In the market for a new vehicle?
Can’t decide between RWD vs. FWD?
While FWD is more popular than RWD, both drivetrain systems provide unique advantages. A FWD car provides better fuel efficiency, while RWD offers better performance.
To help you find the best new car for your needs, we’ll compare RWD and FWD in handling, acceleration, towing ability, and more.
Let’s begin.
This Article Contains
- RWD vs. FWD: What Are They?
- RWD vs. FWD: How Do They Differ?
- FWD vs. RWD: Which One Is Better for You?
- 3 FAQs on RWD vs. FWD
RWD vs. FWD: What Are They?
Rear wheel drive (RWD) and front wheel drive (FWD) systems transmit power to different sets of wheels.
For RWD systems, the engine sends power to the rear wheels.
FWD vehicles transmit engine power to each front wheel.
While this may not seem like a big difference, power transmission plays an important part in a vehicle’s performance, fuel efficiency, and durability.
Let’s look at the finer details.
RWD vs. FWD: How Do They Differ?
Here’s how rear wheel drive and front wheel drive compare in several aspects:
1. Handling
Rear wheel drive cars typically have better handling than front wheel drive models, as more drivetrain components are in the middle or rear of the car.
This evenly distributes weight over the four wheels, allowing for more traction and a vehicle that turns at higher speeds with greater safety. This is one of the reasons many popular brands like Porsche, Ford, and Toyota make their sports cars, sedans, and SUVs in rear-wheel drive.
Many high-performance front wheel drive sports cars (like the Honda Civic R) are also available. But, they aren’t as well balanced because much of the weight is at the front of the vehicle, and they’re susceptible to torque steer.
Because the front tires steer and also deliver the engine’s power to the wheels, they can get overworked by the weight of the engine, causing them to lose traction sooner.
2. Acceleration
Rear wheel drive is better than front wheel drive for acceleration due to the weight of the drivetrain components over each rear tire. The weight pushes the vehicles’ tires into the road, increasing traction. When accelerating, the car’s weight gets transferred to each rear driving wheel, which helps them grip the surface better.
Similar weight transfer on front wheel drive cars ends up decreasing traction by removing some of the load away from the front wheels, which receive engine power.
In addition, if you accelerate too quickly in an FWD, you may experience torque steer. This is when the front wheels veer, often pulling the steering wheel to the side at high speeds.
3. Towing
A rear wheel drive car offers better towing ability because of its weight distribution — attaching a trailer (or another vehicle) to your car puts pressure on the rear. This increases the load over each rear wheel and decreases the mass over each front wheel. The result is increased rear tire traction and decreased front tire traction.
4. Rain and Snow
In slippery conditions like rain and snow, an FWD car offers drivers a considerable advantage over RWD systems because:
- Pushing the gas pedal too hard in an RWD car will spin its rear tires. This excess power may cause it to fishtail and spin out, especially when the roads are slippery.
- Overpowering the available traction in an FWD car doesn’t cause the rear to swing around or oscillate from side to side.
- A front wheel drive car has most of its weight in the front, which provides more traction and additional stability once up to speed.
5. Durability
The suspension, steering, and driving components on a rear wheel drive car tend to last longer than front wheel drive vehicles.
Here’s why:
The drive system distributes the workload across the front and back wheels, allowing the front tires to steer and each rear wheel to power the vehicle. This reduces the excessive stress that a front wheel drive vehicle places on the front tires alone.
That said, other factors, such as road conditions, driving style, maintenance practices, and climate, can also impact a vehicle’s lifespan.
Following a regular maintenance routine (especially focused on alignment and tire rotation) reduces the likelihood of you needing to order parts for replacement.
6. Cabin Space
In a rear wheel drive vehicle, the longitudinal engine layout takes up more cabin space due to the placement of the transmission and drive shafts.
However, an FWD vehicle typically has a transverse engine mounted perpendicular to the direction the car travels. This places the engine components under the hood, saving cabin space.
7. Drifting
To drift properly, you need a RWD car to power each rear wheel through the turn, sliding the car sideways. In contrast, you balance the drift with the correct amounts of throttle and countersteer (turning the steering wheel opposite to the car’s trajectory).
It’s an extreme exercise in car control and isn’t quite possible with an FWD vehicle. You’ll also need to turn off your traction control as it’ll likely interfere with the maneuver.
Both a rear wheel drive and a front wheel drive vehicle have advantages and disadvantages. However, it’s important to choose a drive system that’s best for your lifestyle and common driving conditions.
FWD vs. RWD: Which One Is Better for You?
For most city drivers, a front-wheel drive vehicle is a better choice, whereas rear wheel drive has its benefits when it comes to ultimate performance potential.
Front wheel drive vehicles are cheaper and easier to drive, offer more cabin space, provide better traction in slippery conditions, and have better fuel economy. But if you want a performance-focused vehicle, RWD is the better option as it allows for better handling, acceleration, towing, and drifting.
If you’re unsure which new car you’d prefer, it’s a good idea to test drive both drivetrain systems.
Still curious about RWD and FWD systems?
Let’s resolve any questions you may have.
3 FAQs on RWD vs. FWD
Here’s everything else you need to know about RWD and FWD drivetrain systems:
1. How Can You Tell If a Car Is RWD or FWD?
There are three easy ways to tell if a car is rear wheel drive or front wheel drive:
- Read the owner’s manual: It will tell you if the vehicle’s engine provides power to its front wheels or rear wheels.
- Open the hood: Front wheel drive cars have the engine mounted sideways, whereas an RWD vehicle has a traditional engine mount (with the engine’s fan belt behind the grille).
- Check under the car: If there isn’t a driveshaft running under the center of the vehicle connecting the back of the transmission to a rear differential, it’s a front wheel drive car. If there is a driveshaft, it’s a RWD vehicle.
You can also check with the dealership if you plan to test drive several vehicles before purchasing.
2. How Does AWD Compare with RWD and FWD?
An all wheel drive (AWD) system provides power to both the front and rear wheels. Typical AWD car systems automatically adjust power between each wheel to ensure better traction.
Due to its improved traction, an AWD car is great for off-road driving. Many sports cars (like the BMW M5) also have an AWD system.
However, due to their weight, all wheel drive vehicles tend to have worse fuel economy. In addition, an AWD vehicle can’t handle the same level of rough terrain or incline as a four wheel drive car.
3. RWD vs. FWD: Which Has Better Resale Value?
A rear wheel drive vehicle tends to maintain its value for longer. Superior handling, acceleration, and durability make RWD cars more attractive as pre-owned vehicles despite FWD cars’ better fuel economy and affordability.
RWD vs. FWD: Finding Your Ideal Drivetrain
Both RWD and FWD have their pros and cons. RWD provides better performance, so it’s best for driving enthusiasts. Thanks to its better fuel economy, FWD is an affordable, sensible choice for everyday driving.
Regardless of your car’s drivetrain, you must service it properly to ensure its optimal working condition.
Looking for an efficient, high-quality car service?
AutoNation Mobile Service mechanics can work on your vehicle in your driveway. We’re a mobile auto repair and maintenance solution offering online bookings and a 12-month | 12-000 mile warranty on all repairs.
Contact us for any drivetrain-related issues and all your other service and repair needs.