AWD vs 4WD vs FWD vs RWD, what are the advantages of each of the four drive systems?
Modern vehicles have four drive modes: front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive. By understanding how these systems work, you will be able to choose the one that best suits your needs. Car companies build cars with engines that power two or more wheels. That's what the terms above mean. We find that different types of drives have very different ways of driving and getting traction. Here is an explanation of the car's drivetrain:
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
All-Wheel Drive and Four-Wheel Drive are similar but not the same. All-Wheel Drive is always on, and the car's computer decides when to send power to each wheel. All wheels can move at any time, but when they move depends on driving conditions. Thanks to advanced clutch systems and now electric motors, power can be delivered to each wheel very precisely.
High-performance cars equipped with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) usually send power to each wheel at all times, but they can change the balance between the wheels to change the performance of the car based on weather or driving mode. If one wheel starts to slip, the car will send more power to that wheel to solve the problem. Automatic control gives the driver more grip and control without the driver knowing it.
Advantages:
Makes the vehicle move faster.
Better grip on snow and wet roads.
Always active.
Disadvantages:
High cost.
Poor fuel economy.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
When a car has Four-Wheel Drive, the engine sends power to all four wheels. But most Four-Wheel Drive vehicles basically operate in rear-wheel drive mode until the vehicle needs all four wheels to provide grip. The Four-Wheel Drive system sends power equally to all four wheels and locks the two drive shafts together. Four-Wheel Drive works best when driving in deep snow and on uneven roads. Most Four-Wheel Drive systems use a heavy-duty transfer case with a high and low range.
Low gear is used to increase torque to the wheels for slow hill climbing. This is why most SUVs, crossovers, large trucks, and some sports cars have Four-Wheel Drive. It also means that all four wheels need more fuel to drive the vehicle. This drive is very useful in very rough terrain or when doing adventure sports. Most drivers will never need the extra features that a Four-Wheel Drive system offers over an AWD system, unless they really enjoy off-roading.
Advantages:
Great for extreme off-roading.
Perfect for driving in deep snow.
Provides enough grip when the vehicle is climbing a slope.
Disadvantages:
Complex structure and more expensive than FWD and RWD.
Poor fuel economy due to a heavier drivetrain.
Two-Wheel Drive (2WD)
Two-Wheel Drive, or 2WD, means that only two wheels, either front or rear, are driven by the engine. Most small hatchbacks, fuel-efficient cars, and cheap cars use front-wheel drive, while SUVs, trucks, and performance cars use rear-wheel drive.
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD):
Front-Wheel Drive is the most common drive system in cars today. This means that power flows to the front wheels. Front-Wheel Drive systems are cheaper to manufacture and take up less space than rear-wheel drive systems because the engine, transmission, and axles are all closely connected in the engine compartment.
In addition, most of the weight of the car is on the front wheels, which helps when the road is slippery. AWD (All-Wheel Drive) is often added to FWD (Front-Wheel Drive) cars, sending power to the rear wheels only when needed. FWD (Front-Wheel Drive) affects the car's handling ability, but it strikes a good balance between daily driving and usability.
Advantages:
Fewer parts reduce purchasing and maintenance costs.
Reduced weight improves fuel economy.
Front-wheel drive has better traction.
Weight balance helps get traction on the front wheels.
Disadvantages:
Poor handling on gravel and icy roads.
Understeer; the car will lose control in turns.
The heavier front end is difficult to handle at high speeds or with a heavy load.
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD):
As you may have guessed, rear-wheel drive vehicles send all the power to the rear wheels. RWD vehicles can handle more horsepower and heavier loads, which is why they are often used in sports cars, performance cars, big trucks, and race cars.
Rear-Wheel Drive systems used to be the norm, with power coming from the rear wheels. It gives trucks the grip they need when heavily loaded and helps high-performance cars handle better. But rear-wheel drive handles worse on slippery roads, so it may not be the best choice for driving in the snow.
Advantages:
Better handling.
Excellent braking performance.
Fast acceleration.
Disadvantages:
Poor traction on ice and snow.
Wet road traction is not better than FWD.
Front-Wheel Drive vs Rear-Wheel Drive vs Four-Wheel Drive vs All-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) cars have been getting more attention lately than traditional Two-Wheel Drive (FWD or RWD) cars. But this popularity is well-deserved because both 4WD and AWD are much better than traditional Two-Wheel Drive in certain conditions. However, your driving habits and the weather where you live will help you decide which powertrain should go with your next car. Front-wheel drive is best suited to places that are warm and have only light snow. If performance and handling are important to you, you can get the model you want with rear-wheel drive.