The reason why rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles are more difficult to drive mainly stems from the differences in their power delivery and dynamic characteristics compared to common front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles. In RWD models, the rear wheels provide propulsion while the front wheels handle steering exclusively. This decoupled design offers more precise steering response and higher handling limits on dry pavement, but makes the rear wheels prone to loss of traction or oversteer (commonly called "drifting") due to excessive power delivery on slippery surfaces or during emergency manoeuvres - particularly noticeable when rain reduces road grip. Additionally, RWD systems require a longitudinal driveshaft, resulting in a transmission tunnel that raises the rear floor and increases vehicle weight, indirectly impacting fuel efficiency. Notably, luxury sedans and sports cars favor RWD precisely for its near 50:50 weight distribution that enhances high-speed stability, though such vehicles typically incorporate Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to mitigate traction loss. For everyday driving, RWD demands greater familiarity with vehicle dynamics and refined coordination between throttle and steering inputs, requiring particular attention to wet-road handling techniques in Malaysia's rainy climate.
