When you’re shopping for a new car, you’ll come across a lot of technical terms, some of which might sound confusing, especially if you’re not a car enthusiast. One of the most common ones you’ll see is drivetrain.
Understanding what it means, and the difference between all-wheel drive (AWD), front-wheel drive (FWD), and rear-wheel drive (RWD), can help you choose the right car for your needs.
First, it’s important to understand that there’s no single “best” drivetrain. The right choice depends entirely on how and where you drive. Here are a few questions to help narrow it down:
- Cost: Are you looking for a budget-friendly car that simply gets you from point A to point B?
- Practicality: Do you need something that can handle rain, snow, or rough roads? Will you be towing often?
- Driving experience: Do you care most about how the car feels to drive? Do you need something sporty for highway trips or a car that can handle off-roading adventures?
Each drivetrain has its own strengths and tradeoffs. To understand which one fits you best, let’s start with the basics.
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Understanding the basic concepts
Before talking about each drivetrain type, let’s define a few key terms you’ll see throughout this guide: drivetrain, traction, torque, and axles.
Knowing these will make the rest of the explanations much easier to follow.
What is a Drivetrain
Your car’s engine creates rotational energy, called torque, and the drivetrain is a combination of parts and components that transfers that energy to the wheels.
It includes components like the transmission, driveshaft, differential, and axles, all working together to move the car forward.
So, when we talk about FWD, RWD, or AWD, we’re talking about where and how that power gets delivered.
(Looking for a car with the right drivetrain? See great rental options on Tarlen)
What is Traction
Traction is the grip between your tires and the road surface. It’s what lets your car accelerate, turn, and stop without slipping.
Good traction depends on several factors: tire quality, road conditions, weight distribution of the vehicle, and of course, the drivetrain itself.
What is torque
Torque is the rotational force your engine or motor produces to make the wheels turn.
It’s measured in Newton-metres (Nm) and basically tells you how much “push” your car has when you hit the accelerator.
What are Front and Rear Axles
An axle connects a pair of wheels, one at the front and one at the back of the car.
The front axle supports steering and suspension, while the rear axle usually just supports the wheels (unless it’s a rear- or all-wheel-drive vehicle, in which case it also delivers power).
Together, these axles carry the vehicle’s weight and transmit torque from the drivetrain to the wheels.
All Wheel Drive
All-wheel drive (AWD) systems send power to all four wheels of a vehicle. This can happen continuously (all wheels powered all the time) or on demand, meaning the system adjusts power based on traction needs.
For example, if the car detects that all four wheels have good grip, it may split power evenly between the front and rear axles.
But if the front wheels start to slip, the system automatically sends more power to the rear, the part with more traction, to keep the car stable.
A well-designed AWD system can adjust torque not only from front to rear, but sometimes side to side, giving you better handling and control in different conditions.
Because of this flexibility, AWD vehicles perform well on wet, snowy, or icy roads, and they’re also great for light off-roading or towing.
You’ll find AWD setups on many SUVs and crossovers because they offer a good balance of comfort, traction, and safety.
Front Wheel Drive
In a front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup, the engine’s power goes only to the front wheels. Because those wheels also handle steering, they’re responsible for both turning and pulling the car forward.
That makes FWD cars simple and efficient, but it also means they don’t always offer the most exciting driving experience.
Enthusiasts often describe them as less dynamic because the front tires have to do two jobs at once. (Even Formula 1 drivers like Max Verstappen have joked that front-wheel drive is “the worst thing to happen to cars”)
Still, FWD vehicles have some clear advantages. Since most car engines are mounted in the front, power doesn’t need to travel far.
There’s no long driveshaft running underneath the car, which reduces weight and mechanical complexity.
That simplicity makes FWD cars cheaper to produce, easier to maintain, and more fuel-efficient than most rear or all-wheel-drive vehicles.
Another plus: the engine’s weight sits directly over the driving wheels. This helps improve traction, especially in rain or light snow, making FWD cars a practical choice for everyday city driving.
Rear Wheel Drive
In a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup, the engine’s torque goes only to the rear wheels.
The front wheels steer; the back wheels push.
This setup gives cars a more balanced feel and better weight distribution, which is why RWD is common in sports cars, sedans, and pickup trucks.
When you accelerate, the car’s weight shifts backward, right onto the driven wheels, increasing traction and control.
RWD vehicles also tend to handle better at higher speeds and offer a more engaging driving experience, especially for people who love feeling connected to the road.
That’s why many performance cars use RWD: it allows for sharper handling, smoother cornering, and the occasional bit of tail-happy fun.
The difference between AWD and 4WD
People often confuse four wheel drive (4×4) with AWD. While they function similarly to transfer power to both front and rear wheels, the mechanics of both systems are different.
4WDs are for extreme off-roading used to tackle extreme terrains with boulders, sand and steep hills.
In most vehicles, the 4WD system has to be turned on and off depending on if you’re on an uneven or tough terrain.
