The automotive industry is moving at a very fast pace, so auto designers are finding it difficult to continuously create evergreen designs. While some cars already look out of fashion in less than a decade in production, others manage to look fresh even after decades since their launch.
Keenly observing design trends shows that each decade comes with its own distinct styling approach and design language. For the 1990s, the trendy designs were retro styling, pop-up headlights, and slanted front ends as we see on sports cars like the Lamborghini Diablo and the Corvette ZR-1. These cars are over 25 years old, but you might mistake them for a 2020s sports car.
10 Toyota Supra Mk4
The MK4 makes its entry into the market in 1993, as part of the fourth-generation Supra that remains in production for 8 years, winning the heart of sports car enthusiasts with its role in the blockbuster franchise The Fast and the Furious. JDM car enthusiasts are particularly fond of its unmistakable aerodynamic shape.
The Supra MK4 works with a naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE 3.0-liter straight-six engine and a 2JZ-GTE 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six. The Toyota Supra MK4 rides on the Lexus SC platform, but it’s about 13 inches shorter.
9 Aston Martin DB7
One of the 1990s icons to debut at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show is the Aston Martin DB7 which goes on to conquer over 29 markets around the world. With its deeply layered paint job, elegant interior design, and throaty engine sound, the DB7 can pass for a modern-day car, even though it has been out of production since 1999.
The DB7 is the first ever Aston Martin to come with a V12 engine. It comes in the form of a coupe and convertible, with underpinnings of the Jaguar XJS. The DB7 is exhilarating on the road, and the best part is that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to get one in good condition today.
8th Jaguar XK8
At first glance, you might mistake the Jaguar XK8 for the Aston Martin DB7. That’s understandable because both marques are actually from the stable of Ford. The XK8 appears to be more stylish than the DB7, at least from the interior. It’s available in the form of a two-door convertible and a three-door hatchback coupe.
The XK8 is Jaguar’s first model to feature the 4.0-liter 32-valve V8 engine that produces 290 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. It’s brilliant on the road, with a lighter steering and softer ride quality than the DB7.
7 Ferrari F355
The Ferrari F355 is a replacement for the 348, with production running from 1995-1999. The F355 offers better daily drivability and is more reliable than its predecessor. With its stiffer and lighter monocoque construction, the F355 enjoys high-level rust-proofing and shimmer finish.
The F355 is the Prancing Horse’s first street car with a quad-cam, five-valve engine with an output of 375 horsepower. It zooms to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and reaches 185 mph before losing its breath. Aerodynamically, the Prancing Horse F355 benefits from a small diffuser and a ducktail spoiler.
6 Lotus Esprit V8
The Lotus Esprit was finally equipped with a V8 engine in 1996, giving it the right supercar credentials. It’s a low, broad, sleek mid-engined supercar with an otherworldly 0-60 mph acceleration of 4.4 seconds. With the effortless blending of luxury and all-round performance, there’s no better way to have fun on the road.
1990s supercar enthusiasts can’t mistake the sweeping lines of the Lotus Esprit. With all the aerodynamic accessories of the road-going racecar, it still weighs only 3,045 pounds. The power steering on the Esprit is light with a lethargic response.
5 McLaren F1
McLaren spared no expense to make the F1 different from any other car when it made its debut in 1992. With its clean-sheet design approach, everything on the F1 was custom-made, save the taillights.
With efficiency as its guiding principle, McLaren ensures that the F1 is not only compact but also featherweight, with its carbon fiber construction. The British car magazine Autocar describes the McLaren F1 as the “finest driving machine yet built for the public road.”
4 Dodge Viper GTS
Think of the Dodge Viper GTS as a modern reincarnation of the Daytona Coupe. With its refined handling, stunning look, and monstrous performance, the GTS is more than just a Dodge Viper with a roof. With the Viper GTS’ big wheels, overblown hood, and striped finish, let’s just say it’s not for those who desire subtlety.
Even though the Viper GTS is a jet on its feet, several comfort amenities including air-conditioning make it a nearly plausible daily driver. Dubbed the “double bubble”, the GTS’ roof is slightly raised to allow for the use of helmets. The GTS is the first Viper to come with door locks, airbags, and power windows.
3 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 is a 90s icon that deserves to make a comeback just like the Toyota Supra, Nissan GT-R, and NSX. The massive rear wing and sleek bodywork of the 3000GT VR4 never go out of fashion. With its retro styling, you might mistake it for cars that cost ten times more.
This classic Mitsubishi not only looks fast, but it’s also actually fast on its feet, with a 0-60 mph time of about 5.0 seconds. With the in-gear acceleration facilitated by the twin-turbo powertrain, the overtaking maneuvers come easy for the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4.
2 Mazda RX-7
Any discussion about the best rotary-powered sports cars would be incomplete without mentioning the Mazda RX-7, which is a joy to drive and a sight to behold. Thanks to the lightweight design, rotary engine, and thrilling driving experience, the RX-7 is one of the bestselling rotary-powered cars of all time.
The third and last generation RX-7 codenamed “FD” enters the market in 1992 with an updated body design. Besides being the most gorgeous generation, the third-generation RX-7 is also the best in terms of handling. Mazda also introduced a new sequential twin turbocharger to boost the RX-7’s output.
1 Lamborghini Diablo
Wide, low, and futuristic are the words that perfectly describe the Diablo, which was the bestselling Lamborghini until the end of its production in 2001. With its scissor doors, steeply raked windshield, and slant front end, the Lamborghini Diablo is unmistakable on the road, even after over three decades since its launch.
Having the same transmission configuration, aluminum body, and spaceframe chassis, the Lamborghini Diablo is essentially an enhancement of its predecessor, the Countach. But unlike the Countach, the Diablo features fully adjustable seats, power windows, and even power steering from 1993 onwards.
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