It is the end of the 2019, and you knew it would have to be done. Every year, people from all walks of life and interests round up their own “greatest” lists of whatever strikes their fancy. Of course, just making a list of 10 of the “greatest” whatevers requires time, thought, and a lot of consideration.
The same goes for The Unlimited Driver’s 10 greatest vehicles of the past decade. It isn’t easy picking 10 of the best vehicles out of thousands that have come and gone over the past 10 years.
We still did our best though. Through careful research and deliberation, we introduce to you our picks for the top 10 greatest vehicles of the 2010s and why they made it onto our list.
Lexus LFA
The LFA, introduced in 2011, was Lexus’ first ever attempt at making a supercar. At face value, there just wasn’t too much to get excited about, and it is still considered by some to be a bust. For many, its near $400,000 price tag couldn’t even justify its sub four second 0-60 time, 552 horsepower, and its V10 engine.
All of these things were just a drop in the pond, though. If you had the choice between a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugatti, Pagani, or a Lexus, which would you most likely choose? C’mon now, be honest. This is exactly the point that Top Gear made in their initial review of the car when it came out, and that is a rather good point.
Why it’s on the list:
Despite the LFA’s enormous price tag and lack of pedigree, it is truly one of the automotive industry’s engineering marvels of the past decade. Lexus actually lost money on each LFA they sold, which made the LFA an experiment that saw no boundaries. The engineering, quality, and attention to detail was absolutely meticulous, both inside and out.
And, that V10 engine is no ordinary engine either. It was engineered by Yamaha and makes one of the best exhaust sounds ever to come from any vehicle. It revs so quickly that an ordinary analog tachometer was scrapped for a quicker digital one, so it could keep up. Jeremy Clarkson himself once called it his favorite supercar. It’s a hidden gem in the car world, and one that has made believers out of those who once doubted its greatness.
Ford F-150 Raptor
When automakers try to weld two ends of the spectrum together, they often fail. For example: Sports cars and SUVs don’t mix, but that hasn’t kept automakers from trying to make it work. So, what happens when you take a beast of an off-road race vehicle and make it street legal? You get the Ford F-150 Raptor. And, as it turns out, that actually works quite well.
The first generation Raptor was introduced in 2010 with a big 6.2-liter V8 engine that made 411 horsepower – the 5.4-liter V8 was dropped after the first year. It was a beast when it first came out and still is today. The second generation Raptor is powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 making 450 horsepower. Of course, being an off-road race truck converted for road use, the Raptor has always used beefy all-terrain tires, an upgraded suspension system, increased ride height, and other upgraded parts to ensure that it can literally go anywhere.
Why it’s on the list:
There have been few vehicles throughout history that have been as capable as the Raptor from the factory. Even the excellent Jeep Wrangler has to be upgraded to get to the level of the Raptor’s off-road capabilities. It was built specifically to tackle and hold up in almost any condition Mother Nature has to throw at it. Despite its V8 engine no longer being available – a fact that many purists have lamented – its twin-turbo V6 has the performance to make up for the absence of the V8 from the first generation.
The Raptor is unlike any other vehicle on earth and pushes the limits of capability, practicality, and a do-anything attitude to the edges of what is considered possible. Resale values paint the perfect picture of how people feel about it as well. The Raptor has proven to retain its value better than nearly every other vehicle on the market. It is currently the king of pickup trucks, and through the past decade, pickup trucks have ruled the road.
McLaren MP4-12C
Before the MP4-12C, there was McLaren’s excellent F1. It set and held the world record as the fastest production car until the Koenigsegg CCR beat it out in 2005. The F1 was considered one of the greatest cars of the 90’s, and indeed, is considered by some to be one of the greatest cars of all time. As the F1’s successor, the MP4-12C had some shoes to fill when it came out in 2011.
