Rear-wheel drive is the preferred choice for premium and sporty cars.
This setup gives you the sensation of being 'pushed' through a corner, rather than being pulled by your front wheels. If you enjoy driving, you owe it to yourself to try out a rear-wheel-drive car.
These are our 10 favourite rear-wheel-drive cars available to buy today. We're ignoring ultra-expensive supercars and sticking with models that are more sensibly priced.
- Mazda MX-5
- BMW Z4
- Toyota GR86
- Mercedes C-Class
- Toyota GR Supra
- BMW 2 Series
- MG4
- Ford Mustang
- BMW 5 Series
- Porsche 718 Cayman
Mazda MX-5
If you want to experience the pure sensation of driving a rear-wheel-drive car and don't need to worry about passengers or cargo space, then stop reading and go buy a Mazda MX-5 – it is, put simply, the definitive sports car. Its zippy, non-turbo petrol engines are quick enough to be fun but aren't so overwhelming that you'll risk your licence every time you accelerate – but it's the handling that steals the show. The car's so light that it changes direction like a wasp at a picnic table, and there's enough compliance that you can tackle cratered British B-roads with confidence. Plus, there's still enough space for a couple and their holiday gear.
Browse used Mazda MX-5 cars or read our Mazda MX-5 review
BMW Z4
Take one look at the BMW Z4's classic proportions – a long bonnet, short boot and the cabin shoved all the way to the back – and it's no surprise it sends its power to the rear wheels. Even the slowest 2.0-litre version is hot-hatch quick but, for ultimate bragging rights, you'll want the 3.0-litre M40i version with 340hp – best enjoyed with the roof down so you can hear the engine better. Naturally, the two-seat layout means practicality isn't a top concern but you and your single passenger will be able to enjoy the luxurious, well-equipped interior plus enough cargo space for a long weekend away.
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Toyota GR86
The Mazda MX-5 would have the lightweight rear-wheel-drive sports car market all to itself if it wasn't for the Toyota GR86. Unlike the MX-5, the GR86 is a hardtop coupe only and actually sneaks a set of tiny rear seats behind its front pair – although these are better used for extra storage than actually carrying passengers. There's deft handling and a reasonable amount of muscle under the bonnet, with earlier GT86 models making 200hp from their 2.0-litre engines, and later GR86 versions getting a sizeable boost from a new 2.5-litre engine with 235hp and substantially more torque.
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Mercedes C-Class
You don't need to blast down a country road to feel the benefit of rear-wheel-drive handling. The Mercedes C-Class, like all its predecessors, powers its rear wheels as standard but, rather than feeling outwardly sporty like a BMW 3 Series, it has a softer setup that flows with bumps in the road. Sending power to the back axle gives the C-Class an uncommon sense of grace around corners, complemented by the smooth, even torque delivery from its turbocharged engines. Sit inside, however, and you're unlikely to care which wheels are powered, because the C-Class impresses with its premium materials and cutting-edge on-board tech.
View used Mercedes C-Class cars or read our Mercedes C-Class review
Toyota GR Supra
When Toyota revealed the fifth-generation GR Supra, traditionalists scoffed. This Supra was smaller than its predecessor, with only two seats and, even more controversially, using mechanical parts borrowed from BMW. They needn't have worried, however, because the GR Supra is every inch the thrill machine you'd expect, with massive power from its turbocharged six-cylinder engine and deft handling designed for the race track. Early models were automatic only but, in response to enthusiast demands, Toyota relented in 2022 and added the option of a six-speed manual gearbox so you can feel closer to the action.
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BMW 2 Series
The 3 Series above is BMW at its crowd-pleasing best – sporty, refined and practical, all at once. But what if you don't need lots of rear-seat or cargo space? In that case, check out the BMW 2 Series. This compact two-door is offered either as a handsome coupe or a soft-top convertible, and distills BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup into its smallest, lightest form. As a result, handling is super-sharp and you feel like you're sat right above the car's pivot point, helping add a sense of occasion to every drive. Most engines offer decent performance but the M240i and full-fat M2 versions have enough power to give you a proper fright.
See a choice of used BMW 2 Series and used BMW M2 cars – read our BMW 2 Series review and our BMW M2 review
MG4
You may be wondering what an electric car is doing on this list? The MG4 fully earns this spot, however, with a neat rear-motor setup that gives it an astonishing amount of space between the front axles. That means a huge cabin with more passenger room than you'll find in any of its petrol-powered rivals. The driving experience is smooth and swift, with plenty of power available under your foot the split-second you ask for it. Plus, putting the motor on the rear axle means the front wheels can turn wider, giving the MG4 a fantastically small turning circle. It's affordable too, and our favourite mid-range battery option claims more than 250 miles on a full charge.
Shop used MG4 cars or read our MG4 review
Ford Mustang
It took many years for the Ford Mustang to reach the UK with the steering wheel on the correct side, but it was worth the wait. You look over the steering wheel at the football-field-length bonnet in front of you, and feel the whole car shake violently as you rev its massive 5.0-litre V8 engine. With so many 'cubes' under the 'hood', there's a vast reserve of low-down power if you just want to burble around town with the engine barely above idle. Plant your foot, however, and you're rewarded with a NASCAR-like roar from the exhaust and huge plumes of tyre smoke if you're foolish enough to turn off the traction control.
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BMW 5 Series
Another BMW on this list!? Spend some time behind the 5 Series' wheel and it becomes clear why it's here. Unlike the obviously sporty 2 Series or the more all-round 3 Series, the big 5 Series feels more like a luxury cruiser. There's a little more motion over bumps and uneven surfaces to enhance passenger comfort, plus excellent on-road refinement to make long journeys effortless. Its qualities are on display even in the entry-level 520i petrol car, but you can upgrade to one of the punchy and frugal plug-in-hybrid models, or even the fully electric i5 with its 356-mile claimed range.
See used BMW 5 Series cars or read our BMW 5 Series review
Porsche 718 Cayman
Rear-wheel drive is the traditional setup for sports cars, and many consider Porsche to be the world's greatest sports car manufacturer. However, the 718 Cayman doesn't earn a spot on this list on reputation alone. This is a razor-sharp precision implement – you feel every inch of road surface, and every input at the controls has an immediate and predictable output at the wheels. The result is a car that feels almost telepathic to drive with ultra-fast reflexes and a graceful sense of balance as you throw it as corners. On top of all that ability is the 718 Cayman's superb build quality, with lots of tactile buttons and switches, along with plush upholstery.
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