Are AWD cars fast?
AWD vs FWD — What’s the Difference and Should I Get AWD?
When buying a new or used car, the type of powertrain is an incredibly important decision. Depending on the weather where you live and the type of driving you usually do, the drive system will play a big part in how well-suited that car is to you. It will affect the driving experience and handling as well as several other factors.
The main difference between an all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive system is how the power from the engine is distributed. In a front-wheel-drive car, the engine only powers the front wheels whereas an all-wheel-drive vehicle supplies power to all four wheels. Understanding how these different configurations work and how they can change how a vehicle handles can help you decide which is the better choice for you.
Types of Wheel Drive Systems:
Aside from FWD and AWD, there are other types of drive systems. They all have their own unique characteristics and will be beneficial in some ways as well as detrimental in others. Knowing the differences between these drive systems is important when shopping at a dealership or looking for used cars.
Front-Wheel-Drive (FWD):
FWD vehicles get all of the engine’s power directed at the front wheels of the car. There is no connection between the actual drivetrain and the rear wheels of the vehicle, which can help reduce oversteer by preventing the back wheels from sliding in a turn. The majority of the weight and power is coming from the front end, which pulls the car along instead of pushing it. Most modern cars come with front-wheel-drive at their most basic level since it is usually the least expensive drive system to manufacture as well as the simplest. There are very few steps between the engine creating the kinetic energy and that energy being expended by the car.
Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD):
RWD vehicles used to be more common than they are today and many of the muscle cars and sports cars of the ‘60s and ‘70s are rear-wheel-drive as are many large trucks and high-performance luxury cars made today. In these vehicles, the engine turns a driveshaft that then turns a differential on the rear axle.
RWD systems offer precise handling due to the weight being distributed evenly throughout the vehicle. They also free up the front wheels for fine-tuning, which can result in better, more responsive steering that can be easily adjusted to suit your specific needs.
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD):
AWD systems are complex and dynamic and are an option for many new cars. While AWD delivers power to every wheel on the car, it does not deliver the same amount of power to each axle. Oftentimes, the ratio will be around 80/20 depending on the vehicle and what it has been set at. Most AWD systems can divert more power to the different axles if necessary, such as when one of the tires starts to slip because of winter weather conditions.
For the most part, the driver will not have to do anything to make these power changes happen and it will all be taken care of by sensors and electronic control modules. All-wheel-drive cars offer better traction control on things like ice, snowfall, and wet roads and usually have better, more responsive handling than two-wheel-drive cars.
Four-Wheel-Drive (4WD or 4×4):
4WD vehicles use a similar principle as AWD cars in that they distribute power to all four wheels. However, unlike AWD, a 4WD system distributes that power evenly throughout all four wheels regardless of the traction needed or the road conditions. 4WD vehicles usually have differentials on the front and back axles as well as a transfer case and different gear ratios that the driver can choose from depending on their needs. Some systems also give the driver the ability to switch between 4WD and 2WD since driving with 4WD engaged on regular asphalt can sometimes cause damage to the drivetrain.
Pros of AWD
Perhaps the most beneficial thing about driving an AWD vehicle is the fact that they are very dynamic and adaptable to almost any kind of terrain or road conditions. Since the driver doesn’t have to make any decisions about how the power is distributed to the wheels, you can simply drive your car and rest easy knowing that the drive system is making the best decisions for slippery conditions or off-road driving.
All-wheel-drive systems also give you better traction and handling no matter what the road conditions are like. You can be sure that the car will respond to any moves you make with the wheel and that it will always be running at the ideal ratio. It can also help eliminate the need for things like snow tires if you live in an area that only gets light snow. This is why AWD vehicles made by Subaru and Honda are so popular in wet regions and places where the weather can change rapidly.
Cons of AWD
Perhaps the biggest downside of AWD crossovers, SUVs, and sedans is the fact that they are not as fuel-efficient as 2WD cars. Because they are distributing power to two more wheels, this will burn up fuel much quicker. The improved traction can also be detrimental to fuel economy because of the higher amount of rolling resistance on the vehicle. The more the tires stick to the road surface, the less fuel-efficient a car is going to be.
