If you live in Canada, then it’s a given that you’ll need a car that’s equipped with all-wheel drive, right? Not necessarily.
There are a lot of misconceptions out there around just how essential all-wheel drive is in this country, particularly about what it will and won’t do to save you from trouble in winter driving. For some drivers, all-wheel drive is of unquestionable benefit, but there are others who will find that they can put quality winter tires on a front-wheel-drive vehicle and meet their needs through the colder months just fine.
Here, we demystify the differences between these two drivetrain configurations to help you choose which option is best for you in your next new car.
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
How it Works
In a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the power source drives only the front two wheels. This power source could be an internal combustion engine, but it could also be an electric motor as found in battery electric vehicles, many of which are sold only with front-wheel drive. Some hybrid vehicles, which are driven by a combination of an internal combustion engine and a battery-powered electric motor, are front-wheel drive only as well.
Once upon a time, single-axle driving meant signing up for a host of traction issues. These days, there’s a lot of technology on board to help mitigate those problems. Modern traction control systems will, among other functions, measure the rotation of the wheels and pump the brakes on one side if that wheel is beginning to slip and is spinning too quickly. This doesn’t increase the overall amount of traction being delivered, but it does equalize traction to reduce oversteer and understeer and keep the car going in the direction it’s meant to be traveling.
Choose FWD If:
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You live in a place where winter weather isn’t consistently severe. If you live in a city where serious winter weather is uncommon and the plows spring into action quickly when it does happen, then you may find that winter tires will matter more to you than all-wheel drive. Every Canadian should be spending the money on good tires for the winter: they use a different tread pattern and rubber compound than all-season tires and are designed for optimal traction in temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius or lower. For many drivers, especially those who rarely drive outside of urban or suburban areas, this makes enough of a difference that FWD vehicle may meet their needs just fine.
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Cost concerns are a significant factor. Two-wheel drive cars save you money twice: first in the initial purchase price, and again in lower ongoing maintenance due to having fewer moving parts. When buying on a budget, this cost saving warrants serious consideration.
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Fuel efficiency is a priority. FWD cars save money at the gas pumps as well thanks to their reduced weight. The amount saved depends entirely on the size and weight of the vehicle in question. When considering a car or SUV with both options, it’s worth checking out Natural Resources Canada’s fuel consumption comparisons between the different drive types to get an idea of how much you could expect to save on average over the course of a year by choosing front-wheel drive cars.
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You want the extra interior space. A car that’s designed to be front-wheel drive only doesn’t have space carved out of the interior floor to accommodate a rear driveline, which typically means more legroom for the second-row middle seat. If you need a two-row vehicle and expect to use the fifth seat regularly, it might be worth factoring that passenger’s comfort into the equation.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
How it Works
As the name suggests, all-wheel drive systems allow the engine’s power to be sent to all four of a vehicle’s wheels. In modern cars and crossovers, this can be accomplished in several ways. Typical AWD systems use a centre differential, a unit connected to two output shafts that contains gears to allow the front and rear axles to rotate at different speeds on demand. Some electric or hybrid vehicles achieve all-wheel drive by powering one or both axles with an independent electric motor.
Not all of these AWD systems are created equal. For instance, some can send the entirety of the available torque to one axle if conditions call for it, while some may top out at distributing 80 percent to the front or the rear. Some systems always have some power consistently going to both axles by default, while others may operate part-time and only power the front wheels until they sense a loss of traction and send power to the rear as needed to recover. Some vehicles, often higher-priced sports cars and performance cars from luxury brands, also integrate the ability to distribute torque across the same axle, giving more power to the left or right side as needed. In any case, these systems are designed to operate automatically without driver intervention. Many vehicles with all-wheel drive integrate adjustable drive modes to help the driver modify the system’s automated responses to varying conditions.
Choose AWD If:
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You regularly find yourself on unpaved roads or slippery conditions. All-wheel drive vehicles are the right choice for drivers who need to navigate changing and unpredictable road conditions such as going from snow to ice or from pavement to gravel. An AWD car is also suitable for light off-road purposes like country routes or rough cottage driveways. For drivers who could be dealing with even more extreme conditions – think snow-covered mountain passes or serious backcountry off-roading – all-wheel drive might not be the right tool for the job, and 4WD vehicle with a transfer case is likely to be more suitable.
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You understand that AWD vehicles don’t make you invincible. There are drivers out there who believe that all-wheel drive systems will save them in just about any treacherous situation, so they barrel through snowstorms or along gravel roads at high speeds. All-wheel drive can help a vehicle get started and keep it moving in a straight line, but it will do nothing to help with cornering or braking. This is why it’s important to understand the system’s limitations, install a set of winter tires for better traction, and always drive in a manner appropriate for the conditions, regardless of how many wheels are being powered.
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You can afford the higher price and don’t prioritize better fuel economy. As noted above, not only will you pay more up front for a vehicle with all-wheel drive and possibly more to maintain one as there are more parts to break, but the system’s additional weight means you’ll also pay more at the pumps over the life of your vehicle. Consider whether this additional cost will truly be of benefit before taking it on.