It did so by being as technologically advanced as the F1 – in relation to available technology at the time. Its performance numbers, though not as groundbreaking in comparison to the F1, were more than adequate as well. Its twin-turbocharged V8 engine produced nearly 600 horsepower, its fancy “brake steer” system allowed it to corner faster, its 7-speed dual-clutch transmission allowed the driver to preselect a gear before actually shifting, and its carbon fiber monocoque frame kept the car light. All of this resulted in a 3-second 0-60 time and a top speed of well over 200 miles per hour.
Why it’s on the list:
The MP4-12C may not carry the same significance and historical value as the F1, but it is the car that put McLaren on the map as a mainstay in the supercar and hypercar segments of the automotive industry. The MP4-12C was the first car McLaren built from start to finish. As a result it paved the way for subsequent McLaren models such as the 650S, P1, and Senna.
The 12C can often be forgotten because of the excellent McClaren models that have been introduced since its discontinuation. But, it is the one that got the party started. It isn’t the fastest, most reliable, most valuable, or even the best McLaren ever built, but it is the one that allowed “McLaren” to be uttered when considering when talking about which supercar or hypercar should be the next one in our garages.
Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat/Demon
Dodge looked to set the performance bar to a new level when they unveiled the Challenger Hellcat, and later, the Demon. Both cars have enormous amounts of power – 707 horsepower and 840 horsepower respectively – but neither are true sports cars by any means. They both weigh well over two tons which prevents them from having the athleticism of the Mustangs and Camaros of the world.
Despite their weight, their sheer performance numbers have pushed the limits of what people thought possible with street cars. Additionally, the Hellcat and Demon were designed as an homage to the original muscle cars of the 60’s and 70’s, and their design is one of the best “old school meets new school” mashups on the market. In other words, their roots and intentions are clear and different than most other vehicles today.
Why it’s on the list:
Both the Hellcat and Demon are similar to the Raptor in that they are so much different than most other vehicles on the market. Not only do they look different, but they are heads above the competition when it comes to shear performance numbers. They are also available at a price that is quite reasonable for everything you can get.
Because they are so much different, they have imposed their will on other manufacturers. Ford and Chevy have done their best to keep up with performance improvements to the Mustang and Camaro, but even the readily available performance versions of the two pony cars still fall short of the mark set by the Challenger twins. They may not be the best, most beloved cars on the face of the earth, but the Hellcat and Demon are both very different from just about everything else you can buy.
Ferrari LaFerrari/McLaren P1/Porsche 918
The “holy trinity”, as these three hypercars are called, are referred to as such, because they are all so similar to each other yet also very different at the same time. All three were unveiled to the public at the beginning part of the decade, all three have a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, and all three are powered by a mid-mounted hybrid powertrain.
The 918 produces a combined 887 horsepower from its engine and electric motors, the P1 produces a combined 916 horsepower from its V8 and electric motor, and the LaFerrari produces a combined 963 horsepower from its engine and battery. These are all staggering numbers, even for supercars today. That being said, even though all three have hybrid powertrain, all three are very different from one another when you get behind the wheel.
Why it’s on the list:
Inasmuch as these three road monsters are competitors, all three, like the Hellcat and Demon, have set a new performance bar in a world where the boundaries are already being tested and reset to new heights. All three give us a glimpse of what the future might hold as electric and battery power become more mainstream, but all of them do it in a different way.
Owners seem to agree that the Porsche is the civilized one of the bunch and the easiest to just get in and drive. The McLaren is the one that wants to fight back and is the hardest of the three to drive. And, the Ferrari seems to possess bits and pieces of both, along with some of those secret ingredients that makes a Ferrari so special. Regardless of what all three have to offer, everyone who has experienced them has been blown away by what they witness. Most say that it’s so hard to choose a winner between the three, and that’s good enough reason to put all of them here.
BMW 1M Coupe
The BMW 1M was kind of the odd man out in BMW’s historically exceptional “M Car” lineup. It couldn’t be called the M1, because that name had already been taken by BMW’s first attempt at a mid-engine supercar. It only made 335 horsepower from its turbocharged inline-6 engine, a performance figure that was greatly overshadowed by the V8-powered M3 and V10-powered M5 of the time.