AWD vehicles can also be less useful if you want control over the configuration and drive system of your vehicle. Four-wheel-drive systems allow you to make decisions based on what you know about the road you are going to be driving on. An AWD system is powered by electric motors and sensors that use the information to make those decisions. If you know that you only need 2WD on a certain road, it is beneficial to be able to make the change in real-time.
Pros of FWD
Perhaps the biggest benefit of a front-wheel-drive vehicle is the fact that it will be cheaper to buy as well as cheaper to maintain. FWD vehicles require fewer parts and are usually offered as the base model by automotive manufacturers. They will also use up less gas because power is only going to the front tires instead of all four. Many FWD cars also have better cornering abilities because of the lack of oversteer caused by not delivering power to the rear wheels.
FWD cars may also be quicker due to the decreased weight. When you have power going to all four wheels, this requires more equipment and heavier parts, which will almost always translate into slower acceleration times. If you want your car to be as quick and light on its feet as possible, a front-wheel-drive configuration may be your best bet.
Cons of FWD
One of the biggest disadvantages of front-wheel-drive cars is their lack of traction control. If you live in an area that regularly gets rain, ice, or snow, you may need to use all-season tires or winter tires when the weather starts to get bad. AWD vehicles are very stable and have a lot of powered contact points with the road whereas FWD cars only have powered contact points at the front, which can cause the rear wheels to slip.
FWD cars will also have a lower towing capacity than 4WD or AWD cars as well as less maneuverability in off-road situations. If you are outdoorsy or want to take your vehicle off the beaten path out in nature, an AWD car, minivan, or pickup truck is going to be a much safer bet. FWD cars pull themselves along instead of pulling and pushing, so if the front wheels aren’t making as much contact with the road from uneven terrain or a heavy towing load, you may not have as much power or control.
When to Choose All-Wheel-Drive
AWD vehicles are a good choice if you live in an area that gets snow, ice, and rain. Having that extra traction can be a major relief and can help you feel more confident on the road. The fact that the car will automatically make the necessary adjustments to give you the best ratio of power to each of the axles.
AWD is also a better option if you are planning on doing a lot of towing or off-road driving with your car. Since AWD cars have a higher towing capacity, they will perform better and give you better gas mileage in the long run when towing, even though they use up more power on all four wheels. If you are someone who regularly uses your vehicle for outdoor adventures or hauling, all-wheel-drive is going to be your best option.
When to Choose Front-Wheel-Drive
Many people believe that AWD is always going to be a better option, however, that is not necessarily the case. If you are a commuter or someone who drives a lot, a FWD vehicle may be the better option. The better fuel efficiency will save you money as will the lower cost of purchasing your vehicle. Many people don’t need an AWD or 4WD vehicle if they are doing easy highway driving.
If you live in an area that doesn’t get a lot of snow or rain, FWD will be perfectly suitable for your situation. There is no need to have an AWD system if you aren’t regularly driving in rough conditions. Dry areas or regions that don’t get snow are perfect for FWD cars and you can save yourself money at the pump in the process.
Final Thoughts
Most cars manufactured these days will have an option of AWD or FWD. Depending on your circumstances and your driving habits, one will most likely be better for you than the other. Understanding the difference between AWD vs. FWD can help you make the right decision for your lifestyle and needs.
Potent power: 10 best AWD sports cars
Two wheels good, as a motoring George Orwell may have written, four wheels better. All-wheel drive is every sports car driver’s dream, allowing for the easy transfer of power from large engine to road, whatever the conditions. More than that, power to all four wheels, usually these days involving the intervention of sophisticated electronics, means that cornering is swift and sure. Super-quick acceleration? Easy. Truth is all-wheel drive flatters every driver, whatever your skill level. We’ve come up with 10 of the best AWD sports cars. Some of our picks may even surprise you.
Best AWD sports cars
Audi TT RS Quattro
Audi were the first to try all-wheel drive on a rally car: the now legendary original Audi Quattro of the 1980s, which both dominated and transformed the World Rally Championship, to the extent that all serious contenders today put power to every wheel. The Quattro’s present day descendent is the latest generation of Audi’s elegant TT coupé, best experienced in Quattro guise, with the high performance RS version reaching 60 mph in a nifty 3.9 seconds.
