The Coolest Cars Of The 1990s
Ah, the 90s: An era of CDs, recording shows on videotape, boy bands, Tamagotchis, and of course, some vehicular classics. The 90s were also an era of low-riding sports cars, customization options for vehicles that were more financially accessible to the mainstream, rear-wheel drive, and how could we forget: a working cell phone built into your car.
Let's recap some of the coolest cars from the 1990s and why they were beloved. Did you have one of these bad boys sitting in your driveway or garage? What did you sell it for? Do you miss it yet? No? You will after reading this.
1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth
A European entry to kick off our list is the 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth. Although Ford Escorts had been something of a staple in British four-door markets for a while, the RS Cosworth had a 227-horsepower 2.0L engine and went from 0-60 in just under six seconds.
For many, it was the perfect cross between a "weekend warrior" for tearing down single-track roads and a capable family vehicle.
Kieran White, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1991 Mazda Miata MX-5
Ah, the Mazda Miata MX-5. This sporty convertible was the perfect car to imagine yourself ripping down the Californian coast in—roof off, music blaring, without a care in the world. Its slimline design and pop-up headlights were unmistakably 90s.
But it wasn't just its looks that made the Miata great; it had supreme handling and was incredibly reliable. It doubled as a family vehicle, seating four with 3.6 cubic feet of trunk space.
Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1997 Acura Integra Type R
The 1997 Acura Integra Type R was a huge hit at the end of the century among sports car enthusiasts and teenagers searching for a sporty ride—it even came stock with a spoiler. The Type R boasted 195 horsepower in a four-cylinder engine that went from 0-60 in 6.6 seconds.
That, and one of the available colors was bright yellow. If "loud" color doesn't scream 1990s, then I don't know what does.
Jacob Frey 4A, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1996 Nissan Skyline GT-R
If you played games like Need for Speed in the early 2000s, then you'll remember the 1996 Nissan Skyline GT-R being one of the most sought-after cars in the game. That's because it was a huge success for Nissan in the late 90s era of sporty performance cars.
Its six-cylinder engine delivered 276 horses for a top speed of 155 mph. I mean, just look at that spoiler and the linework in the design.
ZidaneHartono, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1992 Dodge Viper Gen 1
The first generation of the Dodge Viper was introduced in 1992 with astonishing success. The viper's looooong hood length and three-spoke wheels, along with its convertible design made it extremely popular among sports car enthusiasts. Under the hood? An 8.0 liter, 400-horsepower V10 engine.
If you wanted to go fast in a straight line, this was the car for you.
1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ
One of the cars that put Jeep on the map as a highly-capable SUV maker was the 1993 Grand Cherokee ZJ. Today, Jeep has cemented its place as a maker of great SUVs, and the 1993 Grand Cherokee helped it get there.
Its 4WD, five-seater capability meant that you could use it as a kid-transporter and as an off-roading beast, helped by 190 horses under the hood. It was also slightly quicker than the Ford Explorer, an archrival in the 1990s SUV wars.
Mic, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Chevrolet Impala SS
The Chevrolet Impala SS was a sedan for the ages. Similar in design to the Chevrolet Caprice, the Impala SS used elements of the Corvette and Camaro in its engine design, packing a V8 engine with 260 horsepower. The Impala SS defined a performance sedan in 90s America.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1993-1997 Pontiac Firebird TransAm
Unfortunately for Pontiac, the brand lost its popularity in the proceeding decade of the 2000s, but the TransAms from 1993 to 1997 were very popular. The V8 engine in the later models of the Firebird TransAm topped out at 305-330 horsepower, providing a nifty sports car that also doubled as a daily driver.
Chris Yarzab, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1991 Chevrolet Tahoe
The 1991 three-door Chevy Tahoe was an interesting take on an SUV. Whilst having only three doors, it featured the dashboard of the iconic Chevy Suburban and was very much like the Chevy Blazer that the Tahoe replaced. It was a 4WD SUV with towing capabilities and featured 67 cubic feet of trunk space. It was a family weekend camping vehicle and a work SUV simultaneously—versatility that made it enormously popular.
MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1992 Porsche 911
We know—nobody sells an early-90s Porsche 911 unless they absolutely have to. But the 1992 Porsche 911 had to have a place on our list, even if there's one still sitting in your driveway that your neighbors glare enviously at.
Because it was the 1990s, Porsche introduced the 911 in all kinds of funky colors like purples and yellows, a customization option not found among predecessors. Additionally, the 911 was offered in a Turbo version and even four-wheel drive.
Charles, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1997 Chevrolet Corvette C5
The introduction of the Corvette C5 by Chevrolet in 1997 marked a turning point in the history of Chevrolet Corvettes. The C5 had a rear engine, unheard of at the time among American performance cars, packing 345 horsepower and going from 0-60 in 5.1 seconds. It also featured pop-up headlights and was available as a coupe or a convertible.
For those with speed needs (who didn't care about the ugly interior), the C5 defined a generation of Corvettes until 2001.
1995 Ford Taurus
The everyday driver among teenagers and families alike, the 1995 Ford Taurus was something of a workhorse. The V6 manual transmission, four-door sedan gave you 220 horsepower and was extremely affordable, making it very popular among young drivers.
1992 Dodge Caravan
The Dodge Caravan was one of the ultimate American workhorses of the 1990s—a characteristic of Dodge Caravans that has remained true to this day. The 1992 model integrated child safety seats into its build (a welcome addition for growing families) and comfortably seated seven passengers.
The extra seat space could also be used to hold cargo when not in use. It was truly an iconic passenger van of the era. Sometimes, being sensible is cool!
Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1992-1996 Ford F-Series
The F-Series of pickup trucks from Ford saw the introduction of the Ford F-150 and cemented Ford's place as the king of the light-duty pickup truck. The quintessential American pickup truck, Ford's F-Series was a two- (or three) seater with a full-sized 64.8-inch bed in their Regular Cab version (Ford also released a commercial truck line that year).
The F-Series made its mark on the construction and farming industries as the ultimate do-it-all truck, outperforming Dodge and GMC.
RL GNZLZ from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1993 Subaru Impreza
The second iteration of the Subaru Impreza, released in 1992, saw the sedan version leave its mark on North America and the UK. The 1993 version was marketed as the Subaru WRX, a sporty car for folks looking for low-profile stylish riding, while the Subaru Impreza Wagon provided a five-door option with more trunk space for a more family-oriented design.
order_242, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1993 Ford Bronco
This was the family vehicle to rival the Jeep Cherokee and other off-road behemoths at the time. With a large front grille, three doors, a very generous 79 cubic feet of storage space, or 50.2 cubic feet with all of the seats in place, the Bronco was another do-it-all vehicle from Ford.
While practicality may have been key in some areas of the Bronco, its giant 15x6" wheels certainly weren't. But, you could take it off-road, as it seemed to double as a small tank.
RL GNZLZ, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1991 Ford Explorer
The 90s were a banner year for Ford releasing off-road vehicles, or at least ones capable of handling the stresses of work and family simultaneously. The 1991 Ford Explorer dispensed with the idea that SUVs had to be large and in-charge, as it were.
Offering a more compact design, the '91 Explorer didn't lack power: A 4.0L V6 engine generating 155 horsepower was no slouch, available in five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox configurations and rear- or four-wheel-drive. The SUV that could do it all became a daily driver for many American families in the earliest years of the 90s.
1999 Honda Civic Si
Rounding out the 1990s for Honda was the Honda Civic Si, a sporty two-door sedan with a spoiler and four-seater capacity, this car exemplified perhaps a teenager's second car in the late 90s. It also featured a spoiler (which we all know is just the King of Cool), and a tiny 1.6L VTEC engine that only put out 160 horsepower.
However, it did redline RPMs at 8500, compared with its Chevrolet competitor, redlining at 6000RPM. Maybe this Civic paved the way for some Civic drivers who seem to run their cars at 8500RPM.
