and what's the actual difference between them ?

If you've spent any time around the four-wheel drive community, you've probably heard someone say, "That's not a real 4WD, it's just a soft roader."

But is that actually true ?
The answer is... not really.

The terms "soft roader" and "real 4WD" aren't technical classifications. They're labels that have evolved over time, and they're often used incorrectly.

What Makes a "Real" 4WD ?

Traditionally, a "real" four-wheel drive is built around a separate body bolted through rubber mounts onto a sturdy "ladder" frame chassis with heavy duty drivetrain and typically a separate transfer case.

Typical features include :

• selectable 2WD and 4WD

• a separate transfer case

• High Range ( 4H ) and Low Range ( 4L )

• body-on-chassis construction ( although not always )

• solid rear axle ( sometimes front as well )

• greater suspension articulation or travel

• higher ground clearance

• designed to handle heavy towing, rough terrain and hard off-road use

Vehicles including ( but not limited to ) the Nissan Navara D22, Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol and many older 4WDs fit this description.

In 2WD, power is sent only to the rear wheels. When conditions require it, the driver manually engages 4H or 4L through the transfer case.

What Is a Soft Roader ?

A soft roader is generally designed with everyday driving as the priority while still offering genuine off-road ability. They're more creature comfort packed and whilst they're not for hardcore serious off roading, some do go quite well with minimal modifications.

Most modern soft roaders feature :

• independent suspension

• monocoque ( unibody ) construction

• full-time AWD and / or an automatic AWD system and / or a selectable transfer case from 4H to 4L

• electronic traction control instead of mechanical differential locks

• lower towing capacities

• less suspension articulation

• reduced ground clearance

Examples include many SUVs ( not limited to ) such as the RAV4, CR-V, X-Trail, Subaru Forester and the Suzuki Grand Vitara.

These vehicles excel on gravel roads, beaches, forest tracks and mild off-road terrain as they're often lighter than full sized "real" 4x4's however they aren't designed for constant punishment over large rocks, deep ruts or treacherous hill climbing.

Where Does the Suzuki Grand Vitara Fit ?

This is where things become interesting.

Many people automatically call the Suzuki Grand Vitara a soft roader simply because it's full-time four-wheel drive, or "all-wheel drive (AWD) as some see it.

Technically though, it's much closer to a traditional 4WD than many people realise.

The Grand Vitara has:

• permanent four-wheel drive

• a lockable centre differential

• High Range

• Low Range

• a selectable 50/50 torque split centre diff lock

• a proper transfer case

• a strong ladder-frame reinforcement built into its monocoque chassis (depending on generation)

Unlike many crossover SUVs, when you lock the centre differential, the front and rear axles are mechanically linked together with power being split equally between the front and rear. This means it behaves very much like a conventional part-time 4WD on loose surfaces.

That is very different from an AWD system that relies solely on electronics or a clutch pack to send power where it's needed.

Capability Is About More Than Drivetrain

People often focus on whether a vehicle is AWD or selectable 4WD.

In reality, a vehicle's off-road capability depends on many factors :

• tyre choice

• ground clearance

• approach, departure and ramp-over angles

• suspension travel

• traction aids

• differential locks

• driver experience and confidence

• correct tyre pressures

• line selection

• and momentum

A modified SUV Grand Vitara on good all-terrain tyres may outperform a stock "real" 4WD wearing highway tyres.

Likewise, an inexperienced driver in a heavily modified Patrol can become stuck in places where an experienced driver in a smaller Suzuki simply drives through.

The Reality

I have been lucky enough to enjoy both types of four-wheel drive vehicles, owning a Nissan Navara D22 and a Grand Vitara.

The Navara is undoubtedly a traditional part-time four-wheel drive. It's stronger, has greater payload and towing capacity, more ground clearance and is better suited to serious off-road work. However no where near as comfortable to run around in every day like the Suzuki.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara, however, shouldn't be dismissed as "just a soft roader." It has taken us into some of thee best remote camp sites and down some pretty gnarly bush tracks that have had many other "real" 4x4 owners looking twice.

It has a genuine dual-range transfer case, permanent four-wheel drive with a lockable centre differential and proven off-road capability that surprises many people.

Will it tackle every obstacle a heavily modified Patrol or Land Cruiser can?

Definitely not.

