Front-wheel drive (FWD) describes a drivetrain configuration where engine power is delivered solely to the front wheels. This contrasts with rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). A common example of a front-wheel-drive vehicle is a typical family sedan or hatchback.
The choice of drivetrain significantly impacts a vehicle’s performance, fuel efficiency, manufacturing cost, and available interior space. FWD’s prevalence stems from its inherent advantages in specific applications. Historically, FWD systems, while experimented with earlier, gained significant traction in the mass market during the latter half of the 20th century, largely driven by improvements in engineering and manufacturing techniques.