10 Cheapest Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Cars In India 2026

When it comes to drivetrain, front-wheel drive simply dominates the Indian market. Of course why not, the vehicles that use a front-wheel-drive layout are cheaper in many aspects. But in other driving aspects, it is the Rear Wheel Drive drivetrain layout that sounds and feels better from behind the wheel. So, here are 10 such cars that used to offer or still offer an RWD drivetrain.

1. Maruti Suzuki Eeco

One of the oldest car or rather an MPV to be on this list is the Maruti Suzuki Eeco. This MPV has been among the top-selling vehicles from the Maruti Suzuki stable. We too were surprised to know that the Maruti Eeco is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. That said, the Eeco still comes powered by a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. This motor is capable of generating 73ps of max power and 98Nm of max torque. Setting the power down to the rear wheels is the only option for 5-speed manual transmission.

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2. Toyota Fortuner

The next vehicle to offer two drivetrains, a 4X2 as well as a 4X4, is the Toyota Fortuner. In 2021 Toyota updated the full-grown SUV for India. In this transition, the vehicle got a more powerful engine and became more luxurious. This time around, Fortuner generates 201hp of max power and is capable of producing 500Nm of peak torque.

The best part is, you can opt for either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. This SUV from Toyota is the only vehicle in its segment that is available with a naturally aspirated petrol engine. Coming to the drivetrain, both diesel, as well as petrol, come with a Rear-wheel-drive setup.

3. MG Comet

MG Comet is a product of one of the smallest cars in India and it is primarily a car made to be used in cities. It is an all-electric vehicle, i.e. it does not use petrol or diesel. It is very easy to park and drive in the busy city areas as it is small. The Comet is a convenience-oriented rather than a power-oriented car. It is unobtrusive, quiet and easy to operate. The vehicle is suitable for small daily short travelling such as attending school, work or local markets. It is not fit in the highways or long-distance travel, but in city life MG Comet does its work.

4. Mahindra Bolero Range

Mahindra Bolero is one of the most enduring toughest SUVs in India. It is also famous due to its solid structure, uncomplicated design and off-road capabilities. The Bolero has a ladder-on-frame chassis and is rear-wheel drive hence suitable to the village, farm and bad roads. It is not a high end SUV and yet it is highly reliable. The diesel engine is basic and durable. The Bolero is still popular among many government departments and rural users as it has ability to carry load, can operate on bad roads and can last many years under simple maintenance.

5. Mahindra Thar Range

Mahindra Thar is the off-road SUV, which is designed to suit the adventure lovers. It has a stiff ladder-style chassis and it can have 4×4 drives. This enables the Thar to move freely in sand, mud, hills and roads with rocks. The new Thar is also more comfortable, has more safety features and modern interiors than the old model. It is a strong petrol and diesel powered car that provides good performance in off-road. Thar is not a car suitable to large families, but one that is ideal to those who like off-road and driving in the open air.

6. Mahindra Scorpio Range

The Mahindra Scorpio is the model that has won popularity as an SUV in India. It has a reputation for being strong in the road and a potent diesel engine. The Scorpio is constructed on a ladder frame structure and has a rear wheel drive with 4×4 option in some models. This renders it suitable in highways and even in rough roads. The Scorpio has become more comfortable, safer and has features that have enhanced over the years. It is popular among families, police departments as well as among long-distance drivers. The Scorpio is powerful and steady and it has been made to traverse the Indian road conditions without any challenges.

7. Mahindra BE 6

Mahindra BE 6 belongs to the new line of electric cars produced by Mahindra. It is constructed on a new electric platform and is concerned with the future design and technology. The BE 6 is bold in appearance and is anticipated to have a good range and performance that can be used daily. It is an electric car therefore offers immediate acceleration and easy driving. Mahindra has modeled the BE series in a way that it competes with the current electric SUVs. The BE 6 is a step that Mahindra makes to clean and electric mobility without losing a good and sportive essence in the cars.

