FWD vs. RWD vs. AWD In Cars.?

Question

I would like to know everyone's opinions on the best drive set up for strictly cars, not trucks & SUVs. Which has best handling, acceleration, ride? What does everyone like about each? What are the downfalls to each?Also, let me know what you drive. If anyone owns 2 or 3 different set-ups, tell me which one you like best, why? Thanks.

Answer 1

I work in a garage, and I drive all types. I prefer Rear wheel drive. I find I have more control (and fun) in them, as my own car is rear wheel, You can control a slid if you are ever in one. However, front wheel drive are very good in winter on icy roads and snowy roads, you have much better traction, but if you get into a slid, you are most of the time, gone and can do nothing to get out of it. I sometimes wish I never sold my old k-car, that thing was a tank in the snow. All wheel drive to me is over rated. to me is just seems like one more thing to go wrong, one more thing to look after, and it gets me no where else. I find all wheel drive is morso for people who do not know how to contol thier vehicle on different road conditions. these are MY opinions.

Front wheel drive is where the front wheels will always drive the car

Rear wheel drive is where the rear wheels will alwasy drive the car

All wheel drive is where all wheels drive the car, NOT have contol over what wheels drive, That is 4 wheel drive where you have the option to choose a 2 or 4 wheel drive set up. All wheel drive is where all the wheels are driven at the same time. People seem to get that confused with 4 wheel drive.

Answer 2

RWD handles the best on dry roads. Tyres can only handle so much force, whether it be accelerative forces or cornering forces. This way, front handle the force requires to make the car turn, and rear handle acceleration. This is why cars that race on blacktop are RWD.

FWD is more stable, and puts the weight over (and just a little in front of) the driving wheels. Power and turning forces together on the front wheels divides the grip, but when traction is lost, the car will tend to slide in a straight line, instead if sideways (or going off the road backwards like an old VW Bug.) This tendency to weant to go straight makes it preferable for most drivers.

AWD is a mix of the two. Handles a little better than FWD, but not as good as RWD on dry roads. Main advantage is the extra traction you have in slippery conditions. More traction for accelerating, that it. Brakes are no better than any other car (all 4 wheels, just like the rest of them).

All are good for different purposes. AWD is probably the best compromise, but is heavy and expensive. Next is FWD. RWD is great if you live where it doesn't rain or snow, but other than that...you get the picture.

Answer 3

i have driven all three set ups in my time. I currently drive a front wheel drive Chevy Corsica. I have also owned a rear wheel drive Chevy Caprice and drive a Subaru Forester at work. I find the FWD best over all. This set up gives the best mileage. The RWD was very bad in winter and required a lot of extra weight placed over the rear wheels to improve it's hill climbing in winter. It was best and easiest to maintain also the cheapest as I could work on it myself saving big bucks. The FWD has excellent grip in most situations and good mileage but maintenance Is a pain as the engine is in sideways and it's impossible to get to the plugs or belts without tearing everything apart so i take it to the garage mostly when it needs to be fixed. The AWD can be tricky to drive in winter as all the tires are spinning at once they tend to not have the same amount of grip at the same time and cause the car to fish tail or veer one way or another. It also sucks more gas and cost a fortune to fix when something goes wrong which thankfully hasn't happened too often. I know the boss is going to trade this car in for a PT Cruiser to attract attention to his adverts on the car.

Answer 4

Depends on what your looking for and where you live. RWD is the most enjoyable ride where all the power is coming from the rear of the car. However they are absolutely terrible in the snow/ice - even with traction control. FWD is ok - they handle pretty well and are a far safer option in adverse conditions. AWD gives optimum traction but reduced economy greatly as there are a lot more parts taking power form the engine.

However if your looking the best option go for Part time 4wd with RWD as the primary source of power.

Answer 5

FWD Sucks AWD is ok as long as you do not have lots of power. More parts to break. Whens the last time you have seen Top Fuel with anything but RWD. going back to thr AWD There use to be a car called The Hurst Hairy Olds . It ran AWD two supercharged OLds engines. They could not keep it on the track.

Answer 6

AWD has the best handling corners and general traction. FWD is good in snow and mud. RWD is great for straight track racing.

Answer 7

All wheel drive engages by pressing a button or flipping a switch and it then becomes a front wheel drive when you disengage it, and Rwd drive cars are usually older cars those are so kick *** because you can usually put a bigger motor in there and try to get that thing on two wheels, Front wheel drives smooth ride and is on most cars, but rear wheel drive cars as the **** and are usually like 1984 and down...

Answer 8

AWD man is the most fun to drive. I can really rip around corners in my subaru wrx sti. I love it

Answer 9

FWD most stable, RWD most fun, AWD most safe.

Answer 10

RWD!!!