This is for anyone, not just car geeks. Considering everything (your lifestyle, driving habits, locale), which is the driving wheel arrangement of your choice?
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Car question: FWD, AWD, RWD?
- Thread starter AustinIllini
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I would say, it depends. I have had all types, so...
For daily driving, any
For fun, RWD
Dry roads, RWD
For Rain, AWD
In the Snow, FWD or AWD
- With snow tires on my FWD, I have driven around stuck AWD cars. I assume they had all-seasons.
If you throw in engine placement and drive wheel combo, the mid-engine, RWD is the most fun!
For daily driving, any
For fun, RWD
Dry roads, RWD
For Rain, AWD
In the Snow, FWD or AWD
- With snow tires on my FWD, I have driven around stuck AWD cars. I assume they had all-seasons.
If you throw in engine placement and drive wheel combo, the mid-engine, RWD is the most fun!
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RWD give the best tire wear for normal driving and good balance for performance driving. FWD is the worst of all worlds (front tires wears out 2-3x faster than rear tires, 60% or more of the weight in in the front), but it's the easiest to drive.
FWD has its place....
It isn't worst while driving on loose material. With all the weight on the front wheels, the initial traction of a FWD car would be much greater than a RWD car, with everything else being equal.
This is why FWD cars typically perform better in snow.
Also, FWD cars have less weight than RWD and AWD, again, with everything else being equal. So, the FWD would have more HP per pound, and be faster, while using less fuel. RWD would typically be second best, and lastly, AWD.
Like you, I wouldn't say I prefer it, but it does have its place.
Easiest in what way? In terms of driving, FWD is the worst. Moving in the snow? AWD with winter tires are the best. Putting the power down? RWD/AWD again preferred. Handling? RWD is best. FWD has no inherent driving advantage over the other drivetrain types. Your asking the front wheels to do everything, steer the vehicle, stop the vehicle, and move the vehicle. Each divides up the total traction available.
Certainly FWD has its place. Small car? FWD is preferred due to everything being in the front and the cabin has more room since you don't have a transmission, driveshaft and rear diff going through the middle of it.
RWD is preferred for performance/handling.
AWD is preferred for the winter months and with the increasing power performance cars are making today also for preferred for launching the vehicle.
Every type has its advantages and disadvantages. I prefer RWD since I prefer sporty vehicles and the more balanced weight distribution in modern RWD vehicles. Second would be AWD, but you can still get FWD's performance downfalls in AWD and the added weight. But family vehicles? FWD would probably be ideal due to the better cabin packaging FWD provides.
Easiest because FWD has a tendency to understeer and so you can put along at a nice speed without endangering your life. Having had a couple of them in my life, they're alright but their turning radius is usually garbage. I personally prefer RWD. We don't have snow and get rain 2-3x a year.
FWD is easiest in terms of not losing control. It's nearly impossible cause a FWD to spin out, very difficult to over steer a FWD and very easy to recover from lost of control. FWD is a very stable (stable to the point of boring) driving platform. FWD are great for people who think of driving as a chore (inconceivable
) and for beginners.
True, I know understeer is preferred over oversteer and FWD will certainly understeer.
Points to Tesla.FWD are great for people who think of driving as a chore (inconceivable
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It really depends. It used to be easier to oversteer a RWD car. By used to I mean probably around the time you were born and before. Today's cars, depending on the OEM, will do just about anything to prevent oversteer. You actually have to push the vehicle or turn off all driving aids (or pull the fuses) and do it.
FWD is easiest in terms of not losing control. It's nearly impossible cause a FWD to spin out, very difficult to over steer a FWD and very easy to recover from lost of control. FWD is a very stable (stable to the point of boring) driving platform. FWD are great for people who think of driving as a chore (inconceivable
Easy... Just go in reverse if you want to spin out a FWD car.
Right manufactures are able to tune a RWD to be neutral/more willing to understeer than oversteer. Just like manufactures have developed ways to mitigate torque steer in FWD. Was just speaking in terms of RWD and FWD natural tendencies.
But it's Rear wheel steer lolEasy... Just go in reverse if you want to spin out a FWD car.
