4 Types of Drive (Which is Best?)
Do you know which wheels move your car forward? Drive wheels play a key role in a vehicle’s driving dynamics.
Some vehicles can be ordered in multiple configurations, and each configuration has its own advantages and disadvantages. Read on to understand the difference between powertrain types and find out which one is best for you.
What is a car powertrain? Simply put, a powertrain is any part of a vehicle that is used to move it forward, excluding the power-generating internal combustion engine or electric motor. Some drivetrains only transmit power to the front wheels. Some only transmit power to the rear wheels, and some transmit power to both axles.
Drivetrain components include the torque converter, clutch, flywheel, transmission, driveshaft, axles, transfer case, and differential, if applicable.
Not all vehicles have all of these components. For example, a front-wheel drive car does not have a transfer case, and a manual transmission does not have a torque converter.
Powertrain vs. Drivetrain (What’s the Difference?)
The words “powertrain” and “drivetrain” are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings.
The powertrain is the complete system that moves the vehicle forward, from the engine to the axles. Conversely, the drivetrain is everything from the transmission onwards (including the flywheel and torque converter), not the engine itself.
What is FWD? FWD or front-wheel drive refers to a vehicle that is driven by only the front wheels. It is a common configuration in economy cars that use a transversely mounted front engine.
FWD is particularly useful for fuel-efficient cars due to its compact design and cost-effectiveness. This means that it is also usually the powertrain configuration with the fewest parasitic powertrain losses, which means it tends to be the most fuel-efficient choice.
What is RWD? RWD or rear-wheel drive means that all of the power is sent to the rear wheels. The biggest advantage of RWD is weight distribution and driving dynamics. When a vehicle has a rear differential, some of the vehicle weight is moved to the rear.
Front-engine, front-wheel drive cars tend to have about 60/40 weight distribution between the front and rear axles, while front-engine, rear-wheel drive cars have a weight distribution much closer to 50/50. This makes the car feel more balanced when cornering and improves ride quality and handling at the limit of traction. In a RWD car, the front wheels are primarily responsible for turning and braking, while the rear wheels propel the car forward.
Some of the most popular sports cars of all time feature a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, including the BMW M3 and M5, Chevrolet Corvette (C1-C7), Honda S2000, and Mazda MX-5 Miata.
If you like oversteer and want to take your car to the race track, RWD may be the perfect choice.
What is AWD?
AWD or “all-wheel drive” typically refers to a system that can drive both the front and rear wheels. Some four-wheel drive systems may not have power on both axles all the time.
A good all-wheel drive system will give you the best traction from a standstill. This is a big advantage when driving up hills with lots of ice or snow. You’re less likely to slide backwards down a hill when you step on the gas. Subaru and Audi are both known for their high-quality all-wheel drive systems.
All-wheel drive also helps with aggressive starts, which is especially useful if you’re into drag racing (or want to beat the guy next to you at the stoplight before the lanes merge). Dual-motor electric vehicles (such as Teslas with the “D” designation) are all-wheel drive. These vehicles use one electric motor for the front wheels and another for the rear wheels.
Do I need four-wheel drive?
If you live in an area with inclement weather, you might be wondering if upgrading to four-wheel drive is worth it. The answer ultimately depends on how bad the weather is and how flat the terrain is. Does your winter include a lot of snow or rain? While wet weather usually doesn’t require four-wheel drive, there are times when it’s best to forgo it to save on fuel and maintenance costs.
No matter what drive you choose, nothing beats a set of quality winter tires. A rear-wheel drive vehicle with quality winter tires will almost always be stronger than an all-wheel drive vehicle with all-season tires. Consider purchasing a second set of wheels and tires and rotating them each season as weather permits. What is 4WD?
4WD (also called 4×4 or four-wheel drive) is sometimes used interchangeably with AWD. 4WD usually refers to a vehicle with a transfer case that allows the driver to manually turn power to the front axle on or off. Computer-controlled drivetrains or drivetrains that use a center differential instead of a transfer case are usually classified as AWD.
Most 4WD vehicles are body-on-frame trucks or jeeps designed for rough terrain. In addition to a central transfer case, limited-slip differentials can be used on the front axle, rear axle, or both.
Which drive type is most common?
Fuel-efficient cars are the most mass-produced cars in the world. Modern economical cars usually have front engines and front-wheel drive. This saves costs and maximizes load capacity in the cabin. Front-wheel drive vehicles don’t need to make room inside the passenger compartment for a transmission and driveshaft, and they typically have a minimum of powertrain components.
Which Drivetrain is Best For Inclement Weather?
The best vehicle for inclement weather is going to be the one that has the best tires for the situation at hand, not a particular drivetrain configuration.
Assuming all vehicles use the same tires, AWD is typically going to perform a bit better in bad weather because the torque is distributed across four tires instead of two.
Be aware that AWD only helps you get going; it does not help you turn or stop any faster. Stopping and turning is accomplished by the brakes and tires, not the drivetrain.
Which Drivetrain is Best Off Road?
Typically the best off road vehicles have a dedicated 4WD system and use lockers on the front and rear differentials. You will also need ample ground clearance and suspension travel.
If you’re rock crawling for instance, you need to be able to turn both wheels on an axle even if one of those wheels is in the air. This is something an open differential is unable to do without help from the traction control system.
Even if you have a sophisticated traction control system, it will not be quite as effective as a real locking differential.
Which Drivetrain is Best for the Race Track?
Although the answer to this question is a bit subjective, the general consensus is that rear-wheel drive makes the best driver’s car.
Rear-wheel drive tends to give you the most neutral handling characteristics. In other words, the front and rear tires will typically maintain similar levels of grip in a corner. This means the vehicle is not prone to excessive understeer or oversteer assuming a neutral throttle input.
Many drivers love to induce controlled oversteer on purpose, known as “drifting”. Some also enjoy burnouts and donuts, both of which are much easier with a high powered rear-wheel drive vehicle.
That said, you can put just about any road worthy car on an autocross course or race track if you really want to. Check out some of the strange vehicles filmed driving around the Nürburgring in Germany.
Which Drivetrain is Best For Road Trips and Daily Driving?
If you’re looking for an economical daily driver, FWD is your best bet. Modern FWD cars can attain 30-40 MPG or even more in some cases. They are also compact which makes them easier to park in big cities.
Nothing is more practical than a minivan. Most minivans maintain a FWD configuration to maximize efficiency and cargo space. Some vans come with AWD, but you may have to sacrifice a middle seat and some gas mileage to make room for the transmission or driveshaft.
