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Front Wheel Drive (FWD) Vs Rear Wheel Drive (RWD): Differences & Which one is Better?
When buying a new car, having the right drivetrain is an important factor to consider. The drivetrain refers to all the parts and components responsible for making the car’s wheels turn. There are four different types of drivetrains available in vehicles – Rear-wheel drive (RWD), front-wheel drive (FWD), four-wheel drive (4WD) and all-wheel drive (AWD).
This blog will explain the differences between front-wheel drive vs rear-wheel drive. Read on!
What Is the Front-Wheel Drive?
Front-wheel drive refers to the fact that the vehicle engine drives or powers wheels in the front. A vehicle having FWD pulls the car forward from the front wheels. In these types of vehicles, their rear wheels do not have any steering function.
Compared to other drivetrain setups, front-wheel drive has fewer components, which makes a car lighter. Additionally, it also improves the vehicle’s mileage or fuel economy. This is the reason most economy-type cars are front-wheel drive.
Moreover, a front-wheel drive is ideal if you drive a lot in dry or rainy conditions. These days, FWD systems come with traction control system and an anti-lock braking system. Therefore, you can drive FWD cars in light snow conditions as well.
Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Beat, Honda Civic, Volvo S40 and Hyundai i10 are some examples of front-wheel drive cars.
What Is the Rear-Wheel Drive?
The meaning of rear-wheel drive is that the power of the vehicle’s engine is transferred to its rear wheels by means of a long driveshaft. A vehicle with RWD pushes itself forward using the rear wheels.
The presence of modern traction controls and stability make driving RWD vehicles an enjoyable experience. They are also better vehicles for towing as the front wheels do not have a lot of weight on them.
Rear-wheel drive cars include Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar (5 Type), Audi (R8) etc.
Differences Between Front-Wheel Drive and Rear-Wheel Drive
The table below enumerates the important factors and differences between front-wheel and rear-wheel drives:
| Parameters | Front-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Weight | The weight of FWD vehicles may not be balanced. | The weight of the vehicle is evenly balanced. |
| Clutch and Gearbox | The clutch, gearbox and differential are a part of a single unit. | In RWD cars, the clutch and gearbox are not a part of a single unit. |
| Luggage Space | Spacious luggage space is present in the rear. | These have less spacious luggage space available at the rear because of a final drive at back. |
| Understeer Condition | These vehicles usually understeer on slippery slopes. This is undesirable. | RWD vehicles handle well on slippery slopes. |
| Propeller Shaft and Differential | In FWD cars, the differential is placed at their front. Additionally, the layout supports a low floor because of the absence of a propeller shaft. | The floor height is greater than front-wheel drive. A long propeller shaft and differential are present in the rear. |
| Traction | There is good traction on the roads. Additionally, holding capacity is good at the curves. | Here, there is less traction on the roads. The holding capacity is less as well. |
| Placement of weight | Wing wheels have more weight placed on them. This results in increased traction. | Driving wheels have less weight placed on them. So there is a chance that the vehicle might skid on slippery surfaces. |
This blog has enumerated the important points regarding front-wheel drive vs rear-wheel drive. Fuel efficiency, affordability and driveability in poor weather conditions are distinct features of FWD cars. On the other hand, RWD cars ensure excellent handling. If you wish to buy a car, these points will help you make an informed decision.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to have FWD or RWD?
Almost every car works better with front-wheel drives. If one is looking for a car with more gas mileage and more room, one can choose FWD cars. However, if one wishes to buy a high-powered sports car, RWD cars are a better option.
Is RWD not safe?
No, RWD cars are not the best choice for driving along snowy roads. This is because these vehicles tend to oversteer or fishtail.
Can FWD cars drift?
Technically, FWD cars do not face any difficulty in drifting. This is because it is all about technique, speed and timing. However, one should not try this technique on private or public roads.