What is the Difference Between the Different Drive Types?
Your vehicle has various drive modes that you can select for different driving conditions. Depending on the drive mode that you select, the system adjusts various vehicle settings.
The below table shows a comparison of front, rear and all-wheel drive vehicles:
| Type | Positives | Negatives |
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | - Lower kerb weight than RWD
- Improved payload
- Better fuel economy and CO2
- Greater traction if unladen than RWD due to weight distribution
- Lower acquisition price than RWD
- Automatic transmission available
| - Lower GTM than comparable RWD
- Note: towing Front Drive Ratio can compensate
|
Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) | - Improved driving and towing dynamics under heavy load
- Advantages when towing as the weight of trailer pushes down on the rear axle means greater traction
| - More expensive than FWD – acquisitions
- Higher kerb weight means a negative effect on fuel and CO2
|
All Wheel Drive (AWD) | - Better traction when in poor road conditions
- Helps with towing in bad weather and rough terrain
| - Added cost
- Lower fuel economy
|