What are the negatives of RWD?

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) has some limitations in daily use in Malaysia, primarily involving traction control, space utilization, and driving experience. Under wet or rainy road conditions, RWD vehicles exhibit weaker grip and are more prone to wheel spin, particularly noticeable during acceleration or hill climbing. Due to the layout of the driveshaft and differential, interior space-especially the rear centre tunnel and boot capacity-is compromised, affecting practicality. Moreover, the manufacturing cost of RWD vehicles is typically 5% to 10% higher than front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles, mainly owing to their more complex drivetrain configuration, and this additional cost may be transferred to consumers. Their power transmission efficiency is also marginally lower than FWD models, potentially reducing fuel economy by 5% to 8%. Notably, these characteristics make RWD systems better suited for performance-oriented vehicles that prioritize driving enjoyment rather than practicality-focused family cars.