Is a Caprice front wheel drive?
The Caprice is not front-wheel drive; it has always been rear-wheel drive in its mainstream GM lineup.
Dating back to the 1960s, the Caprice has served as Chevrolet’s top-tier full-size sedan, built on GM’s rear-wheel-drive platforms. This article examines how that layout shaped performance, maintenance considerations, and market variations across generations.
Historical profile of the Caprice
First-generation and early years (1965–1970)
Introduced as a premium trim on GM's full-size platform, the early Caprice models were rear-wheel-drive with traditional body-on-frame construction, sharing architecture with other large Chevrolets of the era.
Mid-life updates and era of the large RWD sedans (1971–1990)
Across the 1970s and 1980s, the Caprice continued on rear-wheel-drive architectures. The line often featured V8 power, a spacious interior, and availability as a police or fleet vehicle in addition to consumer models.
The 1991–1996 Caprice and later variants
In the 1990s, the Caprice persisted on GM's large rear-wheel-drive platform, with configurations used for police and commercial fleets. The model remained rear‑drive until its North American discontinuation after 1996.
Clear answer on drive layout across markets
Across major markets, there have been no factory front-wheel-drive Caprice models in mainstream production. While some badge-engineered or regional variants exist under different names, the Caprice badge has consistently signified rear-wheel-drive layouts for consumer and police versions.
If you are shopping for a Caprice, expect rear-wheel drive, a spacious interior, and traditional GM handling characteristics rather than front-drive packaging.
What buyers should know
Maintenance and parts considerations
Rear-wheel-drive versus front-wheel-drive affects maintenance access and parts sourcing. Caprice models follow the maintenance patterns and parts availability typical of GM’s older rear-drive full-size sedans of their era.
Market-specific notes
In the North American market, the Caprice nameplate was discontinued after 1996, though similar rear-wheel-drive large sedans continued in related GM lines in other regions and fleets for some years thereafter. Police and fleet variants remained in circulation beyond consumer sales in many cases.
Summary
The Caprice, as a long-running GM full-size sedan, has always been rear-wheel drive in its mainstream production. There are no official front-wheel-drive Caprice models in its history, making its layout a defining trait across generations and markets. For enthusiasts and buyers, this translates into traditional RWD handling, maintenance patterns, and a classic full-size sedan experience.
