Some days I choose violence. Other days I choose chaos. Today is a chaos day because today’s Autopian Asks wants to know: What do you think is the best vehicle made by each and every automaker (or, least the ones that come to mind). I’m serious. I have a list. A list!
“Best” is extremely subjective, and it would be great if you could explain all of your reasons. It’s also completely fine not to explain at all. The goal here isn’t to just think of your favorite cars from each automaker, the question is: what’s the best car that company has ever produced? It will be contentious. I want contentious. I want us to have fun.
Here’s a list to start with, but feel free to add and subtract:
- Tesla:
- Toyota:
- Porsche:
- Mercedes-Benz:
- BMW
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Jeep
- VW
- Ferrari
- Honda
- Ford
- Chevy
- GMC
- Buick
- Pontiac
- Cadillac
- Hyundai
- Kia
- Nissan
- Rivian
- Subaru
- Renault
- Volvo
- Peugeot
- Mazda
- Mitsubishi
- Aston Martin
- Audi
And here are my answers, which are nonsense because I’m a nonsense person:
- Tesla: Model Y, the most important EV to date
- Toyota: Toyota MR-2 Turbo (SW20), fun Toyota but also good Toyota
- Porsche: W124 Mercedes-Benz 500 E, fast sedans are so much fun [Ed Note: Apparently this was developed by Porsche, but the real correct answer is the modern 911. It is objectively the best version of the best model Porsche has ever made. Or maybe the Cayenne is the answer based on sales figures… -DT].
- Mercedes-Benz: W124 Mercedes-Benz 500 E, fast sedans are so much fun
- BMW: E39, the best fast sedan
- Chrysler: Town & Country, it’s a legend and saved the company
- Alfa Romeo: Original Giulia, the best of Alfa
- Dodge: 1st Gen Viper, just look at it
- Jeep: CJ-7, maybe I’m trolling David [Ed Note: It’s clearly either the WWII Jeep, the XJ Cherokee, or the JK Wrangler; there are no other answers. -DT].
- VW: Rabbit GTI, the company stopped being just cheap cars
- Ferrari: 400i, maybe this is personal
- Honda: Honda Integra Type R DC2, so good
- Ford: Escort Cosworth RS, also so good
- Chevy: 1992 Chevy Silverado, an all-time best treak
- GMC: 1992 GMC Sierra, same
- Buick: GNX, remember when Buicks were cool?
- Pontiac: G8 ST, though no one has ever driven one
- Cadillac: CTS-V Wagon, the only thing better than a fast sedan is a world-beating wagon
- Hyundai: 1st gen, manual Veloster N
- Kia: Carnival, I will not explain further
- Nissan: R33 GT-R, technology and style
- Rivian: R1T, they only make two cars so…
- Subaru: Original Outback, important and kinda fun
- Renault: R5, it got the country on its feet and people still like the them today
- Volvo: 240 Wagon, I mean c’mon
- Peugeot: 505 Dangel 4×4, I mean c’mon
- Mazda: Mazda MP3, look it up
- Mitsubishi: Pajero Evo, Dakar cars are great
- Aston Martin: Virage Shooting Brake, I’m a weirdo
- Audi: QSW, the blueprint (when it works)
Ok, your turn.
I maintain that the Cayman or Boxster remain the better cars.
Huh… I can list the best Renaults (no particular order):
No Scénic? It’s probably my most fondly remembered car (a second gen in absinthe green).
Nah dude, I’m not fond of most Renault models from the 90s onwards; the only post-privatisation design I actually really like is the Avantime. I feel like I could’ve included the OG Clio in my list, and perhaps recent models like the New A110 or the Wind, but Renault kinda died in the early 90s for me. It went out with a bang sure, the Twingo is amazing and left me wondering what the future would bring… and the future brought Méganes and Lagunas. 1992 was a sad year. Privatization, death of the Quatrelle, launch of the Twingo – just to keep my hopes up and immediately destroy them.
Second generation Méganes were nowhere near as bad as first generation ones, but still, very much symbols of the Renaut Malaise era for me.
Can’t say I share your opinion but I gotta respect it.
Username checks the hell out.
Renault sure had some wacky ideas. What was up with the R14? Sure, it’s kind of in the vein of the Horizon, Escort, and a bunch of other hatchbacks, but in person it looks like a hair dryer.
And what was up with the 15 and 17 being two models, instead of one with different trim levels?
And the Fuego of course was different, including its combustibility.
