Are you familiar with the three main types of engine placement? Toyota of N Charlotte is here to explain!

1. Toyota engine placement: The three main types
When you get behind the wheel of your car, chances are you’re used to having the engine right
in front of you under the hood. However, did you know that your Toyota engine can actually be
situated in other areas of your vehicle? There are three main types of engine placement and
Toyota of N Charlotte is here to explain each of them as well as how they’ll affect your car’s
performance and your experience as the driver.
The three types of Toyota engine placement you should
understand
Type #1: Front-engine
Front-engine Toyotas are definitely the most common type of engine placement. This is the
configuration you’ll find on cars like our N Charlotte Toyota Corolla, RAV4, and Tacoma; the
engine is located under the hood in front of the two front wheels. You’ll usually find this Toyota
engine configuration paired with front-wheel drive, as this combination provides great traction
and a comfortable drive time. However, occasionally you’ll find a front-engine Toyota with rear-
wheel drive (like the N Charlotte Toyota 86 or Tundra). In this setup, you’ll have more
acceleration right off the bat, but you’ll also have a weight imbalance that can lead to spinouts
(especially in slippery conditions).
Type #2: Rear-engine

2. Rear-engine Toyotas - or any make or model, really - are virtually unheard of in this day and
age. In this scenario, the engine is located in the back of the car behind the rear wheels (like
where the trunk or cargo area is usually found). It’s very uncommon to find this setup anymore.
Usually, these types of vehicles employ rear-wheel drive. When combined, these two factors
give you extremely fast acceleration but also can result in oversteering and can be more
challenging to drive than other combinations. This combo is best for an experienced driver.
Type #3: Mid-engine
Mid-engine setups are a bit more common than rear-engine setups, but you’ll still likely have a
hard time finding them. The last time a Toyota engine was in this configuration in America was
in the N Charlotte Toyota MR2, a popular sports car. In this type of engine placement, the
engine is literally located in the middle of the car in between the front and rear wheels. This
means less interior space - these vehicles are almost always two-seaters with just a driver and
front passenger’s seat. It also means exceptional cornering and handling capabilities, but spin-
outs can be unpredictable because the weight is perfectly balanced.
Call to schedule a test drive at Toyota of N Charlotte today!
Have questions about the different types of Toyota engine placements or want to take any and
all of our N Charlotte Toyotas for a spin? Call us today! Toyota of N Charlotte is conveniently
located at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. You can reach us
seven days a week at (704) 875-9199.