RadicalBender, Wikimedia Commons
1998 Toyota Supra
The bell tolls for the 1998 Supra, the last Supra built by Toyota. At least it was a good one. The sleek design of the two-door hatchback made it instantly popular, with its wide wheelbase and a six-cylinder, 3.0L turbocharged option. It even featured traction control!
Even more futuristic, the Supra featured a hands-free phone option. Delivering either 220 (regular) or 315 (turbocharged) horses, the 1998 Supra was quick off the mark and quick off the lot among sports car loving Toyota fans.
Shadman Samee, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1992 Honda Accord
The 1992 Honda Accord is one of America's best-selling vehicles. The four-door, four-seater sedan offered extensive storage space (between 14.4 and 34.5 cubic feet) and provided a decent fuel economy of 20-22 mpg from a four-cylinder 2.2L engine. The Accord wasn't the quickest, or the sharpest looking thing on the road, but it certainly was reliable.
You'd basically have to wrap this thing around a tree in order to make it stop running. Like most Hondas, the Accord's longevity is legendary, and it was available as either a coupe, wagon, or sedan, making it adaptable to your needs.
Guillaume Vachey, Wikimedia Commons
1994 VW Eurovan
Really, any of the mid-to-late 90s Eurovan models will do, but if you're looking for a picture of the quintessential camper van of the 90s, then the VW Eurovan might have been it. Though less popular in North America (who favored the Ford Econoline), for those looking for a compact travel van back then, the VW Eurovan was it!
Ermel, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
1994 Acura Integra
The 1994 Acura Integra was another teenage dream, particularly if you liked a bit of sport. Three years before the Type R overtook the original Integra as a teenage/young adult best-seller, there was the OG Integra with a classic white color palette and another spoiler (they were all the rage, honestly).
It featured a 170-horsepower 1.8L VTEC engine, redlining at 6300 rpm. The Integra was a great sporty car for those cool kids.
1993-98 Lincoln Mark VIII
Lincoln has been synonymous with "luxury" since their inception, and the Mark VIII manufactured throughout the mid-90s was one of their less ostentatious, yet most reliable and well-loved cars for those who could afford them.
Following its discontinuance in 1998, the Lincoln has become something of a collector's item, but the beloved two-door coupe made a great family vehicle back then and is still in use today.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1996 Dodge Viper GTS
If you thought the introductory model in 1992 was a cool cat, wait till you read about this. The 1996 Dodge Viper GTS had a two-tone color scheme with bright white stripes running up the middle from back to front. Available in blue, red, black, or all-white, the GTS was designed to turn heads, exuding speed and confidence.
Complimenting its creative colors, the Viper GTS' 8.0L V10 electronic injection engine produced 455 horsepower and topped out at an impressive 180 mph.
nakhon100, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1999 Honda S2000
The Honda S2000 was introduced in 1999 to the North American market as a sporty, shorty, slim convertible. While it didn't enjoy the success of other late-90s open-top sports cars, the S2000 was still pretty cool for its size and open-top design.
Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1993 Cadillac Allante
The 1993 Cadillac Allante was one of America's most expensive vehicles in 1993, listed at $60,000. But boy did it perform: It carried around a NorthStar V8 engine capable of producing 295 horsepower. The '93 Allante was a huge step forward for Cadillac in the 90s as it attempted to compete with the luxurious European car manufacturers like Mercedes and Jaguar.
Unfortunately, the Allante never got legs in that market, nor really in North America for that matter, but it still deserves a place on the list for the attempt.
Pokemonprime, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1993 Toyota Supra
Before there was the 1998 Toyota Supra, the 1993 model paved the way for Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) cars to enter the American market and sell well. The international model of the '93 Supra produced a fantastic 326 horsepower and went from 0-60 in under five seconds (4.6 to be exact).
Its top speed was 160 mph. The '93 Supra walked so the '98 could sprint.
1993 Honda Civic Del Sol
The 1993 Honda Civic Del Sol was all about its sunroof. Named after the Spanish phrase, "of the sun," the soft-top design of the convertible made it popular among young, beachgoing summer lovers.
