What is Torque-Vectoring AWD

While checking out Kia Country of Charleston’s online inventory, you may have noticed that a number of our vehicles feature “torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive”. This is a great feature that adds a great level of control to your car’s offroad handling. But what exactly is it, and what makes it better than traditional AWD?

Torque Vectoring is designed to improve a car’s grip when driving quickly, in slippery conditions, or in other challenging offroad environments. This is typically managed through an onboard computer system that controls how much power your car’s engine or motors send to each wheel. While some cars do this same thing in different ways, the goal is always the same.

Some torque vectoring systems are based on differentials. A differential takes power and torque from the engine and evenly distributes it between the car’s driven wheels. A normal differential can’t control which wheel receives the most torque. If one wheel starts spinning out, then the engine’s power will take the path of least resistance, continuing to spin the slipping wheel instead of shifting to one that still has traction.

A differential-based torque vectoring system electronically manages how that power is distributed. It uses small clutches that precisely control how much torque is sent to each wheel, managing how much each wheel is allowed to slip. This is determined by the grip available to the wheels rather than what the driver is attempting to do with the vehicle.

Other torque vectoring systems use the brakes to stop a wheel from slipping. This is mostly applicable to smaller vehicles that don’t need the expense and complexity of a differential system. This version of the system allows more power to be sent to the wheels that still have grip, improving the car’s ability to accelerate out of tight corners.

Torque vectoring AWD is available on Kia modes such as the Telluride X-Line, the Sorento X-Pro, the Seltos X-Line, and the upcoming 2025 K5 GT-Line.