One of the things that makes AWD's better at times in snow or mud is the turning ability. With a diff in the transfer case, neither axle is forced to break traction. A full size locked in 4x4 makes both axles turn the same revolutions. In a turn, one axle must break traction and once that happens, you have less traction obviously. I bought a beater minivan, 95 ford aerostar AWD just because there are no cheap used japanese AWD minivans. I am always amazed at its snow ability even with just summer tires, it is as good as my pickup with 31 inch snows.
On another note, I really dislike the AWD designation. All wheel drive? How many are there? Well there is a steering wheel, a spare , and 4 touching the ground. That makes 6. How many have traction, 4 so is it not a 4 wheel drive.

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