What vehicles use double wishbone suspension?
Double wishbone suspension is used by a small set of vehicles, primarily performance cars and some classic models. Notable examples include the Lotus Elise/Exige and the original Honda NSX.
Double wishbone suspension (also known as a double A-arm setup) uses two control arms—an upper and a lower—to locate each wheel. This arrangement provides precise camber control and predictable handling, especially during aggressive cornering or rough surfaces. It is favored for ride and steering feel in sports cars and racing-inspired designs, but is less common on today’s mass-market vehicles due to packaging and cost considerations. When present, it often signals a chassis tuned for sharp dynamic response.
Where it appears in production cars
This list highlights representative production vehicles that have employed a double wishbone arrangement on at least the front axle, and sometimes the rear as well. The setup is most associated with performance-driven models and certain iconic heritage cars.
- Lotus Elise and Exige — renowned for precise, communicative handling and light weight (front and rear double wishbone).
- Original Honda/Acura NSX — celebrated for balanced, driver-focused dynamics aided by double wishbone geometry (front and rear).
Representative production vehicles known to use double wishbone suspension include:
Beyond these standout examples, double wishbone suspensions have populated a range of classic sports cars and several high-end manufacturers’ performance-oriented models. In many modern mainstream vehicles, the front suspension more commonly relies on MacPherson struts, with multi-link setups appearing in higher-end or sport-oriented variants to achieve similar goals with different packaging constraints.
Summary
Double wishbone suspension offers superior wheel positioning and camber control, contributing to precise handling and a refined steering feel. Its use today is concentrated among sports cars, exotics, and historically significant models, with Lotus and Honda/Acura’s NSX standing as among the most iconic modern references. For everyday vehicles, it remains more of a specialty feature than a standard across the market.
