Front-Wheel-Drive vs Rear-Wheel-Drive - which one is better?

The question of whether front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive is better has been asked for decades. While there are numerous drive setups available in modern cars, front- and rear-wheel-drive remain the most popular and you’ll find both options available in Carsa’s current range of vehicles available via our site today.

But which one is the best fit for you and how do these two setups differ? Let’s delve deeper into the characteristics of both and how they affect the way a car drives. If you want to know more head over to our website or contact us today and we will answer any questions you may have.

Front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive - what’s the difference?

The clue is entirely in the name. In a front-wheel-drive (FWD) car, the engine’s power is used to send drive to the front wheels alone. Both the engine and gearbox are connected to the front wheels alone and it’s a system which has proven ideal for thousands of models. You’ll find it on the vast majority of new cars today, too. Remember, too, that in front-wheel-drive cars the front wheels are dealing both with power and steering.

Rear-wheel-drive, or RWD, sends power directly to the back wheels alone. You’ll find this setup in most sports cars as it often gives better balance and improved handling. However, it is less common overall compared to front-wheel-drive.

What are the benefits of front-wheel-drive?

Since front-wheel drive is one of the most popular drive layouts, one of its key benefits is price. It’s a tried-and-tested method of driving a car forward and this makes the whole technology a little cheaper to produce which, in turn, makes the cars themselves a touch cheaper. FWD cars are often lighter and more efficient, too, and that makes them more affordable to run and repair.

Front-wheel-drive cars benefit from good traction, too. Because the engine is (most often) located over the front wheels, there’s extra weight ‘pushing’ them into the ground. As a result, a front-wheel-drive car can be quite good at driving through snow and slush, providing it’s on the right tyres. Front-wheel-drive cars often bring more interior space than an RWD car, too, since there’s no transmission tunnel running through the middle of the car. It’s this ‘hump’ which can often eat into the room that a car has inside.

What are the benefits of rear-wheel-drive?

Switch to rear-wheel-drive and you’ll find a car brings a sportier driving experience. Since the front wheels only have to deal with steering - rather than power as well, as with a front-wheel-drive car - RWD cars often feel a little better through the corners as if they’re being ‘pushed’ rather than ‘pulled’. It’s one of the main reasons why sportier models use rear-wheel-drive as it gives a more engaging driving experience overall.

Rear-wheel-drive cars often bring better traction when you’re accelerating hard, too, as the motion of the car is being sent ‘back’ when driving forward quickly. This then helps to push the rear wheels into the ground and since they’re the ones powering the car, you’ll find that you move forward more quickly and without any wheelspin.

What cars have front-wheel-drive?

You’ll find all manner of FWD cars available via Carsa today. Let’s take a little look.

Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto is a prime example of a classic front-wheel-drive car. It’s lightweight, easy to drive and impressively efficient overall. In fact, you could see well over 45mpg in the Picanto, making it a great option for those who don’t want to spend too much on fuel.

The Picanto’s small engine and its clever packaging mean that there’s a lot more space available inside than you might think for a compact car, too.

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is probably one of the most famous front-wheel-drive cars around. While there are all-wheel-drive versions of the Golf available, it’s a predominantly front-wheel-drive model which focuses on space and practicality, as well as low running costs and making the whole driving experience as easy as possible.

You’ll find that nearly all Golf models are efficient and good on fuel, too, with the modern eighth-generation model - which you’ll find on-sale with Carsa today - bringing an up-to-date twist on the traditional front-wheel-drive hatchback design.

Seat Arona

Seat’s Arona is an example of a front-wheel-drive car which looks a little different to the norm. It’s actually underpinned by the same basic platform that you’ll find on the Ibiza, but the Arona has a more upright, SUV-like appearance which separates it from its smaller sibling.

However, it still adopts a front-wheel-drive layout means despite the Arona’s different design, it can still deliver good levels of efficiency and a well-sized interior.

What cars have rear-wheel-drive?

BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series is one of the most successful rear-wheel-drive cars around. With it, you get an exciting driving experience that feels far sportier than in rival cars, while its available range of engines blends performance with efficiency. The diesel-powered 320d remains a firm favourite among those drivers that want a decent amount of punch but great fuel efficiency, for example.

Inside, the 3 Series gets lots of good-quality materials while the driving position is surprisingly sporty, too.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Alfa Romeo actually has quite a lot of history when it comes to making front-wheel-drive cars, but it’s the rear-driven Giulia which is our pick of the bunch. It’s a stylish saloon car which feels a cut above the rest when it comes to the driving experience. A range-topping Quadrifoglio version - which is currently available via our website - brings a 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 engine into the mix, too.

But regardless of which Giulia model you opt for, you’re bound to be impressed by the balanced and sporty driving experience that it delivers.

Jaguar XE

The Jaguar XE follows a similar path to both the 3 Series and Giulia but does things in a slightly different way. It’s still very sporty compared to a traditional hatchback, but the XE also has a refined driving experience that can make those longer trips breeze past.

It’s inside where the XE feels particularly good thanks to its classy finish and spacious design. It’s easy to adjust the driver’s seat to get into a comfy position, too.

Carsa - Your Local Trusted Dealership

Whichever powertrain setup fits the bill best for you, you’ll find a great range of examples of both in Carsa’s current stock of new vehicles. Get in touch today or, if you find a car you like on our site, you can reserve it with a fully refundable deposit.

To learn more, visit one of our showrooms located across the country or contact us today. Whether you're looking for the economy and efficiency of front-wheel drive or the dynamic, engaging experience of rear-wheel drive, at Carsa, we have the perfect vehicle for you. Don't wait—get in touch with us now.