Used 4x4 cars for sale

Many carmakers have their own all-wheel-drive systems. BMW has xDrive, Mini has All4, Audi has quattro, Mercedes has 4Matic and VW has 4Motion, so look out for those if you live somewhere rural and need extra grip in winter weather. Other carmakers simply use AWD or 4WD to signify that their cars have four-wheel drive.

• If you need a proper, traditional 4x4 that’ll cross a muddy field and ford rivers, you’ll need something like a Land Rover, a Mitsubishi Shogun Sport or a Subaru Forester.

No, many SUVs are two-wheel drive. They’re often based on conventional hatchbacks or saloons, and many buyers simply don’t need four-wheel drive. Adding it often increases cost and complexity to a vehicle, so a two-wheel drive SUV makes sense if you want the higher driving position and big boot without the higher running costs of a 4x4.

Four-wheel-drive cars are usually a little less economical than two-wheel-drive equivalents, because sending the power to all four wheels adds weight and reduces efficiency.

If you live in the countryside and think you need the extra grip that four-wheel drive brings, or if you tow a large caravan or horsebox, buying a 4x4 may be a wise move. Some large SUVs are only available with four-wheel drive so, if you’re considering an Audi Q5 or BMW X5, you’ll get four driven wheels as standard.

Otherwise, a 4x4 might not be necessary. If you stick to main roads that are gritted in cold weather, you may never see the benefit of four-wheel drive and use extra fuel unnecessarily. A set of winter tyres will provide extra grip for two-wheel-drive cars in conditions below seven degrees.