BMW sDrive is a single axle drive architecture that is purpose-built for sport-utility vehicles. It is a two-wheel drive system that distributes power to only one axle of the vehicle. Introduced by BMW as an option for the 2013 BMW X5, sDrive uses torque-vectoring and displacement mechanisms that optimize agility and efficiency. Today, sDrive is available on all of BMWs utility vehicles, from the X1 through X7.
Compared to their xDrive counterparts, BMW's two-wheel drive models are lighter, which translates to greater fuel economy. However, sDrive models lack the drivability and steering preciseness of BMW's sedans and sports cars.
It used to be the case that all sDrive BMWs were rear-wheel drive, but the latest BMW X1 is front-wheel drive in sDrive guise. Just to make matters a little more confusing, a two-wheel drive BMW won’t always be marketed as sDrive. The rear-wheel drive 5 Series and the front-wheel drive 1 Series are simply called the 5 Series and 1 Series when they are not four-wheel drive models.
