AWD vs. RWD: One of the most important choices you’ll make when buying a new car is whether to go with an AWD or RWD drivetrain. They each have their advantages and disadvantages, and which is right for you depends on your driving style, where you live, and what you prioritize in a vehicle the most. Here we will compare AWD vs RWD and help you figure out which type of drivetrain is more appropriate for your needs.
Understanding Drivetrains-AWD vs RWD
But before getting into the comparison, we need to know something about AWD vs RWD, which means the working of it.
a. Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) AWD vs RWD
An RWD vehicle transfers power from the engine to the rear wheels. It has been a staple of muscle cars, trucks, and even some sedans for well over a century now. Arrow keys on a half-QWERTY soft keyboard The front wheels drive the turn., and the rear wheels drive the throttle. With such a distribution of weight and just as important power, you can have the best driving dynamics and handling with this sort of separation of duties.
b. All-wheel drive (AWD) AWD vs RWD
AWD systems power all four wheels of the vehicle. AWD systems come in two different types: full-time and part-time. Full-time AWD sends power to all four wheels all the time, whereas part-time AWD engages the other two wheels only when the vehicle detects a loss of grip. AWD systems are commonly used in SUVs, crossovers, as well as some sedans, specifically the ones built to handle any season.
Performance and Handling
Drivetrain is one of the major components that affect the performance and handling of a vehicle.
a. RWD Vehicle Performance-AWD vs RWD
Rear-wheel-drive (RWD) is the drivetrain of choice in many sports cars or performance vehicles. The reason behind that is RWD has better weight distribution over the four wheels which in turn results in more accurate steering control. Power delivery apart, RWD cars deliver more effective acceleration and should provide a more controlled cornering ultimately being a RWD vehicle send the power onto rear wheels. Another interesting aspect is that oversteer can be induced with the rear-wheel drive system, though it is not suggested for the average driver.
But under adverse weather conditions, such as rain or snow, RWD vehicles can be much harder to drive. This means that the rear wheels have to deal with all the power, so the vehicle can definitely lose traction at a very easy rate on slippery surfaces, resulting in either fishtailing or coming out around.
Answer: b) AWD Vehicle Performance
The advantage of AWD vehicles lies in their capabilities of stability and control, which other vehicles cannot offer particularly during adverse weather conditions. AWD systems boost traction, as well, by sending power to all four wheels to keep you from slipping and losing control. The realistic part of AWD is a lot of people who own such cars typically see snow, ice or rain on the road.
When it comes to driving dynamics, for the average motorist, AWD cars are simply more forgiving and easier to handle. All-wheel drive (AWD) provides power to all four wheels of the vehicle, allowing for better grip when accelerating on slippery surfaces as well as making it easier to keep the vehicle in check if it begins to understeer or oversteer, making AWD vehicles feel much more stable in all driving conditions. But AWD vs. RWD systems can weigh a vehicle down, giving them a minor penalty in fuel economy and messing with handling characteristics versus a lighter RWD car.
Thinking about the Weather and the Terrain
More important than any marketing slogan is your local climate and assumed driving terrain, which will ultimately dictate whether you should invest in AWD or RWD.
Maintaining Fuel Economy
Fuel economy and maintenance costs also play a part in the decision to go with AWD or RWD.
a. Gas Consumption in RWDs
RWD vehicles tend to be more economical than awd vehicles, too. Unlike all-wheel systems which generally have much more mechanical drag that works against performance, the rear axle delivery of the rwd-three-fourths system is simple: by engaging and driving power to only two wheels there is often less mechanical drag acting to fight against the RWD system, which, in turn, enhances lifestyle owners. Quite simply, an RWD car is less heavy than an AWD car, which adds up to extra efficiency.
AWD vehicle fuel economy b.
All-wheel drive vehicles lose some of the efficiency of their rear-wheel drive counterpart, as the added weight and mechanical complexity of AWD cars consumes some fuel. It takes more energy to propel all four wheels accordingly and can contribute to a lower overall fuel economy. Nevertheless, the technology type and friction losses through a system mean that historically AWD simply has not been as efficient a system as two-wheel drive, an advantage that has only changed relatively slowly until the gainfully more efficient modern AWD systems came along, buthas continued to exist.
c. Maintenance Considerations
One of the other points in favor of RWD vehicles being easier and cheaper to maintain is simply the design of RWD. Less Components: A FWD drivetrain is simpler and is easier to work on compared to an AWD system.
On the other hand, AWD systems are far more complicated with extra components that need to be serviced too. Even at the entry level of AWD systems, they are less reliable with all the additional components needed for them: the transfer case, additional differentials, additional driveshafts. Similarly, tires must be rotated more frequently and replaced in sets on an AWD vehicle; otherwise, they may differ in diameter, stressing the system.
Drive and Comfort
Drivetrain can also play a role in how well it drives and can be more comfortable.
Driving the Comfort of the Wheel Drive of the
Cost and Resale Value
Finally, price will always be a factor in drivetrain choice.
a. Initial Cost
Vehicles with AWD command a premium price over RWD models. AWD systems are more complicated to make, and that complication comes at a cost to the consumer. If that scenario pertains to you and money is a pressing concern then RWD is probably the more cost effective choice.
b. Resale Value
AWD/4×4 vehicles hold more resale value over the long term than RWD vehicles — a perk in winter weather climates. That bodes well for resale values — and for that matter, demand for AWD vehicles in some of these areas is higher. In warmer climates where a requirement for awd is not present as much, though, this distinction might be entirely marginal to resale worth.
Conclusion: Which Drivetrain Should You Go With?
AWD vs RWD: Which Do You Need Now? If you don’t live anywhere it ever snows and you’re looking for the absolute best all-around performance and handling while also maximizing the fuel economy, you’re going to want to stick with a RWD vehicle. But if you need or want safety, stability, and all-weather dangled in front of your face — especially if you live somewhere where brutal winters or mixed-road conditions are a real and regular concern — chances are you will be better off with AWD.
However, at the end of the day, it is really up to what your car needs. Hopefully knowing this can help you decide which one fits your driving needs and setting better—but hold it right there, we just said both have their advantages and disadvantages, didn’t we? With some pros/cons, AWD and RWD both bring perks to your driving experience.