Best Cheap Rwd Cars (2024)

FAQs

Is AWD cheaper than RWD? ›

And ultimately, all-wheel-drive vehicles cost more than their two-wheel-drive counterparts. In addition to these costs, you'll also likely spend more on tires. AWD vehicles have different tread wear on tires, and if you only change two tires, it will put added stress on the driveline components.

Rear-wheel-drive cars offer a better drive, a high level of grip on bends and greater steering control, with excellent traction on acceleration. However, RWD makes the car harder to control if you spin due to oversteer, it is more expensive to buy and maintain, and the friction increases fuel consumption.

Front-wheel drive vehicles with the engine in the front overtook RWD in popularity when fuel became more expensive after the 1973 Arab oil embargo and 1979 fuel crisis. By the 1990s, most American automakers had removed RWD cars from their offerings.

One car will weigh a little more and make a little less at the wheels, the AWD car. This means, on a straight, the RWD will slowly edge out the AWD. But the AWD car has great grip, which gives it the advantage around tight corners. One would imagine that on a well rounded course that the two cars would be even.

FWD vehicles have a significant advantage over RWD vehicles in slippery road conditions such as rain or snow. Accelerating too hard on slippery roads in an RWD vehicle can cause the rear wheels to step out. This is called oversteer, and it's very hard to control or correct in low-grip scenarios.

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 ...

In RWD, you could definitely over steer, but always remember an abrupt elevation of the throttle could result in advancing the imbalance of your car. Never press on the brakes when you still have no control of your steering wheel.

Complexity and cost: Rear-wheel drive systems require a more complex mechanical setup, making them potentially more expensive to maintain. Limited interior space: The need for a transmission tunnel in the cabin can limit interior space, affecting the design and practicality of certain RWD vehicles.

FWD cars tend to be safer to drive and have an easier time going up hills or over slippery roads.

The disadvantage of a rear-wheel-drive vehicles is that they do not perform well in poor weather conditions such as rain or snow because they are more prone to loss of traction on slick roads which can cause accidents after a loss of control of the vehicle.

What is RWD best for? ›

Besides being durable and relatively simple, RWD vehicles are well-balanced because the weight of its components is distributed evenly underneath the vehicle. This allows for improved handling on the road (or on the track) and makes a RWD setup the drive type of choice for many luxury and performance vehicles.

After the Arab oil embargo of 1973 and the 1979 fuel crises, a majority of American FR vehicles (station wagons and luxury sedans) were phased out for the front-engine, front-wheel drive (FF) layout – this trend would spawn the SUV-van conversion market.

With winter tires and a sensible traction control system, RWD vehicles can perform adequately in the snow. However, it's vital to note that while RWD will be OK in light to moderate snow, it's not as capable in winter weather as all-wheel, four-wheel or even front-wheel drive.

Off the line, the RWD will be typically quicker. The reason is that when a car accelerates, regardless of drivetain, there's a load (not weight) shift towards the back, which increases grip of those tyres, and for a RWD, the rear tyres are driving so more grip.

Advantages of RWD

Since the back two wheels help the car accelerate and the front two wheels are responsible for steering the vehicle, the power coming from the rear allows for a faster driving experience. Not only does RWD allow for faster driving, but better steering as well.

All-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) systems are more complex and costly to repair than standard front-wheel drive systems. That means your auto insurance rate may be higher for an AWD or 4WD vehicle.

Depending on the system (designs vary), AWD can provide maximum forward traction during acceleration. It is especially helpful in sloppy road conditions and when driving over moderate off-road terrain. It can help get you going and keep you moving through mud, sand, and other loose surfaces.

High respondents selecting RWDs and 4x4s indicate the vehicle's demand that offers more control rather than a more automated feel. Conversely, Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) is the choice for those seeking a more engaging and dynamic driving experience, offering superior handling, increased control, and a sporty sensation.

Most such vehicles are more expensive than their 2WD counterparts; for example, in many modern SUVs, 2WD models can be $2,000 or $3,000 cheaper than AWD or 4WD models. So unless you often face snow, ice, rough roads or other situations where AWD or 4WD are crucial, we suggest you opt for the less costly alternative.