The majority in that statistic are selectable 4WD, which isn't the same as AWD. Pushing the two groups together skews the numbers a bit. Most trucks since the 1970s have been 4WD, ever since companies like Muncie and Borg-Warner started selling axles to Ford and their cohorts. AWD trucks are a relatively new phenomenon, with the first one I can think of being the limited production GMC Syclone in 1989, and it being a truck was an emissions loophole. I think the 2005 Honda Ridgeline was the first real mass produced AWD truck, or perhaps the Subaru Baja from 2003 if you consider that a truck rather than an open deck car. Right now I think only the Ridgeline, Hyundai Santa Cruz, and Ford Maverick are sold as AWD, whereas every other truck is selectable 4WD.

I KNEW I was going to get that wrong.

Easier mnemonic:

Lots of wines advertise their latitude of origin

Longitudes are meaningless for wines

Half of my vehicles are RWD only, and my roads are very rarely plowed. No big deal most of the year...

Of course, when it snows, it's diffferent, but local geography means if it's snowing enough to matter and the plows haven't gotten around, it's not worth it to be driving, regardless of drive configuration.

If driving throw unplowed roads with snow and ice is a regular thing for you, sure. But lots of people never drive in those conditions, so AWD adds weight and complexity that's unnecessary. But people like to be prepared for everything.

Basically never? And I live in a deep rural area 30 minutes from the northern border. Where do you live that you drive through unplowed roads? The only time ive ever wanted AWD or 4WD is once or twice knowingly risking getting stuck by pulling off of people's driveway onto their lawn.

A few months ago when it snowed last time.

I used to occasionally drive a V8 with no traction control in Wisconsin winters. It was fine, just took a little care. A modern electric drivetrain is about a million times better.

Unpowered wheels still steer just fine. AWD certainly does better. But I'd rather be cautious and take it slow anyway.

Snow tires, people! Snow tires!

A FWD vehicle with snow tires is frequently better in the snow than an AWD without snow tires. Better control, better stopping, better uphill on snowy roads.

Yup. Growing up in Colorado you realize that AWD is frequently the cause of the trouble in bad weather rather than the solution.

That's true, but if you stay in the regenerative zone it doesn't (seem to) make that much of a difference in practice.

All the braking power happens in the rear if you only brake the rear wheels