The differences between front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive

The differences between front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive

Newfoundland's changing weather conditions always require motorists to adapt. You've undoubtedly heard about the different types of drivetrains available on the market and how they can impact your vehicle's handling in different weather conditions. There are rear-wheel drive vehicles, front-wheel drive vehicles and all-wheel drive vehicles in the new Toyota lineup, for example, and each has different properties and will perform differently in winter. Here we briefly explain how each system works.


FWD: fuel efficient and good in winter


With a vehicle equipped with front-wheel drive, power is sent to the front wheels exclusively. Because there are fewer moving parts to channel power from the engine to the wheels, this drivetrain is more fuel efficient than other drivetrains. It is found in the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, and entry-level Toyota Corolla Cross, among others. Having front-wheel drive is also more beneficial in winter than a rear-wheel drive, for example.


Rear-wheel drive: for sports cars and trucks


Rear-wheel drive means that the rear wheels are driven. This has performance advantages and creates a much more engaging drive overall. The legendary Toyota Supra, one of the best-handling cars ever built, is a RWD vehicle. Rear-wheel drive vehicles also offer better towing capability. A RWD Toyota Tacoma, for example, will have the best towing capacity of any Tacoma model.

 

All-Wheel Drive (AWD)


All-wheel drive offers the best of both worlds. It offers the frugality of a front-wheel drive car when you're on the highway, with the ability to adapt as traction is needed. This is as beneficial on snowy roads as it is when you're making tight turns on dry roads.


Toyota's all-wheel drive system works to give you the best performance in any situation while also ensuring optimal efficiency. Toyota's AWD system provides superior traction and vehicle control in adverse driving environments, such as wet or snowy conditions, by reducing torque to a wheel where slippage is detected and diverting it to a wheel with greater traction.


The system is also able to improve handling and cornering on dry roads, providing additional control in turns by sending torque to the outside wheel that experiences traction-enhancing downforce, instead of the inside wheel.


There are multiple different Toyota AWD systems offered on the market and each offer a particular set of characteristics. Toyota also offers AWD in its hybrid models. This system is designed to enhance efficiency while also providing the exceptional traction you need in difficult weather.


Whether you're looking for front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, Toyota has plenty of choices for you. You can purchase your vehicle online with us. Our representatives are waiting for your call and can answer all your questions.


Contact Us

2026 TOYOTA Crown Signia

2026 TOYOTA Crown Signia
plus

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

More Details

Other Articles That May Interest You

2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro vs 4Runner TRD Pro: Two Off-Road-Ready Toyotas Compared on Trail Hardware and Daily Drive
plus
2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro vs 4Runner TRD Pro: Two Off-Road-Ready Toyotas Compared on Trail Hardware and Daily Drive

Both carry the TRD Pro badge. Both run i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrains. Both are built around serious off-road hardware developed and tested by Toyota's engineers. The 2026 Tacoma TRD Pro and the 2026 4Runner TRD Pro are among the most capable factory off-road vehicles Toyota sells in Canada — but they are purpose-built for different missions, and the hardware differences between them reflect...

Read more
How Far Does the 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland Go? And 9 Other Common Questions About Toyota's Rugged BEV
plus
How Far Does the 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland Go? And 9 Other Common Questions About Toyota's Rugged BEV

The 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland is Toyota's most capable battery-electric vehicle to date — and it is now available at Toyota dealers across Canada. With standard all-wheel drive, 375 horsepower, a 3,500-pound towing rating, and trail-focused capability systems, it occupies a category few BEVs have entered. This guide answers the ten questions that come up most often from Canadian buyers...

Read more
Toyota's 6th Generation PHEV System Wins the 2026 AJAC Best Green Innovation Award
plus
Toyota's 6th Generation PHEV System Wins the 2026 AJAC Best Green Innovation Award

Every year, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) recognizes the technologies that are moving Canadian drivers toward cleaner, more efficient transportation. At the 2026 Vancouver International Auto Show on March 25, 2026, AJAC awarded its Best Green Innovation Award to Toyota's sixth-generation plug-in hybrid system — the powertrain debuting in the all-new 2026 Toyota RAV4...

Read more