Should You Buy a Two- or Four-Wheel-Drive Truck

When buying a GMC truck, a common question is whether or not you truly need four-wheel drive or if two-wheel drive will suffice. There are benefits to both, as well as drawbacks, depending on your definition of a drawback. For instance, a 4WD truck or SUV will have a better resale value over the long run, but a 2WD model will be less costly to maintain and repair when various modules, control units, and such need to be repaired or replaced over time.

Don’t Buy More Than You Need

While it is easy to think you need to buy the biggest and best truck with all of the bells and whistles, not everyone needs a GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X. One reason to buy a 2WD truck is the ability to get a longer 8-foot bed, as the Sierra doesn’t offer one in crew or double cab configurations. The only way to do that is to step up to a 2500 or 3500 Heavy Duty model, which isn’t always what people want or need.

2WD Has a Fuel Economy Edge

GMC Colorado and Sierra models will also benefit from slightly better fuel economy in 2WD than in 4WD, as there is less weight to move. You’ll see roughly one to three mpg of higher city and highway mileage. The EPA says a 2WD Sierra 1500 with a 5.3-liter V8 can achieve 16 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. A Sierra 1500 4WD with the 5.3 will achieve 15 city, 19 highway, and 17 mpg combined.

A 2WD Truck Can Haul and Tow More

A truck with 2WD also typically has slightly higher towing and payload capacities compared to its 4WD brethren. Case in point: a Sierra 1500 2WD has a 300-lb higher towing capacity with the TurboMax 2.7-liter, and can tow 200 extra pounds with the 5.3-liter V8 and the Duramax 3.0-liter turbo-diesel. With the 2.7 and 5.3-liter engines, the Sierra 1500 can haul an additional 120 and 130 lbs, respectively. While these numbers may not seem like a lot, they can make a difference when you need to haul gear in the bed and tow something large, like a couple of horses, behind your truck. Every pound counts.

4WD Trucks Are More Usable Overall When Combining Abilities

But many buyers use their trucks for dual purposes, as both family vehicles and work vehicles. In this case, having four doors and the ability to seat between five and six people in the cab will make life a lot easier, especially if you have animals.

There’s Nothing Better Than 4WD In the Winter

If you live in an area that sees adverse weather conditions, such as Washington state, a truck with 4WD can be your best friend. Sure, with 2WD trucks, you can load the bed down with lots of weight to help it maintain traction, but there is nothing like the ability to click over between 4-Hi and 4-Lo to have the ultimate ability, no matter where you’re going.

Let Valley GMC Help You Make This Decision

The best thing to do if you’re trying to decide what to buy is to go down to Valley GMC, test-drive both, and see which one fits your budget and lifestyle needs best. The expert sales staff can help you properly understand the benefits of both types and then get you the best price around.

Why Choose Valley GMC

Valley GMC is excited to show you all our new 2026 models. At Valley GMC, we pride ourselves on offering the best sales and service possible. With dozens of new and used vehicles available, our incredible sales team and finance department can help you find the best truck or SUV for you and your family. And our fantastic service department will work hard to maintain your vehicle to the highest standards. We look forward to serving you.