It was built as a concession to the enthusiasts who hounded BMW into making a performance version of the little 1 series. It was only available in 2011 and only came with a 6-speed manual transmission. BMW themselves thought it would be a failure, but the numbers surrounding the 1M since 2011 have proven them to be completely wrong.
Why it’s on the list:
The BMW 1M is great for the same reason the Mazda Miata, Mazda RX-7, and Subaru BRZ are great: balance. It sounds so cliché to say that a great sports car is “balanced”, but it is this balance that makes the 1M one of the best cars of all time to drive. And, the vote is nearly unanimous for those who have had the opportunity to actually drive one. In fact, several who have gotten behind the wheel have noted that it may be one of the best, if not the best M car BMW has ever made.
The other part of the 1M that stands out is that nothing really seems to stand out. Even for 9 years ago, power was merely adequate. It wasn’t wildly styled and chiseled. It wasn’t particularly fast, luxurious, or laden with the best technology. All of this “mediocrity” combined to create one of the purist driving experiences in automotive history, and a lot of experts in the field have this car on the top of their own “Best of…” lists as well.
Kia Stinger/Genesis G80
The Kia Stinger and Genesis G80 are two of the newest cars on this list. The Stinger went to market as a 2018 model and won multiple awards including the 2018 AutoGuide.com Car of the Year award, 2018 MotorWeek Driver’s Choice award, everal J.D. Power awards, and Business Insider’s 2018 Car of the Year Award. The G80 debuted as a 2017 model and represented the new Genesis brand’s first car. It had been carried over to the new brand from Hyundai and was initially called the Equus. It was later changed to the Hyundai Genesis before Hyundai created the Genesis standalone brand.
The Stinger is a four-door hatchback offered in both rear and all-wheel-drive. It comes with the choice of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine which produces 255 horsepower or a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 which produces 365 horsepower. The G80 is available with a 5.0-liter V8, 3.8-liter V6, or the same 3.3 liter from the Stinger.
Why it’s on the list:
These cars are far from the same, but they are related in many ways. Both are fairly new to the market, both are made by the Korean automaker family of Kia and Hyundai, and both are pushing the boundaries of their respective segments of the market. The American market isn’t kind to hatchbacks or large sedans, but Kia and Hyundai decided to make the Stinger and G80 anyway. That’s good for the consumer, because it keeps our shrinking options from completely going away.
The biggest reason both of these cars are on this list is because both are standouts in their segments, even though their respective segments are becoming less popular. The Stinger is a true grand tourer that packs some pretty impressive performance, and the G80 brings a great deal of luxury to those who would previously need to look to BMW, Mercedes, and Audi for their luxury needs. Both cars are incredibly affordable for what they bring to the table and present some of the best value for the money of any vehicles throughout the past decade.
Ferrari 458
The Ferrari 458 comes in Italia, Spider, and Speciale variants. It’s a mid-engine supercar like many other Ferraris before it, but unlike many other Ferraris, this one makes many other “top car of the decades” lists as well. Additionally the 458 won 2011’s Motor Trend Driver’s Car of the Year Award and Top Gear’s 2013 Supercar of the Year award.
It debuted as a 2010 model. The 458, styled by Pininfarina, is powered by a naturally-aspirated 4.5-liter V8 engine producing 562 horsepower at baseline while other variants produce higher numbers. The 488 took its place in 2015. The 488, like the 458, won numerous awards, but it also featured at twin-turbocharged V8 engine, signifying a major transition in Ferrari’s modern supercars.
Why it’s on the list:
It takes a lot for a Ferrari to truly be special since so many Ferraris have been just that. The 458 is one of them, because it signifies a milestone. It is the last true Ferrari supercar with a naturally-aspirated engine. The Ferrari 812 Superfast is actually the last V12 Ferrari that is naturally-aspirated, but its engine is at the front of the vehicle. Some would argue that this disqualifies it from being a true supercar.
