Is the Chevrolet Caprice RWD?
The Chevrolet Caprice has historically been a rear-wheel-drive sedan in its major US-market generations and in most of its international variants.
Across its long lineage, the Caprice name has appeared in several forms—from the classic full-size, body-on-frame B-body cars to the Holden-based Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle—each employing rear-wheel drive as the baseline layout. There is no factory Chevrolet Caprice sold with all-wheel drive in recent memory, and the modern Caprice nameplate is not used for a new passenger car in the United States.
Drivetrain history of the Caprice
The following highlights summarize the main drive layouts across Caprice generations and variants. The aim is to map the model's rear-wheel-drive heritage rather than every regional nuance.
- 1965–1996: Chevrolet Caprice/Caprice Classic on GM's B-body platform; rear-wheel drive with traditional setups typical of full-size GM sedans of the era.
- 1991–1996: Final US-market generation on the same rear-drive platform, with no factory AWD option in standard configurations.
- 2011–2017: Chevrolet Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle), a law-enforcement variant derived from the Holden Commodore, built for rear-wheel-drive operation with a V8 engine and police-tuning features.
- Holden Caprice (Australia): Luxury sedan produced on rear-drive Commodore-based platforms, widely known in markets outside the United States; all mainstream variants were rear-wheel drive.
Overall, the Caprice family has remained rear-wheel-drive across its major production runs, and Chevrolet has not offered a factory all-wheel-drive Caprice in public sales.
Legacy and collector notes
For enthusiasts and collectors, the Caprice’s RWD lineage is a defining trait that spans multiple decades and markets. The most widely recognized configurations are the classic US-era Caprice/Caprice Classic on the B-body platform and the later Caprice PPV used by police departments, all of which share rear-wheel-drive architecture.
Current status and what buyers should know
As of 2025, Chevrolet does not offer a new Caprice model for the U.S. market. The Caprice name lives on in limited fashion as a police-patrol vehicle variant (Caprice PPV) that was produced for several years but is no longer in active production, and international Holden-based Caprice models are not part of Chevrolet's current lineup in the United States. For buyers seeking a rear-wheel-drive large sedan from Chevrolet today, options are limited and may require looking to the used-vehicle market or exploring non-Chevrolet brands.
Alternatives if you want a modern RWD large sedan
If a rear-wheel-drive experience is a priority and you’re focused on a Chevrolet badge, you may need to consider alternatives outside the current lineup. The market today largely favors front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive large sedans from Chevrolet, or other brands offering dedicated RWD options. For those specifically pursuing a Caprice-like feel, used Caprice PPV units or Holden-based Caprice variants sourced from overseas markets have historically fulfilled that niche, though availability varies by region and import rules.
Summary
The Caprice’s identity has long been tied to rear-wheel-drive platforms, from its traditional full-size American roots to its police-focused and international iterations. There is no current Chevrolet passenger Caprice for sale in the United States, and the widely known Caprice variants have remained RWD. The Caprice name today exists more as a historical legacy and a few limited, region-specific offerings than as a present-day Chevrolet production model.
What Chevy sedan is RWD?
The main Chevy rear-wheel-drive (RWD) sedan is the now-discontinued Chevrolet SS, which was produced from 2014 to 2017. It was a performance-oriented, full-size sedan powered by a V8 engine and featuring RWD. The Caprice also existed as an RWD police vehicle from 2011 to 2017.
This video provides an overview of the Chevrolet SS, highlighting its features and performance: 59sAutomotive Anonymous YouTube · Jul 2, 2025
- Chevrolet SS (2014-2017): This is the primary RWD performance sedan Chevrolet offered for consumers.
- Engine: Featured a 6.2L LS3 V8 engine producing 415 horsepower.
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive.
- Transmission: Available with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.
- Performance: Could accelerate from 000 to 606060 mph in about 4.24.24.2 seconds.
- Chevrolet Caprice (2011-2017): This RWD sedan was sold primarily as a police vehicle in North America, built on a platform from Holden in Australia.
How much horsepower does a 1996 Chevy Caprice 5.7 L V-8 have?
260hp
Powered by a 5.7 Liter V8 producing 260hp while mated to a responsive Automatic transmission.
What transmission does a 1993 Chevy Caprice have?
1993 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Specs, Features & Options
| Drivetrain | |
|---|---|
| RWD | RWD |
| Transmission Type | |
| Automatic | Automatic |
Is a Chevy Caprice RWD?
Yes, the Chevy Caprice is rear-wheel drive (RWD). This was true for both the earlier civilian models and the later Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) versions that were imported from Australia between 2011 and 2017.
- Traditional Caprice: Many classic models were also RWD, including the Caprice Classic from the 1990s.
- Modern PPV: The Caprice PPV, sold specifically to law enforcement in the US, was a dedicated RWD platform. These are now available on the used market for civilians.
