Narrowing down the greatest cars in the world is a difficult task. So many incredible automobiles have come and gone that some will get left out.
There are performance cars like the McLaren F1, pickup trucks like the Ford F-150, and sedans like the Honda Civic.
Despite the difficulty, this list will narrow down to 25 of the most excellent cars ever made. Expect a huge variety of vehicles, from supercars to humble daily drivers.
McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 is always going to make this list. The Gordon Murray-designed supercar is still the fastest, naturally-aspirated production car globally, with a top speed of 240.1 mph.
That figure is thanks to the vast 6.1-liter BMW S70/2 V12 engine under the hood, which produces 618 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The F1 would achieve fame thanks to its stunning victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans, beating purpose-built prototype racers.
Citroën 2CV
The Citroën 2CV might not have set any power or performance records. But this tiny little French car was in production from 1948 to 1990, and it became an actual car of the people. Citroën Vice-President Pierre Boulanger conceived the 2CV to motorize many farmers still using horses and carts in 1930s France.
Citroën produced over 3.8 million 2CVs during its production run, making it the world’s first front-wheel drive car to become a million-seller. The 2CV was also one of the few cars in history to continue in a single generation in production.
First-Generation Honda NSX
The Honda NSX supercar showed European manufacturers that Honda could produce a high-performance vehicle. It didn’t take long for it to cement itself as a classic, thanks to its incredible exterior design and the Honda V6s under the hood.
The power output could go up to 290 hp in the 3.2-liter models, and VTEC made the driving experience one of the greatest of any supercars. Its demise in 2005 is still sorely felt despite the second-generation NSX of 2016.
Bugatti Veyron
The Veyron was the supercar that relaunched the Bugatti brand. Thanks to its massive 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged Volkswagen WR 16 engine, which produced 1,000 hp, it instantly caught the world’s attention and propelled the car to a top speed of 253 mph.
Over time, Bugatti produced various versions of the Veyron, including the Grand Sport Vitesse and the Super Sport. All of these helped cement the legend of this supercar icon and revive one of the most famous car brands in the world.
Ferrari F40
Ferrari’s F40 became one of the automotive icons of the 1980s. The F40 celebrated Ferrari’s 40th anniversary and was also the second Ferrari that Enzo Ferrari personally approved before his death.
The Italian manufacturer placed a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged Tipoa V8 under the hood, which produced 471 hp in Europe and 477 hp in US spec. Even nearly 40 years after its introduction, the F40 is still one of the world’s greatest supercars and highly collectible.
Audi A2
While the sales of the Audi A2 might not make it look like one of the most excellent cars ever made, the data only reveals so much. The A2 had one of the most unique hatchback designs, with an aluminum construction and efficient engines, making it a very economical car.
The average MPG was 78.4 MPG for the US model for the 3L version with the diesel inline-three. The A2 was highly praised for the design, the economy figures, and the fun driving. Sadly, customers didn’t feel that way, and the A2 doesn’t get the credit it deserves.
Honda S2000
There was no way the S2000 wouldn’t make this list. Honda’s Roadster of the 1990s and early 2000s is still among the best performance cars money can buy. The F20 inline-four engines and the six-speed manual transmission created a near-perfect roadster.
Rumors of a second-generation S2000 have circulated for years, most recently regarding an electric version. It is clear that the demand for a new edition of Honda’s Roadster has remained strong as time has passed.
Mazda MX-5
Once the chief rival of the S2000, the Mazda MX-5 is thankfully still in production. Early versions of the Miata are iconic thanks to their pop-up headlights and smooth, sleek 1990s lines. The first MX-5, the NA generation, debuted in 1989.
The current generation of the MX-5 debuted in 2015, and over time, the MX-5 ND has undergone a few facelifts and tweaks to produce a striking-looking modern sports car. The MX-5’s handling and agility are still almost unrivaled.
Pagani Zonda
When Pagain appeared on the scene in the late 1990s, few would have expected it to become an all-time great supercar manufacturer. It all started with the incredible Zonda, which was packed in a giant Mercedes V12 under the hood, ranging from 6.0 to 7.3 liters.
