Best AWD Sedans for 2024
These are the best AWD sedans based on iSeeCars' analysis of each vehicle’s reliability, resale value and safety.
The best awd small and compact car is the Subaru Impreza (8.9 quality rating), with the Toyota Camry being the best awd midsize car (8.8 quality rating). The Dodge Charger ranks #1 for the best awd large cars (8.7 quality rating).
The best awd hybrid car is the Toyota Prius (hatchback) (9.2 quality rating), with the Tesla Model 3 being the best awd electric car (8.3 quality rating).
The list of all-wheel drive sedans was short 20 years ago, but today’s car buyers are more sophisticated and understand the benefits an all-wheel drive system offers. The ever-growing popularity of SUVs and crossovers certainly contributed to the growth of all-wheel drive vehicles, with many full-size and midsize sedan owners asking “why can’t I have that technology, too?”
Today they can, with a wide spectrum of four-door sedans sold as both front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive cars for those seeking the added security and confidence AWD provides. iSeeCars has identified which models offer all-wheel-drive across every major sedan category below. The cars are ranked by their iSeeCars quality score, which takes reliability, resale value, and safety into consideration.
Sedan shoppers should know that AWD systems put an additional load on the engine, which negatively impacts fuel economy. Thankfully, today’s automotive powertrains use smaller displacement four-cylinder engines that often feature turbo technology to improve both performance and fuel efficiency while limiting the impact of AWD to about 1-2 mpg. New car automatic transmissions are also more effective at maximizing fuel efficiency in AWD cars without hurting performance.
Beyond drivetrain and fuel economy considerations, sedan buyers need to look at each car’s technology and safety features. In recent model years convenience items like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, sophisticated infotainment systems with large touchscreen displays, and advanced driver-assist systems have all become part of today’s standard features list. These items don’t come cheap as today’s starting prices confirm, but they do help justify substantially higher new-versus-used car prices.
Buyers with a larger budget can shop electric vehicles (EVs) and luxury sedans from premium automakers. These models include high end features like massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and self parking technology. Many luxury sedans start out with rear-wheel drive, which can provide sporty driving dynamics, but all-wheel drive is still available as an option on higher trim levels.
Regardless of new or used, mainstream or luxury, your options for an all-wheel drive sedan have never been better. Use the lists below to identify the best models in the categories that fit your needs and budget.
How We Rank These Cars
The best AWD cars rank vehicles by iSeeCars Score which is based on our proprietary assessment of a vehicle’s reliability, resale value and safety (based on ratings from IIHS and NHTSA).
The iSeeCars Score is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
