Front-Wheel Drive vs. AWD: What’s the Difference?

There are many things to think about when buying a car, and its power should definitely be on high on the list. This doesn’t just include how much horsepower the model’s engine creates; you should also consider how — and in what way — power is sent to the wheels. This guide goes over front-wheel drive vs. AWD and which one might be best for you.

What Is Front-Wheel Drive?

These days, most vehicles come standard with front-wheel drive. This means that the power the engine creates get sent to the front wheels by the transmission. While the rear wheels will also spin, they don’t get any power.

What Is All-Wheel Drive?

As the name implies, with all-wheel drive, the transmission sends power to all four wheels. Not at the same time, however. The vehicle monitors the driving situation and decides where power needs to go.

While all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive sound similar, they aren’t. With four-wheel drive, power is always evenly split between the front and rear wheels.

Which Is the Better Option?

If you’re looking for the best fuel efficiency, going with a car with front-wheel drive is probably your best bet, as they typically offer superior gas mileage. These vehicles are also usually less expensive. If you want a car that offers increased traction — especially if you plan to do some off-roading — all-wheel drive is a better choice.

Compare Front-Wheel Drive vs. AWD at Patriot Chevrolet of Warminster

If you’re not sure which type of vehicle to go with, come down to Patriot Chevrolet of Warminster. Here you can take a test drive of cars with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive to get a feel for how they perform on the road. See you soon!