It surprises many people that plenty of new cars still roll off the line with rear drum brakes rather than discs. Front discs are universal, but the rear is a different story. Here is the reality of rear brakes across the market.
Front discs, mixed rears
Every modern car uses disc brakes up front because the front brakes do most of the work - see why rear pads last longer. The rear, which does far less braking, is where automakers economize. So it is common to find front discs paired with rear drums, especially on budget and lighter vehicles.
Which cars still use rear drums
Economy cars, base-trim compacts, small sedans, and many light trucks/vans often keep rear drums to save cost and weight, and because drums make an easy integrated parking brake. Higher trims, heavier, sportier, and performance vehicles move to four-wheel discs for better heat handling and feel - see drum vs disc brakes.
What rear drums mean for you
Rear drums use brake shoes instead of pads - see brake shoes vs brake pads - and they last a long time thanks to the light rear workload, but they are more enclosed and can trap dust and moisture. A brake kit for a drum-rear car is front rotors + pads plus rear shoes and drums, not four rotors.
Buying the right parts
This is exactly why fitment matters when buying brakes - a rear-drum car needs shoes and drums, a rear-disc car needs rotors and pads. Check which your vehicle has before ordering. For front-disc service, quality pads and fresh hardware cover most of the braking work either way.