Jaguar F-Type R Convertible
The roar of the F-Type R’s V8 is best experienced hood-down, with a journey to the hills around the Nurburgring in prospect, and more than a few corners awaiting, fully to experience the roadholding power provided by this sensuous droptop’s all-wheel drive system. Jaguar’s spiritual successor to the E-Type brilliantly redefines what a sporting Jaguar should be and is — arguably — one of the greatest British sports cars of all time. Better than a 911? Just possibly.
Nissan GT-R
The monster they call «Godzilla» needs all-wheel drive simply to keep in a straight line. Nissan’s intelligent all-wheel drive system moves power to the wheels that need them most, which is handy given the 600 bhp power produced by the monstrous twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8. Along with an impressive array of electronic aids this means that, given you push the right buttons and hold on tightly, you’ll be propelled to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 205 mph. Wild.
VW Golf R
Hatchback? The Golf has been a sports car since the game-changing first GTi of the 1980s. The latest Golf R adds standard all-wheel drive from VW’s 4-Motion system to create a pocket rocket that’s very much a sports car. Pack passengers and your luggage in the back if you must, but the Golf R is at its best two-up, headed for the horizon — 60 mph coming up in less than five seconds — via a few tasty curves and possibly using the R’s Drift mode, too, on its way to a 155 mph top speed
Porsche 911 Carrera 4
The 911 is perhaps the definitive sports car of our time, in the many versions produced since the original wowed the world in 1964. From the start, rear engine and rear-wheel drive could make your 911 just a little tail-happy around corners, which wasn’t ideal. Porsche Traction Management, pioneered on the company’s Paris-Dakar winner in the 1980s, solves that by adding a «4» to the 911’s name and sending power to all four wheels. Now every Porsche pilot can be confident they’re unlikely to end up in a hedge. Best 911 ever? Take a long — very long, we’d advise — test drive to decide.
Tesla Model S Plaid
Okay, so it’s not only equipped with four-wheel drive but with four doors, which may not be what you’re expecting of a sports car. Now take a look at the acceleration available to share with your three passengers and then tell Elon Musk that his electric all-wheel drive Model S Plaid isn’t a sports car: 60 mph is reached in two seconds on the way to a top speed of 200 mph, courtesy the Plaid’s three electric motors, with carbon a key component. Still doubtful? Your right foot has a distinctly sporty 1,020 bhp available, or about the same as a Bugatti Veyron. Case closed.
Honda NSX
The NSX aims to be the mid-engined almost-200 mph machine that’s also a Honda. That means the easy-going reliability of the marque is built-in, here allied to all-wheel drive ready to help you through corners and during inclement weather. The original was famously honed by Ayrton Senna and the latest version is no less impressive. Polite at the supermarket it might be, but the NSX will snarl when prodded, with the 3.5 litre V6 capable of a 2.9 second dash to 60 mph and a — reliable — 191 mph top speed.
BMW M850i xDrive
BMW’x xDrive system is aimed as much at smooth, serene progress in its most luxurious coupé as sheer performance, meaning that the cosseted occupants will barely notice how swiftly they’ve reached 60 mph — 3.7 seconds — or that they’re now travelling in excess of 150 mph on their way to a Michelin-starred dinner in some far-flung city. The sumptuous cabin is the last word in BMW luxury featuring your choice of supple leather surroundings. The most civilised of all-wheel drive sports cars.
Mercedes AMG E53 Coupé 4Matic+
The AMG E53 Coupé doesn’t look like a brute. There’s enough space for four, after all, and a boot big enough for their luggage, too. But the AMG badge always offers something unhinged, and here allied to Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic+ system, that means 429 bhp of hybrid all-wheel drive power that, when you need it, will be more than enough to push you right back into the embrace of the E53’s beautifully upholstered chairs. Subtle enough for the yacht club, too.
Toyota GR Yaris
Looks like a tricked-up supermarket hatch, is actually a bespoke carbon-fibre laden all-wheel drive sports car. The GR Yaris is a no-compromise road-going version of Toyota’s all-conquering World Rally Championship winner and is all the more effective for not quite looking the part. The GR-Four all-wheel drive system allows drivers fully to explore this little car’s explosive performance on the most testing of b-roads, when you take the long — very long — way home from the monthly shop. Just brilliant.
