of the line trim for a GMC Sierra truck, and because of this it was (and still is) bought more as a status symbol rather than as a work truck.
Because of this, it made sense to offer AWD, as these trucks likely would never see dirt, and this gave it much better on-road performance!
That is really it…
Like I said earlier, from what I can find, there are very few true AWD pickups out there on the road. Most people will opt for a 4WD truck for the benefits that that system gives, however if you really do need a truck with AWD, then then these two trucks are your best bet.
My personal recommendation would be the Honda Ridgeline though.
Is AWD or 4WD better in snow?
4WD and AWD are similar, but different in a big way. 4WD gives power to all four wheels all the time, whereas AWD is mainly 2WD but then sends power to the other axle whenever it is needed, and even then just to the specific wheel that needs it.
With this in mind, is AWD, or 4WD better in snow? This depends on the circumstances. If you are looking to get through deep snow in a driveway, or back roads, I personally would recommend 4WD, so that you can have all four wheels have power at once.
However if you are looking for better traction at highway speeds when it is snowing out, then AWD is a much better solution, as it is much more intelligent and is able to help you keep going forward, rather than spinning out.
Conclusion
So there you have it! You have learned which trucks have AWD, and why that system may be better than 4WD in some areas. Unfortunately there aren’t many options out there right now for AWD pickups, for obvious reasons, but it would be nice to at least have some other options to choose from.
That said, the way the market is going right now, I think trucks will begin to have more AWD-like systems to the point this won’t be an issue anymore.
Keep Reading: If you think the lack of AWD pickups are weird, you may also find it strange that some vehicles have carpeted wheel wells.
