9 Best Rear-Wheel-Drive Cars

These High-Quality Cars Deliver Classic Rear-Wheel-Drive Dynamics

The best rear-wheel-drive cars on the market also tend to deliver the best driving experience because of their balanced weight. An even nose-to-tail weight balance allows the front wheels of a car to focus on steering while the back wheels deliver the power. Sports cars, luxury cars, and trucks tend to have rear-wheel drive.

Rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks have their drawbacks. In trucks, rear-wheel drive may not offer the grip a driver needs for the work site. Rear-wheel-drive cars don’t handle as well as all- or front-wheel-drive cars do in heavy rain or snow. However, rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks tend to have better fuel economy than four- or all-wheel-drive vehicles.

The cars on this list are rear-wheel drive, have high performance scores, and don’t sacrifice on comfort or convenience. Due to our rankings, the best rear-wheel-drive cars all end up being luxury cars. But don’t let that deter you, our best deals page can make getting a luxury car easy.

Read on to see which are the best rear-wheel-drive cars you can buy. 

• Read the 2017 Porsche Boxster Full Review
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2017 Tesla Model S

$68,000 | U.S. News Score: 9.4/10 (Details Below)

The Tesla Model S is a top-ranked large luxury car that offers above-average performance ratings and cargo space. Buyers can choose from a number of powertrain configurations for the fully electric car, all of which utilize batteries and electric motors.

The top-of-the-line P100D model can get from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, has a range of 315 miles, and achieves 98 mpg-e. Using the most powerful charger, the car can be charged at the rate of 52 miles per hour.

Rear-wheel drive is standard on lower grades of the Model S, while all-wheel drive is optional. All-wheel drive is standard on higher trims.

• Read the 2017 Tesla Model S Full Review
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• See Luxury Large Cars Rankings

2017 Genesis G90

$68,100 | U.S. News Score: 9.2/10 (Details Below)

The G90 is the new Genesis brand’s flagship sedan, and one of the top-rated large luxury cars on the market today. Its base twin-turbocharged V6 engine is strong, but the optional V8 provides a much more powerful experience. The Genesis is available as both rear- and all-wheel drive, no matter which engine you choose.

The sedan’s adaptive suspension delivers a smooth ride for passengers and allows drivers to customize their driving experience. Each of the drive modes offers a connected experience behind the wheel. It's also worth noting that the 2017 Genesis G90 has superior safety scores.

• Read the 2017 Genesis G90 Full Review
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2017 Porsche Cayman

$53,900 | U.S. News Score: 9.2/10 (Details Below)

The 2017 Porsche Cayman is one of the top luxury sports cars you can buy. For the current model year, the Cayman underwent an extensive mid-generation refresh, adding new engine options and reducing the number of trim levels available.

With the Porche Cayman's impressive performance comes standard rear-wheel drive. It has a tasteful and luxurious interior. Because of its mid-engine layout, the Cayman has two cargo holds, offering good storage space for a sports car.

• Read the 2017 Porsche Cayman Full Review
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• See Luxury Sports Cars Rankings

2018 Lexus LC

$92,000 | U.S. News Score: 9.2/10 (Details Below)

The new Lexus LC was designed for drivers. The 2018 LC comes with a 471-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. A hybrid model is available. Despite the power output, the LC isn’t as athletic as Porsche models.

The LC’s cockpit is filled with high-end materials. It seats four, though taller adults may not fit comfortably in the rear seats. The LC doesn’t offer very much cargo space and its Enform infotainment system is frustrating to use.

A windshield wiper de-icer, a 13-speaker premium surround-sound audio system, a head-up display, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert are available.

• Read the 2018 Lexus LC Full Review
• See 2018 Lexus LC Photos
• See Luxury Sports Cars Rankings

Porsche 911

$89,400 | U.S. News Score: 9.2/10 (Details Below)

The Porsche 911 is available at a number of price points. With each of the grades, you’ll find a car that is fun to drive, delivering impressive performance. In all-wheel-drive and S models, the luxury sports car has active rear-wheel steering.

Each 911 has a well-constructed interior made with high-end materials. Its sleek design is straight from the Porsche playbook. Most 911 models seat four, but the GTS only seats two.

Top down or up? The 911 comes in three roof styles: convertible, targa, and hardtop.

• Read the 2018 Porsche 911 Full Review
• See 2018 Porsche 911 Photos
• See Luxury Sports Cars Rankings

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

$96,600 | U.S. News Score: 9.2/10 (Details Below)      

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the best super luxury cars you can buy. Its exterior is timeless, and it has the type of luxurious interior you’d expect from a sedan with this high of a price tag. A cabriolet model is new for 2017, joining the coupe and sedan S-Class.

Along with a strong set of engine offerings, the S-Class is filled with the latest Mercedes-Benz technology. For its size, the S-Class has nimble handling; it delivers a smooth ride and a connected drive. The car has earned a better-than-average predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power and Associates.

• Read the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Full Review
• See 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Photos
• See Super Luxury Cars Rankings

Porsche Boxster

$56,000 | U.S. News Score: 9.2/10 (Details Below)

Like its hardtop brother the Cayman, the Porsche Boxster has undergone an extensive mid-generation refresh for 2017, now offering new engine options, a revised interior, and an updated infotainment system.

The new engines offer more rapid acceleration, helping the Boxster cement its position as a true driver’s car and one of the best luxury sports cars on the market. An adaptive suspension, speed-sensitive power steering, a torque vectoring system, and racing-inspired ceramic brakes are available as upgrades.

It has small cargo space, as you’d expect from a Porsche convertible.

• Read the 2017 Porsche Boxster Full Review
• See 2017 Porsche Boxster Photos
• See Luxury Sports Cars Rankings

Porsche Panamera

$85,000 | U.S. News Score: 9.1/10 (Details Below)

If you like Porsche’s sports cars but need more passenger space, the four-door Panamera is worth a test drive. It’s one of the best super luxury cars you can buy. The Panamera was fully redesigned for 2017.

For 2017, Porsche updated the Panamera with a number of improvements over the previous generation, including drive dynamics. The new iteration has rear-wheel drive as standard in the base model only. It delivers a connected, nimble drive while offering the driver and up to three passengers a comfortable ride. There’s plenty of room in the back seat for tall adult passengers.

A plug-in hybrid version of the car, dubbed the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, is available.

• Read the 2017 Porsche Panamera Full Review
• See 2017 Porsche Panamera Photos
• See Super Luxury Cars Rankings

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

$52,150 | U.S. News Score: 9.1/10 (Details Below)

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, with a fully redesigned sedan model, is one of the best luxury midsize cars you can buy. Its strong engines deliver the type of performance drivers want from their luxury car. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available.

Its high-end interior earns accolades from automotive journalists. The E-Class’ seats are comfortable and supportive. Taller passengers may feel cramped when they sit in the back seat during road trips. There are two full LATCH connections in the back seat.

• Read the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Full Review
• See 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Photos
• See Luxury Midsize Cars Rankings

More Shopping Tools from U.S. News & World Report

Whether you’re looking for your next luxury sports car, midsize luxury sedan, or super luxury car, be sure to see how each model on this list rates against the competition before heading to a dealer lot. Before you sign on the line, ensure you get the best deal by checking out our Best Price Program, which saves the average buyer over $3,000 on a new car.