Drivetrain Info from Classic Kia

Apr 19, 2017

Classic Kia in Waukegan, IL has a wealth of varied and dependable vehicles in our inventory so that you can find something that fits your specific needs. Part of that specificity comes in the form of the various drivetrains. We’d like to go through a brief explanation of each to make sure you know exactly what you’re looking for.

Front Wheel Drive
The energy created by the engine is directed to the front wheels which create a pulling effect, putting the vehicle into motion. This means that the front wheels are responsible for both guiding the vehicle as well as generating forward motion. This design leads to better fuel economy as well as improved traction in wet and slick conditions due to the fact that weight is often consolidated to the front of an automobile.

Rear Wheel Drive
Where FWD vehicles are effectively pulled by the front tires, with RWD the car is propelled forward by the rear wheels, creating a pushing effect. RWD is often considered to be a more thrilling driving experience as the front wheels are left free to simply guide the vehicle.

4 Wheel Drive
4WD is usually a mode the car can be put in in which all the wheels of the vehicle work together. This mode is most often used for offroading. When 4WD is not in use the car will most likely revert back to RWD.

All Wheel Drive
While AWD does use all 4 wheels to move the car, the difference is that AWD only engages 2 at a time instead of all 4. This makes for an adaptive ride, good for regular driving conditions, poor weather and difficult terrain. This, unfortunately, comes at the expense of some fuel economy and acceleration. 2017 Kia Sorento models are available in AWD.

At Classic Kia we’re here to help you find what you need, whether you come in person, or check out our online Kia showroom.