Porsche 911, Ferrari F40, Lamborghini Diablo — motorheads know and love these cars. Many had posters of these cars on their wall when they were younger. Yet, so many other cars flew under the radar for decades. Here are 10 of the most underrated (in our opinion).
No. 10 – Honda NSX
The Honda NSX was a fascinating car that partially fell through the cracks. Originally launched as a Ferrari competitor, it offered performance and reliability for the price of about $60,000. The import featured a near-bulletproof 3.0 liter 24 valve VTEC V6 engine and a redline of 8,000 rpm. It also stood out from the crowd with its unique design.
No. 9 – Fiat 500 Abarth
On paper, the small Fiat 500 doesn’t exactly wow motorheads. Yet, the Abarth is special. This little coupe was nimble and fun to drive. It paired a five-speed manual transmission with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which delivered just enough power (160 horsepower) to put a smile on your face.
No. 8 – Audi TT RS
Audi has released numerous memorable cars throughout its history. The Audi TT RS is an underrated member of this group. This coupe featured sports car handling, enough power to easily pass other cars on the highway, and all-wheel drive. The Heritage Edition, in particular, boasted a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine with 394 horsepower and a top speed of 174 mph.
No. 7 – Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
The 1990s featured no shortage of import cars that delivered power and superb handling. Yet, the 3000GT didn’t truly break through to the mainstream like the Toyota Supra or Nissan Skyline.
The Series 2 3000GT, particularly the VR-4, deserved more love. It featured a six-speed manual, all-wheel drive, and more than 300 horsepower. Certain models also featured a retractable hardtop. This underrated classic had it all — style, power, and handling.
No. 6 – Subaru SVX
Let’s just acknowledge the obvious — the Subaru SVX was an odd car. It had a unique design, a window that only opened a certain amount, and it only featured an automatic transmission.
Yet, it was a blast to drive. It was low to the ground, and it handled twisty roads like a champ. The SVX also had a history as a rally car, which should have added to the mystique.
No. 5 – Kia Stinger
Most people associate the name Kia with economical sedans and a large line of SUVs. Yet, one underrated member of the lineup was the Kia Stinger, which the automaker only produced for one generation. This sleek sedan was more of a competitor for luxury vehicles. It had the power with its 2.0-liter turbocharged Inline-Four engine. It had the comfort with its heated and ventilated seats, ambient mood lighting, and luxurious Nappa leather seats (GT trim).
No. 4 – Dodge Dakota
The Ram and the Durango are the big names from Stellantis. The fact the company continues to produce them serves as evidence of this fact. The Dakota, however, was an underrated part of the lineup before it ceased production after the 2011 model year.
The Dakota was Dodge’s mid-size pickup, which could compete with the Ford Ranger and the Chevrolet S-10. This truck also offered a “sport convertible option” for those who wanted to drop the top while hauling cargo.
The Dakota grew in size over its three generations, and it became more powerful as Dodge increased the number of optional powertrains. Yet it still remained the perfect size for those who wanted a pickup but didn’t necessarily have the room or need for a Ram 1500, 2500, or 3500.
No. 3 – Mazda 929/Sentia Sedan
The Mazda 929 had a production run lasting from 1973 to 1997. However, the 929 was the badge that Mazda solely used for its export markets. Its domestic names were the Cosmo, Luce, and Sentia.
The one that we believe fits into the underrated category is the HD model code of the Sentia. This sedan, known as the 929 in the United States between 1991-96, delivered some luxurious touches and a smooth ride for just over $31,000.
A fully-equipped version of the V6 sedan featured leather seats, a sunroof, and optional solar cells on the roof that could power interior fans and help cool the car. The 929 — at least the one we owned — had a six-disc changer in the trunk and an auxiliary input in the center console.
The 929 was not the fastest car on the planet, but it was a pleasure to drive on long road trips. The seats were comfortable, the car floated over imperfections in the road, and it could easily cruise at 80 mph. The cruise control’s “fuzzy logic” also adapted to the changing road conditions and delivered smoother shifts.
No. 2 – Porsche Panamera
The Porsche Panamera is a divisive vehicle. Just ask former “Top Gear” hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond. They spent an entire episode calling the four-door sports car “hideous.”
We, however, believe the Panamera is underrated. It has the automaker’s signature performance, but it has extra room to bring along friends for your adventures. Who doesn’t want to throw a couple of passengers in the back for a quick 0-60 mph test? For those taking notes, the Turbo S E-Hybrid hits this mark in 2.8 seconds.
No. 1 – Isuzu VehiCROSS
Let’s put it this way — the Isuzu VehiCROSS is so underrated that millions of people don’t even know that it actually existed. Isuzu only produced this compact SUV between 1997 and 2002 while using the V6 engine from the Trooper. However, the big difference was the size and design. The VehiCROSS only had two doors, which only added to the unique look.
The VehiCROSS was not the most powerful with its 215 horsepower, but it impressed with its Torque-On-Demand system. This tool used 12 sensors to detect wheelspin. It then automatically redirected power to the wheels with the most grip.