You sometimes have a choice of front-wheel, rear-wheel, four-wheel or all-wheel drive. But the choice need not be confusing. Here’s what you need to know from a fuel efficiency perspective.
By far most passenger cars and minivans sold today are front-wheel drive. Because there is no need for an axle to run from the transmission to the rear wheels, this configuration offers better traction and generally provides more interior room than rear-wheel drive. Although front-wheel drive was originally adopted to improve fuel economy by reducing the weight and size of cars without sacrificing driving qualities or interior space, today there is not much difference in fuel economy between the two types.
Four-wheel drive is engaged by the driver when extra traction is needed. It is usually found on pickups and sport utility vehicles. It offers superior traction and braking under slippery conditions, but it can increase fuel consumption by 5 to 10 percent compared with two-wheel drive vehicles because of the weight and friction of the additional drivetrain parts.
Another option, all-wheel drive, is found on some sport utility vehicles and a handful of passenger cars. Full-time all-wheel drive is your least fuel-efficient choice because all four wheels are always being “driven,” or drawing power from the engine.