10 Best Used All-Wheel Drive Cars

Finding the best used all-wheel drive car depends on why you want all-wheel drive. Some people need more reassurance in bad weather, some are looking for better traction when putting the power to the pavement. All-wheel drive is good at both those things.

Some systems tend to have a rearward bias, so the car feels more like a sportier rear-wheel drive machine for most of the time, sending more torque to the front wheels whenever it’s needed. These days, most all-wheel drive systems, especially in cars, are computer-controlled and ingenious. Then there are the mechanical aspects on top of that — such as suspension tuning, engine power and steering calibration — all details that dictate a car’s character.

For good measure, we’ve compiled a list that spans comfy to sporty, mainstream to premium, and compact to spacious. As always with used vehicles, an expert inspection can save money and grief down the road. In vehicles with all-wheel drive, this system should be working properly, otherwise they’re expensive to fix. Pay attention for noises and nudges during the test drive. If possible, a certified pre-owned (CPO) example is a great idea because the car would have been checked over thoroughly and given a decent warranty.

The great thing about getting an all-wheel drive Audi A4 (quattro is the name Audi gives to this system) is that it doesn’t come with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The choices are a six-speed manual or a conventional (planetary geared) six-speed automatic. CVT is something of a budget-minded unit with slow responses and a tendency to drone, neither of which is desirable in a premium executive sedan.

This system splits engine power so most of it goes to the rear axle, but can send more to the front within milliseconds, thanks to sensors reading road conditions, throttle inputs and steering angle. The turbocharged 2.0-liter performs that neat trick of proving punch while still being reasonable on gas and the handling is among the best in its class. With gorgeous looks inside and out, plus bad-weather grip as well as fun-weather grip, this is a superb all-rounder.

It has to be said that Subaru’s cars are not the best-looking. Nor do their interiors have an upscale vibe. But they are built well and come with all-wheel drive as standard. The compact Impreza began a new generation for the 2012 model year, so that could be a good place to start. It comes as a sedan or a hatchback, offers a comparatively cheap and cheerful 2.0-liter engine in a few trim levels, or a turbocharged 2.5-liter in the WRX and WRX STI versions.

Power levels range from a polite 148 hp to a serious 265 hp (WRX) to a fabulous 305 hp in the STI. So there’s an Impreza that can perform family duties all through the year — rain, shine or snow — or sportier options for the enthusiast. Naturally, fuel economy goes down as the thrill factor goes up, but that’s the joy of having a choice.

For a Volkswagen Golf, the R model is pricey. For a car with premium appointments, great powertrain, superb practicality and a grippy all-wheel drive system, it suddenly starts to look more attractive. Imagine a GTI with everything turned up to 11. Equipment levels are high and so is refinement.

This generation of Golf R was only built between 2012 and 2013, so finding a used model could take some time and effort. But it will be worth it. The 2.0-liter engine is turbocharged to conjure 256 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque out of four cylinders, which is plenty of muscle for everyday driving. Just one bit of bad news for people who only like two pedals: it comes solely with a six-speed manual transmission. Then again, it’s the perfect reason for learning to drive stick.

The Subaru Impreza is the only midsize sedan that comes with all-wheel drive as standard. And some of the most popular brands don’t even offer it as an option. Which makes the Legacy an attractive buy, especially for those in the northern latitudes where snow is more of a “when” than an “if.”

The generation before this current model went from 2010 to 2014. The entry level engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that started out with 170 hp but received a slight boost to 173 hp in 2013. A turbocharged version comes only with a manual transmission, but offers 265 hp.

To get higher power and an automatic transmission (a five-speed unit) means going for the 256-hp, 3.6-liter six-cylinder version. Remember that all these engines are horizontally opposed, like the old air-cooled VW engine or those in a Porsche 911. It helps keep the center of gravity lower, which has benefits in driving dynamics.

Anyone who has driven a regular BMW 5 Series might tend to agree that this is all the car anyone could ever need. It’s well equipped, well built, extremely capable, quite luxurious, quite spacious, and can be fun when pushed. Anything bigger and plusher is mere extravagance. But there is one option worth adding: all-wheel drive. Or, as BMW calls it, xDrive.