The last three cars I bought was AWD and the next one is going to be AWD as well because I live in Canada.
If it weren’t for snow, RWD for sure.
If it weren’t for snow, RWD for sure.
I had the option for AWD on my new Mazda CX5 for more $$
I opted for the standard RWD as I didn't see the value in it where I live
I opted for the standard RWD as I didn't see the value in it where I live
We live in the mountains and have a '17 Ford Fusion SE AWD Turbo. Has been called the best
in class. I must say we do like it it better than the Subbies and SUV's we've had in the past.
in class. I must say we do like it it better than the Subbies and SUV's we've had in the past.
All wheel drive - best compromise, especially when living in a climate with decent amounts of snow. That said, there are all different types of AWD/4wd systems out there. I’m quite content with xDrive in my 5-Series and it seems to preform better (in handling and responsiveness in snow) than my girlfriend’s S60 T6 AWD with a Haldex system.
The other drivetrains have their place.
The other drivetrains have their place.
All my cars have been FWD.
from 505cc right up to 2000cc engines.
Most stuck to road like glue in corners.
I have a 2001 hyundai coupe (Tiburon to you in USA) and I can throw it into corners and it just laps it up!
I do not have the confidence to push the car to it's limits though.
sat on 17" rims it is sitting tiger than stock so has a little more body roll but no loss of grip.
It is possible to make the rear end twitch if take corner too fast and back off the gas too much the rear gets a bit light and twitchy.
not enough to loose it but certainly feel it.
I have no need for AWD here as not rough terrain.
Never driven RWD so have no comment.
from 505cc right up to 2000cc engines.
Most stuck to road like glue in corners.
I have a 2001 hyundai coupe (Tiburon to you in USA) and I can throw it into corners and it just laps it up!
I do not have the confidence to push the car to it's limits though.
sat on 17" rims it is sitting tiger than stock so has a little more body roll but no loss of grip.
It is possible to make the rear end twitch if take corner too fast and back off the gas too much the rear gets a bit light and twitchy.
not enough to loose it but certainly feel it.
I have no need for AWD here as not rough terrain.
Never driven RWD so have no comment.
What market are you in? I didn't think Mazda made a RWD CX-5, there isn't one in the US.
we moved back into the city; Denver. for those bad weather days 2 in 7 chance i will be off work. on the other days take the lite rail if the weather is bad. so been thinking selling off my vehicles and buy a FIATe500 and a compaq rear wheel drive pick up truck.
just havnt seen an electric i totally like
things are changing
just havnt seen an electric i totally like
things are changing
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That make sense.
The car mags go crazy for the CX-5 for some reason.
I had a 2014 CX-5 with FWD. It was back when the base motor was the 2.0. It was a fun, nice looking car, and the fuel economy was really good for the size of the car.
It was just really, really under powered, and the infotainment system was horrible.
It was my wife's primary car, but we traded it in for a much cheaper 2015 Mazda5 when they were being discontinued.
I came from a Ford F150 4X4 Lariat, but couldn't justify double the price and half the gas mileage any more
I looked at a lot of options, but really liked the price, features and look of the CX5 (2017)
When I drove it, I was surprised at how well it handled and it had plenty of pep for me to get on the interstate and change lanes
I don't believe it is as underpowered as it was, and the Infotainment system is a non-issue for me since I never use it
The 2017 models come with the 2.5 standard. Mazda ditched the very underpowered 2.0 in the CX-5.I came from a Ford F150 4X4 Lariat, but couldn't justify double the price and half the gas mileage any more
I looked at a lot of options, but really liked the price, features and look of the CX5 (2017)
When I drove it, I was surprised at how well it handled and it had plenty of pep for me to get on the interstate and change lanes
I don't believe it is as underpowered as it was, and the Infotainment system is a non-issue for me since I never use it
Also, your model has a newer infotainment system, one that started in the 2015 models that I hear is much better than the one in the 2014 models.
One thing that Mazda gets right in most of their models is the suspension, they typically favor performance over comfort. Every Mazda I have owned handled really well.
