Easy to break it up into 3 categories:
Rear motor - Traditional buggy layout that was never challenged for many years, started to get phased out about 5 years ago because people realised it wasn't great for high grip. Motor out the back means huge rear weight bias which is good for very low grip, but even now they're losing out against mid cars.
Mid motor - What started to dominate in high grip a few years ago, now seen as a good all-rounder for high and low grip. 4 gear is used for low grip as it generates more mid-corner grip, whilst 3 gear cars have more corner speed due to the direction of rotation of the motor and the reduced rotating mass. Popular in 17.5 stock over in America.
Forward/lay-down - Started to come in over the last few years, lower CG means they're less likely to grip roll and the motor position improves the weight distribution. Not very good when the grip levels drop because of the lack of weight directly over the back end but in very high grip there's not much you can do to beat them. Again with lay down cars a 3 gear will be able to corner faster than a 4 gear.
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