Sold as a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission powered by 4.0L D-Series engines, the two-door roadster was seen as something different by Civic lovers and Honda enthusiasts alike.
MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1992 McLaren F1
British car manufacturers usually have a tough time in the United States thanks to incredibly stiff competition from American auto manufacturers, but the release of the high-performance McLaren F1 supercar in 1992 even got American drivers excited.
Only 64 were ever produced, and only seven of those made it to the US, each of them needing to be modified by the importer to make them legal on American roads.
The MacLaren F1's 6.1L V12 engine produced an astonishing 618 horsepower, and it topped 200 mph. At the time, it was the fastest production car ever made.
Chelsea Jay, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1990 Acura NSX
Sold in North America as the Acura NSX, but manufactured by Honda, this sports car was popular during the first three years of its time on the North American market, selling over 1,000 models from 1990 to 1993.
But after the first generation, Acura NSX models produced saw their sales figures dwindle to the hundreds from 1993-2005, eventually only selling two units in the US in 2007. Still, the OG Acura NSX had a nice 3.2L V6 engine and pop-up headlights that make it a worthy addition to this list.
Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
1995 Mazda MX-3
The 1995 Mazda MX-3 looked to build on the popularity of the Mazda Miata in the North American market. It lost the pop-up headlights and gained a sleeker spoiler design (still all the rage in '95), but didn't quite have the performance metrics of the Miata. It offered a 1.6L four-cylinder or a 1.8L V6 engine, the latter producing a modest 130 horsepower and topping out at a maximum speed of 120 mph.
Mazda North America also produced a special edition of 2,000 units that featured a leather interior, a V6 engine, heated seats, and 15-inch wheels.
1995 Ferrari F50
The 50th birthday celebration of Ferrari was celebrated by... unveiling a new supercar, of course. The F50 was a cool cat, for sure, with that extra-wide chassis and massive spoiler. With a 4.7L naturally-aspirated V12 engine, topping 202 mph and going from 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, the F50 was a supercar for the ages.
Released in five colors: black, red (most popular), yellow, burgundy, and silver, the F50 sold just 55 cars in the American market—but only 349 were ever produced worldwide.
J.Smith831, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1996 GM EV-1
General Motors produced the first mass-production, purpose-built electric vehicle in 1996: the EV-1. While the units sold were under 1,000 for the first generation (661 units sold between 1996 and 1999, when the EV-1 ceased production), the EV-1 makes the list for being the first mass-produced battery powered vehicle.
Although hybrids already existed in large numbers at the time, the EV-1 ran solely on battery.
RightBrainPhotography (Rick Rowen), CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1991-1993 GMC Syclone
Despite the spelling, the GMC Syclone models produced between 1991 and 1993 lived up to their name by outperforming a Ferrari in 0-60 testing: doing it in only 5.3 seconds. It was the world's fastest pickup truck for a while.
Built for speed rather than hauling, it wasn't much use as a pickup truck, but it makes the list for besting a Ferrari. That's pretty cool for a thing with a box bed.
dave_7, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1991-1995 Bugatti EB-110
While not much for its looks, the Bugatti EB-110 featured 12 cylinders and four turbochargers capable of producing 553 horsepower and a top speed of 212 mph. It's 0-60 time? 3.4 seconds. American racer Derek Hill (son of American F1 Champion Phil Hill) competed at the 1996 24 Hours of Daytona event in a Bugatti EB-110.
While you could only really drive this thing on a long, straight road , the Bugatti EB-110 makes the list for trying.
1990 BMW Z1
The 1990 BMW Z1 was designed like a wedge, with a slimmer front end, a higher-than-usual middle seating and driving cockpit and then almost no back-end at all. While not exactly your favorite performance car, the Z1 did have doors that seemed to disappear. They actually slid downward into the sill of the vehicle at the press of a button. Doors? Who needs 'em!
Kieran White, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1992-1994 Jaguar XJ220
A non-V12 sports car that exemplified Jaguar's stylish spin is the 1992-1994 Jaguar XJ220. The XJ220 was mainly produced for a British market and was sleek with a low-profile design geared towards aerodynamics.
