Updated at: 05-07-2022 - By: Lucas

You may have heard that all-wheel drive cars are much better than rear-wheel drive cars.

You’ve probably also heard a lot of good things about Teslas, which are innovative cars that run on electricity.

Here’s the answer to the question of whether or not all Teslas have all-wheel drive.

Not every Tesla has four-wheel drive (AWD). Some versions, like the older Tesla Model S, have an option to drive with the back wheels (RWD). Most of the newest cars, though, are All Wheel Drive (AWD). Some cheap models, like the Cybertruck, which only has one motor, are still RWD.

AWD has separate motors that need less maintenance and last longer.

Also, the torque on the front and back wheels of a Tesla is controlled digitally for better handling and traction control.

Let’s take a look at how some Tesla models get their power.

Tesla Car Models: AWD vs. RWD

Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S

All Model S cars made by Tesla have an AWD system. The Long Range Model S has all-wheel drive, can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, and can go 405 miles between charges.

The plaid model has all-wheel drive, can go 396 miles on a single charge, and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds.

Tesla Model X

The Model X is only available with all-wheel drive. The Long Range model has all-wheel drive, can go 360 miles between charges, and can go from 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds.

The plaid model has all-wheel drive, can go 340 miles on a single charge, and can go from 0 to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds.

Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3

The Model 3 is a cheaper version of the Model S, but it still has great features like autopilot and a lot of driver-assist features. You can choose between the Standard Range Plus, The Long Range, and the Performance trims for this model.

The Standard Range is a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) car that can go 262 miles between charges. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, which is slower than the other models.

The Long Range Model 3 has all-wheel drive, can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, and can go 353 miles between charges.

The Performance Model 3 has all-wheel drive, can go 315 miles on a single charge, and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds.

Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y is a small SUV made by the company. It only has all-wheel drive, and the Long Range trim can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and has a range of 315 miles between charges. The Performance trim has all-wheel drive, can go 303 miles on a single charge, and can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds.

Tesla Cybertruck

Tesla Cybertruck

Even though the Tesla Cybertruck isn’t being mass-produced right now, it comes in three different styles.

The Single Motor RWD has a range of more than 250 miles and can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6.5 seconds.

There will also be two all-wheel-drive versions of the truck: the Dual Motor and the Tri-Motor.

The Dual Motor AWD can go more than 300 miles on a single charge and can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds.

The Tri-Motor AWD costs more, but it can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2.9 seconds and can go more than 500 miles on a single charge.

Tesla Roadster

The Tesla Roadster is marketed as the fastest car in the world. It is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) sports car that can go from 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds and has a great electric range of 620 miles.

What’s All-wheel Drive?

All-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) are similar enough that it can be hard to tell them apart.

And as cars get better, the difference between AWD and 4WD is becoming less clear.

The AWD systems in Tesla cars are complicated, but the driver doesn’t have to do anything for them to work. The cars have driving modes that let the driver change how much power goes to each wheel.

There are two different kinds of all-wheel drive: part-time and full-time.

Part-Time AWD

In normal driving, the part-time AWD sends torque to either the front wheels or the back wheels, but not to both. Also, when more traction is needed, the AWD cars use the other two wheels.

And unlike older AWD cars, most AWD cars today have sensors that tell their electronics how the road is. Your car will then either cut power to one or more wheels or give more power to other wheels to improve traction.

Full-Time AWD

Full-time AWD sends power to all four wheels through both the front and rear axles. As a result, you will have more leverage and traction. And it works better on roads that are snowy or wet.

All Tesla cars need AWD, no matter what system they have, because the driver doesn’t have to work hard to change the system to fit their driving style.

Some cars are made with either a full-time AWD system or a part-time AWD system.

How Do Tesla All-Wheel Drive Handle in the Snow

When driving in the snow, we are always told to turn off our cars’ cruise control, adaptive cruise control, and traction control.

The reason is that cars have less grip on snowy roads and are more likely to slide.

The cruise control or adaptive cruise control doesn’t know how slippery the road is, so your car might speed up. Then you’ll end up in a ditch or your car will spin all over the road.

But what about cars that can drive themselves, like the Teslas? How well does their all-wheel-drive car handle snow?

Tesla is a leader in electric cars that can drive themselves. Their cars have battery packs on the floor, which, along with a variety of traction control systems, gives the car a low centre of gravity.

Also, Teslas have great grip in the snow and can drive all four wheels at different speeds to stay on course.

Conclusion

Drivers who live in cold places know that snow can make the roads very dangerous. It makes driving very hard because your car won’t have much traction and you’ll have trouble going uphill and stopping.

Because of this, Tesla makes most of their cars with all-wheel drive (AWD).

With all-wheel drive, you’ll have better grip on wet roads and be less likely to spin out or drift when changing lanes or turning corners.

But AWD is more complicated than RWD or 4WD, and you’ll have to pay more for a Tesla car with AWD.