AWD, FWD, or RWD: A Comprehensive Guide To Decide Which Wheel Drive Is Best?

The functioning and power transmission characteristics of front-wheel drive FWD, rear-wheel drive RWD, all-wheel drive AWD, and four-wheel drive 4WD systems differ a lot. Read on to understand their workings, how they deliver power, and their pros and cons individually.

There are certain things you need to consider while buying a new vehicle. Choosing the correct drivetrain is very important, as it determines how your car handles different terrains and road conditions. To select the best choice for you, it's necessary to grasp the benefits and drawbacks of AWD, FWD, RWD, and 4WD vehicles.

When a car’s engine powers the front wheels, it’s called front-wheel drive. Power generated by the engine, which is typically situated in the car's front, is transferred through a transmission. In a front-wheel-drive car, power is sent to the front wheels through CV (constant velocity) shafts.

FWD is a common feature in almost motor vehicles. The majority of luxury models, including the Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu, as well as small compact cars and hatchbacks like the Toyota Corolla and Kia Forte, are front-wheel drive. Most compact and midsize SUVs, including the Nissan Rogue and Ford Edge, come standard with FWD. However, they also are offered with all-wheel drive (AWD) for better handling and performance in snowy conditions.

Advantages Of Front-Wheel Drive

• In an FWD vehicle, the engine and transmission are located above the front wheels. This improves traction while driving on slippery surfaces.

• Since the engine is located in the front, the rear of the vehicle has more area and leg space.

• The vehicle gets lighter with the front-wheel drive since it has fewer components than any other drivetrain configuration. Therefore, the majority of economy-class vehicles have front-wheel drive.

• On an FWD vehicle, the steering wheel provides a more tactile sensation if the wheels are slipping.

• Front-wheel drive is a simple and less expensive technology that keeps car costs down and is easy to maintain.

Disadvantages Of Front-Wheel Drive

• Front-wheel-drive vehicles are prone to "torque steer" which causes the vehicle to deviate to the left or right under sudden acceleration. 

• Front-wheel-drive vehicles have less towing capacity compared to rear-wheel-drive or 4WD/AWD vehicles.

• Front-wheel-drive cars have less acceleration compared to rear-wheel-drive cars. Therefore, the majority of the race and sports cars use RWD.

• The front-wheel-drive is comparatively more difficult to handle due to the excess weight up front.

In a rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicle, the power is transmitted from the engine to the rear wheels. The engine's power turns the driveshaft, which is connected to the rear wheels via a differential. RWD versions of some all-electric vehicles are also available, such as the Tesla Model S and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The rear-wheel drive can be found mostly on pickup trucks, fast cars, and high-end vehicles. RWD systems also come as a standard on traditional body-on-frame pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. However, these vehicles are also offered a 4-wheel drive option.

Advantages Of Rear-Wheel Drive

• On a rear-wheel drive vehicle, load transfer during acceleration and uniform weight distribution offer better handling.

• Unlike front-wheel drive, fewer parts are crammed into a smaller space, making rear-wheel drive less expensive to maintain. Labor charges for repairing a front-wheel-drive vehicle can be expensive due to the complexity of the system.

• There is no torque steer, unlike in FWD vehicles, that causes the vehicle to veer to the right or left during acceleration. This ensures better handling.

• Although most drivers do not advise it, it is simpler to drift with RWD than FWD or 4WD/AWD.

Disadvantages Of Rear-Wheel Drive

• Although rear-wheel-drive vehicles may be more enjoyable, they are also trickier to handle and require skill and practice. However, most drivers aren't concerned about the driving differences of RWD, thanks to current stability and traction control systems.

• RWD vehicles have less interior space because the driveshaft and transmission require more room.

• RWD has a harder time navigating slippery and snowy weather since it pushes the automobile rather than pulling it. However, this drawback is somewhat diminished by contemporary technologies, such as stability and traction control.

• Rear-wheel drive vehicles weigh more than FWD vehicles due to added transmission components like the differential, propeller shaft, etc.

All-wheel drive is a drivetrain that distributes power to a vehicle's four wheels via a front, rear, and center differential. All-wheel-drive systems continuously drive both the front and rear wheels. However, in reality, AWD vehicles can have two different types of drivetrains: Full-Time AWD and Part-Time AWD. A full-time AWD drives all four wheels continuously. The part-time AWD, also known as automatic AWD, mostly runs in two-wheel drive mode, sending power either to the front or rear wheels. It sends power to all four wheels only when more traction control is required.

