What is the difference between front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive cars?

[Brooks]

Front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive cars differ primarily in their driving methods: front-wheel drive involves the engine driving the front wheels, pulling the entire vehicle forward, while rear-wheel drive involves the engine driving the rear wheels, pushing the entire vehicle forward. The specific differences between front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive cars are as follows: Front-wheel drive cars: 1. They are cheaper to manufacture, fuel-efficient, and economically practical; however, they are prone to understeer, requiring the driver to constantly correct the steering in turns. 2. During turns, they exhibit a noticeable front-heavy and rear-light characteristic, making them unsuitable for aggressive handling maneuvers, though they perform adequately in daily driving. Rear-wheel drive cars: 1. They are slightly more expensive to manufacture but offer more flexible handling and greater torque. 2. They tend to oversteer, sometimes requiring counter-steering to correct the vehicle's posture; otherwise, they may lose control. Due to their driving method and cost considerations, rear-wheel drive cars are typically used in SUVs, sports cars, and mid-to-high-end sedans, featuring a more balanced weight distribution between the front and rear compared to front-wheel drive cars.