How VW’s 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive Makes Your Summer Getaways Safer

When most people think about all-wheel drive, winter driving comes to mind first. Snow, ice, and slippery conditions make AWD an obvious choice for Ontario winters. But VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system provides safety benefits that extend well beyond the cold months, making your summer adventures safer and more controlled.

Whether you’re heading to a cottage in Muskoka or exploring gravel roads through the trails around the Elora Gorge, 4MOTION continuously monitors road conditions and adjusts power distribution to keep you moving safely. This intelligent system works behind the scenes during summer weather conditions that can catch drivers off guard.

Rain-Slicked Highways: When Roads Turn Dangerous

Summer thunderstorms can transform Highway 401 or Highway 6 into treacherous driving surfaces within minutes. When rain hits hot asphalt, it creates a slippery film that reduces tire grip significantly. This is where 4MOTION’s real-time monitoring makes the difference between maintaining control and losing it.

The system uses multiple sensors to detect wheel slip before you feel it happening. When the front wheels start to lose traction on wet pavement, 4MOTION instantly redirects power to the rear wheels. This happens in milliseconds, maintaining forward momentum and steering control when front-wheel drive vehicles might struggle or lose grip entirely.

In vehicles like the Golf R, 4MOTION includes rear axle torque vectoring differential technology. This advanced system can send different amounts of power to each rear wheel individually, helping the car maintain its intended path through corners on wet roads. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) works with 4MOTION to apply brakes to specific wheels when needed, preventing slides before they develop.

Gravel Roads and Cottage Country Access

The roads that lead to hidden campgrounds or cottage properties north of Guelph often include long stretches of gravel or dirt. Loose surfaces present traction challenges that 4MOTION handles effectively.

Whether you’re headed to a cottage near Sauble Beach or navigating the backroads near Grand Bend, 4MOTION provides confident traction. The system prevents excessive wheel spin that can dig you deeper into loose surfaces while maintaining the momentum needed to climb hills or push through soft spots.

How 4MOTION Technology Works

VW’s 4MOTION system uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch located in the rear differential. Under normal driving conditions on dry pavement, most power goes to the front wheels for fuel efficiency. When sensors detect wheel slip, loss of traction, or challenging road conditions, the system engages the rear wheels within milliseconds.

The technology includes several key components working together:

• Electronic Differential Lock (XDS): Applies brake pressure to spinning wheels, transferring power to wheels with better grip.
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): Monitors vehicle stability and applies individual wheel braking when needed.
• Driving Profile Selection: Allows drivers to choose settings optimized for different conditions.
• Hill Hold Assist: Prevents rollback on inclines, useful on steep cottage driveways.

Advanced versions of 4MOTION, like those found in the Golf R, add rear axle torque vectoring. This system can send different amounts of power to the left and right rear wheels independently, improving cornering stability and traction on uneven surfaces.

Models Featuring 4MOTION Technology

VW offers 4MOTION across multiple vehicle categories, each designed to handle Ontario’s diverse summer driving conditions. The 2025 Tiguan comes standard with 4MOTION AWD and features a revised 2.0L TSI engine producing 201 hp. This SUV provides the ground clearance and capability needed for cottage access roads while delivering confident highway performance.

For families needing more space, the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport both feature 4MOTION with a 2.0L TSI engine producing 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. These vehicles can tow up to 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs), making them suitable for boat trailers or camping equipment.

The compact Taos offers 4MOTION AWD with its 1.5L TSI engine, providing 174 hp while maintaining efficiency for everyday driving. Even the electric ID.4 Pro AWD features dual-motor all-wheel drive with 250 kW (335 hp) total output, showing that electric vehicles can provide advanced traction control technology.

Real-World Summer Scenarios

Consider these common summer driving situations where 4MOTION provides safety benefits. You’re driving west on Highway 401 toward Lake Huron when a sudden thunderstorm creates standing water on the road surface. 4MOTION helps maintain control through the wet patches while other vehicles struggle with hydroplaning.

Later, you turn off the main road onto a gravel access track leading to your cottage. Recent rain has made the surface loose and muddy in spots. 4MOTION prevents wheel spin and maintains forward progress where a front-wheel drive vehicle might lose momentum and get stuck.

On the drive home, you encounter construction zones with uneven pavement, loose gravel, and temporary surfaces. The system adapts to each surface change automatically, maintaining stability and traction without requiring driver intervention.

Beyond Traction: Enhanced Cornering Stability

4MOTION provides benefits beyond basic traction in slippery conditions. The system improves cornering stability on dry roads by managing power distribution during turns. When you enter a highway on-ramp or navigate winding cottage roads, 4MOTION can send more power to the outside wheels to help the vehicle maintain its intended path.

This torque vectoring capability reduces understeer (when the front end pushes wide in corners) and helps maintain control during sudden steering inputs. The technology works seamlessly with VW’s other safety systems to provide confident handling in various driving situations.

VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive shows that advanced traction technology isn’t limited to winter driving. From rain-soaked highways to gravel cottage roads, the system provides the confidence and control that make summer adventures safer and more enjoyable. Experience how 4MOTION can enhance your driving confidence at Guelph Volkswagen today.