Jaguar tried (and failed) to break 220 mph in their speed testing, but were, for a while, holders of the Guinness World Record for the fastest production car at 217 mph. And the XJ220 did that with a V6 production engine, rather than their V8 and V12 competitors.
MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1994 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
The Ford Mustang SVT Cobra is perhaps the most classic Mustang of the 1990s, beloved by all as the consummate American car of the year, perhaps of the decade.
The 1994 Ford Mustang SVT was built to compete with Chevrolet's Corvette Z28, and compete it did. Offering 240 horsepower from its V8 engine and a five-speed manual transmission, it has appeared in countless TV shows and movies and was the Motor Trend Car of the Year in 1994.
Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1993 Ford Explorer
The 1993 version of the Ford Explorer was a replacement for the earlier-listed Ford Bronco, and was featured in the movie Jurassic Park (1993). The 1993 Explorer came with a redesigned engine for greater horsepower: 160 horsepower from a 4.0L V6 engine gave the Explorer more gumption than its predecessor and introduced the SUV as one of America's most popular vehicle types.
Monza2t, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
1994 GM Hummer H1
The GM Hummer H1 was a civilian version of the US Military's M998 Humvee, which was originally introduced to civilians in 1992, following its popularity based on pictures from Operation Desert Storm. The Hummer H1 did everything an off-road enthusiast could possibly want, all with a 6.4L V8 engine producing 170 horsepower.
MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1991 Chevrolet Lumina
The 1991 Chevy Lumina was designed to be Chevrolet's NASCAR machine and they made huge improvements in the handling, aerodynamics and body design of the Lumina to accommodate. The Lumina's new twin-cam V6 engine did 0-60 in just 7.2 seconds.
Goebel, J, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
1997 Plymouth Prowler
The 1997 Plymouth Prowler certainly turned heads when it trundled down the road. Producing 214 horsepower from a 3.5L V6 engine, the '97 Prowler had an arrowhead-style design that was certainly unique. Unfortunately, as cool as it looked, it was uncomfortable to sit in, and was disorienting for most road users due to the design of the cockpit.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1999 Audi TT
Audi released the TT in 1999 to much fanfare. It was a unique body design that used a laser beam welding technique for those perfect curves and Beetle-esque shape. It's early test drivers had great fun in this end-of-the-decade car that would become a classic.
1990 Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1
Corvette lovers kicked off the decade with a brand new 'Vette. The ZR1 was rare—with just under 7,000 ever produced. The rare beast could do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and topped 180 mph—incredible performance considering the era, and that's why the ZR1 sold like hotcakes and is widely regarded as one of the best 'Vettes of the 90s.
Eric Friedebach, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1990 Lamborghini Diablo
The 1990 Lamborghini Diablo put Ferrari on-notice to step up their game. The Diablo was the first Lamborghini to achieve a top speed of 200 mph and did 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. The Diablo also featured the "Scissor" doors, which automatically make it cool.
dave_7, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1996 Lotus Elise
The 1996 Elise was a different-looking sports car from British manufacturer Lotus. Despite having only two seats, the curvaceous, lightweight design (it weighed only 1,800 pounds!) could hit 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. It might not have had the name recognition of other supercars, but the Brit held its own against Lamborghini and Ferrari in the 'fun' category.
Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Nissan 300 ZX
Smaller sports cars like the Nissan 300 ZX were all the rage in the early 1990s, with its twin-turbo version hitting a five-second 0-60 speed. It was available as a two-door convertible or a three-door, two-seater coupe. The 300ZX showed that you didn't have to have a Ferrari to go fast.
nakhon100, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1999 Pagani Zonda C12
Pagani held out on us for their entirely too-fast supercar, the Zonda C12. Not only did it look great, but it was powered by a Mercedes engine that put out an insane 760 horsepower and went from 0-60 in just four seconds. Only five of these were ever produced, with only three ever delivered to customers—one was used for crash testing.
