A 4x4 is a motor vehicle fitted with permanent or selectable four-wheel drive. The number before the cross indicates the total number of wheels, and the number after the cross indicates the number of driven wheels. A 4x4 therefore has 4 wheels, all 4 of which are driven.
In a military context, 4x4 vehicles are used to ensure mobility on difficult terrain: sand tracks, mud, rocks, steep gradients. Iconic models such as the Peugeot P4, the Land Rover Defender or the Renault TRM 2000 are 4x4s.
For civilian use in Africa, ex-army 4x4s are particularly valued for their ruggedness and their ability to operate without road infrastructure.