The Zonda C12 debuted at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, and the Mercedes V12 produced up to 444 hp, which would rise to well over 600 hp by the time of the final Zonda. The Zonda is a supercar still spoken of exceptionally highly, even with its successor, the Huayra, out on the roads.
BMW M1
The original BMW M car, the M1, had a very troubled upbringing. The partnership with Lamborghini nearly crippled the Italian manufacturer. But what BMW produced after taking over was one of the finest-looking BMWs in history, with a mighty 3.5-liter M88 inline-six under the hood.
The M1 deserves its place on this list based on what it started. The M1 began the incredible range of BMW M cars and performance packages that we know and love today, and as a supercar in its own right, it remains an all-time classic.
Lancia 037
Heading into the 1983 World Rally Championship, most people expected Audi and its four-wheel drive Quattro to clean up and eradicate its rivals, including Lancia.
However, against all the odds, Lancia and their two-wheel-drive 037 would beat Audi to that year’s constructors title, making it the last time a two-wheel-drive car ever won a World Rally Championship title. The beautiful 037 is undoubtedly one of the greatest cars ever made, with one of the most amazing stories to tell.
First-Generation Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is still in production and will enter a new generation in 2024. That is a testament to the very first Mustang from the 1960s.
The Mustang debuted in 1964 for the 1965 model year and grew in size and power over time. Its long hood, short deck, and stunning lines made it an overnight classic. A range of Ford V8 engines made it a muscle car monster. It also became a world-class race car after Carroll Shelby and his team got their hands on it.
Plymouth Prowler
The Prowler won’t win any awards for power or performance. Designer Chip Foose wanted a snarling V8 under the hood, but Plymouth chose a tame V6 instead. But the Prowler’s incredible design has earned it a place on our list.
The 3.5-liter EGG V6 was still a solid powertrain, producing 214 hp. What it powered, however, was a striking, bold, and brilliant two-seat roadster with a design harking back to the hot rod classics of the 1920s and 1930s. Adding amenities such as air conditioning made the Prowler a comfortable daily driver.
Ford F-150
Detailing all the variants of Ford’s pickup truck icon would take up an article of its own. The F-150 is a performance truck, a heavy-duty truck, and a hybrid, and thanks to the F-150 Lightning, it is an electric truck.
Production of what was first called the F-Series began in 1948, and it has slowly evolved into the pickup powerhouse we know and love today. Sales of the F-150 are consistently high, and Ford isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of the design. Just look at the F-150 Raptor, which now comes with a monster V8 as the Raptor R.
Lamborghini Miura
Modern supercars have a lot to thank the Lamborghini Miura for. The Italian supercar, which debuted in 1966, is widely credited as the first true supercar.
The Miura’s power came from a 3.9-liter L406 V12 engine that produced 345 hp. Lamborghini formed the engine and gearbox in one casting, surprisingly inspired by the British Morris Mini. The Miura’s design still holds up well in the 21st century, and its rear mid-engined two-seat layout became the standard for modern supercars.
Red Bull RB19
Now for something a bit different…in the hands of Max Verstappen, the Red Bull RB19 won 19 of the 2023 season 22 races, with teammate Sergio Perez winning another two. The combination of Verstappen, design genius Adrian Newey, and Honda power was virtually unstoppable.
Only at that year’s Singapore Grand Prix did the team lose out to a rival, with Ferrari and Carlos Sainz ending their dominant run. Its successor, the RB20, looks every bit as successful. But with it already defeated by Ferrari early in the 2024 season, it has some way to go to replicate the RB19 legacy.
Lancia Stratos
The Stratos is the car that put Lancia on the World Rally map. The distinctive wedge-shaped design was unlike anything else on the WRC scene. The 2.4-liter Dino V6 under the hood gave the lightweight rally car 190 hp.
Lancia’s investment in the Stratos paid off handsomely. From 1974 to 1976, the car won three consecutive WRC titles, making it one of its era’s most successful rally cars. Lancia also produced a road-going version of the wedged icon for those who wanted to drive it themselves.
