2020 Genesis G90
$72,200 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
The value-oriented, well-rounded Genesis G80 is one of the most competitive vehicles in our luxury large car rankings, with a spot near the top of the list. A twin-turbocharged V6 engine comes standard, and a V8 is available. Both power plants provide smooth acceleration, and the G90 has comfortable and balanced handling, too.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay join the standard features list this year, controlled by a 12.3-inch infotainment display that also includes navigation and wireless device charging. Genesis adds value with plenty of standard safety features, as well.
2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata
$26,580 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
The Mazda Miata is as affordable as a rear-wheel-drive sports car gets, yet it’s also about as much fun as you can have behind the wheel. The Miata is a roadster with seating for two, a four-cylinder engine, and fabulous handling. It’s also one of those cars that’s best enjoyed with its standard manual transmission, because it’s simply a delight to drive.
This year, the Miata gets a handful of new standard safety features, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are newly optional. The cabin is simple, with just a 7-inch touch screen, and few upgrades are available. The Miata is available with a power-retractable hardtop, though, which is a slick variation on the theme.
2020 Kia Stinger
$33,090 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
The Kia Stinger earns a spot near the top of our luxury small car rankings, thanks to its excellent value, enjoyable overall experience, and only minor drawbacks, namely its below-average fuel economy. The base Stinger gets a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a twin-turbo V6 is optional.
The Stinger is stylish and comfortable inside, and it’s nicely outfitted with a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless device charging, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. You’ll also get a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.
2020 Genesis G80
$42,550 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
As far as luxury midsize cars go, it’s hard to beat the Genesis G80, and its current spot at the top of our ranking of the segment is all the proof you need. It’s smooth and comfortable to drive, whether you go with the base 3.8-liter V6 engine, the twin-turbo V6, or the top-tier V8.
The G80 seats five, and leather upholstery comes standard. The interior also comes fitted with an 8-inch touch-screen display, navigation, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Moving up through the trim levels adds more luxury and tech features, naturally, but the G80 is most endearing as a value proposition.
2020 BMW 5 Series
$53,900 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
The luxury midsize car class is full of some great options, and the BMW 5 Series is always right up there with the best. In fact, as of this writing, it sits at the top of our class ranking. The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and there are some enticing upgrades in the lineup, including a plug-in hybrid and several V8s, though some of these will require a switch from rear- to all-wheel drive.
The 5 Series is more spacious than most of its competitors and features a 10.2-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay. You’ll also get a long list of standard active safety features.
2020 Mercedes-Benz SL
$91,000 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
If you’re looking to splurge on a sporty luxury roadster, the Mercedes-Benz SL provides driving enjoyment in style. The SL features a power hardtop and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine.A twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 is available.
The SL is offered with a ton of tech features and luxury amenities, though the base setup’s 8-inch infotainment display will suit most buyers just fine. It comes with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. You’ll also get a rearview camera, driver drowsiness monitoring, and the Pre-Safe collision detection and preparation system.
2020 Toyota Supra
$49,990 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
For 2020, the Toyota Supra returns after a long hiatus, though this time around it competes in the luxury sports car class. The Supra is a low and aggressive, yet still lovely, coupe that's powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and distinguished by precise and engaging handling. In short, it’s a lot of fun.
The base setup includes a 6.5-inch display with Bluetooth and a rearview camera, which is a sparse features set compared to many other cars in this class, though Toyota also provides lots of active safety technology.
2020 Genesis G70
$35,450 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
The Genesis G70 is a swanky yet affordable addition to Hyundai’s luxury spinoff brand. This stylish luxury sedan is petite but mighty, and though it could use improvement in a few areas, it’s a bargain in terms of performance and upscale accommodations. Rear passenger space and cargo space are both tight, and the base model uses more fuel than you’d expect from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. You can upgrade to a twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine while retaining RWD, but it’s a cool 10 grand more than the price quoted above, at which point you lose a lot of the bargain appeal.
The cabin is loaded with features, including an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a rearview camera, and more standard safety features than you’ll find in most luxury cars at this price point.
2020 Lexus LC
$92,950 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
If you tend to think of Lexus as a brand that makes cars that are pretty nice, but generally stick to practicality, the Lexus LC may change that perception just a bit. This upscale coupe is as sleek as they come, and you’ll get the choice of a 5.0-liter V8 engine or a 3.5-liter V6 hybrid setup. The 2+2 layout means you can carry back passengers in a pinch, though you’ll probably prefer to keep this thrilling experience all to yourself, or with just one carefully-chosen accomplice.
The cabin comes fitted with a 10.3-inch display controlled by a touchpad that comes with Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, a Wi-Fi hot spot, navigation, and a rearview camera, plus a ton of active safety features, which is something of a rarity in this segment.
2020 Ford Mustang
$26,670 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
The Ford Mustang is currently the top model in our ranking of sports cars, and it’s one of the most fun and affordable rear-wheel-drive cars out there. The Mustang is fun to drive yet easy to live with, which helps explain why it’s been so popular for so long. The base engine is an efficient turbocharged four-cylinder, yet if you want a more traditional engine for your muscle car, Ford offers V8 options, too.
Inside this coupe (or convertible, if you prefer), you’ll find seating for four, though the rear row isn’t designed for long-haul trips. A voice-activated infotainment system comes standard, though upgrading to the 8-inch touch screen is well worth it. You’ll also get a rearview camera and Ford’s MyKey safety settings system.
