If you’re looking for a new car, you usually have a list of features you want. However, there’s one you may never have thought about: the drive system. Depending on the vehicle you want, it will come equipped with rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive. If those choices seem like gibberish to you, here’s a handy guide that will take you through the ins, the outs, the advantages, and the disadvantages of each. Once you understand them, you’ll have a better idea of which one is right for you.
Rear-Wheel Drive
Although rear-wheel drive is becoming less common on new cars, it still provides a number of advantages over other drive systems. While early pickups and SUVs offered this as the sole option, today it’s more often found on luxury cars and sports sedans. The reason this works on performance-based vehicles is that it provides better handling due to improved weight distribution. Because the front wheels don’t have to do the work, it also allows for a finely tuned sports suspension. The only downfall of rear-wheel drive is that it provides poor traction in adverse weather conditions.
Front-Wheel Drive
As the name implies, front-wheel drive is the polar opposite of rear-wheel drive, and excels where rear-wheel drive fails. A majority of cars that have two-wheel drive are front-wheel drive, as it extensively cuts costs for manufacturers. In addition, front-wheel drive gives better traction in rain, snow, or ice, This is because the engine’s location is right above the tires, adding the weight needed for better grip. On some vehicles, front-wheel drive may also have supplemental components that direct some of the power to the rear wheels for even more grip. For drivers in a more diverse climate, front-wheel drive is the preferred option.
Four-Wheel Drive
While four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are often used interchangeably, there is a significant difference. Four-wheel drive vehicles are designed for improved handling in tough terrain, making off-roading far easier. By offering both a low and high gear, four-wheel drive vehicles deliver the power and torque necessary to make it over boulders and steep climbs. Many of these cars also have differentials which allow the axles to turn at different rates, making rough terrain easy to bypass. For the avid off-roader, four-wheel drive is a must, but average drivers will most likely never utilize many of these functions.
All-Wheel Drive
All-wheel drive is the most modern drive system. It isn’t as efficient on off-road conditions as four-wheel drive, but it’s definitely an advantage over two-wheel drive during rain or snow. The reason that it works so well is that it diverts power to each tire as needed, meaning you get only as much traction as you need. Not only does this provide adequate handling, but it also maximizes fuel economy. Today, most luxury vehicles come with standard all-wheel drive, while mid-range vehicles offer it as an option.
Hopefully, this information makes it easier for you to understand what each of these systems do, and which one suits your needs. Now that you have it all figured out, you can check one more thing off your list.
Image via Flickr by Viktor_U_Cat
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