Why Choose Rear Wheel Drive?

Most cars these days come equipped with front wheel drive, with the exception of the popular all wheel drive in many sports utility vehicles.  You should consider rear wheel drive, however, because there are many advantages that front wheel drive can’t give you in driving performance as well as safety!

Rear wheel drive cars are naturally better balanced as the drive components are in the back and the engine is in the rear.  This distributes weight more evenly throughout the frame and improves braking, handling and acceleration.  Rear wheel drive allows the car’s weight to be transferred to the back, allowing the tires to be pressed onto the surface and helping to provide traction.  The rear pushes the vehicle instead of the front tires pulling it, leaving the front free to steer while the rear propels the car.  It also frees the front tires to steer, giving the driver more control of the vehicle.

Rear wheel drive also does a better job of distributing the weight of the vehicle more evenly to all four tires, providing stability and balance.  Acceleration from a dead stop is faster, too.  When you hit the gas, the weight of the car is transferred to the rear, giving you traction instead of spin.  This gives the vehicle the impetus it needs for a smoother start. 

There’s nothing more important than effective braking, especially if you encounter an emergency where a quick stop could save your life or reduce damage to your vehicle.  Rear wheel drive frees the front tires for steering duty, a very important part of a safe emergency stop.  With any type of drive the weight of the vehicle is transferred to the front tires; rear wheel drive leaves the front of the car completely free to control direction, which can make the difference between a heart-stopping halt and a tragic crash. 

Since the driveline connects to the steering wheel, a front wheel drive vehicle naturally has more force applied to the front wheels during acceleration and causes the car to pull to the right while accelerating.  You avoid this with rear wheel drive. 

If you enjoy a smooth ride, you’ll appreciate rear wheel drive.  There isn’t as much pressure exerted on the front suspension because of more even weight distribution so they can be set to a softer and more comfortable ride. 

Have you ever noticed that law enforcement vehicles are usually rear wheel drive?  That’s because drivers in this profession need as much control, maneuverability and safety as a vehicle can provide!  They know that in a driving emergency, rear wheel drive can literally be a lifesaver. 

So why are there so many front wheel drive cars?  Sure, they provide better traction in ice and snow but the real reason is economics—front wheel drive cars are allow the drivetrain and the engine to be put together as one unit and easily mounted during assembly of the vehicle.  If you want a safer car with superior performance, ride and control you will want to consider rear wheel drive.