Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is a type of drivetrain in which an engine or electric motor sends power to a vehicle’s rear wheels.
With RWD, the rear wheels propel the vehicle while the front wheels handle steering. By separating those jobs, RWD can help provide balanced handling and good traction when accelerating.
Rear-wheel once dominated the auto industry. Today, you’re more likely to find it in pickup trucks, sports cars, some luxury vehicles, and certain EVs.
It has several advantages. Because weight shifts toward the rear during acceleration, those wheels can gain traction. RWD can also work well for towing because trailer tongue weight adds load over the rear axle, which can increase traction on the drive wheels.
There are disadvantages. RWD can be more challenging in snow, particularly in front-engine vehicles with little weight over the rear wheels. Those rear tires may lose traction more easily during acceleration, although modern traction control and proper winter tires can greatly improve performance.
RWD and front-wheel drive (FWD) are the two basic types of 2-wheel drive (2WD). In an RWD vehicle, power goes to the rear wheels, while in an FWD vehicle, power drives the front wheels.
