Advantages and Disadvantages of Front-Wheel Drive and Rear-Wheel Drive?
1 Answers
The advantages and disadvantages of front-wheel drive (FWD) and rear-wheel drive (RWD) are as follows: 1. Advantages of FWD: The powertrain is compact, the drive shafts are short, and power loss is low. In terms of handling, FWD vehicles inherently tend to understeer, making them easier to drive. In terms of layout, the absence of a driveshaft running through the cabin reduces the central floor hump, increasing usable cabin space. 2. Disadvantages of FWD: During acceleration, the load on the front axle decreases, reducing tire grip and affecting power output. Additionally, the front wheels handle driving, steering, and most of the braking force, leading to significant wear. 3. Advantages of RWD: RWD is commonly found in supercars. Its benefits include achieving a near-perfect front-to-rear weight distribution while retaining the advantages of front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layouts without the associated drivetrain losses. 4. Disadvantages of RWD: Since the driven wheels are at the rear, RWD vehicles often have a large floor hump, affecting passenger comfort. They are more prone to drifting during sharp cornering and may oversteer. Moreover, on snowy or icy roads, RWD vehicles have poorer traction compared to FWD, sometimes struggling to climb slopes.
