What Is The Difference Between The Different Drive Types?
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
|