Driving Change
The automobile itself changed the world and few inventions have had a bigger, more long-lasting impact on human history than the car. But what are the cars that stand out from the crowd (for good and maybe even for bad) as the most "world-changing"?
We will take them chronologically...And don't hesitate to let us know any you feel we forgot about that deserve a spot on the list.
50: Benz Patent-Motorwagen (1885)
There really is no other place to start than with the first practical modern automobile and the first car ever put into production. Karl Benz cemented his place in history with this vehicle with its 0.9bhp rear-mounted 954cc single-cylinder engine and a top speed of about 10 mph.
Alonso de Mendoza, Wikimedia Commons
49: Waverley Electric (1896)
Yes, there were electric cars before Tesla. In fact, there were electric cars before most cars. Produced from 1896 to 1914, the Waverley Electric was an electric vehicle that was easy to start and simple to drive. Obviously it didn't change the world right away—as gas took over—but it showed us what was possible.
Wilhelm Heinrich Uhland, Wikimedia Commons
48: Oldsmobile Runabout (1901)
AKA the Model R and the Curved Dash, the Oldsmobile Runabout was the first mass-produced automobile. Over 19,000 were built in all.
Lars-Göran Lindgren Sweden, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
47: Ford Model T (1908)
Henry Ford wasn't the first to produce a car, but he was the first to produce one so efficiently and affordably that regular people could have one. While the 1910 price of $780 (equivalent to $25,506 in 2023) was good—it had dropped to an even better $290 by 1924 ($5,156 in 2023 dollars). Over 15 million cars had been produced when the Model T finally ended its run in 1927.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
46: Vauxhall Prince Henry (1911)
With its 60bhp four-cylinder engine and its top speed of 65 mph, the Vauxhall Prince Henry has been deemed, by some, as the first true sports car.
Herranderssvensson, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
45: Cadillac Model Thirty (1912)
Imagine having to hand crank your car to start it. Well, that's what everyone had to do prior to the arrival of the Cadillac Model Thirty in 1912—which was the first car to feature inventor Charles Kettering's new invention, the electric starter.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
44: Austin 7 (1922)
Designed to be an affordable car for the masses, the Austin 7 could be seen as the Model T of Britain. Not only did it become the go-to economy car of its day—but it was also licensed by numerous other car companies. In fact, the first BMW (The BMW Dixie) was a licensed Austin 7.
Navigator84, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
43: Lancia Lambda (1922)
It might not be on the tips of most people's tongues these days, but the Lancia Lambda is important in the history of automobiles, particularly for a few features that it introduced—including independent front suspension and shock absorbers. And maybe even more important was the unitary construction.
MartinHansV, Wikimedia Commons
42: Cadillac Series 341 (1928)
If you're ever at trivia night and get asked "what was the first car to have a crunch-free synchronized transmission?" Now you know the answer is the 1928 Cadillac Series 341. You're welcome.
Pseudopanax, Wikimedia Commons
41: Citroën Traction Avant (1934)
The Citroën Traction Avant stood out from the crowd mostly for how low it stood (or sat). Thanks to its largely unitary, monocoque body construction, the Traction Avant rode lower and lighter and thus faster than most in its class as well. There was also the front-wheel drive, of course (the car's name, "Traction Avant", literally translates from French to "front traction").
Tobias Nordhausen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
40: MG T (1936)
Decades before there was Mr T, there was the MG T. These two-seater European sports cars were a favorite among American service men over there. So much so that many had MG Ts shipped across the ocean when they returned home.
Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
39: Volkswagen Beetle (1938)
While the idea for the car came from one of the worst men in history—that part of its story is nothing compared to the world's long lasting love affair with the VW Beetle. With its 60+ year production run and over 21 million sold, no car has been a part of the lives of so many generations. And the design still stands out, even today.
Ralf Roletschek, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
38: Oldsmobile (1940)
The first fully automatic transmission showed up in Oldsmobiles in 1939 and the history of the luxury car would never be the same again.
Robert Yarnall Richie, Wikimedia Commons
37: Willys Jeep (1941)
This OG 4x4 influenced all the off-road vehicles that have come since—but its biggest contribution might've been to WWII. In fact, it was so important that General George Marshall called it “America's greatest contribution to modern warfare”.
Greg Gjerdingen, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
36: Cisitalia 202 (1947)
A true evolution in design, the Cisitalia 202 still leaves car lovers drooling with its fluid lines and beautiful curves. And its design influence can still be seen today.
Buch-t, GFDL, Wikimedia Commons
35: Jaguar XK120 (1948)
The Jaguar XK120 looked fast and it was fast. In fact, with its 3.4-litre XK engine it could hit 120 mph—which made it the fastest production car in the world at the time.
Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
34: Land Rover (1948)
Not everyone realizes that Land Rover goes all the way back to 1948. But it does, and it makes sense given the vehicle's inspiration comes from World War II jeeps. We aren't sure what the number is now—but back in 1992, Land Rover claimed that 70% of all the vehicles they had built were still in use.
DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
33: Chevrolet Corvette (1953)
While the Corvette had a rough beginning—water leaks and a two-speed automatic transmission almost ended the car's run after just one year—they thankfully got their act together. By 1955, the Corvette was on its way to becoming the iconic car it is today—some 70 years later.
Mustang Joe, Wikimedia Commons
32: Citroën DS (1955)
It looks beautifully retro today, but in 1955, the Citroën DS was so different and futuristic looking that philosopher Roland Barthes declared, “It is obvious that the new Citroën has fallen from the sky…”. Motoring journalist Robert Cumberford in Motor Trend marked the arrival of the DS as the moment when the automobile made its “first real break with the 18th-century tradition of clockwork concepts for machine design".
Ralf Roletschek (FAL or GFDL 1.2, Wikimedia Commons
31: Volvo Amazon (1956)
There's no doubt It's a beautiful car, but the reason the Volvo Amazon makes the list is the fact that it was the first car to be fitted as standard with a three-point safety belt.
Herranderssvensson, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
30: Cooper T43 (1957)
Stirling Moss drove a Cooper T43 to victory at the 1958 Argentine Grand Prix. But this wasn't just any win for just any car. It was the first World Drivers' Championship win for a mid-engine car.
David Merrett, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
29: BMC Mini (1959)
In 1959, getting four adults into a 10-foot long car might've seemed impossible—but not to Alec Issigonis. The man behind the Mini took the transverse engine and front-wheel drive layout and created a small car with a lot of room. The Mini is synonymous with British pop culture of the 1960s and was voted the second-most influential car of the 20th century.
DeFacto, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
28: Chevrolet Corvair (1960)
Few cars have had a bigger impact on history than the Chevrolet Corvair. And although it wasn't for the best reasons, the results were important and impactful in a very good way. The car that was "unsafe at any speed" led to sweeping changes and regulations in automobile safety standards that have made us all safer ever since.
27: Jaguar E-type (1961)
Sports Car International magazine ranked the E-Type the number one Top Sports Car of the 1960s, and The Daily Telegraph placed it number one on their list of the world's "100 most beautiful cars" of all time. There is also a rumor that when the E-Type made its debut in 1961, Enzo Ferrari called it "the most beautiful car ever made".
DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
26: Trabant 601 (1963)
Watch any movie that takes place in East Germany in the 1960s and you'll see the Trabant 601 all over the place. And as such, it was and still is a symbol of the DDR and the Eastern Bloc era. While the folks in the west were driving BMWs and Beetles, their Eastern counterparts were stuck in their "Trabi".
Bundesarchiv, CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, Wikimedia Commons
25: Jeep Wagoneer (1963)
The Wagoneer was the first Jeep line that differed completely from the OG military, open-bodied Jeep CJ. It was a truck-based station wagon—and by many accounts, the precursor to everything SUVs would become in the future. Raise your hand if you owned one with the awesome wood-paneling on the outside at some point?
JOHN LLOYD, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
24: Porsche 911 (1963)
We could go into some of the design features and engine innovations, but really all you have to say is "Porsche 911". It's an iconic line and one that you don't have to be a car guy to know or appreciate. Although, car guys like Jerry Seinfeld sure do appreciate them. The comedian has had upwards of 50 in his collection at times.
Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
23: Ford GT40 (1964)
The Ford GT40 certainly changed the racing world—and it all began when Enzo Ferrari stopped Ford from buying Ferrari. Well, it was then that Henry Ford II set out to do everything he could to beat Ferrari at Le Mans. And he did it—with the Ford GT40 in 1966, 67, 68 and 69.
Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
22: Ford Mustang (1964)
Ford re-skinned the Ford Falcon and made muscle car history with the gorgeous Mustang. It was a car everyone wanted, and they still do. The Mustang is the last remaining continuously produced muscle car from the 1960s.
Kroelleboelle, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
21: Pontiac GTO (1964)
The Mustang might be the most popular muscle car and the only one that's been continuously produced since the 1960s—but it, along with every other muscle car out there, owes itself to the Pontiac GTO. The OG of muscle cars, the GTO's popularity at the time is the reason all the other car makers decided to get into the muscle car market.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
20: Jensen FF (1966)
In 1966, a passenger car with four-wheel drive was unheard of. Then came the Jensen FF (it would be five more years before the Subaru Leone and its four-wheel-drive). It was also the first non all-terrain production car equipped with an anti-lock braking system to go along with its four-wheel-drive.
DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
19: Toyota Corolla (1966)
First introduced in 1966, the Corolla was the best-selling car in the world by 1974. In 1997, it jumped ahead of the VW Beetle as the best-selling nameplate on the planet—and it reached 50 million cars sold in 2021.
Mytho88, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
18: Toyota Hilux (1968)
The first generation may not have been indestructible, but it certainly became so over time. As anyone who has seen that season 3 episode of Top Gear where they do everything they can to destroy it—and it still drives—can attest to.
