Why did FWD become the standard for cheap cars? – Jalopnik

At this point, it should come as no surprise that regular, economical cars are still sticking to the basics: front-wheel drive, transverse engines and struts. While this wasn’t the case in the 1950s and early 1960s when rear-wheel drive (RWD) was the norm, the turn of the millennium saw things change dramatically. If you bought a cheap car like the 2022 Honda Civic in the last decade, it probably came with front-wheel drive, also known as FWD.

However, aside from the gearboxes, no one is wondering why FWD has become so ubiquitous in economy cars. It will come as no surprise that it’s all about money. Cheap cars are cheap because they don’t cost much to make, and if you’re looking for a cheap and reliable car, chances are it comes with front-wheel drive.

Where a powertrain is located determines a lot about the vehicle’s driving dynamics. For example, mid-engine cars are often praised for their superior handling, as opposed to front-engine cars. That said, not everyone is picky about ride quality, and economic factors often outweigh handling concerns. FWD systems offer manufacturers huge savings, which is crucial as they target entry-level customers who view a car purely as a means of personal transportation. FWD cars are less complicated and easier to build, which is exactly why the bean counters love them.

What really put FWD on the map, however, were the economical runabouts from Japan and Europe, such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit. Because everything is packed into a relatively small space, you have less weight to carry, which leads to better fuel economy. In addition to superior gas mileage, another benefit is the potential for better traction on slippery roads as the weight of the engine rests on the drive wheels. There’s also the safety factor: RWD cars tend to fish when driven enthusiastically, while FWD vehicles typically don’t experience this problem, even if you drive your FWD car extremely fast.

Additionally, FWD cars generally offer more interior space compared to RWD cars because there is no need to accommodate the long transmission and drivetrain components. From an OEM perspective, less material also means a less complicated assembly process, which brings additional financial benefits. If you’re an automaker who builds cheap cars, it’s a good idea to use FWD as the default setting. There is a lot to gain and very little to lose. Sure, FWD may not be as dynamic or fun as RWD, but for a daily driver, FWD makes a lot of economic sense for both consumers and manufacturers.