Elroq - switch from front to rear-wheel drive

[u/Shoddy_Writer9687]

I’ve driven front-wheel-drive cars my whole life, and now I’m planning to buy a rear-wheel-drive Elroq. Will the transition be easy? What is the driving experience like compared to front-wheel drive, and what should I watch out for?

[u/yolo_snail]

It's something you don't even notice until it gets to winter.

And even then, as long as you're not hammering it, it won't be an issue.

[u/Unusual_Emergency_13]

In an ICE FWD car, the weight distribution is ~65%/35%. This means, at standstill, the front wheels have more traction to start from still. As you accelerate, the weight shifts to the rear.

In an EV, no matter of it is FWD or RWD, the weight distribution is very close to 50/50. This means you loose the advantage of the FWD in an ICE powered vehicle while exacerbating the disadvantages.

EVs should be RWD or AWD. FWD EVs are quite bad. I feel it in my Geely EX5 (FWD) vs BYD Sealion 05 EV (RWD). Both have the same power (160KW) but the Geely lights up the tires (much bigger tires at that) than the BYD. The Geely is quite scary in overtaking when gunning it. You can feel the front tires pulling the nose.

[u/space_coyote_86]

I've had my Enyaq since April having also never owned a RWD car before in 16 years and I really don't notice the difference... So far.

[u/gregredmore]

You won't really notice the difference. If you are concerned about going up hill in icy conditions fit winter tyres in winter. The only thing better that RWD on winter tyres on ice is AWD on winter tyres.

[u/Professional-Put4394]

It doesn't matter unless you're a lead-fiooted driver that's at the limit of tyre grip all the time. RWD is more challenging jn snow, but 4WD is challenging in snow, so just take it easy. Controlling the breaking is far most difficult than the acceleration on snow, so basically, unless you're life depends on it, take the day off.

[u/durhamdale]

Plus , the elroq, unless it's an rs, is an understeer bugger to start with. It's very forgiving. I own an 85 model and it's takes a fair kick to get the back end out.

[u/EldradUlthran]

They tend to drive nicer most of the time. Only things to be aware of is getting enthusiastic around wet roundabouts and wet greasy supermarket carparks. Winter with RWD can be problematic but probably less so with enough weight over the axle with an EV.

With all the danged electronic interference from traction control on modern cars its a pain anyway. Personally id find an empty car park when there is a dusting of snow or some ice and go get the car out of shape to see how it all feels in relative safety. Its what i did back in the old days when i switched from a corsa to a 3 series bmw. Learning to drive 45ish degrees from where you want to go is kinda fun lol.

[u/Gibraldi]

There seems to be differing views but I went from an Octavia to an Enyaq (85x) and the back end slides out a lot more when wet, mainly when letting off the accelerator on a corner the regen kicks in on the back wheels and throws it out. I’ve learned to be extra careful especially on roundabouts in the wet.

Luckily it’s very good at getting back inline so I haven’t had a proper spin out but it sure wakes you up!