If safety and enhanced performance are two top priorities for your daily driver, a Volkswagen model is a great choice. The brand's exclusive 4MOTION® AWD will boost your confidence each time you take to the road. Here's what you should know about this system and which VW models offer it.

What 4MOTION® is

Volkswagen 4MOTION® AWD is an advanced type of drive system that borrows some elements from traditional AWD and 4WD systems. Similar to AWD systems, it detects which wheel needs the most traction then distributes more power to it. It also gives a head nod to traditional 4WD systems, though. It automatically switches to either FWD or RWD, depending on how your vehicle is equipped, when it senses that road conditions are dry and you don't need the extra support of 4MOTION® AWD mode. This helps conserve fuel by minimizing the power output.

4MOTION® AWD has a unique advantage over other drive systems. Volkswagen defines it as a "permanently engaged four-wheel-drive system." In other words, the system sends power to all four wheels before wheelspin occurs, totally eliminating the possibility that the vehicle will lose traction.

Another convenient aspect of the system is that you can can turn it on when you need it and turn it off when you don't. When you turn off 4MOTION® AWD, the vehicle reverts to its default drive system, whether that's FWD or RWD.

Which Volkswagen models have 4MOTION® AWD

If you're shopping for a new Volkswagen model, 4MOTION® AWD is a great option to include when customizing the vehicle you'll bring home. At the time of writing, this drive system is available on the following products: VW Tiguan, VW Golf R, VW Golf SportWagen, VW Atlas, VW Arteon, and VW Golf Alltrack.