2020 Tesla Model 3
$39,990 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
The Tesla Model 3 is a luxury electric car with fast acceleration and fantastic handling. If you haven’t driven a Tesla before, its infotainment setup may take some getting used to, but it’ll be worth the effort. Tesla doesn’t provide horsepower figures or equivalents, but the base Standard Range Plus model is rated for 250 miles on a full charge and boasts a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.3 seconds.
Inside, you’ll find comfortable seating for five. Tesla’s 15-inch touch-screen infotainment display handles most of the car’s controls, and Bluetooth and navigation come standard. There’s also a full suite of active safety technology and driver aids.
2020 Porsche 911
$97,400 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
For 2020, the Porsche 911 gets fully redesigned, even though this luxury sports car didn’t really need much improvement. Its flaws are minor: the cozy cabin just barely accommodates the two rear passengers, there’s hardly any luggage space, and some competitors offer more opulent interior designs and features. That said, the base twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine, matched with excellent handling, makes up for those few drawbacks, and if it doesn’t, you’ve got numerous options, such as a more powerful version of the base engine, a convertible body style, and a ton of performance and feature packages.
A 10.9-inch touch screen, with Apple CarPlay, navigation, and a Wi-Fi hot spot, comes standard. For safety features, you’ll get a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection.
2020 Porsche Cayman
$57,500 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
The Porsche Cayman lands near the top of our luxury sports car ranking because it’s a great rear-wheel-drive car with few drawbacks. This speedy coupe seats two passengers and the base setup features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. A bigger turbo-four is available, along with two six-cylinder engine options. Choose between a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Inside, you’ll find a pretty basic infotainment setup with a 7-inch touch screen, plus a rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors. Porsche offers a lot of ways to customize the Cayman’s interior, so you can spend some money on that if you like, or, you know, you could just go drive.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette
$58,900 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
The fully redesigned Chevrolet Corvette debuts high in our luxury sports car ranking. The base Corvette impresses with a mid-mounted 6.2-liter V8 engine and excellent handling. Though it’s good as it is, Chevy offers a number of performance-oriented upgrades for the Corvette, too.
The Corvette seats two and it’s available as a coupe and a convertible. The cabin is spacious and comfortable, and the controls and display are oriented toward the driver. Standard features include an 8-inch touch screen, a 12-inch customizable instrument display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, rear parking sensors, and the Teen Driver safety settings system. The coupe gets a rearview camera, and the convertible gets a rearview camera mirror.
2020 Porsche Boxster
$59,600 | U.S. News Score: 9.0/10
The Porsche Boxster is a great luxury sports car and, also, a great rear-wheel-drive car. The relatively affordable base model comes powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with enough power to blow back your hair when the convertible top is down. If you want more power, Porsche has options.
The Boxster features standard sport seats, a 7-inch touch-screen display, a rearview camera, and front and rear parking sensors. There are a lot more luxury and tech features available, but they’ll cause the Boxster to quickly outgrow its appealing starting price.
2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$94,250 | U.S. News Score: 9.1/10
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a slick, opulent, and powerful super luxury car, available in coupe, sedan, and convertible (cabriolet) variants. The rear-wheel-drive system pairs with a twin-turbocharged V6 engine in the base model, and there are a ton of performance upgrades available.
Inside the delightfully designed cabin, you’ll find a 12.3-inch infotainment display, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, wireless device charging, and a ton of standard safety features. The seats are supportive and comfortable, and coupe and convertible models get new standard massage functionality in the front seats this year.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
If one of the rear-wheel-drive cars mentioned here looks like it could be your next new vehicle, your next step is to check out our full reviews and rankings to see how it holds up against the competition.
When you’re ready to buy, use the U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealership in your area with the lowest pre-negotiated prices. Shoppers who use the program more than $3,000 off MSRP on average.
16 Best Rear-Wheel-Drive Cars for 2020
- 2020 Genesis G90 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
- 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
- 2020 Kia Stinger | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
- 2020 Genesis G80 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
- 2020 BMW 5 Series | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
- 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
- 2020 Toyota Supra | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
- 2020 Genesis G70 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
- 2020 Lexus LC | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
- 2020 Ford Mustang | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
- 2020 Tesla Model 3 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
- 2020 Porsche 911 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
- 2020 Porsche Cayman | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
- 2020 Chevrolet Corvette| U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
- 2020 Porsche Boxster | U.S. News Score: 9.0/10
- 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class | U.S. News Score: 9.1/10
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Rear-Wheel Drive Is Awesome
That’s right, rear-wheel drive is awesome. And in a world where front-wheel drive rules for cost savings and efficiency, while all-wheel drive is sought after for the rare times people actually need it, rear-wheel drive is gradually getting harder to find. If you know where to look, though – among some sports cars and luxury cars – you can still find it. And you don’t even need to know where to look, because we did it for you.
The driving dynamics of a rear-wheel-drive car demand your attention and active participation in the process. Because of the shift in weight dynamics and the relative simplicity of a rear-wheel-drive system, a car with RWD will typically have better acceleration and handling than a comparable car with front-driven wheels.
The following vehicles all feature standard rear-wheel drive and high U.S. News overall scores, based on our system that considers comfort, performance, quality, safety, and reliability. As you read, keep in mind that the scores in our reviews may not match the scores quoted here, since our reviews are updated whenever new information becomes available.