Front-wheel-drive cars are inferior to many when compared to a rear-wheel-drive car because they are often cheaper and less exciting. However, this is not always the case because many prominent brands offer competitive FWD cars in almost every price category.
No matter how you look at it, FWD cars are usually more fuel-efficient, are easier to control, and are cheaper when compared to AWD and RWD options. This also makes them safer in adverse weather conditions which means that they are both dependable and accessible to almost everyone out there.
The Volkswagen Arteon is a perfect example that even high-end cars can benefit from a FWD setup. If you want an ever more upscale experience, be sure to check out the Volvo S60 sedan. If both of these are out of your price bracket, you will be more than happy with the Honda Accord thanks to its reliability and ease of use.
If you want a more compact FWD that still offers all the qualities of a modern-day car, the Mazda 3 is the one to get. If you want a performance FWD car, the Golf GTI is the benchmark because it combines performance, sophistication, and practicality better than any other car out there.
VW Arteon – A stylish FWD coupe with superior practicality
The VW Arteon looks and feels futuristic both inside and out. If you pair that with a hatchback layout the Arteon becomes the most spacious sedan on the market as far as cargo space is concerned. Reliability is above average for the class, and so are desirability and driveability.
The Arteon shares its underpinning with the Audi A5 which costs considerably more money. This means that your Arteon is both a more practical and arguably better-looking version of the A5 while also being more affordable.
Volvo S60 – An efficient and refined Swedish family sedan
It is true that FWD cars are not as capable as RWD cars as far as performance is concerned, but if you value efficiency, be sure to check out the S60. This Swedish lovely looking sedan sports an amazingly sophisticated interior design clattered with leather and high-end trim.
Practicality is superior for its class and so is both reliability and efficiency. If you prefer practicality over looks and you still want luxury and technology you can also opt for the V60 station estate version of the Volvo S60.
Honda Accord – Best selling sedan in the US
Japanese economy cars have come a long way since the 90s because they now offer the best reliability results out of all cars on the market while still retaining a relatively affordable price tag. The Honda Accord is the very epitome of that philosophy while also being the preferred choice for millions of Americans.
You can get the Accord with a bunch of engine options, a manual transmission, and the choice between hybrid powertrains. From almost every angle, the Accord is the best FWD car on the market.
Mazda 3 – Futuristic experience on a budget
The new Mazda 3 has won a huge amount of awards for being the best all-around car on the market for the last year or two. However, where the Mazda 3 differs from most FWD cars is that it also carries performance credentials you would never expect from such a sophisticated automobile.
As far as looks are concerned, both the 4-door and the 5-door versions of the Mazda 3 are at the very top of their segment. Practicality and reliability are also above average. The Mazda 3 is also available with a manual transmission but the best thing about this little car is the responsiveness of both the powertrain and the steering system.
Golf GTI – The best performance FWD car of all time
Crowning any car with the “best of all time” title is something you should not take lightly because there are many competitive cars in this segment. Be that as it may, no competing brand has ever managed to upkeep a tradition of superior FWD performance cars like the VW Golf GTI.
No matter if you are interested in the Mk7.5 Golf GTI or the Mk8 GTI, both of these will satisfy your needs for adrenaline-induced driving while still offering both efficiency and practicality. VW is a brand known for a tech-oriented approach and that is obvious the moment you step inside any of these two Golf GTI generations.
FAQ Section
Why are RWD cars better than FWD cars?
RWD cars best FWD cars when it comes to performance and excitement. Some of the greatest sports cars of all time come with RWD as standard because the RWD platform with the engine in the front is the oldest and arguably the greatest performance car recipe of all time.
RWD cars are more agile because the rear wheels are tasked with propelling the car while the front wheels are tasked with steering. FWD cars on the other hand combine both steering and power delivery at the front axle which can often make them understeer into a corner which is both unsafe and nerve-wracking.
Are AWD cars better than FWD and RWD cars?
AWD cars are usually either RWD cars or FWD cars because they mostly offer a biased power delivery. Either way, they are designed to send power to all four wheels when they sense the need to. This means that they are faster out of corners and safer for winter driving.
However, you need to pay a hefty premium in order to upgrade from FWD/RWD car to an AWD in most instances. Furthermore, AWD cars are heavier thus less fuel-efficient which can often make them unnecessary for most purposes.
Do all cars benefit from FWD?
Front-wheel-drive is not something you want in a particularly large car because that’s not the preferred option for the vast majority of both customers and automakers. As such, buying a Volvo XC90 large SUV with FWD is a bit weird.
Large SUVs should come with AWD because they are taller from the ground which makes them harder to control if the car loses grip. On the other hand, small hatchbacks and sedans benefit from FWD the most because it makes them even more cheaper and efficient.