Tennen-Gas, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
18: Autobianchi A112 Abarth (1969)
While the Volkswagen Golf GTI is the car on the tip of everyone's tongue when talking about hot hatches, it was actually the A112 Abarth that was the first car to be designated as a hot hatch. This was back in 1971 (which, as many of you know, is five years before the GTI hit the roads).
Charles, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
17: Ford Pinto (1971)
When Ford learned that some Pintos were exploding when hit from behind, they did their own investigation and decided the cost to recall was too high and so they didn't. At least not until a fatal accident, a huge court case, and pressure from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Mustang Joe, Wikimedia Commons
16: Lunar Roving Vehicle (1971)
The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) changed the world by literally leaving it behind. The only vehicle to ever be driven by a human on another celestial body, the LRV helped astronauts search and explore the moon on three different Apollo missions (15, 16, and 17).
NASA/Dave Scott, Bubba73, Wikimedia Commons
15: Ford F-150 (1975)
The Ford F-series has been the best-selling truck in America for almost 50 years now. And the best-selling vehicle for over 40. 'Nuff said?
Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
14: Honda Accord (1976)
Like the Corolla, the Honda Accord isn't anything fancy or revolutionary—but it's been around for a long time and has become almost ubiquitous on our roads. If you've never owned one, you probably know someone who has. It's made Car and Driver's 10 Best list 38 times and in 1989, it became the first foreign brand to take the top spot on the US sales charts—and it's been one of the top-selling cars in America ever since.
Kieran White, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
13: Little Tikes Cozy Coupe (1979)
Since its introduction in 1979, the Cozy Coupe has been more people's "first car" than any other. It's a staple of daycares and driveways across the country and in 1998, The New York Times called it the "world's best-selling car for much of this decade". It is no doubt the one "driving" experience more people have in common than any other.
Andrew Bone, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
12: Dodge Caravan (1984)
We'll throw the Plymouth Voyager in here as well—as both can be talked about as the first minivans. And while the minivan in general has been the butt of many jokes over the years, soccer moms across the country have been forever grateful.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0,Wikimedia Commons
11: Renault Espace (1984)
And while we're on the topic of minivans, we shouldn't forget about the Renault Espace—which was doing in Europe what Chrysler was doing in America. And to many eyes, doing it better as far as the minivan's look was concerned.
Rudolf Stricker, Wikimedia Commons
10: Lexus LS400 (1989)
In 1989, Toyota decided it was time to get into the luxury car market and compete head on with the likes of Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, and the rest. And so they launched the Lexus brand and the Lexus LS400. It wasn't anything that different from all those Euro-Lux cars, but it only took them 14 months before they were outselling them all in the United States market.
Enigma3542002, Wikimedia Commons
9: Mazda MX-5 (1989)
Those of you in North America might be more familiar with the MX-5 as the Miata. Yup, it's that one: the mid-life crisis sports car for the masses. Although some might poke fun at it these days, its legacy can't be overlooked. It won numerous awards, and in 2009, Grassroots Motorsports magazine called the MX-5 the most important sports car built in the last 25 years.
Francigf, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
8: McLaren F1 (1993)
In 1994, Autocar magazine road tested the F1 and had this to say about it: "The McLaren F1 is the finest driving machine yet built for the public road". They went on to say that, "The F1 will be remembered as one of the great events in the history of the car".
PSParrot from England, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
7: Toyota Prius (1997)
It might've been the second generation of the brand in 2004 that really made the hybrid-thing world changing, but that first one in 1997 is the car that put the whole thing in motion. Would we be where we are with the proliferation of fully EV cars without the Prius?
Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
6: Thrust SSC (1997)
This was the first car to break the sound barrier, hitting 763 mph in 1997. A record that still holds all these decades later.
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
5: G-Wiz (2001)
There have been some amazing small cars. The G-Wiz wasn't one of them. Technically classified as a heavy quadricycle this vehicle seemed like a great way to get about town. But, as the UK Department for Transport pointed out, after doing some crash tests, they had some "serious safety concerns". Another opportunity to hopefully learn from mistakes.
RevaNorge, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
4: Google Streetview Cars (2000s)
These cars haven't just changed the world—they've mapped a huge percentage of it: 5 million miles and over 20 petabytes of imagery in fact.
Photographing Travis, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
3: Chevrolet Volt (2011)
Expounding on what the Prius had done, the Chevy Volt took things up a notch with its bigger battery that allowed it to go for quite a ways on just electric power—allowing for even more folks to take a step into the hybrid pool.
2: Tesla Model S (2012)
There is no brand more associated with the EV and no brand more responsible for its proliferation than Tesla. The price tag might've made the Model S unattainable to many, but its success completely changed the game. And every car company has been playing catch up since.
Maurizio Pesce, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1: Toyota Mirai (2014)
While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles aren't very common yet (and neither are the stations to fuel them), should they ever become a big thing, we will look back at the Toyota Mirai as the one that started it all—being the first FCV to be commercially mass-produced and sold.
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