Here Are 10 of the Cheapest RWD Vehicles
You’ll find lower prices, sports-car fun, and off-roading thrills with feature-laden cars and trucks driven only by their rear wheels.
Mazda
Whether you’re looking for an old-school sports-car experience or a less-expensive compact or midsize pickup, choosing a rear-wheel-drive vehicle can save you some money and still be a pleasure to drive.
Chevrolet
2023 Chevrolet Camaro 1LS, $28,000
Considering the cost of its bigger-engine variants, you can still do zero to 60 mph in less than 5.5 seconds — and look cool doing so — with the 275-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder powerplant found in the classically styled Camaro. A six-speed manual and 18-inch wheels are standard.
Ford
2023 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback, $29,000
There’s something to be said for the straightforward appeal and power of Mustang’s entry-level model, which provides a competitive turbocharged 310 horsepower. You’ll enjoy Mustang’s sleek, iconic looks and feel completely in charge with a standard six-speed manual transmission. This is the last year before a major redesign.
Ford
2023 Ford Ranger XL, $30,000
The F-150’s little brother is a capable and reasonably roomy truck, with a 270-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter engine, a six-foot box, and the ability to tow up to 7,500 pounds, plus room for two friends in its SuperCab rear seats.
Toyota
2023 Toyota GR86, $29,000
For a track-inspired driving experience that also has room to haul a small family — or a load of golf clubs or groceries — Toyota’s RWD racer makes 228 horsepower and has a six-speed manual transmission.
Toyota
2023 Toyota Tacoma SR, $29,000
The simplest version of the versatile Tacoma pickup gets a 159-hp 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-foot bed made of resilient composite materials. There are skid plates underneath and more than nine inches of ground clearance, so you can still do much of the weekend adventuring as those more costly four-wheel-drive versions.
Mazda
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata, $30,000
One of the automotive world’s long-running success stories, the much-beloved and regularly updated Miata provides a handling-centered, two-person fun fest with a rev-happy, 181-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual.
Subaru
2023 Subaru BRZ Premium, $29,000
Prices have gone up a bit for Subaru’s version of the Toyota GR86 with the same 2.4-liter boxer engine but slightly different styling inside and out. Niceties, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility plus an adequate touchscreen, add to the driving experience.
Nissan
2023 Nissan Frontier King Cab S, $31,000
Modernized a few years ago, the Frontier has turned into a capable contender, with 310 horsepower from a standard 3.8-liter V6 engine. It’s got rugged styling and a nine-speed automatic transmission as well as car-styled Zero Gravity comfort seats.
Chevrolet
2023 Chevrolet Colorado Work Truck, $31,000
The midsize pickup truck from Chevy — redesigned for 2023 — looks to be a much-improved machine over its predecessor, with a 237-hp 2.7-liter four-cylinder turbo and just one standard body style and bed.
Dodge
2023 Dodge Challenger SXT, $32,000
The late-era horsepower revolution may be coming to an end soon, so enjoy the stylish looks and sporty appeal of Dodge’s base-model, two-door retro machine, with a 303-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine providing affordable muscle-car performance.
All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication) and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Andy StonehouseAndy Stonehouse literally fell into the world of auto writing while working as a ski-town journalist, and has not looked back since. A childhood spent dealing with the eccentricities of a 1976 MG Midget has made any subsequent auto experience a more safe and reliable drive. He has been blessed with nearby mountain trails and snowy roads in Colorado to do TV-adventure-styled test drives on a weekly basis.
Related articles
View more related articles