Discover The Drivetrain That Best Suits Your Driving Style

Though they all sound alike, the following four drivetrains offer different advantages according to your driving style. Before buying a new car, find out which one suits your needs.

Front-Wheel Drive (FWD): the power from the engine is transferred to the front tires. It has good traction on slippery surfaces at low speeds and directional stability. This driveline uses fewer parts than an AWD or a 4WD and as a result has a lower sticker price. However, because the front wheels do most of the work, the front tires and brakes wear out faster than those on the rear. It suits a regular driver in standard driving conditions.

Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): the power is transferred to the rear tires. It offers maximum performance capability: acceleration, higher potential cornering limits, and a superior braking performance. Yet it has less interior space and a higher purchase price than a FWD. It’s designed for those who like to speed and enjoy a smooth drive.

All-Wheel Drive (AWD): the power is distributed among the four tires with the benefit that it’s “on” all the time. The driver doesn’t have to move a lever or engage the transfer case to make it work. But this drivetrain adds weight, complexity and cost to the vehicle. It’s useful for a driver in standard driving conditions that sometimes needs to drive in low-traction due to important climate changes.

Four-Wheel Drive (4WD): the power is delivered to all four wheels only when the driver requests it. It’s ideal for very low-traction surfaces like deep snow or serious off-roading. Just like the AWD, it’s more expensive to insure and maintain than a RWD or FWD. Be cautious not to switch the drive system into four-wheel while on a good surface or you will destroy the tires. It’s meant for daily driving in non-conventional conditions.

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