8. Toyota Innova Crysta

The Toyota Innova Crysta is a car that has been marketed as comfortable, reliable and having a long life. It is mounted on a ladder-frame chassis and is powered by the rear wheels and is consequently useful in transporting heavy loads and full passengers. The diesel engine is powerful and smooth and therefore suitable when it comes to long highway trips. There are numerous Innova Crysta vehicles that travel with a couple of lakh kilometers without significant issues. This is the reason why it is highly popular as a family car and taxi automobile. The Innova Crysta is not a very fashionable product, however, it is renowned in terms of quality and durability.

9. Isuzu D-Max

Isuzu D-Max is a pickup that is used primarily in the case of heavy work and in the rough handling. Its chassis is a very strong ladder-frame and it is rear-wheel drive, and in some versions it is 4×4. The diesel engine has good torque that assists in the transportation of heavy loads and overcoming poor roads. The D-Max is mostly utilized in commercial activities, agriculture and construction. It does not lay emphasis on comfort and features, but on strength and reliability. This car is designed to toil on a daily basis and even to excel even under adverse circumstances.

10. Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra XEV 9e is a future electric SUV by Mahindra. It is made up to date, sleek, and powerful and is completely electrically powered. The XEV 9e concentrates on comfortable performance, great driving range, and technology. Being an electric car, it provides silence and immediate torque. This model is an attempt by Mahindra to introduce its SUV power into the electric market. XEV 9e reveals the way Mahindra will merge future technology and powerful design and utility.

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FAQs For Cheapest Rear Wheel Drive Cars

1. Why does RWD improve weight balance?

RWD allows near 50:50 front-rear weight distribution (engine in front, drive components at rear), enhancing stability, cornering agility, and reducing understeer—key for performance cars.  

2. Does RWD affect tyre wear differently?

Yes, rear tyres wear faster on RWD vehicles as they handle acceleration forces. Front tyres wear slower since they only manage steering (no power delivery). Regular rotation is recommended.  

3. Is RWD maintenance simpler than FWD?

Mechanically, yes—RWD lacks complex FWD components like CV joints. However, repairs like differential servicing can be costlier. Overall, RWD is often cheaper to maintain than AWD but comparable to FWD.  

4. Why do sports cars prefer RWD?

RWD enables optimal weight transfer during acceleration (squatting rear wheels improve grip), allows controlled oversteer/drifting, and frees front wheels for precise steering, critical for high-performance driving dynamics.  

5. Which car is RWD in India?

In India, there are many cars and SUVs with rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles. Some popular RWD cars include the Toyota Fortuner, old Toyota Innova, Mahindra Scorpio, Mahindra Bolero, and some variants of the Mahindra Thar. Most of these vehicles are SUV-type or utility regarding this layout, giving a better load-carrying capability or better off-road capability.

6. Which is better RWD or FWD?

Whether rear-wheel drive is better than front-wheel drive is relative to the purpose of the vehicle. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is generally the better fuel economy, a lower cost to manufacture, and a good fit for city driving, especially in slippery conditions such as raining. Rear-wheel drive gives better handling overall balance, better performance, and better towing capacity, and may say rear-wheel drive suits the large vehicles, and enthusiast drivers who are sporty drivers. In general everyday driving practices, a driver will usually prefer FWD, but in power and durability, in general RWD tends to have better.

7. Is Innova RWD?

Yes, the Toyota Innova, including the native model and the Innova Crysta use a rear-wheel drive layout. By employing a rear-wheel drive (RWD) layout, the Toyota Innova is able to offer better performance in carrying people/luggage, and one of the

8. Is Fortuner a rear-wheel drive?

Fortuner can be either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.The normal drive would be the rear-wheel drive. Which are great for day-to-day driving, along with light off-roading. If you plan on off-roading more seriously, the four-wheel drive would suit you better. 

9. Is the Mahindra XUV rear-wheeled drive?

No, the Mahindra XUV700 along with the previous version, the XUV500, are not rear-wheeled drive at all. Most of these vehicles are front-wheel drive, where as some of the higher versions are all-wheel drive, which helps with traction. If you are looking for a Mahindra that is rear-wheel drive, you will want to focus on either a Mahindra Scorpio, Bolero, or Thar.