Best rear-wheel drive cars 2025
Rear-wheel drive is often praised as the drivetrain that delivers the most fun. Here we showcase the 10 best cars that do exactly that
Rear-wheel drive used to be the default for most cars, but these days, it’s mostly reserved for those that put driving pleasure first. If you want a car that feels alive in your hands, rear-wheel drive is the way to go. Our team of experts has driven every rear-driven car on the market, so we know exactly which ones are worth your time.
The reason rear-wheel-drive cars are more exciting is simple: they make the front wheels’ job easier. In a front-wheel-drive car, the front wheels have to do everything - steer, put the power down, and carry most of the car’s weight. That can make them feel dull and nose-heavy, with a tendency to wash wide in corners. Rear-wheel drive fixes this by splitting the workload. The front wheels handle the steering, while the rear wheels send power to the road. The result? Sharper handling, better balance, and - if you’re in something quick - the ability to get the rear end moving if you’re feeling brave.
That balance is another reason why rear-wheel drive is the layout of choice for performance cars. Because some of the mechanical components, such as the gearbox or even the engine, can be positioned further back, the car’s weight is spread more evenly between the front and rear wheels. Whether the engine sits up front or in the middle, a rear-driven set-up keeps things planted through corners and makes the car feel more agile.
Front-wheel drive might dominate the mainstream, but rear-wheel drive remains king for those who love to drive. Whether you’re after a classic sports car or a modern performance machine, it’s the best way to get a car that feels properly connected to the road.
The best rear-wheel-drive cars
Now for the part you’ve been waiting for, see below for our breakdown of the best rear-wheel-drive cars on the market right now, as chosen by our experts.
1. Mazda MX-5
- Prices from £28,015
If you’re in the market for a cheap, small, rear-drive sports car, the Mazda MX-5 is probably at the top of your list. Since its introduction in 1989, Mazda has honed the MX-5 across four generations, but retained the same formula which made the original version so popular.
The current version was released in 2015 and has received a number of updates throughout its lifetime. While many cars become larger and heavier as each new generation arrives, due to the addition of safety technology and on-board gadgetry, the Mk4 MX-5 is actually 100kg lighter than its predecessor.
There are two engines to choose from, and the most powerful is a 2.0-litre, naturally aspirated petrol unit that pushes out 181bhp and revs up to 7,500rpm. In short, it boasts more than enough power for the MX-5, and with no forced induction it’s happy to rev. With the sweet-shifting six-speed manual gearbox and nicely weighted steering, it’s hard to pick fault with the powertrain.
Due to the MX-5’s tiny proportions and focus on lightweight design, the ride can feel quite firm on long drives and the boot isn’t the most practical. The interior also feels quite dated, but these issues are quickly forgotten once you’re on a good road and making the most of the wonderful chassis Mazda has developed over 30 years.
2. Porsche 911
- Prices from £99,800
Porsche’s most famous nameplate sits at the upper end of the sports car pricing scale, but it’s largely worth it, thanks to a mix of practicality, refinement and supercar-rivalling performance.
The current 992-generation 911 was released in 2019 and is now available in multiple guises, ranging from the standard to the hardcore and track-focused GT3, GT2 RS and GT3 RS.
But the standard 911 Carrera offers enough performance for most people. The Carrera’s 3.0-litre, flat-six, twin-turbocharged engine is detuned to 380bhp in this entry-level model, but it’ll still crack 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds.
In terms of driving engagement, not much comes close to the 911. The electronically-assisted steering is one of the most communicative systems on sale, and the ride quality is excellently balanced between compliance over rough roads and the stiffness needed to be precise when you push on.
3. Lamborghini Revuelto
- Prices from £433,000
Rear-wheel-drive supercars aren’t for the faint-hearted, so if you're going for one, why not go all out and buy a V12 Lamborghini? The Revuelto is the latest model from the Italian brand to feature a 12-cylinder beating heart, now with the added boost of hybrid power. Not only does this enhance performance, but it also makes the Revuelto more economical than any Lamborghini before it.
On its own, the Revuelto’s 6.5-litre V12 produces a monstrous 813bhp. Add in the extra power from its three electric motors, and the combined output soars to 1,001bhp. As you’d expect, it's brutally fast, launching from 0-62mph in just 2.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of more than 217mph.
With all that power, you need to be cautious, because pushing too hard through the corners can lead to a heart-stopping loss of traction. But when you get it right, the Revuelto glides effortlessly along twisty roads. Its adaptive dampers allow for full suspension travel in the softer drive modes, making the ride more forgiving, while switching to the Corsa setting stiffens everything up for maximum attack.
