Is the Crown Land Cruiser Full-Time 4WD or Part-Time 4WD?

[Annabeth]

The Crown Land Cruiser is full-time 4WD. In terms of powertrain, both new models will be equipped with a high-power 2.5L hybrid system, with overall performance surpassing the hybrid system used in the RAV4 and the 2.0T engine of the current Highlander. Introduction to Full-Time 4WD: Full-time 4WD means that the vehicle is driven by all four wheels at all times. In English, it is abbreviated as "AWD" to distinguish it from 2WD (which includes FWD and RWD). Full-time 4WD distributes driving force to all four wheels through a flexibly connected central differential and independent front and rear differentials. Introduction to Part-Time 4WD: Part-Time 4WD (PART-TIME 4WD) is a type of four-wheel drive system in vehicles, allowing the driver to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive modes by engaging or disengaging the transfer case based on road conditions, enabling free conversion between 2WD and 4WD.

[LaDaisy]

I switched to the Crown Kluger Hybrid Flagship version last year, which uses Toyota's E-Four electronic four-wheel drive system. It's neither a traditional full-time nor a part-time 4WD. The rear axle is equipped with an independent motor, and the computer automatically distributes power based on throttle input and tire slip conditions. Normally, it drives more like a front-wheel-drive car, which is very fuel-efficient. Once during a rainy day, the rear wheels suddenly kicked in while turning, giving a reassuring sense of safety. The biggest advantage of this design is that you don't have to worry about mode switching like with old-school 4WD systems. The fuel consumption is similar to that of a two-wheel-drive car in traffic jams, yet it can instantly switch to four-wheel drive on slippery roads, making it a good compromise.

[LaDallas]

I've test-driven the Land Cruiser several times, and the salesperson repeatedly emphasized its intelligent four-wheel drive system. Upon closer inspection of the specifications, I found that the rear wheels are entirely driven by independent electric motors, while the front wheels are managed by both the engine and electric motor simultaneously. During normal driving, the front wheels provide over 95% of the power, with the rear wheels on standby at all times. On one occasion, I specifically tested it on an underground garage ramp and could indeed feel the thrust from the rear. This differs from the rugged four-wheel drive with a central differential lock and also from the part-time four-wheel drive that requires manual switching, making it more suitable for occasional off-road needs in urban areas.

[AddysonLee]

After studying the Crown Land Cruiser's chassis structure, it is fundamentally different from traditional 4WD vehicles. The front axle is driven by a hybrid system, while the rear axle is equipped with a separate 40kW electric motor. When the system detects front wheel slippage, it can activate the rear wheels in just 0.1 seconds, reacting much faster than mechanical systems. It can achieve a maximum power distribution ratio of 20:80 between front and rear, approaching rear-wheel-drive characteristics. However, without a driveshaft or transfer case, the structure is more lightweight. Off-road enthusiasts may find it less reliable than the Prado, but it's much more worry-free for city use.