When it comes to greatness, there are very few anythings that can truly be placed in that exclusive company.
There have been millions and millions of vehicles manufactured throughout history, and just a small percentage of those have made the “great” conversation. Many don’t even make the next tier and sneak into the “good” conversation.
But, what makes a vehicle bad, or good, or great?
The answer is not as straightforward as it might seem, but there are several ways to gauge the greatness of a vehicle. There are even quite a few vehicles that are great in different ways than others.
No matter how many different vehicles are great at one or two things, there will always be vehicles that are great at more things. These are the vehicles that have and will cement themselves throughout history as the truly great ones.
So, let’s look at some of the things that make a vehicle great and discuss some vehicles that have these characteristics.
Importance:
Historical significance and context play a huge role in determining whether or not a vehicle has the potential to be great. And, some vehicles are important for different reasons as well.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is credited with sparking the hot hatchback movement. The Dodge Caravan is the first successful minivan in the modern era. The Pontiac GTO is considered by many to be the first true muscle car – whether that’s true or not is a debate for another time.
The point is, that that each of these vehicles holds an important part of automotive history for one reason or another. Most people would probably say objectively that the Caravan holds more overall importance than the Pontiac GTO because of its farther-reaching benefits to the general population.
Many would probably also say that the GTO is higher on the greatness scale because of other attributes it possesses that the Caravan does not.
Desirability:
Desirability is a little less important on the scale than “importance” and is a bit more subjective. Regardless of how desirable a vehicle is to you, the price people are willing to pay to have a particular vehicle will dictate how desirable it actually is.
We will use the previous example.
The average car buyer would almost never take the Pontiac GTO over a Dodge Caravan. A minivan is more useful to more people and families. It is desirable because more people want a minivan.
Despite this, the Pontiac GTO is a more desirable vehicle because, even though there are fewer people who want one, there are also fewer GTOs available to those who do. And, because the GTO is no longer in production, the ratio of available GTOs to collectors is much lower. As a result, prices go up and the GTO is considered a more desirable vehicle than the Dodge Caravan.
Performance:
Performance and power are two different things. Performance includes handling, acceleration, speed, maneuverability, and braking. It is not necessary for a vehicle to be great but it is certainly a factor.
Evidence of this can be found almost everywhere. Great vehicles of the 1960s generally lack the overall performance capabilities of great vehicles from the current decade; however, many of them offered top tier performance for the day.
The original Volkswagen Beetle is a good example of a great vehicle that lacked the performance factor that many great vehicles have. Still, some of the greatest vehicles ever made are the most performance-oriented versions of themselves.
Some good examples of this include the Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II, BMW M3 CSL, and Plymouth Superbird.
Design:
Beautiful or unique design is another attribute that many – but not all – great vehicles possess. This is a simple one to grasp, so I don’t need to spend that much time explaining it.
Some great vehicles that are highly regarded for their standout design include the Ford GT40, Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, and Lamborghini Miura.
Purpose:
Purpose is an interesting one, but it is much more far-reaching category than performance, desirability, and design. In other words, an automaker like Ferrari or Lamborghini can and have made vehicles that perform and look beautiful.
On the other hand, vehicles like the Ford F-Series pickup, Dodge Caravan, Toyota Camry, Ford Explorer, and Volkswagen Golf GTI were all built with a specific purpose. But, vehicles like these check many more boxes than just those within their target market. They have become great because they fulfill their purpose and can do even more.
Not every vehicle becomes great because it can fulfill so many different roles. Alfa Romeo is notorious for making, um… not the best vehicles in terms of quality… but, they have also made some of the most beautiful and desirable vehicles in history. Alfa’s purpose is first and foremost to make beautifully designed vehicles, then everything else follows.
Another good example of this is the homologation vehicle. In order for a manufacturer to build and enter a vehicle into certain racing events, they must make a certain number of street legal production vehicles in tangent with their racing vehicle.
Much more in years past, these production vehicles were built for the sole purpose of allowing a stronger racing vehicle to be entered. This is not so much the case anymore, but some truly great vehicles came out of this practice, including several Group B Rally vehicles in the 1980s.
Pedigree:
Pedigree is another easy one to explain.
Remember when Toyota wanted to get into the NASCAR scene? Yes, they did, but even to this day, it just doesn’t seem quite right.
All debates aside, those manufacturers with a stronger history of making beautiful, performance-oriented, desirable vehicles will most likely have more great vehicles than a manufacturer like Hyundai, whose main product is fuel-efficient commuter cars and SUVs.
Not all Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, and Aston Martins will be great, but they have a better chance of making great vehicles than Kia, Toyota, and Honda, mainly because their design philosophy and target market is so different.
Ability:
Ability could be sorted under the performance umbrella, but it is also different enough to keep separate here.
Good examples of one end of the spectrum include the Ford Raptor, Jeep Wrangler, Toyota Land Cruiser, Ford Bronco, and Chevy Blazer K5.
The other end of the spectrum can be represented by on road vehicles like the Porsche Carrera GT, Pagani Zonda, Chevy Corvette ZR1, and Bugatti Veyron.
A vehicle’s ability to push the limits is definitely something that makes it stand out. Vehicles that separate themselves from the crowd – in a good way – are more likely to be considered great than vehicles that blend in.
Driving Dynamics:
Driving dynamics is a combination of performance and ability. While ability and performance are more about pushing the limits, driving dynamics has to do with all-around driving – the driving that takes place under and up to the limits.
The Nissan GT-R (R35) is widely known as a great car, but it is also known for being almost too easy to drive. It is a vehicle with great ability and breathtaking performance, but many people have noted that it is almost too good. That’s definitely not a bad thing, but it takes away some of the GT-R’s driving dynamics.
Conversely, the Mazda RX-8 is a great car that is easy to drive, because it feels as if the driver is driving himself and the car as one entity. It’s extremely controllable, handles well, is comfortable on the track and the road, and has a smidgen of practicality to complete the package.
The RX-8 is ridiculously slow compared to the GT-R, but the GT-R makes it feel like it is driving you and keeping you on the track. The RX-8 invites you to take the wheel and go wherever you want to go… it’s just there for the ride.
In other words, vehicles with good driving dynamics cater to the driver, don’t have to be pushed to the limit to have fun, and can do a little of everything without causing too much of a fuss.
Other vehicles with notable driving dynamics include the Volkswagen Golf GTI, BMW M3/M4, Subaru WRX, and Audi RS3.
The way it makes you feel:
The most intangible and subjective attribute of a potentially great car is the way it makes you feel when you drive it.
Not too much more explanation is needed, except that people are different and various factors will always be present to affect one’s opinion. Regardless, vehicles that put the biggest smile on your face obviously fit the bill here.
That being said, vehicles that generally fit this category like a glove include the Mazda Miata, Lotus Elise, Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Honda S2000, and Porsche Cayman GT4.
What categories did I miss?
Comment below if you think there is more that makes a great vehicle. Of course, the more categories a vehicle fits, the greater the chances are that it will be great.
Many vehicles fit one or two of the categories above, and even some of those are considered to be great vehicles. However, many of the greatest vehicles in history have many more factors going for them.
