Not only does Toyota offer an impressive lineup of front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles, there are four available all-wheel drive (AWD) and a four-wheel drive (4WD) systems to choose from spread across 8 different models. Your vehicle needs to be adaptive to your lifestyle, whether that could mean possibly trekking through ice and snow, mudding down a steep hill, or exploring the great Ontario wilderness. Your daily commute needs to be just as comfortable and safe as those rare adventures, so reliable power and control is essential in your Toyota.
Your 2019 Toyota vehicle’s powertrain does more than simply drive the wheels. It has to move the entire vehicle while also considering the driver, passenger, and any cargo. On top of that, it needs to confidently synchronize electronic vehicle control systems with changing road surfaces and weather conditions. In and around the Ottawa area, that means flexibility and capability are a top priority. That’s why one system for all vehicles just isn’t enough.
Each of Toyota’s vehicles comes with a specialized drive system engineered to perfectly match the requirements of the driver’s needs. With that in mind, we have crafted separate resources for each of the drivetrain combinations currently available.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
AWD w/ Active Torque Control:
2019 & 2020 Toyota Sienna AWD models
Canada’s only all-wheel drive passenger minivan, the 2019 Toyota Sienna AWD. Available in 2019 and 2020 Sienna LE, SE, and XLE models, this system is primed with fuel efficiency in mind. The front wheels are solely powdered until slippage is detected, then the system automatically shifts into AWD mode to send torque to the rear wheels. Save fuel with the default everyday FWD, and still have reserve power for the rear wheels when needed. With up to a 50:50 front-to-rear ratio, you can safely drive the whole family without having to change your driving at all.
Dynamic Torque Control AWD:
2019 Toyota Highlander (gas) & 2019 Toyota RAV4 (gas)
On top of automatically redirecting up to 50% of torque to the rear axle in low-traction conditions, Dynamic Torque Control AWD has a massive additional benefit, even for everyday driving. A steering angle sensor detects the need in cornering to optimize front end traction and provide overall stability. With the Dynamic Torque Control AWD system directs up to 10% of the vehicle’s torque to the rear wheels to improve handling through corners, even in non-slip conditions.
All-Wheel Drive with Intelligence (AWD-i)
2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Instead of the typical center differential-type setup found in other Toyota AWD systems, All-Wheel Drive with Intelligence has an additional powerful electric drive motor that operates just for the rear wheels. Similar to Dynamic Torque Control AWD, Toyota’s AWD-i is able to sense the steering angle or any wheel slippage, and then automatically directs torque to the rear wheels in order to stabilize the vehicle and gives the driver maximum control on the road.
During acceleration, AWD-i provides added power to the rear wheels to help with quicker starts and even towing. In fact, properly equipped Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD-i models have higher towing capacities than their gas-only counterparts!
Electronic All-Wheel Drive (AWD-e)
2019 Prius AWD-e & Technology AWD-e
Brand new and exclusively available in the 2019 Prius, Electronic All-Wheel Drive is designed to make your daily commute stress-free all year with a system similar to that found in the Highlander and RAV4 hybrids. However, the AWD-e system is unique in that it offers additional traction for speeds up to 69 kph, so that you can still expect a combined superior fuel efficiency of 4.7 L/100km. When awd-e feature is not in use, 100% of power goes back to the front wheels.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
2019 4Runner, 2019 Sequoia, 2019 Tacoma 4x4, 2019 Tundra 4x4
Toyota four-wheel drive systems make going down the beaten path look easy. In the “part-time” 4WD system is the flexibility for the driver to freely select the best drivetrain mode for the outside environment’s demands. Vehicles with this full-wheel drive system get maximum fuel economy by primarily running in rear-wheel drive model for everyday use. When needed, the driver is able to quickly shift the centre differential to create a mechanical lock between the front and rear wheels. With a simple flick of an electronic switch or a gear selector, it’s go time.
How far you go is truly up to you when the powerful Toyota drivetrain sends torque to both ends of your rig. What sets the part-time 4WD apart is that you make the front-rear connection when you’re ready. That means the power is in your hands to remember to shift out of 4WD when your back on dry pavement. Otherwise, the result could be binding from high-traction driving with a locked centre differential.