The difference between Front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and All wheel drive

Are you driving a front wheel drive or a rear-wheel-drive car? You might be surprised to learn that most drivers don’t know whether their car is front or rear wheel drive. Nor do they appreciate how this will impact on their driving. Here is the simple explanation of front Wheel drive, rear Wheel drive and 4-Wheel /All-Wheel drive, alongside an outline of the pros and cons of each drivetrain.

Most of us are driving a front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicle. This means that the car is designed so the engine sends the power to the front wheels, letting the rear wheels simply roll along. FWD is the most common drivetrain simply because it is the most practical and fuel efficient.  FWD vehicles get more miles to the gallon (or kilometres for the litre) than a 4 wheel or rear wheel drive (RWD).   There is improved traction overall with a front wheel drive car because the weight of the engine and transmission are directly over the front wheels. They are often of a more compact design as the power pack is smaller and located in the front of the vehicle so the vehicle itself can be smaller overall too. There is no necessity for a drive shaft to go to the rear wheels, as in the RWD, and this shaft does takes up valuable passenger and leg room space.  Car manufacturers are of the opinion that the drive is more comfortable in a FWD vehicle as the engine pulls the car from the front rather than pushes from the back. When the power is to the front wheels, giving them the responsibility of moving and steering the vehicle the car can also have better traction.  This is especially true when climbing hills and driving on snowy and slippery roads. Vehicles with a Front wheel driver are typically cheaper to manufacturer and maintain and are more space-saving than rear-wheel drive.

The disadvantages of FWD vehicles can be their tendency to understeer and they can be prone to uneven tyre wear due to the unequal weight. Road handling can be a bit more difficult too, especially during sudden acceleration and front wheel drive cars can tend to veer to the right or left due to something known as “torque steer. The FWD car generally has worse acceleration than the rear-wheel-drive vehicle. This explains why most sports and racing cars don’t have front wheel drive train.  Front wheel drive cars are the most common and most practical drivetrain and if you don’t know which you are driving, you are probably driving FWD.

As a rule, rear wheel drive, RWD, cars cost a little more. There is often less interior space, because of that drive shaft to the rear wheels and even the maintenance may cost a little more.   However, Rear wheel drive vehicles are the drivetrain of choice if you routinely tow a trailer or caravan, as the vehicle pushed forward from the back. Generally speaking, all lorries and heavy commercial vehicles are RWD.  High end racing cars and sporty vehicles also prefer the performance of RWD with its better acceleration and quick responsiveness. The increased weight over the car's back wheels pushes the vehicles' tyres into the road, increasing traction on dry roads. It’s perfect if you have a need for speed. On the downside, in bad weather and when roads are slippery or wet, the RWD, can lack sufficient traction and driving a RWD takes practice. Nevertheless, those who love rear wheel drive train, choose it over FWD as its suits their lifestyle and driving needs.

The Four-Wheel Drive vehicle is perfect for all terrain driving, off-roading or if you need that extra oomph for towing. The 4-wheel drive train has improved traction in winters ‘dangerous driving conditions. It can handle trans versing the bog, big stones and rocks and other areas where the lay of the land tends towards difficult. The 4WD can be switched on so that the 2WD transforms and both sets of wheels are engaged in the driving process, thus improving traction and control. The additional weight contributes to better grip on the road. These off-road vehicles are generally heavier and a bit more expensive to purchase, and they consume more fuel. But, if they suit your driving needs, then they are the way to go for you. A common misconception is that you need to drive with all 4 wheels, the 4WD, engaged all the time, whereas in reality you swop over into the 4-drive option for the muddier, dirt roads, fields and unpaved terrains. 

The All-Wheel Drive vehicle is different from the 4Wd in that the AWD drivetrain does not allow for that handy toggling over and back between Four Wheel Drive and 2-wheel Drive trains.  The four wheels are engaged all the time.  Solid and built for the off-road terrain, the AWD is typically tougher on tyres as all four wheels are always being powered while driving. Naturally these heavier vehicles have less fuel efficiency. The AWD can shift power to the wheels that need it most, and its in car systems help vehicles get started on slippery roads. They can assist in correcting wheel slip when the vehicle is underway to help it stay on the road. This makes it the car of choice for those who regularly travel in difficult driving conditions as it increases confidence and reduces the risk of getting bogged down or lacking power for the terrain.

If you have any questions about front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or any other drivetrain setups, don’t hesitate to speak to one of the team here at Peter Hanley Motors. Cars and smooth driving are our business and our passion, and we just love to talk motoring and help you to find what might suit your driving needs best.