BMW is renowned for its rear-drive cars and driver appeal. This system sends 60 percent of power to the rear wheels to preserve that feel, but can direct 100 percent to the front if need be. It also helps in hard cornering: if the nose starts to wash wide, the system cuts torque at the front and takes it rearward; if the tail starts sliding out, it performs the opposite action. It’s a permanent all-wheel drive system, as opposed to some that just kick in when required. A 535i (look for a 2012 model or more recent) with xDrive has a good balance of 300 hp and 24 mpg combined.

Depending on the year, it is possible to get one of Ford’s finest midsize sedans with all-wheel drive. The Ford Fusion's all-wheel drive system is usually paired with a 3.0-liter or 3.5-liter V6 and averages at about 19 mpg. Take the 2012 model as an example, the SE and SEL (mid-level and above) trims had the option of all-wheel drive, as opposed to its standard front-drive configuration, and this could work well through the winter.

The 2012 Sport, on the other hand, has the bigger V6 and, as its name suggests, more of an enthusiast leaning. It even has traditional hydraulic power steering instead of electric assistance, so it can impart more information to the driver about how exactly those front wheels are behaving. The Fusion in general has an excellent chassis whose talents are amplified by the Sport’s big engine/all-wheel drive setup.

The best thing about the Volvo XC70 might not be its all-wheel drive system. Not that there’s anything wrong with it. It’s just that the XC70 has so many other attributes and we might only appreciate its (optional) all-wheel drive on those odd occasions of extreme weather when it bails us out. This is definitely one of those cases where safety and security take precedence over sporty handling.

Volvo is deeply into occupant comfort and the XC70, in common with other Volvo cars, has exceptionally comfortable seats. Someone suffering from back trouble should really check them out. Then there’s the fact that it’s a wagon. A beautiful, squared-off wagon with a maximum of 72 cubic feet, enough space for a family of four and all their road-trip paraphernalia. But it’s disguised to look a bit like an SUV and even has a raised ride height. So it could tackle some mild off-roading.

The Toyota Venza is one of those cars that does so many things right yet never quite carved out a niche for itself. Produced from 2009 to 2015, it’s essentially a wagon that’s been raised slightly for a nicely elevated driving position as well as easy entry and exit. But not so high that loading things into the back becomes an issue.

It’s based on the same platform as the Camry midsize sedan, and both of its engine choices — a 2.7-liter four cylinder engine good for 182 hp and 22 mpg combined, or a 3.5-liter V6 balancing 268 hp with 21 mpg combined — could be paired with all-wheel drive. Factor in total cargo space of 70 cubic feet (with the rear seats down) along with Toyota’s ever-dependable build quality and the Venza could be an excellent used car.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of the best cars available. It’s really as simple as that. The blend of styling, engineering, technology and sheer authority makes the E-Class a midsize luxury sedan that defies the rigors of time.

Mercedes-Benz calls its all-wheel drive system 4MATIC, and (using the 2012 model year as a guide) it’s optional with the E350 and diesel-powered E350 Bluetec. Or standard in the E550, for 402 hp and 22 mpg. The 4MATIC system was developed with the same Austrian company that provides all-wheel-drive hardware for the tough-as-nails Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV, so we know it can take serious punishment and still come back for more. This generation of E-Class (an all-new model debuts for 2017) was also one of the first cars to have many of the active safety systems that are now proliferating throughout the industry.

Not a car, not an SUV, not a minivan. But the Ford Flex is a huge, family-friendly vehicle that offers the security of all-wheel drive. A boxy exterior means plenty of interior space for seven occupants., or make that six with a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row.

All-wheel drive is optional with the entry level 287-hp, 3.5-liter V6 and standard with the EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 making a turbocharged 365 hp. Expect average fuel economy to be around 19 mpg with either engine. Interesting options include a refrigerated cabinet in the second row, adaptive cruise control and a self-parking function. Maximum cargo space is 83 cubic feet. The Ford Flex hasn’t been a big seller as a new vehicle, but its resale values are fairly strong. A 2013 model was considered to retain 43.4 percent of its value after five years.