The 458 may only have a V8 engine, but the engine is mid-mounted like a true supercar. This also happens to give the 458 supreme handling capability and fantastic balance. Testers and owners of the 458 have claimed that it is one of the purest-driving Ferraris ever made, and the Formula 1 technology used in the manufacture of the car truly shows. The 458 may not be considered one of the most iconic Ferraris at the present time, but it will go down as one of the most important in history in the years to come.
Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S/Toyota 86
The Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S, and Toyota 86 are all essentially the same car. Save a few minor details, they all have the same engine, they are all rear-wheel-drive, and they all look largely the same. The FR-S became the 86 for the 2017 model year when Toyota discontinued the Scion name in 2016 while the BRZ has stood the test of time and has existed continuously since 2013.
On paper none of these cars is remarkable. Though slight horsepower bumps for certain trim levels have come of late, these cars have always produced right around 200 horsepower and about 155 lb-ft of torque, rather lackluster numbers compared to competitors. It does help that the BRZ and 86 only weigh about 2800 pounds, but these cars have been criticized by many for just not having enough get-up-and-go.
Why it’s on the list:
Even though the BRZ and 86 don’t have incredible performance numbers, they were never meant to be fast. They were specifically designed to embody the purest form of driving possible, and they deliver that in spades. Though many people argue that the BRZ and 86 don’t have enough power, there are few who argue that they aren’t some of the best driving cars of this decade. For those for whom the car was built – enthusiasts – that matters. Oh yeah… and both of these cars are still offered with manual transmissions, another very important factor for the target audience.
Neither the BRZ nor the 86 offer stellar straight-line performance. They aren’t fast, nor are they stylistically breathtaking. They are a hoot to drive, and they offer more fun-for-the-money than most other vehicles on the market. They are great, because they anomalous, and they provide exactly what they were designed to provide. Finally then, the great MX-5 Miata has a little competition, and the fact that we can say that is also pretty special considering that the Miata is the best-selling sports car of all time.
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S embodies the meteoric rise of the electric car perfectly. Tesla has been around for a while now, and the roadster was Tesla’s first production car, but the Model S was Tesla’s first true successful production car. Not only has it helped Tesla thrust itself into the mainstream automotive marketplace, it has the performance and technology that makes car fans drool.
The Model S went on sale in 2012, and it features autonomous driving technology and a battery life that makes constant charging a thing of the past. Not only is it known for its ridiculous acceleration due to its electric powertrain, it is also the second most popular all-electric vehicle ever – behind the Nissan Leaf – It is also the recipient of the “Car of the Century” award from Car and Driver, along with multiple “Car of the Year” awards from various publications.
Why it’s on the list:
Simply put: It is impossible not to put the Tesla Model S on this list. Not only is the Model S one of the most technologically-advanced vehicles ever made, it put an entire brand on the map, it has won a dizzying amount of awards, it is changing the way electric cars are made, its performance is incredible, and it is the first electric car that actually looks like a regular automobile. All of these things and more define what an electric car is now expected to be.
The Model S has rewritten the script for electric vehicles going forward. Not everybody is a fan of Tesla, but the Model S has proven itself to be a complete game changer and a pretty special car. Every single legitimate automotive journalistic source has the Model S as one of the great cars of the past decade, and many have it at the forefront as one of the greatest cars in history. The word “greatest” doesn’t always mean “best”, but the Tesla Model S isn’t too far away from being both.
Honorable Mentions:
Bugatti Chrion, Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrofoglio, Ford Mustang, Ford Fiesta ST, Honda Civic Type R, Lamborghini Aventador, Ford GT, Ford F-150, Mazda Miata, Dodge Viper ACR, Koenigsegg Agera
Be sure to comment on which vehicles we missed, which ones shouldn’t be here, or even your own list of the best vehicles from the past decades.
