FWD and AWD in Cars: Everything you need to know
Introduction
When searching for vehicles, you will come across various vehicles with All Wheel Drive(AWD) & Front Wheel Drive (FWD) types. While you must be wondering what AWD in cars is, it is also crucial to know the difference between FWD & AWD and which drive type would suit your needs followed by the different terrains these drive types are suitable for along with AWD VS FWD Pros and Cons.
What is AWD in Cars
When one hears the word AWD his mind always begs to ask, what is AWD in cars? “AWD” is an acronym for All Wheel Drive, an AWD vehicle shifts power generated by the engine to all wheels of the vehicle which makes it an excellent choice for an off-roading experience. While AWD can be an excellent choice for an off-roading experience, it is important to note, AWD vehicles are more expensive than FWD due to the technology incorporated to make it an AWD. Automobile manufacturers have been testing different technologies to make AWD cost-efficient and dependable, in which they have succeeded. However, before deciding to buy an FWD VS AWD it is important to analyze the AWD VS FWD Pros and Cons.
What is FWD in Cars
“FWD” is an acronym for Front Wheel Drive, an FWD vehicle shifts power generated by the engine to the front wheels of the vehicle through a transaxle which acts as a hybrid transmission and differential shifting power to the front wheels of the vehicle. FWD is excellent at managing fuel efficiency and allows ample space for automobile manufacturers to incorporate different components in the car without the limitations of space. FWD is cheaper compared to AWD as it does not require a longitudinal gearbox, drive shaft, or rear differential.
FWD vs AWD
To better understand the difference between FWD VS AWD, let’s compare the two drive types. The table below shows a comparison between FWD VS AWD
| AWD | FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Terrain Suitable For | Off-Road & On-Road | On-Road only |
| Fuel Economy | Consumes more fuel than FWD |
Consumes less fuel than AWD – fuel efficient |
| Engine Power | High – to power all wheels | Low – to power only front wheels |
| Cost Efficiency | High cost | Low cost |
AWD vs FWD Pros and Cons
To elaborate on the differences further between AWD VS FWD, let’s compare AWD VS FWD Pros and Cons
The table below shows AWD’s Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Suitable for everyday driving | High fuel costs due to added drivetrain |
| Suitable for various types of driving conditions – Off-road & On-road | Added costs at purchase and high maintenance costs |
| Controlled acceleration on slippery terrains | Harder to toggle between drive modes |
| Improved cornering due to all wheels engaged | May lead to poor decision-making due to a false sense of security |
The table below shows FWD’s Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Better fuel economy | Heavy front of the vehicle |
| Easy to drive | Poor handling |
| Inexpensive | Not suitable for sports car |
| More space | Poor handling |
Conclusion
The decision to purchase AWD or FWD vehicle depends upon the requirements of the user, while AWD vehicles may possess more raw power, the fuel efficiency of FWD vehicles cannot be denied. AWD VS FWD Pros and Cons target different audiences and may propose greater value propositions to its users.
FAQs
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Question 1: What is AWD in Cars?
Answer: AWD is an acronym for All Wheel Drive, in which the transaxle shifts the power generated by the engine to all wheels of the car providing more power for the off-roading experience
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Question 2: FWD VS AWD Difference.
Answer: Front Wheel Drive (FWD) is more fuel efficient than AWD as the engine only has to power the front wheels of the car, while All Wheel Drive (AWD) has much more raw power which makes AWD a more expensive choice in comparison with FWD.
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Question 3: What are the AWD VS FWD Pros and Cons?
Answer: AWD has much more raw power engaging all wheels of the car which makes it better for off-roading experience and provides better traction at steep turns, however, is expensive and has less space due to the addition of components to make it an All Wheel Drive. FWD is cheaper than AWD provides more trunk space but provides less power compared to AWD and is not suitable for off-roading.
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Question 4: Which vehicle should I buy, AWD or FWD?
Answer: The choice to buy an AWD or FWD completely depends on the user and his requirements, if a user wishes to have an off-roading experience and can bear the added costs of fuel, then AWD is the right choice, however, if a user wishes to have a vehicle for everyday usage than FWD is the right choice.