10 Cars That Deserve Second Look: Few Underrated Vehicles
Here’s a list of ten cars that are definitely worth your attention. These cars might not always grab headlines, but they offer some fantastic features and performance.
Granted the automotive industry is not as crowded by companies as, say, the tech industry. But still, there are so many vehicles whose launch and sales pass without receiving significant attention. Of course, not every car is worthy of it. However, some do deserve our attention but do not receive it. So today, we bring 10 such vehicles to the fore that the world has forgotten but could do better to look at them.
10 Cars That Deserve a Second Look: Few Underrated Vehicles
Subaru SVX
The Subaru SVX can substitute the phrase “underrated car” in a sentence. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, this vehicle was a futuristic, luxury coupe. A “window-within-a-window” design was its selling point. A flat-six engine powered the SVX with an all-wheel drive, this SVX was more than capable of a refined driving experience. However, its design was unconventional, and in turn, its niche appeal was low. As a consequence, the SVX never had widespread popularity. Therefore, in today’s market, finding an SVX is not easy.
Cadillac CTS-V (First Generation)
Cadillac is now associated with luxury vehicles, sometimes the hot rod kind. However, the company passed through a variety of phases before creating this brand image. Once upon a time, Cadillac wanted to take on the best automakers in the performance arena. And one of the cars that came of out this mania was the CTS-V.
This car sported the LS6 out of the C5 Corvette Z06 and a six-speed manual transmission. Also, the chassis and aesthetics were changed. Overall, this was a great effort. But over the years, as Cadillac produced more and more cars, the CTS-V lost the attention that it probably deserved. The exterior is not the most stylish, yet it is a four-door sedan with a naturally aspirated V8 engine and a manual transmission. Not many cars have this combination. But still, you’ll be hard-pressed to find this vehicle today.
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 was nothing short of an engineering marvel when it was released in the 1990s. So it truly saddens us to see such a great car gathering dust for so many years. The 3000GT VR-4 is somewhat of an odd man out because it sat heavier and plusher than its contemporaries and also because it had AWD. That’s why, at the time of its launch, cars like the Toyota Supra and Nissan 300ZX seemed to be better choices by comparison. With pop-up headlights, this car is packed with the styling of the 90s. If you are into JDM icons, then this is the car for you.
Lincoln LS
Today, the Lincoln LS is an unknown car. But it has a rich history. Ford was attempting to bring a European-inspired sports sedan to the American market and the Lincoln LS was its solution. The car came with either a V6 or V8 engine and was available with a manual transmission. The brand’s image of traditionally large and cushy sedans was pushed to the side. The car had solid handling and power, yet it never achieved the success it probably deserved. Its reception was lukewarm and apparently, it had reliability issues. The later models ironed out many of the early problems, however.
Buick Regal GS (Fifth Generation)
The fifth-generation Buick Regal GS was a performance-oriented sedan that never quite caught on with the enthusiast community. This car has a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine, a six-speed manual transmission, and tuned suspension. The Regal GS is like a premium alternative to sport compacts like the Honda Civic Si. When it was launched, it was not the fastest or flashiest car of its time. However, the Regal GS had a balanced mix of performance and comfort and that was important.
Cadillac XLR
The Cadillac XLR can be called an ambitious project by Cadillac. Essentially, they used the Corvette’s Y-body platform to create a luxury sports car. The XLR was equipped with the Northstar V8 and an automatic transmission. So this car was the child of the marriage of Corvette’s performance and Cadillac’s luxury. Unfortunately, it never reached the heights of its Corvette sibling. But here, luxury and performance blend in so many ways. The XLR-V with a supercharged engine has even more power and makes for a rare collectible today.
Ford Taurus SHO (Second Generation)
The second-generation Ford Taurus SHO was a continuation of Ford’s experiment with blending family sedan practicality with genuine performance. Introduced in 1992, the SHO featured a 220-horsepower V6 engine. It could compete with contemporary Mustang GTs and that said something in itself. Though it may not look as radical today, the Taurus SHO remains a fun and somewhat forgotten performance sedan that offered surprising speed in an unassuming package.
Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky
The Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky were GM’s take on the classic roadster formula. These two cars have been built on the same platform. Both of them have stylish designs and generally good driving experience. If someone wanted something more fun, they’d go for the higher-performance GXP and Red Line variants. While their base engines were somewhat underwhelming, the turbocharged versions delivered a spirited performance that could rival the likes of the Mazda Miata. The added appeal of a hardtop coupe version makes these cars great American roadsters.
Chrysler Crossfire
The Chrysler Crossfire was a stylish coupe and it was developed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz. Fun fact, it shared its platform with the Mercedes SLK. Granted that its looks might seem a bit dated now, but the Crossfire was a capable performer. You’d be surprised by its SRT6 variant, which featured a supercharged engine along with some performance upgrades. Bluntly put, the Crossfire was not a sales success. However, it did offer a unique blend of American style and German engineering.
Volvo 850 Turbo Estate
Volvo’s 850 Turbo Estate was a transformative experience for Volvo. The brand’s image went from one focused solely on safety to one that did not neglect performance. The 830 turbo paired a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-five engine producing 222 horsepower with that reliability for which Volvo is famous. Its boxy exterior might have seemed unassuming. But beneath it lay an agile and comfortable chassis. The 850 Turbo has been more or less overshadowed by the sportier T-5R. However, the car is an accessible option for those seeking a reliable yet thrilling ride.
The 10 cars we have listed have flown under the radar during their production years. But the world would benefit a lot if they were shown the light of day. These vehicles are storehouses of unique styling, innovative technology, and a combination of performance and luxury. When you look for a used car next time, consider giving these overlooked gems a chance.
