Cars with Engines in the Back | Pros and Cons | Best Options

Have you ever driven cars with engines in the back? Rear-engine cars are quite different from front-engine cars in terms of performance and drive. If you are planning to buy a new one, you must be aware of the pros and cons of cars with engines in the back. In this guide, we will explore the pros and cons, top 16 iconic rear-engine car options, and other performance tips.

Table of contents

• Intro to Cars with Engines in the Back
• Is a Rear-Engine Car Right for You?
• Pros of Cars with Engines in the Back
• Cons of Cars with Engines in the Back
• Top 16 Iconic Cars with Engines in the Back
• Rear-Engine Cars: Performance and Practicality
• How Rear-Engine Cars Affect Overheating Risks
• Future Trends in Rear-Engine Car Designs
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Intro to Cars with Engines in the Back

Cars with engines in the back have engines placed near the rear wheels instead of the front. Although rear-engine cars are not too common nowadays, they are still a popular choice for many. The rear-engine vehicles became popular after the launch of iconic models like the Volkswagen Beetle and the Porsche 911. These cars are mostly popular among users who like sports cars and luxury vehicles.

Is a Rear-Engine Car Right for You?

Choosing a car with an engine in the back depends on your needs and choice. You can think about buying a rear-engine vehicle if you are looking for these features:

• Extra cargo space in the front of the car
• A unique design and sporty look
• More traction, stability, and performance

However, these things are not enough to make a final decision. You must look at all the pros and cons of a car with an engine in the back.

Pros of Cars with Engines in the Back

Here are some highlighting benefits of cars with engines in the back:

Improved traction and stability

The rear-engine vehicles provide greater traction and stability even at high speed. Especially when you are driving on a slippery road, these cars stay stable and are safer to drive. This makes these cars the best choice for those who like rough driving.

Better weight distribution

In cars with engines in the back, the weight distribution at the front and back is more balanced. The even weight distribution is very helpful to keep the car stable and smoother on the road.

Enhanced performance in cars with engines in the back

Rear-engine vehicles like the Porsche 911 are usually more powerful than front-engine cars. This is because vehicles with a backside engine are designed for speed and agility. Moreover, these vehicles handle curves better and provide a smooth driving experience.

Increased cargo space

As there is no engine in the front, this front space can be used for storage. This front space, called “Frunk,” is very helpful for small family rides and trips.

Lower risk of overheating

The users who drive front-wheel vehicles sometimes experience car overheating when idle. At the same time, this is not the case with cars with engines in the back. Engines on the backside stay cooler due to better airflow, which reduces the car overheating issue.

Unique driving experience

Other than the performance, rear-engine vehicles provide an amazing driving experience. Many car lovers love the handling and acceleration of these vehicles.

Sleek and iconic design

You might have seen that almost every car with a rear engine has a more sleek and iconic design. Especially users who like a sporty look mostly choose cars with engines in the back.\

Cons of Cars with Engines in the Back

The rear-engine cars are very popular and feature-rich. But still, there are some drawbacks of cars with engines in the back:

Less room for passengers

While the front has more space for luggage, the back side has less space for passengers. Sports cars with engines in the back usually have a capacity of only two people. Due to this, these cars are less suitable for families.

Expensive to fix and maintain

Repairing the rear engine car requires skilled mechanics. The mechanics usually charge a higher service fee, and the parts are also expensive. Regular maintenance, like brake and light inspection for salvage cars with rear engines, also requires skilled mechanics.

Needs a special cooling system

For engine cooling, these cars come with an advanced cooling system. It is beneficial, but if something goes wrong with it, fixing it will be tricky. Due to this reason, these cars are difficult to maintain, especially for new drivers.

Expensive modification for cars with engines in the back

If you like functional or other modifications in the rear engine cars, it will be costly. Modifying these cars is tricky due to their unique layout, design, and technology.

Harder to see out of the back window

Many car models with engine placement on the back side usually have small rear windows. It reduces visibility and makes reversing and parking it more difficult.

Can be dangerous in rear collisions

These cars are more dangerous in situations when other cars are hit from behind. During rear-side accidents, things can get dangerous due to engine placement on the backside. Other than the safety risks, such accidents will also cause more costly damage.

Difficult driving cars with engines in the back

Vehicles with engines in the back have different weight balance, control, and driving experience. The driving can be difficult for beginners, especially if they drive the sporty rear-engine cars.

Top 16 Iconic Cars with Engines in the Back

Do you want to explore some of the most popular rear-engine cars in history? Here is a list of top 16 iconic cars with engines in the back:

The details about all these vehicles are collected from Wikipedia.

Rear-Engine Cars: Performance and Practicality

Cars with engines in the back offer a combination of style, performance, and smoothness. However, these vehicles are difficult to maintain and require careful handling. Overall, rear-engine cars balance performance with practicality and provide an amazing experience. Without proper maintenance, you may face issues like engine overheating, the car hesitating when accelerating, low performance, bad mileage, etc.

How Rear-Engine Cars Affect Overheating Risks

The placement of the engine at the back side affects the cooling efficiency. These cars are usually designed with high-quality cooling systems to minimize heating risks. To keep your car in top shape, focus on regular maintenance, checking coolant and oil levels, airflow functioning, and radiator performance.

Future Trends in Rear-Engine Car Designs

With the advancements in technology, some manufacturers prefer rear engine design. Electric motors and batteries are usually placed on the rear side of electric vehicles. This not only optimizes the luggage space but also improves the performance. Moreover, with the emergence of advanced cooling systems, the future of rear engine layouts is bright.

Conclusion

In short, the vehicles with engines in the back offer high performance, iconic style, and a smooth driving experience. Before purchasing a rear-engine vehicle, you must look at the pros and cons. Automotive technology is getting more advanced, which may play a significant role in the future of rear-engine vehicles.