Rear wheel drive has always represented the essence of driving pleasure. It is the layout that defined motorsport legends, sports cars, and the most engaging driver’s machines ever made. By sending power to the rear wheels and letting the front tires handle steering, RWD cars offer natural balance, predictable handling, and an unmistakable sense of connection. While many automakers are shifting toward front or all wheel drive for efficiency and safety, a handful of modern cars still keep this traditional format alive. They remind us that driving is supposed to be enjoyable, not just practical. Here are ten rear wheel drive cars that continue to make every drive an experience worth savoring.
Mazda MX5 Miata
For over three decades, the Mazda MX5 has been the purest expression of what a driver’s car should be. It is light, simple, and perfectly balanced. The engine sits low and toward the middle of the chassis, giving it an ideal 50/50 weight distribution. The steering is communicative, the manual gearbox clicks into each gear with mechanical precision, and the suspension feels alive beneath you.
It may not have a huge amount of power, but that is exactly the point. You can explore every inch of its performance on a twisty road without ever breaking the law. The Miata’s formula has barely changed because it has never needed to. It remains the definitive proof that lightweight design and driver engagement will always matter more than horsepower.
Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ
The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ are two sides of the same coin, developed in partnership and built for one purpose: driving enjoyment. They feature front mounted engines, rear wheel drive, and a chassis so well balanced it feels like an extension of your own body. Their naturally aspirated flat four engines deliver power smoothly, and their low center of gravity keeps them planted through corners.
Both cars reward skill rather than brute force. They let you feel every input and every slip of grip, teaching the art of balance and control better than most cars costing twice as much. With manual transmissions still available, the GR86 and BRZ are among the last affordable sports cars that stay true to old school simplicity.
BMW M2
The BMW M2 stands as the closest thing to a classic M car that you can buy today. It is compact, powerful, and unfiltered. Its turbocharged inline six engine sends more than 450 horsepower to the rear wheels, making every corner a thrilling test of precision. The car feels planted but playful, with steering that is heavy in all the right ways and a chassis that invites you to push harder.
The M2’s size is a big part of its charm. It is small enough to feel nimble but powerful enough to demand respect. The result is a car that delivers the best of BMW’s heritage with modern refinement. It is a machine built for those who want to feel every gear change and every ounce of grip through the seat of their pants.
Ford Mustang GT
The Ford Mustang has been a symbol of American performance for nearly sixty years, and the latest GT continues that legacy with modern polish. Beneath the hood lies a naturally aspirated five liter V8 that sings all the way to redline. Its power delivery is smooth, its steering sharper than ever, and its chassis remarkably balanced for such a muscular car.
The Mustang’s rear wheel drive setup makes it as playful as you want it to be. It can cruise effortlessly on the highway one minute and light up its rear tires the next. The latest model blends raw performance with refinement, offering better ride quality and precision than any Mustang before it. It is proof that a traditional formula can evolve without losing its soul.
Chevrolet Camaro SS
Often seen as the Mustang’s lifelong rival, the Chevrolet Camaro SS offers its own flavor of rear wheel drive fun. Under its sculpted hood lies a 6.2 liter V8 that delivers a tidal wave of torque and an unforgettable soundtrack. But what surprises most people is how composed and agile it feels when pushed hard. The chassis is beautifully balanced, the suspension is firm but communicative, and the brakes are strong enough for serious track use.
While visibility remains its weakest point, the driving experience is what counts. The Camaro’s ability to combine old school power with modern handling refinement makes it one of the most rewarding performance cars on sale. It feels tight, direct, and unapologetically driver focused.
Porsche 718 Cayman
The Porsche 718 Cayman is often described as one of the most perfectly balanced cars in the world. Its mid engine layout and rear drive setup give it razor sharp handling that feels almost telepathic. Every input, from steering to throttle, is met with instant precision. Whether powered by the turbocharged flat four or the glorious flat six from the GTS and GT4 versions, the Cayman delivers a level of connection that few cars can match.
The steering feels alive, feeding constant information through your fingertips, while the gearbox and brakes operate with race car precision. The Cayman is not just fast—it feels like an extension of the driver. It is a car built for purists who want to feel every detail of the road beneath them.
Lexus RC F
The Lexus RC F is a grand tourer with the heart of a race car. It hides a 5.0 liter naturally aspirated V8 under its sculpted hood, sending over 470 horsepower to the rear wheels. Unlike many modern performance cars, the RC F does not rely on turbos or complicated electronics for excitement. Its power delivery is smooth and linear, and the engine’s sound is intoxicating.
Despite being heavier than some of its rivals, the RC F feels composed and predictable in corners. It offers the reliability Lexus is famous for while still delivering serious performance. It is a rare combination of comfort, luxury, and pure mechanical joy, built for people who want their thrills served with refinement.
Nissan Z
The Nissan Z carries a heritage that stretches back to the original 240Z of the early 1970s, and the latest model proudly keeps the rear drive tradition alive. Its twin turbo V6 produces 400 horsepower, paired with either a six speed manual or a smooth automatic. The car’s proportions are classic sports car perfection: long hood, short rear deck, and a balanced stance that feels natural when driven hard.
On the road, the Z feels muscular yet approachable. It is not intimidating, but it rewards confident driving with precise control and a playful rear end. It is a proper sports car that celebrates its lineage while embracing modern power and style.
Toyota Supra
When Toyota revived the Supra, purists were skeptical. Co developed with BMW, it shares its platform and engine with the Z4, but once you drive it, those doubts disappear. The Supra’s turbocharged inline six delivers silky smooth power, and its rear drive setup makes it wonderfully agile. The steering is sharp, the balance is impeccable, and the suspension tuning is spot on.
Every corner feels alive, with the rear end ready to step out in the most controllable way possible. It is fast, beautifully built, and deeply engaging. The Supra blends European finesse with Japanese precision, resulting in one of the best driver’s cars available today.
Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
The Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack may look like a brute, but it is far more capable than people give it credit for. Its 6.4 liter Hemi V8 sends 485 horsepower to the rear wheels, and with the widebody setup, it has the grip to back up its power. The Challenger is big, loud, and unapologetically American, but when you get it on a twisty road, it surprises you with its balance and stability.
The rear drive layout allows you to feel the car’s weight shift and dance under throttle. It is a raw, visceral driving experience that feels increasingly rare today. The Challenger might be a dinosaur in a world of hybrids and crossovers, but it is one that enthusiasts will always celebrate.
Keeping Rear Wheel Drive Alive
Rear wheel drive cars are more than just a technical layout they represent a philosophy. They prioritize driver engagement, control, and the joy of mastering a machine that feels alive beneath you. The cars on this list prove that even as the industry evolves toward automation and electrification, there are still manufacturers willing to build vehicles that excite the senses.
From the playful charm of the Miata to the sophistication of the Cayman and the brute power of the Mustang, these RWD cars remind us that driving is not just about getting somewhere it is about the journey itself. As long as machines like these exist, the spirit of pure driving will never fade.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