Handelsgeselschaft, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1998 Lincoln Navigator
The 1998 Lincoln Navigator is the SUV that paved the way for Lincoln to produce the gas-guzzlers of today. The full-sized SUV was based directly on the Ford Expedition, and it even used the same V8 engine that pumped out 230 horsepower. The Navigator broke new ground for Lincoln, besting their rival, Cadillac, in sales for the first time in decades.
1996 Porsche Boxster
The 1996 Porsche Boxster was Porsche's "Hail Mary" after a financial slump (and Porsche realizing it could no longer rely on the 911 for sales). It performed superbly in handling and driveability. It's widely regarded as the car that saved Porsche.
Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1990 Ford Taurus SHO
The 1990 Ford Taurus SHO (Super-High Output) was a mean machine, sporting a 3.0L V6 engine that produced 220 horsepower and was faster at the time than a Ford Mustang GT. Three years later, the 1993 model year reached 143 miles per hour in just 6.3 seconds. Super-High Output, indeed.
1997 Chevrolet Camaro SS
The 1997 Chevrolet Camaro SS was one cool cat. Or rather, "catfish", as it was known, because it looked like a catfish. Aside from resembling (if vaguely) a fish, the 1997 SS also moved pretty quickly thanks to its under-hood 5.7L V8 engine that pushed 330 horsepower and propelled it from 0-60 in just 5.5 seconds. It was big, powerful, and cheap—a car that exemplified the 1990s in the States.
MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1999 Shelby Series One
Intended as a spiritual successor to the 1969 Shelby GT Cobra, the long-bodied Shelby Series One was only produced as a limited run of 249 cars, powered by an Oldsmobile V8 DOHC engine that gave it the power to do 0-60 in just 4.1 seconds and hit a stunning top speed of 170 mph.
1991-1997 BMW 8-Series
The 1991-1999 BMW 8-Series came with either a V8 or V12 engine and was a two-door coupe built to go great distances. Fuel economy was fantastic for the era, at 12MPG, but was mostly intended as a performance-based cruiser. Unfortunately for BMW, the global recession of the 1990s didn't do them any favors in North America, as they sold a little over 6,000 units and pulled the 8-Series off the lines in 1997.
ilikewaffles11, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1992 Mazda RX-7
The 1992 Mazda RX-7 was a sports car for the era, complete with a twin-turbo engine that was the first-ever twin-turbo engine created in Japan to be shipped out of the country with exports of the RX-7. Producing 252 horsepower, the 1992 RX-7 was a huge hit among Mazda enthusiasts and is considered a classic Mazda.
1990 Lotus Carlton
Another great 90s car from the British maker was the Lotus Carlton—a beefed up Vauxhall Carlton with a twin-turbo 3.0L inline-six engine produced a stunning 377 horsepower. It was an all-conquering, all-doing everyday driver with a huge top-speed of 176 mph.
1992 Volkswagen Golf Mk3
In order to comply with new safety regulations, the 1992 Volkswagen Golf Mk3 was made heavier and larger than the beloved Mk2, but VW also made this one faster. They somehow squeezed a 2.8L VR6 engine that produced 174 horsepower and could go like the wind. The VW Golf really came into their own in the 1990s and created a standard for small, sporty cars that would be unmatched for decades.
1992 Ferrari 456 GT
The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti had its day when the 1992 Ferrari 456 GT came along. The 436 horsepower V12 engine screamed "fast". It had a gorgeous leather interior that exuded opulence and was the last Ferrari ever to appear with pop-up headlights. Rest in peace, pop-up headlights.
Thesupermat, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
1994 Aston Martin DB7
One of James Bond's favorite cars was born out of a scrapheap. The Aston Martin DB7 was rescued from an abandoned Jaguar project by designer Ian Callum, who incidentally created one of the most iconic Astons ever. Initially powered by a V8 engine, later versions, known as "Vantage", would be powered by the awesome V12 engines.
Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1995 Alfa Romeo GTV
If you don't have enough room in your garage or bank account for a Ferrari, why not go for the 1995 Alfa Romeo GTV? It was designed by Pininfarina (the company that designed Ferraris) and mirrored a Ferrari's performance, too. Known as the "supercar in miniature", the Alfa Romeo GTV was one cool cat in the mid-90s.
photobeppus, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1997 Volvo C70 Coupé
The 1997 Volvo C70 Coupe may have been one of the Swedish manufacturer's best-looking designs. The two-door sedan with seating for four drew lots of eyes in the late 90s with its Saffron Pearl orange paint and sleek, BMW-esque design. It packed a punch under the hood too—237 horsepower from a turbocharged five-cylinder engine.
Thomas doerfer, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
1999 BMW M Coupé
The BMW M Coupé served as an excellent hatchback that was oddly proportioned—much shorter in the back than the front, it quickly earned the nickname, "The Bread Van". Despite this, it performed excellent, 231 horsepower from a 3.2L six-cylinder engine. Traction control didn't even make an appearance on the thing till 2001.
1998 Maserati 3200 Coupé
While Maserati has always been a fairly rare find in the U.S., the 1998 3200 Coupé was still cool. The luxury ride was a two-door sedan with two seats in behind the driver and passenger. Sold as a go-fast touring car, the 3200 came with a turbocharged 3.2L V8 engine and could do 0-60 in 4.6 seconds.
Charles01, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1991 Toyota MR2
Despite being unveiled in 1984, the Toyota MR2 didn't really take off in the US until the early 1990s. The MR2's sleek design turned heads and its mid-engine design and RWD meant it was easy to whip around corners. This cool cat could do 0-60 in 6.1 seconds and had a top speed of 142 mph.
Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1991 Cadillac Allanté
For whatever reason, not many liked the Cadillac Allanté, but for us, it was a cool convertible that was luxurious without making you feel like you were stuck in a box. The Allanté's convertible soft-top made it a firm favorite among Caddy lovers, and although it was big and heavy, convertibles are cool.
1992 Porsche 968 Turbo
The 1992 Porsche 968 Turbo came with a spoiler (cool points) and was available in bright yellow (further cool points). Spoilers and color aside, the 968 kicked the competition into touch with a 3.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine roaring out 304 horsepower, capable of doing 0-60 in five seconds and a top speed of 174 mph.
Giftzwerg 88, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
1993 Kia Sephia
The 1993 Kia Sephia was the very first car that Kia independently produced, using their own chassis. The Sephia was a huge hit in Japan during its first year—selling over 100,000 units. For being the very first produced by Kia themselves, the Sephia earns a spot on our 'cool' list.
Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
1990 Mercedes Benz SL-600
If you liked to travel around in style, the 1990 Mercedes Benz SL-600 was where the sweet spot between style and finesse could be found. The luxury sedan could go from a standstill to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds (the thing weighed 4,501 pounds!), and its V12 engine propelled it to a 155-mph top speed. Staggeringly quick for a 1990s car, especially one that was that heavy and still felt that luxurious. It was like driving a very fast-moving cloud.
nakhon100, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1995 Lexus LS-400
The 1995 Lexus LS-400 is another quick luxurious car, but at 3,700 pounds, it was lighter than the Mercedes and capable of 250 horsepower from a V8 engine that rocketed the luxury sedan to a top speed of 155 mph.
Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1999 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Officially named the 1999 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Tommi Mäkinen Edition, after a Finnish World Rally Car driver who won four titles behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, this vehicle was a high-performance racecar that featured a spoiler (of course it did), a low-profile front end with three grilles, and a hood scoop. A fun fact is that Tommi Mäkinen doesn't actually own one.
Although Mitsubishi may have produced the 1999 Lancer Evo, the company would admit to a decades-long covering up of defects which resulted in crashes, killing four people. Mitsubishi's President would be arrested in 2004, along with four other officials for their role in the cover-up which spanned much of Mitsubishi's vehicle line.
Do you have any other suggestions for 'cool' 90s cars? Did you own any of these—do you still have one? If so, let us know what you thought of them below!
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