Turning on the 4WD system on a flat surface could damage the drivetrain, so the 4WD are typically disengaged while driving around in the city or flat surfaces.
People often mix up all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD or 4×4).
They sound similar because both send power to all four wheels, but the way they do it, and why, are quite different.
Which is better?
AWD systems are mostly automatic. They constantly monitor traction and adjust how much power goes to the front or rear wheels. This setup is designed for everyday driving, perfect for rain, snow, gravel, and mild off-road conditions.
You don’t have to think about it; the system just works in the background to keep the car stable.
4WD systems, on the other hand, are built for serious off-roading.
They’re meant to handle rocky, sandy, or steep terrain, where traction is constantly changing.
Most 4WD vehicles let the driver manually engage or disengage the system, switching between 2WD and 4WD depending on the surface.
That control makes 4WD ideal for rugged conditions, but it comes with a tradeoff:
if you leave it on while driving on smooth pavement, it can actually strain or even damage the drivetrain.
That’s why 4WD should be turned off when driving in the city or on regular highways.
In short:
- AWD is smarter and automatic, great for mixed conditions and on-road stability.
- 4WD is tougher and driver-controlled, best for heavy duty off-road adventures or towing in rough environments.
Comparing All Drivetrain Types
Each drivetrain has strengths and tradeoffs depending on what matters most to you: traction, fuel economy, space, or driving feel. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you choose:
Traction
Recommended: AWD
AWD cars send power to all four wheels, improving traction and stability on most surfaces. This makes them especially useful in rain, snow, or on loose gravel.
Fuel efficiency
Recommended: FWD
Front-wheel-drive cars are lighter and simpler mechanically, so they use less fuel. AWD systems add weight and extra components, which reduces efficiency compared to FWD or RWD cars.
Cabin space
Recommended: FWD
Because FWD setups don’t need a long driveshaft or rear differential, more space inside the car can be devoted to passengers and cargo.
It’s a big reason why most small sedans and compact SUVs use front-wheel drive. (That said, in vehicles with rear-mounted engines, rear-wheel drive offers similar space benefits.)
Handling and drive experience
Recommended: RWD
Rear-wheel drive gives cars a balanced, responsive feel, which is why it’s popular in performance vehicles. The front wheels steer while the back wheels push, allowing for sharper handling and more precise cornering.
FWD cars, by contrast, can struggle with understeer (where the car doesn’t turn enough) or torque steer (where the power changes the vehicle’s trajectory) under hard acceleration, making them less exciting for spirited driving or track days.
Wet/Slippery Roads, Seasonal Rains, Gravel
Recommended: AWD
When roads get slick or uneven, the AWD system gives you extra grip and control. They automatically shift power between wheels to prevent slipping, keeping you stable in tough conditions.
Towing
Recommended: RWD
When towing, the trailer’s weight presses down on the rear axle, and in RWD vehicles, that’s the same axle that delivers power. This gives you better traction and pulling strength.
AWD can also be a solid choice here, especially on hilly or slippery roads, but FWD cars generally aren’t built for heavy towing.
Safety
Recommended: AWD
All-wheel-drive vehicles offer better control in most conditions thanks to constant traction management.
FWD is the next best option as If you lose control, FWD vehicles tend to understeer (slide forward), which is easier to recover from than an oversteer (sliding sideways), common in RWD cars.
That’s why AWD is often seen as the safest all-around option.
City Driving & Smooth Roads
Recommended: FWD (or AWD if premium)
FWD is fuel efficient, compact, lower cost and more adequate for flat road conditions. The fuel efficiency gains and simpler maintenance make it practical for everyday use.
Rental / Traveller Perspective:
As a renter/traveller:
- Safety/predictability is paramount → AWD is a safer “default” in variable conditions.
- Cost-sensitive travellers may prefer FWD vehicles for lower rental costs and fuel.
- Your decisions should be informed by where you’re travelling: if you’re driving on tarred roads in dry season, FWD suffices. But if you’re venturing to remote or wet terrain, AWD is safer.
FAQs
Question: What car is safest to drive in rainy conditions?
Answer: AWD helps you maintain traction under acceleration in wet/slippery conditions. But note: AWD doesn’t improve braking. Good tires and proper driving is still important.
Question: Is AWD always better than RWD or FWD?
Answer: Not always. AWD adds cost and fuel consumption. In controlled, dry-road conditions, FWD or well-setup RWD may perform better.
Question: Does a sports car need AWD?
Answer: Not necessarily. Many sports cars are RWD. AWD is used in a few high-performance AWD to improve the grip, especially in slippery conditions, but comes at a cost.
Question: What about 4×4 or 4WD? is it better than AWD?
Answer: 4WD is designed for rugged offroad use, with selectable modes and low-range gearing. For mostly offroading and gravel road use, AWD is generally more efficient and suitable.
Question: If I rent a car in SA, should I get AWD for safety?
Answer: If your route involves gravel, wet roads, mountain passes, or remote routes, AWD is the best choice for you. If you stick to major tar roads in the dry season, FWD is often enough.
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