Back to GuidesAs Americans focus more on capability and shift away from small cars towards crossovers, many cars, trucks, and SUVs are available in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. Simply put, front-wheel drive vehicles send power to the front tires only, while all-wheel drive vehicles can send varying amounts of power to the front and rear wheels, depending on the conditions and the type of all-wheel drive system.
Read on, and this article will explore the differences and benefits of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
Types of Drivetrains
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Front-wheel drive is a powertrain configuration in which the engine drives only the front wheels, connecting to them via a transmission and differential, known as a transaxle.
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Rear-wheel drive vehicles send power to the rear tires only, and engines generally have a mechanical connection to the rear wheels via a transmission and driveshaft. Though RWD cars are not included in this comparison, it is good to know the basics.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
All-wheel drive vehicles connect the engine to all four wheels. Many all-wheel drive vehicles can vary the amount of power sent to each axle or even each wheel. AWD cars use a variety of configurations for power delivery, as well as to alternate the amount of power going to the front or the rear wheels. Most all-wheel drive systems are always engaged and require no action from the driver to dictate which wheels receive power. Because power needs to be sent to all four wheels, AWD cars have more mechanical parts to send power to the front and the rear axles.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD or 4x4)
Like all-wheel drive, 4WD systems send power to all the wheels. Generally, four-wheel drive is a selectable mode which the driver must engage. A low-range setting (sometimes abbreviated "4L" in vehicles) is intended for limited conditions such as snow-covered roads, muddy trails, or crawling over rugged terrain.
Using low range for anything above low speeds driving can increase tire wear and damage drivetrain components. Four-wheel drive vehicles have a transfer case or buttons with multiple speeds, high for driving at normal speeds and low for situations where torque and traction are needed, such as crawling over obstacles. Though some 4WD trucks and SUVs still have this part-time system, many adopted a full-time four-wheel drive system long ago, with an automatic setting that can be activated most of the time.
Front Wheel-Drive Benefits
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) used to be more common in the United States, but many manufacturers switched to front-wheel drive, especially for small cars. Because there is no mechanical connection from the engine in the front to the wheels in the back, there is no transmission tunnel hump running through the center of the vehicle. That means more space inside for passengers.
Front-wheel drive vehicles generally get better fuel economy than comparable AWD vehicles. Because the engine only powers two wheels, there is less energy loss, which results in better efficiency. Front-wheel drive cars typically weigh less than all-wheel drive cars, increasing efficiency and reducing the wear on suspension and brake components. Over time, a more fuel-efficient, lighter car with fewer parts to maintain will likely cost less to own. Front-wheel drive cars are also typically less expensive to buy, while AWD can be a costly upgrade.
Though AWD cars are expected to have better traction, FWD cars have a significant traction advantage over rear-wheel drive vehicles, because the engine's weight sits above the driven wheels. Because the car is pulling rather than pushing, it is more likely to experience understeer than spin out because of oversteer caused by the rear wheels. Some drivers find this easier in slippery conditions.
All-Wheel Drive Benefits
As expected, the main advantage of all-wheel drive vehicles is increased traction. The ability to send power to where the tires have the most grip means AWD systems perform better in almost all road conditions. AWD cars can distribute power for better handling and are generally superior in slippery conditions.
All-wheel-drive vehicles are also typically better at off-road driving than FWD vehicles. However, AWD should not be considered a replacement for, say, a four-wheel drive Jeep, Land Rover, or Toyota for serious off-roading.
Though performance cars use a variety of drivetrain configurations, all-wheel drive is now a popular for them. Audi and Subaru famously use AWD in their rally cars and offer AWD systems in their roadgoing sports cars. The AWD version may also have a higher towing capacity for some vehicles in either AWD or FWD. This higher capability may be worth the extra cost upfront, as well as the lifetime cost, if it is best suited to your lifestyle.
Front-Wheel Drive Cons
The main drawback of FWD compared to AWD is the lack of traction. Ultimately, the physics of powering two or four wheels leaves AWD vehicles with the advantage. Depending on the climate you live in, your lifestyle, or the type of performance you want from your car, there may be better options than front-wheel drive. If you don't the need extra grip so frequently, you can save money by sticking with FWD.
All-Wheel Drive Cons
The main drawback of AWD vehicles is cost. Adding the AWD option usually costs extra upfront when buying a new car. They are less fuel efficient and will cost more at the pump. There are more components to maintain, which means more fluids need to change, and there is a higher cost ownership. Heavier vehicles also wear brakes and tires more quickly, meaning shorter intervals between buying tires and replacing brake pads. AWD vehicles also usually require the replacement of all four tires simultaneously to avoid damaging drivetrain components.
Though all-wheel drive cars may be more capable, they sometimes have a lower payload capacity than their two-wheel drive counterparts. This is due to the extra weight of the all-wheel drive system. Consider your real-life needs and daily usage to decide if all-wheel drive is necessary.
Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
The conversation gets messier as more new vehicles use hybrid or electric powertrains. All-wheel drive EVs generally have at least two motors, with one driving each axle, and can have up to four motors with power sent directly to each wheel.
Some hybrids use a system called E-AWD, which may send engine power to the front axle via a traditional mechanical link while sending electric power from a battery to the rear wheels when traction is needed. That system has the packaging and efficiency benefits of a FWD vehicle, while adding the extra grip of AWD. These systems continue to evolve as technology changes, but they open up a whole new realm of automotive powertrain options.
Do You Actually Need All-Wheel Drive?
For most drivers, the short answer is no, you don't NEED all-wheel drive. With the likes of all-season tires – which are a good choice year-round for many parts of the country – or dedicated winter tires for cold climates, a front-wheel drive car will handle daily driving duties just as well as an all-wheel drive vehicle, and add significant savings over the life of the car.
Though you can get by without it, you may want to choose AWD if you live in an area with harsh winter weather. All-wheel drive can provide extra grip in slippery conditions.
All-wheel drive has limitations and does not help you stop the car more quickly. If snowy roads are the norm where you live, dedicated winter tires are highly recommended, and cautious driving is a must. Don't let yourself become overconfident because of your car's AWD system.
More outdoorsy drivers may also want to select all-wheel drive. An all-wheel drive powertrain's additional capability and towing capacity may help get to unpaved and more remote areas or to tow a small camping trailer.
Don't confuse AWD for a true off-roader. Proper recovery points, high ground clearance, locking differentials, and a transfer case with low range are required to tackle challenging and remote trails. Four-wheel drive vehicles are the best option, but research is needed because not all models, such as the Land Rover Defender or Toyota 4Runner, come off-road ready out of the box.
There is great debate about which drive system is best for performance driving. Porsche, for example, offers the 911 series in both AWD and RWD, but its most hardcore track car, the GT3 RS, is available in RWD only. Front-wheel drive sports sedans like the Honda Civic Type R, Acura Integra Type S, and Hyundai Elantra N prove that front-wheel drive performance cars can deliver plenty of excitement.
Small pickup trucks can also be found in both FWD and AWD configurations. The Ford Maverick is available as a fuel-sipping FWD Hybrid or with a more powerful turbocharged engine and AWD. Even sedans such as the Toyota Camry can now be upgraded to AWD.
