What is Rear-Wheel Drive in Cars?
Rear-wheel drive in cars is, as you might expect, when the power goes from the engine to the rear wheels of the vehicle. In traditional gas-powered RWD cars, the engine produces power which is then sent through the transmission to turn the driveshaft. This, ultimately, sends power to the rear wheels.
History of Rear-Wheel Drive
Some of the first vehicles in the 19th century had front-mounted engines with rear-wheel drive configurations. The first vehicle like this was built in 1895 by Panhard, which led to the term "the Systeme Panhard" which was sometimes used in the era. The front-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive allowed car makers to balance the weight of the transmission on the underside of the vehicle.
The driveshaft can be eliminated by placing the engine over the rear wheels, but this can cause the vehicle to be too heavy in the back. Automakers eventually corrected this problem by dividing the transmission into two pieces: the final drive and the gearbox.
Rear-wheel drive cars became less popular for a time as front-wheel drive with the engine mounted in the front took center stage after fuel prices increased. By the 1990s, most American automakers no longer offered RWD cars from their lineups. The exception, of course, was GM, who offered a variety of luxury vehicles with rear-wheel drive options. These vehicles include the Camaro, the Firebird, and the Corvette, all sports cars that benefited from the handling of the RWD setup. Ford also offered its legendary Mustang sports car in this setup.
Cars with Rear-Wheel Drive
The most common place to find rear-wheel drive is in pickup trucks, performance cars, and luxury vehicles. Pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 and RAM 1500 generally come standard with rear-wheel drive, with the 4-wheel drive an additional option.
In sports cars like the Corvette by Chevrolet or the Mustang by Ford, RWD is advantageous for weight-distribution and performance. The front wheels are dedicated to steering while the rear wheels are dedicated to power and acceleration, which allows for a sportier driving experience than front-wheel drive. Â
At Alfa Romeo, all three of the 2023 models - the Giulia, the Stelvio, and the Tonale - come with standard rear-wheel drive, giving Alfa Romeo drivers the sportiest feel on the road that harkens back to Alfa Romeo's racing origins.
Advantages of Rear-Wheel Drive
A rear-wheel drive vehicle provides a better balance for drivers than front-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive because of the rear-wheel drive's even weight distribution, which provides an additional benefit in and of itself: the even weight distribution prevents uneven wear on your tires and helps prevent poor efficiency and even blowouts. The center of gravity on a RWD vehicle also lines up with the driver's seat, which ultimately gives the driver a sense of enhanced control that can improve ease of handling.
In some vehicles, namely FWD, or front-wheel drive cars, drivers might notice that the vehicle pulls to one side or the other when accelerating. This is called torque steer, and can require you to overcompensate with your steering to keep the vehicle going straight. This issue is extremely rare in RWD cars.
Front-wheel drive vehicles face another common problem: understeering. In a FWD car, the front tires transfer power from the engine to the road and ensure that the vehicle goes in the direction in which you steer. This ultimately creates a lot more wear and tear on the front tires, while the rear-wheels see less wear and tear. When the front tires aren't able to continue to maintain an effective level of traction, this creates understeering.
In rear-wheel drive cars, the opposite occurs because the rear tires wear out more quickly than the front tires. This problem is easily corrected by pressing on the gas pedal when you feel the car start to skid. Better cornering traction and more power are immediately noticeable and can reduce the risk of losing control.
Rear-wheel drive cars also allow drivers to have more fun while driving in dry conditions. With the power in the rear wheels and the steering in the front, the power from the back allows for a faster and more controlled driving experience with better steering.
Rear-wheel drives are perfectly designed to tow and haul significant amounts of weight, which is why RWD is so commonly found in performance cars and pickup trucks. Ultimately, RWD gives vehicles a leg up in this category compared to all-wheel drive vehicles.
Disadvantages of Rear-Wheel Drive
While rear-wheel drive cars are fantastic for a lot of drivers, it does have its limitations and disadvantages. Namely, RWD is less fuel efficient than other drivetrains, especially its front-wheel drive counterpart. In addition to fuel, RWD vehicles can be more expensive when it comes to ticket price - RWD vehicles tend to cost more than other types of cars.
Lack of traction can be another major disadvantage for rear-wheel drive. It tends to work best in dry conditions, and inclement weather such as rain or snow can cause the vehicle to lose traction much faster than other drivetrains. Stability control helps vastly with this problem, but RWD isn't recommended to those who live in snowy areas or face unusual amounts of rainfall.
Many Greenville, South Carolina, drivers choose rear-wheel drive vehicles for their impressive performance dynamics in fair weather. Yet once the mild South Carolina autumn turns to winter, Simpsonville drivers have to face the prospect of driving their rear-wheel drive vehicle in snow. In icy conditions, the rear-wheel drive vehicle that handles so well in the summer can easily start sliding all over the road, endangering the lives of its occupants as well as other drivers. So how can Spartanburg, South Carolina, drivers ensure that they stay safe in their rear-wheel drive vehicle, even on snowy roads?
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