can you drift a 4 wheel drive car

[MacWillow]

Yes, you can drift a 4-wheel drive (4WD or AWD) car, but the technique is fundamentally different and often more challenging than drifting a rear-wheel drive (RWD) car. The key is using power and weight transfer to overcome the traction provided by all four wheels. Instead of the classic clutch-kick or handbrake turns used in RWD cars, AWD drifting relies heavily on a technique called power-oversteer, where you apply significant throttle to force the rear wheels to break loose. This is often initiated by a quick steering input and a sharp lift-off of the throttle to transfer weight to the front wheels, unweighting the rears.

The type of AWD system is critical. Cars with a rear-biased power distribution, like the Subaru WRX STI (with its Driver Controlled Center Differential) or a Nissan GT-R, are far more conducive to drifting than front-biased systems found in many crossovers. These systems send more power to the rear, behaving more like a RWD car when pushed. Full-time 50/50 split systems, common in some older sports cars, require even more speed and aggression to initiate a slide.

AWD System Type	Drift Feasibility	Key Technique	Example Vehicles
Front-Biased	Very Low / Not Recommended	Difficult to sustain	Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4
Full-Time Symmetrical	Moderate	Scandinavian Flick, Power-Over	Subaru Impreza WRX
Rear-Biased (Performance)	High	Power-Oversteer, Lift-Off Oversteer	Subaru WRX STI, Nissan GT-R
Torque-Vectoring	Very High	Computer-assisted, Aggressive Throttle	Audi RS models, BMW M xDrive

It's significantly harder to control an AWD drift. The car will want to straighten itself out quickly, requiring constant, small steering and throttle corrections to maintain the slide. This activity should only be attempted in a controlled, safe environment like a racetrack or a large, empty, sanctioned skid pad. The high stresses involved can also put immense strain on the drivetrain, including the center differential and transmission.

[DiKate]

Oh, you can absolutely get a 4WD sideways, but it’s a different kind of fun. It’s less about finesse and more about commitment. You basically stomp the gas and use the power to shove the car into a slide. It feels more like you’re pushing the car around a corner rather than guiding it. The slide is shorter and snappier, so you have to be ready to catch it fast. It’s a blast, but save it for a track day.

[OBrianna]

From an engineering perspective, drifting an AWD vehicle is about managing traction circle limits. You must induce yaw by creating a slip angle at the rear axle that exceeds the front. This is achieved through a combination of lateral g-forces and powertrain torque. The primary challenge is the inherent understeer characteristic of most AWD platforms. Successful execution requires precise throttle modulation to balance the power distribution and overcome the system’s stability bias. It’s a high-stress maneuver on all driveline components.

[MacAniyah]

Look, it's possible but I don't recommend it for a beginner. If you're learning, start with a rear-wheel drive car. It's much more predictable and forgiving. Drifting an all-wheel drive car requires a lot more speed and a very aggressive touch on the throttle and steering. It's easy to spin out or, worse, understeer straight off the road if you don't know exactly what you're doing. Master the basics on a simpler platform first. Safety is the priority.