Drift is a former Decepticon who has become an Autobot commando, known for his mastery of ancient blade weaponry and his composure during battle. His past as a Decepticon remains a part of his history, though he considers that version of himself to be dead and prefers to let his actions with a sword speak for him. Despite his calm and dignified exterior, he has not completely shed the aggression of his former life, as he is prone to sudden manic bursts of violence if startled or spooked, often reacting by immediately attacking the source of the surprise. To manage this lingering rage, he practices meditation alongside his swordsmanship. Drift speaks in a manner reminiscent of a samurai, frequently using haikus to comment on events and referring to his leader, Optimus Prime, as sensei. He holds Optimus in the highest regard and believes that hope is always present when his sensei leads, following him without question. His loyalty to Optimus is absolute, and he is deeply committed to the Autobot cause as a way to atone for his past crimes.

Drift does not think highly of Bumblebee, largely due to what he perceives as the younger Autobot's immaturity, lack of warrior discipline, and his attempts to lead the group in Optimus Prime's absence. This friction leads to a physical confrontation between the two, with Drift easily gaining the upper hand and accusing Bumblebee of using a deceptive childish act. Drift gets along differently with his other comrades; he and Hound often clash over their differing philosophies, as Drift advocates for finding an inner compass while Hound prefers brute force. He is frequently seen partnered with the Dinobot Slug, riding him into battle.

In the story, Drift is one of the last five Autobots hiding on Earth after humanity turned against them. He joins the human Cade Yeager on a mission to infiltrate the KSI facility, using his helicopter mode to provide aerial support and lift Bumblebee through the building. When Optimus Prime and Cade's daughter Tessa are captured by the bounty hunter Lockdown, Drift is part of the team that infiltrates the villain's ship. Despite advocating for stealth, he immediately kills an alien captive that startles him. During the final battle in Hong Kong, after their ship is shot down, Drift mounts the Dinobot Slug and charges into combat against an army of reincarnated Decepticons. Following Lockdown's defeat, Optimus Prime assigns Drift the duty of watching over the Yeager family as he departs Earth.

Drift is a Triple Changer, possessing the rare ability to transform into two distinct alternate modes. His primary vehicle mode is a blue and black Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, and he can also transform into a helicopter, specifically a Sikorsky S-97 Raider. His primary weapons are a set of four swords—two long and two short—which he wields with expert skill as a formidable swordsman and hand-to-hand combatant. He is also an expert tactician, driver, and pilot.