BMC Mini
Before BMW got its hands on it and turned it into a brand, the original BMC Mini was a true, compact daily driver. The Mini’s space-saving transverse engine and front-wheel drive layout inspired a generation of vehicles. It also allowed 80 percent of the car’s floor space for passengers and luggage.
Since BMW took over the Mini name, the car has become a shadow of its former self. The Mini is now bloated in size, and various other large versions are in production. However, the original Mini will always remain a classic.
Lancia Delta Integrale
The Delta Integrale was the final Lancia to compete in the WRC, and the Italian manufacturer went out with a bang. The Integrale would win 46 WRC events and take the constructor’s championship back to Italy six times in a row from 1987 to 1992.
The Delta Integrale would also win four driver titles: two with Juha Kankkunen in 1987 and 1991 and two with Miki Biasion in 1988 and 1989. Power came from a range of turbo and naturally aspirated inline-four engines, and to this day, it remains the last Lancia to win a WRC title or event.
Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar E-Type is the top dog on a list of the most beautiful cars ever. However, it was also a brilliant sports car with some innovative design choices for the 1960s. For example, the E-Type was primarily a unitary body construction, with front and rear independent suspension and disc brakes.
The rack-and-pinion steering further distinguished the E-Type from other cars, and the lack of a ladder frame chassis, thanks to its construction, saved a lot of weight. The E-Type weighed just 2,899 lbs, which is still lighter than most modern cars.
Audi Quattro
It has become a separate byline in the Audi range, but the Quattro was its car at one point and remains one of the greatest Audis ever produced. The manufacturer debuted the Quattro in 1980, becoming the first rally car to use four-wheel drive.
Aside from its loss to Lancia in 1983, the Quattro would dominate the World Rally Championship, and it forced other manufacturers, such as Peugeot, to adopt four-wheel drive on its rally cars. Road-going versions are now very collectible, and the Quattro has become an icon of the 1980s.
Autozam AZ-1
The little AZ-1 Kei car might be an unlikely addition to this list, but it’s one of the best in the entire Kei car segment. These small vehicles were perfect for Japan’s inner cities, but Mazda, Suzuki, and Honda all worked on making them sportier.
The AZ-1 was the most radical. Originally a Suzuki design, Mazda manufactured it under its Autozam brand. It had gullwing doors, a 12-valve turbocharged inline-three under the hood, and styling that would not look out of place on a full-size sports car.
Honda S660
Honda’s S660 is the successor to its original Kei car, the Honda Beat. The Japanese manufacturer retained as much of the original design as possible, so the dimensions of the S660 are nearly identical to those of the Beat.
Under the hood, the 658 cc S07A turbocharged inline-three engine produces 63 hp and 77 lb-ft of torque. In a car that weighs just 1,874 lbs at its maximum weight, that is all the power you need. Sadly, the S660 went out of production in 2022, leaving us without a sporty Honda Kei car.
1995–2001 Honda Integra Type R
The 1995-2001 Integra Type R is widely considered one of the world’s finest front-wheel-drive sports cars. Honda first introduced the Type R to the Japanese market in 1995, with a standard 197 hp B18C engine tuned at the Honda factory.
The Integra Type R also had revised styling, including a new rear wing and bigger front bumpers. Honda would also strengthen the chassis and lower the subframe, among many other changes and additions. The result was a car widely acclaimed worldwide, and Honda sold the Integra Type R in the United States as an Acura.
Thrust SSC
The British-built Thrust SSC is the fastest car in the world and has held the world land speed record since 1997. Two Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines from a Royal Air Force F-4 Phantom power the beast, and former pilot Andy Green was the man selected to pilot the supersonic car.
Thrust SSC would achieve a record speed of 763 mph, making it the first and so far only vehicle on land to break the sound barrier. Today, this record-breaker resides in the Coventry Transport Museum in the UK. It sits alongside previous record holder Thrust 2 and potential future record holder Bloodhound LSR.
