Which One Is Comfortable FF Or FR? - Vol.202
When you're in the market and shopping for a new car, you'll be making the choice between a vehicle that is either a "FF" or "FR". FF stands for a vehicle that has an engine located in the front of the vehicle and is front wheel drive. FR on the other hand has a motor located in the front of the vehicle but is a rear wheel drive. Both have their specific benefits, but what type of vehicle is more comfortable overall? Both vehicles will get you from place to place, but here are a few factors that might help influence your decision of which one is actually more comfortable.
Weight Balance
FR vehicles propel the car by pushing the vehicle forward and using the front tires to manipulate the direction and steering. This balances out the weight and workload of each tire so that the tires will take their equal share of the force and wear down around the same time. Vehicles that are FF on the other hand pull the car forward and drag the back wheel, putting around 65% of the weight on the front two tires to handle both the propulsion and steering. This decreases your ability to accelerate and break as easily as you would have with the FR vehicle. In the event of an emergency when you were required to break quickly, it would be far more comfortable and safe to be in a FR vehicle.
Winner: FR Vehicles
Interior Space
A FR vehicle separates the powertrain into two compartments to power the back wheels and operate the vehicle. These resources need to be stored somewhere on the car, and thus take up space from the rear side of the vehicle where passengers usually sit. The FF on other hand combines the powertrain into one central location on the car opening up room in the rear of the vehicle for passenger room and storage space. This is why many of the most popular passenger cars such as the minivan are all FF cars.
Winner: FF Vehicles
Dangerous Road Conditions
When driving on icy roads, you want something with weight that won't allow force all your passengers to go sliding around the road. That means that you don't necessary want an equal distribution of weight on your 4 tires like an FR vehicle would offer you. Driving an FF vehicle that puts 65% of the weight onto the front tires provides for additional traction when driving in snow or in slippery conditions.
Winner: FF Vehicles
Handling
On average, FR vehicles are better at handling and turning because of the weight distribution mentioned above. The decrease in weight reduces the requirement for having strong shocks to balance out the weight and make the corner. FF vehicles will not turn as sharply and may feel like you have less control of the vehicle when making a turn. This could result in potential over-steering to adjust this complication.
Winner: FR Vehicles
So there you have it. A pretty close tie depending on what type of qualities you are looking for in a car. A FR car is better at overall weight distribution and handling. It is going to drive better for you and perhaps result in a smoother and more enjoyable time on the road. On the other side, a FF car is great if you live in a cold region or you like hauling around kids or equipment. The FF is going to have more interior room inside the car and has more traction that increases safety. Other these four qualities, it is up to you to determine what you value most to choose which car is ultimately most comfortable for your specific needs.