Don’t assume it’s just another fuel-guzzling powerhouse like Lamborghinis of old. In Citta (City) mode, Lamborghini claims the Revuelto can achieve 23.8mpg, and in real-world conditions, we managed 19mpg on a journey from Paris to Spa-Francorchamps - impressive for a 1,001bhp monster.
4. McLaren Artura
- Prices from £189,200
The McLaren Artura is one of the most refined supercars money can buy. Its steering is beautifully weighted, providing plenty of feedback, while the ride is supple enough to put some luxury cars to shame.
When it comes to performance, the Artura is no slouch. Its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, combined with a hybrid system, produces 671bhp and 720Nm of torque, sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. This translates to a blistering 0-62mph time of just 3.0 seconds.
Normally, this level of performance would have you clutching your wallet in fear of the fuel bills, but thanks to its 7.4kWh battery, the Artura, according to McLaren, can drive 19 miles on electric power alone and is capable of more than 60mpg.
5. Alpine A110
- Prices from £55,090
The Alpine A110 has been designed in homage to the original sixties car of the same name, so naturally it had to follow a similarly straightforward formula of two seats, rear-wheel drive, low weight, and a relatively small but energetic engine, in this case a turbocharged 1.8-litre unit.
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that this combination results in a lot of fun. All A110s weigh less than 1,200kg, while double-wishbone suspension, strong brakes and a mid-mounted engine all go even further towards making the Alpine a highly engaging and balanced car to drive – enough to truly worry established rivals such as the Porsche 718 Cayman.
6. BMW 3 Series
- Prices from £40,950
It’s no secret that BMW’s 3 Series has been one of the best-handling saloon cars ever since its inception, but the current one is better than ever. The 3 Series is now in its seventh iteration and is still a proper driver’s car. It offers a great combination of performance, driving dynamics, low running costs, on-board tech and improved refinement.
There's the usual strong line-up of petrol and diesel engines, as well as a frugal plug-in hybrid version, while the latest car's interior reflects the excellent, high-quality feel of the bigger, more expensive 5 Series and 7 Series.
The 3 Series is a more driver-focused proposition than its Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class rivals, with BMW managing to create a comfortable ride without sacrificing any of the driving entertainment its compact exec is famed for.
7. Aston Martin Vantage
- Prices from £167,800
In recent history, Aston Martin has built some of the finest rear-wheel-drive cars money can buy, and the latest iteration of the Vantage continues that legacy with significant improvements over its predecessor.
The Mercedes-AMG-sourced V8 has been given a serious boost, now producing 656bhp and 800Nm of torque - an increase of 153bhp and 116Nm. This gives the Vantage a top speed of 202mph. To handle the extra grunt, Aston Martin has widened the track by 30mm, retuned the transmission for faster shifts, and reworked multiple chassis elements. The result? A much harder, more aggressive car that demands respect rather than handing it over easily.
One of the most welcome upgrades is the interior. Gone is the outdated infotainment system borrowed from old Mercedes models, replaced by a modern, user-friendly set-up with sharper graphics and Apple CarPlay connectivity. However, there’s no Android Auto, so if you don’t own an iPhone, you may be left disappointed.
8. BMW i4
- Prices from £51,860
BMW is no stranger to the electric car market. In fact, the i3 was one of the first mainstream electric models to go on sale in the UK. The i4 was another milestone for the brand, too, because it’s the first fully electric car to be closely related to the 3 and 4 Series.
This means the i4 had to make a serious impression from day one, not only to live up to its siblings’ reputations, but also to compete with rivals such as the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3.
The hottest car in the range is the M50. However, the standard rear-wheel-drive i4 should prove plenty for most people, and it’s just as user-friendly as its combustion-powered cousins. A high level of build quality, excellent refinement, plenty of on-board tech, the ability to rapid charge from 10-80 per cent in 31 minutes, a 470-litre boot and a generous amount of space for both front and rear passengers all go towards making the i4 a great choice as a usable but highly-entertaining electric car. The tax savings should be tempting for company car users, too.
9. Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
- Prices from £80,545
Petrolheads waited a long time for Alfa Romeo to deliver something like the Giulia Quadrifoglio.
The BMW M3 had the sports saloon segment wrapped up until this hot Giulia came along in 2016. With a thundering 503bhp being produced from its 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, this Alfa was never a slouch, but a series of updates in 2024 made this Italian performance car even better.
The V6 is as monstrous as ever, and it still fires the Giulia QF from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds, and then on to a 191mph top speed. The difference now, though, is that the flawed e-diff has been replaced with a proper limited-slip differential, and the suspension has been given some highly effective tweaks.
