I realize that some like FWD because they live where they have to drive in snow. Mechanics usually like RWD cars and from my experience they drive better. Car manufactures like FWD because they are cheaper to build. Which would you have if you had a choice?
✅ Answers
? Best Answer
Rear wheel drive cars are good for performance driving on a closed circuit like a race track. It gives a better sense the cars balance, handling and braking performance when it’s pushed to it’s upper limits.
As a general purpose vehicle, I prefer front wheel drive cars more because of the efficiency of the overall design. A lot of extra interior space is gobbled up because the center “hump” is bigger to accommodate the drive shaft. Unfortunately, the “sideways engine” underneath the hood of a front wheel drive car makes it a little harder to repair.
I took an inventory of my cars to see which I liked and here is the vote talley:
FWD: 0
RWD: 6
It is like this, I have owned FWD cars. But I do not like the way the tires wear out so fast on the front end. A FWD car uses the front tires for steering, traction and they do most of the braking. This results in the adhesive force being split too many ways all at once. When the limits of adhesion are reached- it does not happen a little and there is little warning. At least with RWD I can still use throttle steer when I get into trouble on a turn. Try the same thing in a FWD car and you will end up in a ditch.
Don’t give me that snow excuse! Too many drivers expect the car they drive to make up for a lack of driving skills. If the roads are bad enough to keep a RWD car off of the road the driver needs AWD or 4WD. Considering the power loss in a AWD because of the extra moving parts, a 4WD is a better choice.
Yes, FWD is nice and the best tool for most drivers. But I am not a driver that fits into the class with most drivers! I grew up with RWD and drove them in blizzards. With the right tires (and chains if needed) I can get a car over roads that most drivers would not even take a 4WD. Don’t get me wrong- there are times I don’t go any where and when I say I am staying off the roads other drivers should too.
I hated 4 wheel drive cars and front wheel drive cars until i bought one. Now if they had a front wheel drive full size pickup like an F150 i would buy one in a minute. I think the next vehicle i purchase, car or truck will be a 4 wheel drive.
there is only one reason i feel this way. SAFETY…
They cost more to own and they cost more to operate but they are safer. NOT STOPPING as the number of pulling wheels have no effect on braking even in an emergency and cause undue hazard with socker mom and dads that do not understand that braking has nothing to do with pulling and traction for stopping, except for the slight weight advantage.
Front wheel drive alone is safer if you do not believe me take a rear wheel drive vehicle and stop on wet pavement then take of in a hurry. The rear wheel drive just might swap ends with you if the tires are worn some, A front wheel drive will just spend the wheels and go a little sideways maybe. That tell or shows you how much traction means and does for you. Once the rear end starts the side spin there is no stopping it.
Stopping is all in the art and the pulse brake has done more for that than anything.
I still do not understand Driving on snow and ice and i hatted the time i spent in the north winter. Some people master it and I guess I could but I just do not like it. Ice Road Truckers amaze me but the ice is why i quit the Trucking back in the 60’s. I still know some that love it and i am glad some do.
That said when you are mudding nothing is more fun than a rear wheel drive there is no traction and you just go go go. I taught my children how to pull out of spin out in wet fields with 2 wheel drive trucks so they have a place.
Source(s):
Life’s little lessons
For what?
Front wheel drive cars are cheaper. Before thumbing down, go find me a $15,0 RWD car.
They are better than a 2WD RWD car in snow, yes. They are less efficient since the engine is transverse mounted normally. They are weaker. Rear wheel drive (or AWD) is solely used for real performance. Corvette, Camaro, Mustang, BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, do I need to go on?
Edit: Even if I had a choice it would be both. FWD economy car, RWD performance car, and 4WD truck for snow, mud and towing. Different cars are made for different purposes, trying to find one to do it all you end up with nothing. Even a Subaru with AWD isn’t a truck.
Edit Edit: I’m sorry, but physics tells us FWD will be better in snow than a “normal” RWD car. VW bugs used to be immensely popular in the sand because the drive wheels (rear) had all the weight (motor/transaxle) over them. This is the exact same thing as FWD. I do NOT disagree that FWD combines too much junk into one location, I am just stating that weight helps in low traction conditions by helping to press the tire into the traction surface. RWD does not have the weight in the rear to do this, meaning you can maintain direction with the front tires, but the rear wheels, when traction is lost, will try to swap ends with the front. I know, I’ve done it even in 4WD in snow. If the rear wheels lose traction, the rear end will come around. It will NOT do that with FWD, you will lose steering, instead going straight instead of where your tires are pointed.
And yes, I own all three…FWD econobox to commute in (even in light snow since it’s flat where I live), RWD car for a play toy (have spun it out in the rain), and 4WD for off-road/deep snow.
Front wheel as the steering and drive are the same wheels. More control, especially in snow. I had 2 front drive Hondas and they were great. I now have a Tacoma because I need a pickup and I stay in on slippery days.
I’m “old school”. I would rather own and drive a rear-wheel-drive car.
All wheel Drive best of 2 worlds.
rear wheel drive is the best for me it depends on u which one u like