Full-time AWD

In a full-time AWD vehicle, the power is transmitted continuously to the front and rear axles. This type of AWD offers improved handling on dry roads and guarantees that all power is transmitted to the road. Additionally, it offers constant traction in slippery conditions like ice, snow, or mud for safe handling. Audi's Quattro system is a good example of full-time AWD.

Part-time AWD

Part-time AWD normally transfers torque to two driven wheels, either the front or the rear, depending on the vehicle's make and model. The other set of wheels are then automatically engaged by the part-time system when the driving conditions require more traction. Modern part-time AWD uses a number of electronic sensors to collect data and send it to a computer, which then manages the power sent to each wheel.

Advantages Of All-Wheel Drive

• All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles offer better traction compared to RWD and FWD vehicles, making it easy to handle cars in slippery and snowy conditions.

• Advanced computer-controlled AWD systems provide the necessary power to each wheel, maintaining proper traction at all times. This also ensures better acceleration. 

Disadvantage Of All-Wheel Drive

• Because of the technology and various sensors used in modern AWD vehicles, they are expensive compared to RWD and FWD vehicles.

• All-wheel drive vehicles have a comparatively low fuel economy because the engines are heavier and they transmit power to all four wheels. This requires extra effort by the engine, reducing the overall fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

When most people consider drivetrains that power all four wheels of a vehicle, a four-wheel drive (4WD) springs to mind. The conventional image of a 4WD vehicle is a truck with large, knobby tires and a protected underbody with high ground clearance. But over time, 4WD engineering has advanced, and while it still typically has the ability for more serious off-road use, it is also included in a larger range of cozy, even luxurious, models. With the help of front, rear, and center differentials, transfer cases, and couplings used in 4WD systems, the vehicle provides maximum traction in a variety of conditions.

Similar to AWD systems, 4WD vehicles transmit power to both front and rear axles. However, 4WD systems are typically more durable and capable of navigating more difficult terrain than AWD systems. They also come with full-time and part-time options. In a 4WD vehicle, the driver can choose between high and low-range modes by using an electronic switch or a mechanical lever. These modes can be used to get out of various tricky conditions while driving.

Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive

In a full-time 4WD system, all four wheels are continuously powered, similar to an all-wheel drive (AWD) system. Toyota Land Cruisers are an excellent example of a full-time 4WD. They automatically distribute power to the front and rear and there is no standard two-wheel-drive mode. However, they have a range selector for really difficult off-road conditions. Some vehicles with a full-time 4WD system, also have selectable modes and locking differentials, so the driver has control over how power is distributed to the front and rear axles.

Part-Time Four-Wheel Drive
A part-time 4WD system is very common in trucks and SUVs that are made to work in harsh conditions. These vehicles are rear-wheel drive by default, and the driver can engage the four-wheel drive mode by pushing the lever or button. Although locking center differentials are standard, some part-time 4WD systems let the driver lock the vehicle's rear differential as well. This ensures that both rear wheels get continuous power. Vehicles with a 4WD system can be switched easily from 2-wheel drive mode to 4-wheel drive. This allows the driver to transmit power according to his requirements and saves fuel.

The major factors to consider while choosing a car with 4WD or AWD should be your location and the kind of road conditions you deal with daily. Cars, trucks, SUVs, and plenty of other vehicles today are equipped with AWD systems. If you choose an all-wheel drive vehicle, you can drive easily in winter driving conditions as they will offer more traction, and depending on the model, you can also do moderate off-roading. All-wheel-drive vehicles are excellent all-rounders, but they come at a price of ride comfort and fuel efficiency.

A 4-wheel drive (4WD) is a terrific option for people who live in the countryside across Canada and drive mostly on rough roads. A 4WD vehicle is a good option if you frequently experience severe weather or prefer strenuous off-road excursions. Vehicles with 4WD are more likely to have better ground clearance, which helps you navigate rugged terrain, steep inclines, and heavy snow. Furthermore, if you want more driver control over how the power is delivered, vehicles with part-time 4WD and low and high-range options are generally the best option.