There’s copious amounts of carbon-fibre to keep weight down and rigidity up. The steering is pinpoint and there’s lots of front-end grip, turn the traction control off and you’ll have to keep your right foot in check to restrain the tail-happy nature. With 50:50 weight distribution, the Giulia Quadrifoglio is a well balanced car that is rewarding to drive, if you’re confident with the supercar-baiting performance on offer.
See our Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio deals
10. Ford Mustang
- Prices from £55,725
While many of the cars on this list are agile European sports cars, sometimes all you need is a good old-fashioned American brawler. The Ford Mustang has been a staple of the muscle car world for decades, but the latest version is a much more sophisticated machine than its ancestors.
Naturally, there’s still a full-fat V8 engine under the ‘hood’ producing up to 447bhp and 540Nm of torque – depending on your chosen spec – and this drives the rear wheels to create a car that can still pack a serious punch on a drag strip.
It gets better, though, because additions such as a limited-slip differential and adjustable Magneride dampers make this particular Mustang equally capable when you point it towards the corners.
Best rear-wheel drive cars to buy
- Mazda MX-5
- Porsche 911
- Lamborghini Revuelto
- McLaren Artura
- Alpine A110
- BMW 3 Series
- Aston Martin Vantage
- BMW i4
- Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
- Ford Mustang
How we choose the best rear-wheel drive cars
A rear-wheel-drive car should do more than just send power to the back wheels - it needs to feel balanced, precise, and engaging. Our team of experts has driven every rear-driven car on the market, putting them through their paces to separate the great from the mediocre. The best ones excel in a few key areas.
Balance is one of the first things we look for. With power going to the rear wheels, weight should be spread evenly across the car to improve stability, especially in corners. A well balanced rear-wheel-drive car stays composed when pushed hard, making it predictable and inspiring confidence. Whether the engine is in the front or the middle, the best examples feel planted and agile.
Steering precision is just as important. Because the front wheels aren’t also handling power delivery, they should offer a sharp response and clear feedback. We test how naturally a car reacts to inputs, whether it feels accurate when placing it through corners, and if it gives the driver a proper sense of connection to the road. The best rear-wheel-drive cars make this feel effortless.
Power delivery needs to be smooth and controlled. Torque steer, where the steering wheel tugs under hard acceleration, isn’t an issue in rear-driven cars, but not all of them put their power down effectively. We assess how well the car manages its traction, especially when accelerating hard or exiting corners. A well sorted rear-wheel-drive set-up should feel composed rather than scrappy.
Finally, driving engagement is what separates the great from the good. The ability to adjust a car’s balance mid-corner, steer with the throttle and even indulge in a bit of controlled oversteer makes all the difference. If a rear-wheel-drive car doesn’t make driving more enjoyable, it doesn’t make the cut.
Once we've tested all these aspects, we narrow the field down to the ten best rear-wheel-drive cars on sale today. Only the models that truly deliver on balance, precision, power delivery and engagement earn a spot on our list.
Controlling a rear-wheel drive car
Although a rear-drive layout can easily deliver driving fun, it can also be more tricky to handle on the limit. While a front-wheel drive car will tend to turn to understeer — the front end of the car pushing forward instead of turning — when it loses grip in a corner, a rear-drive car will get unbalanced at the rear, causing the tail of the car to swing out into oversteer.
Oversteer is controlled by applying lock in the opposite direction of the corner you're taking. Braking can amplify oversteer, which can cause the car to spin out if you're not fast enough to react. If you do catch it in time, you might be tempted to apply more power to turn a potential skid into a drift, although this is a lot trickier than the sideways antics of various TV shows and YouTube videos would lead you to believe.
However, with the advent of smarter electronic driver aids, rear-wheel-drive cars don't necessarily need to be lairy on a trip to the shops. Keep all the assistance systems on, and you're never likely to encounter oversteer in even the most slippery conditions.
Rear-wheel drive options
Do a search for rear-wheel-drive new cars, and you'll discover a wide variety of models on offer. The front-engine/rear-drive Caterham Seven 160 is a great introduction to sports car driving at the bottom end of the scale. It's the classic two-seater roadster, and its small Suzuki engine is easily powerful enough for you to have some serious fun.
The Mazda MX-5 delivers a similar experience in a far more modern package that you could use every day, and it only starts from a couple of grand more.
Elsewhere, BMW and Mercedes are renowned for favouring rear-wheel-drive layouts in their executive cars, and there are plenty of high-end rear-drive sports cars on sale. Whether they're front, mid or rear-engined, they have all been designed with driving thrills at the top of the agenda. Many come with a manual gearbox to maintain a pure driving experience, but the best auto-equipped models don't lose any of their engagement due to the fitting of a self-shifter.
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