What is the difference between front wheel drive and rear wheel drive and which one is better?

Answer 1

rear wheel drive is often found in sports cars such as mustangs, corvettes, and vipers, etc. they are terrible in the snow, front wheel drive is more practical and more common.

Answer 2

With front wheel drive, the engine is in front and the "drive wheels," the wheels that connect the power of the engine to the ground, are the front wheels. The drive wheels and the steering wheels are on the same axle, the front axle.

WIth rear wheel drive, the engine is in the front and the "drive wheels" are the rear wheels. The drive wheels are the rear wheels and the steering wheels are the front wheels.

For high performance driving, REAR WHEEL DRIVE is vastly superior, because steering and power come from two different axles. With front wheel drive, when you lose steering control, you are completely unable to control the vehicle. WHereas with rear while drive the car will begin to slide as it gets to the edge of loss of control, and you can decelerate or make other alterations to stay in control.

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE is very popular because it allows the manufacturer to make a car with more interior room for the same length.

Front wheel drive is mechanically more complex than rear wheel drive.

So in the very long run, a rear wheel drive car should be more reliable. Pickup trucks are all rear wheel drive and are more reliable than automobiles.

DO NOT BE FOOLED by the nonsense that front wheel drive is better in bad weather! Four wheel drive SUV vehicles can and do spin out in bad weather!

Answer 3

I have taught combat driving tactics to new soldiers for several years and I have been to a school for special driving skills for chauffeurs of General Officers. Okay, it is really quite simple, rear wheel drive cars normally have the engine in the front, thus most of the wieght, so the rear end is lighter. That's why they tend to skid on water, ice, or snow. Yet, because the engine, transmission, driveshaft, rear axel, and finally, wheels, tend to flow in a straight line, performance is the best than other types of drives, TRADITIONALLY. Now, front wheel drive cars, have the engine, transmission, drive shat, and drive wheels all up front. The wieght of the drive train and the fact that the drive wheels are pulling the vehicle, rather than pushing, gives front wheel drive better traction and is more controlable in a SKID/FISHTALE. Which is why some people and organizations, like consumer reports (who are very misleading at times) say that front wheel drive is better in water, ice, or snow. It just has a little more traction and more controlability in that situation. Finally, there is 4 x 4 or All Wheel Drive, I lump these two together, though I know someone is going to get upset because I did, but here goes, TRADITIONALLY, 4 x4 is meant for deep snow or mud, off road and such. One is no safer in a 4 x 4 on water, ice, or snow than a front wheel drive vehicle. If you skid, you will skid. Now, there are many improvements and enhancements that have brought rear wheel drive, front wheel drive and All Wheel Drive to even more controlable (SAFER) performance on water, ice, or snow. If you are consider in purchasing a new vehicle and decide on one that has a different drive system than you are use to. I would suggest spending the $150.00 to $200.00 creditable driving schools charge to put you in situations that demonstrate the abitlity of your drive system. Call around, ask for customer recomendations, and have fun. I hope I was helpful.

Answer 4

With front wheel drive, the two front wheels propel the car (the rear wheels are not powered by the engine and just get pulled along and roll). Vice versa for rear wheel drive. Front wheel drive is considered better in winter driving, because the weight of your engine is over the driving tires, giving them a better grip on the road - making them less likely to slip on snow or ice.

Answer 5

Front wheel drive cars have the motor and drive-axle all in the front, so all the weight is right over the pulling wheels, whereas on most rear wheel drives, the weight of the engine is in the front, and the pushing wheels are in the back. there are a few exceptions to this, such as the VW, Porsche, Corvair,... and then there are the all wheel drive cars..... As far as which is better? It would prefer on you... your tastes, driving habits, likes, dislikes...

Answer 6

It just distinguishes between which set of wheels (front or back) does the work. I like rear wheel drive---most 4x4's are made this way. Front wheel drive is better on cars, though.

Answer 7

depends on the use. passenger cars handle better and have better traction of front wheel drive, but you won't see front wheel drive on any heavy trucks or buses because rear wheel drive can handle heavier loads

Answer 8

RWD inherently handle and perform better. With the advent of safety features such as traction control and electronic stability control, many RWD's handle well in inclement weather. Also, the better the weight distribution, the better it handles all around. Ask your salesman what the front/rear weight distribution is before you buy. Example. BMWs are know for their exellent handling, a prime reason for that is 50/50 weight distribution.