Can it reach a vast majority of campsites, national parks, beaches and touring destinations around Australia?

Absolutely.

For most recreational four-wheel drivers, a well-driven Grand Vitara can comfortably reach around 90% of the places a traditional 4WD can. The key is understanding any vehicles'' limitations—primarily ground clearance and suspension articulation—and driving accordingly.

At the end of the day, every four-wheel drive has a limit.

The best drivers aren't the ones with the biggest tyres, the most modifications or the heaviest right boot.

They're the ones who understand their vehicle, choose the right line, use sensible momentum and know when to turn around.

Because off-road capability is just as much about the driver as it is about the badge on the grille.

One point I'd add, because it's often overlooked, is that your Grand Vitara is not the same as a typical crossover AWD. Vehicles like the RAV4, CR-V, or X-Trail generally use an on-demand AWD system where a clutch pack engages the rear wheels only when needed, and most don't have a true low-range transfer case. A Grand Vitara's dual-range transfer case and lockable centre differential put it in a category that's arguably best described as a light-duty 4WD rather than a conventional "soft roader." That's why they continue to earn deeserving respect from experienced off-roaders despite their smaller size.

soft roader vs real 4wd

This is actually one of the biggest misconceptions in the 4WD community. The terms "soft roader" and "real 4WD" aren't engineering terms - they're enthusiast labels. Manufacturers don't classify vehicles this way.

The biggest mistake people make, and some whom should know better, is assuming that a vehicle with constant all-wheel drive ( AWD ) = a soft roader and any with a selectable 2WD / 4WD = a "real" 4WD.
This is simply not the case.

The Volkswagen Amarok often sparks debate because, unlike many traditional 4WDs, most Amarok models do not have a separate low-range transfer case. Yet they're still marketed – and widely accepted – as genuine four-wheel drives. So what's their story ?

Well the Amarok uses a sophisticated full-time 4MOTION all-wheel drive system ( on most V6 and permanent AWD models ) that constantly sends power to all four wheels through a centre differential. Instead of relying on a separate low-range gearbox for difficult terrain, Volkswagen uses an 8-speed automatic transmission with a very low first gear. Combined with excellent traction control, electronic differential locking, and plenty of torque from the diesel engine, it can crawl over surprisingly challenging terrain.

Does that make it a real 4WD? In most people's eyes, yes. It has all drive through all four wheels permanently engaged, excellent off-road capability, good ground clearance, and is capable of towing and tackling rough tracks. However, it isn't quite in the same category as vehicles like a Nissan Patrol, Toyota Hilux, or a Mitsubishi Triton, which have a dedicated transfer case with selectable 4H and 4L. Those vehicles offer greater control at very slow speeds, better engine braking on steep descents, and more torque multiplication for extreme off-road situations.

So where does the Amarok sit ?

It's more capable than a typical "soft roader" such as a RAV4, CR-V or X-Trail, however it's not as mechanically "hardcore" as a traditional low-range 4WD. For touring, towing, beach driving, fire trails, and most recreational four-wheel driving, an Amarok performs exceptionally well. For serious rock crawling or extreme off-road work, a vehicle with a true low-range transfer case still has the advantage.

In Short
The Volkswagen Amarok sits in an interesting category. It's not a soft roader, and it is absolutely a real 4WD, but it uses modern technology instead of a traditional transfer case to achieve its off-road performance.

For around 95% of recreational four-wheel driving, including beach driving, forest trails, touring, camping and most high-country tracks, an Amarok will perform exceptionally well. However for the toughest off-road conditions, a conventional dual-range 4WD with a dedicated low-range transfer case still offers greater control, more torque multiplication and superior engine braking.

The Volkswagen Amarok proves that you don't necessarily need a low-range transfer case to be a capable four-wheel drive—however when the going gets really tough, you still need to know your vehicles limits and capabilities - like with any car.

So What about the VW Amarok ?

What did we learn from this ?

I guess the main message I'm conveying here is no matter what vehicle you have, be it an absolutely insane, locked & loaded offroad animal or a stock standard SUV "soft roader", just get out there and use it ... enjoy it ... camp and enjoy the great outdoors.

That's something I've long promoted with my channel...no matter what vehicle you own or don't own, just get out and enjoy the bush.
As I always say, #stresslesscampmore !

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