No, most cars sold today are not rear-wheel drive (RWD). The dominant configuration for everyday passenger cars is front-wheel drive (FWD), while many trucks and large SUVs use all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The popularity of a specific drivetrain largely depends on the vehicle's type, price point, and intended purpose.
The shift toward FWD began decades ago because it offers significant advantages for mass-market vehicles. By packaging the engine and transmission together over the front wheels, manufacturers can create a more spacious interior cabin and a larger trunk. This design is also generally more cost-effective to produce. For the average driver, FWD provides adequate traction in most conditions, including light rain and snow, making it a practical and economical choice.
RWD has traditionally been associated with performance, luxury, and heavy-duty vehicles. In a RWD system, the rear wheels propel the car while the front wheels handle steering. This separation of duties often allows for better weight distribution and more responsive handling, which is why it's preferred for sports cars like the Ford Mustang or luxury sedans like many BMW models. For trucks that need to haul heavy loads, RWD provides better traction when the vehicle is weighted down.
The following table illustrates the prevalence of different drivetrains across common vehicle segments in the U.S. market:
| Vehicle Segment | Common Drivetrain(s) | Examples |
|---|
| Compact/Mid-size Sedans | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) | Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Elantra |
| Subcompact/Compact SUVs | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) / All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape |
| Full-size Trucks | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) / Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) | Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500 |
| Performance/Sports Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) / All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911 |
| Large Body-on-Frame SUVs | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) / Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) | Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Toyota 4Runner |
Ultimately, the market is diverse. While RWD is not the standard for the average commuter car, it remains a vital and popular configuration for specific applications where performance, towing, or payload capacity is a priority.
