Which traction is better, front or rear wheel drive?
If you have in mind to buy a vehicle, but you don’t know which traction to choose, this is of interest to you. Read on.
This is a historical discussion among car lovers, although rear-wheel drive is seen as old-fashioned, but in the hands of a veteran driver it can surely provide better performance than front-wheel drive.
Of course front-wheel drive is not at all bad, being the most common on the market, although despite the stability controls the rear-wheel drive is even safer than in the past, although front-wheel drive is still considered safer in general.
In addition to front and rear-wheel drive, there is always the possibility of all-wheel or four-wheel drive, although this is less common in today’s market.
Since each type of traction has its own advantages and disadvantages, we will analyze all these factors so that each user can choose the one that suits him best.
Rear-wheel drive
In rear-wheel drive, the power of the engine is transmitted to the rear wheels of the car, and it was the propulsion system first used in motor racing.
It is still used in some sports cars as it provides more dynamic driving conditions, although with a little more driving difficulty, especially in curves.
In the hands of a professional it is no problem and since it facilitates weight distribution on each axle, improved traction is achieved and a better balance also visible in the tires.
It tends to increase the “skidding” in adverse terrain, making control of the car somewhat more complex.
Front-wheel drive
It is much more common as it is easier to drive a car with the transmission of engine power to the front wheels along with the steering of the vehicle. Normally the engine is also located at the front, and since front-wheel drive does not require a drive shaft, these cars are usually lighter and consequently more fuel efficient. Front-wheel drive is also easier to drive in adverse conditions and is generally less expensive to maintain.
Advantages and disadvantages of each type of traction
It is evident that the driving sensations with both types of traction are very different, although from a technical perspective the advantages and disadvantages of each type of traction are as follows:
Advantages of front-wheel drive
- As they do not require a transmission tunnel, they have more interior space for passengers.
- In snow driving they are more stable and maneuverable than rear-wheel drive.
- The construction is simpler and with fewer components and consequently lighter weight.
- They are easier to manufacture and more economical.
Disadvantages of front-wheel drive
- It provides a lower level of traction as the balance between both axles is less.
- With a heavy engine at the front, the car may drift a little under hard acceleration.
- Lower steering angle.
Advantages of rear-wheel drive
- More agile driving if you know how to handle it.
- The engine can be central, rear or longitudinal.
- Better steering angle by separating the traction from the steering.
- Better traction thanks to the balance between the axles.
Disadvantages of rear-wheel drive
- It involves more expert and complex driving, which could compromise occupant safety.
- It is somewhat more expensive as it generally corresponds to sportier models with a higher cost.
- It needs larger components for the transmission distribution, so they are heavier.
In conclusion, it can be stated that neither of the two types of traction is better than the other, although in the case of a competition or sports car, a rear-wheel drive is always advisable if the user is somewhat more expert at the wheel, while front-wheel drive is always simpler in all aspects for a more normalized driving.