3 Advantages Of Purchasing A Vehicle With Front Wheel Drive

When you purchase a vehicle, you must decide if you a front-wheel drive vehicle, a rear-wheel drive vehicle, or an all-wheel drive vehicle. Each of these different drive systems has an impact on the way that you experience the vehicle. The advantages of front-wheel drive vehicles is often overlooked when it comes to the three primary engine types.

Advantage #1: The Engine Set-Up Is Transverse

With a front-wheel drive car, the engine is set-up differently than it is in a rear-wheel drive car or an all-wheel drive car. Instead of the engine being located north to south, the engine is turned so that it runs east to west inside the hood of the car. This helps reduce the size of the front of the vehicle where the engine is located. This allows for the creation of a smaller front end of the vehicle.

Advantage #2: There Is More Room in the Front of the Car

With a front-wheel drive car, with the engine set-up the way it is, there is extra space in the front of the vehicle. The crush space under the hood is increased, which means that the passenger portion of the vehicle is moved so that it rests more over the front of the tires. In rear and all-wheel drive vehicles you will notice that the engine and hood rest over the front tires, not the passenger compartment. The passenger compartment is set a little further back, more towards the middle of the car.

Having the passenger compartment located more over the front tires is advantageous. This puts more weight on the tires, which is a good thing. The additional weight helps front-wheel drive vehicles grip the road better and experience improved traction.  

Advantage #3: The Floor Is Lower and Flatter

With rear and all-wheel drive vehicles, multiple parts run under the vehicle to the rear wheels that are just not necessary in a front-wheel drive vehicle. Front wheel drive vehicles do not need a differential, driveshaft or a rear axle. The lack of these mechanical parts not only reduces the number of parts you have to take care of on your vehicle; it also allows for more floor space.

In front wheel drive vehicles, the floor is usually dropped down a little lower to the ground, as there is more space to bring the floor lower without all the parts listed above running under the car. The lack of these parts also creates a flatter floor. This lower and flatter floor helps free up space. Front-wheel drive vehicles usually have more leg room and cargo space due to this set-up.

Consider this information when looking to buy a car like a pre-owned Ford car.