The 14 has a bit of a weird story, it was an attempt at refreshing the line-up while not spending too much on R&D so the drivetrain was a Renault-Peugeot joint venture, but it was a sales flop, failing to attract returning Renault customers or bring in new ones.
I also don’t get the reasoning behind having separate models for the 15 and 17. They did it later with the 20/30, but in that case it was a bit more clear that the 20 was the entry-level offering and the 30 was the more upscale model, which came with a bigger engine – the 2.7L PRV V6, rather than the various smaller I4s that were offered in the 20. It makes the decision to have separate name models for the 9 and 11 sound reasonable even if those too are the exact same car in different body styles
Tesla: TBD
Toyota: 80 series Land Cruiser (let’s be honest, LC is more Toyota’s ethos than Supra, and in most of the world, more iconic.)
Porsche: Carrera GT. Best car ever.
Mercedes-Benz: W124 E500, correct
BMW: Z8. Just kidding, I guess E46 M3 CSL?
Chrysler: ME4-12. I know it wasn’t produced, but come awwwwn.
Dodge: Does Plymouth Superbird count?
Jeep: SJ Grand Wagoneer or Comanche, undecided.
VW: Phaeton W12. Shut up, it just is.
Ferrari: meh. P4/5
Honda: S2000. duh.
Ford: MK1 GT
Chevy: no clue. I hear it’s the GMT800 though.
GMC: see above.
Buick: GNX by default.
Pontiac: rip. Does Holden (also rip) count? Cause ute.
Cadillac: CT6 V Blackwing
Hyundai: Veloster N
Kia: Stinger GT
Nissan: R34
Rivian: R1T
Subaru: one of several hand grenades.. STI, pick a year, most were the same.
Renault: Alpine A110. Don’t care if it’s a brand, it’s a Renault.
Volvo: 850R. Brick me up daddy.
Peugeot: I think it’s a 504? I just like the way they look.
Mazda: FD till death.
Mitsubishi: Pajero Evo, if I’m being contrarian. Obviously it’s an Evo 8/9.
Aston Martin: DBS. The DB9 gen. Maybe it’s my age, but this will ALWAYS be peak Aston to me.
Audi: My heart says 42 series R8 V10, my brain says RS6. Fast wagon is what Audi does. or did.
Acura: I did this one just to have original NSX and S2000 in my list.
Citroen: XM
SAAB: 9000
Jaguar: D-Type. preeetty
Lada: Niva. Preferably not of watermelon variety.
> Lada: Niva. Preferably not of watermelon variety.
The watermelon version probably runs better.
But you can’t ride a watermelon.
Er, well, you can but you might be a little sore the next day.
You got most of those wrong, but instead of correcting you, I’ll just fill in some of the gaps you missed:
MG – MGA Twin Cam
Jaguar – D-Type
Plymouth – Neon ACR
Citroen – 2CV
Suzuki – SJ410 Jimny/Samurai
Packard – Twelve from the 1930s
Studebaker – Avanti
AMC – AMX
Mitsuoka – Buddy
Triumph – TR4a
You spelled “Dolomite Sprint” wrong
Just judging from your list, I definitely need to subscribe to your newsletter.
I am comfortable stating that the 2CV, D-Type, and AMX are never grouped together (and that’s a shame)
What would you pick for Oldsmobile?
Tesla: Model 3, I guess. As far as range and affordability, it’s something.Toyota: Hilux, because look at the impressive use they get put through everywhere.Porsche: 911s as a series–they manage to keep the character as they continue to update it. It’s a genuinely impressive feat to keep that balance.Mercedes-Benz: SL AMG Roadster–I just like it, mostly.BMW: Their sports sedans as a group. I’m not really a BMW fan, but they do sports sedans well.Chrysler: Pacifica, only because they made a PHEV minivan. I wish others would follow suit. It’s a fantastic use case–EV for bussing kids around town, gas for road trips so you don’t have to keep the kids wrangled while it charges.Dodge: Dakota, with an honorable mention for the new Challenger, which was a good revival of the model. The Viper is also an honorable mention, because it was something a LOT of us really wanted for some time.Jeep: unpopular opinion here: Wrangler 4xe. Electrifying the Wrangler was a hell of a move, and I think meeting people where they are does more to get people electrified than trying to get them excited for new things.VW: The Beetle, of course, but also the Vanagon. Giving people attainable, usable cars is important.Ferrari: 365 GTC. I just think it’s cool.Lamborghini: Countach. It was on a lot of posters because we all thought it was cool.Honda: S2000, no explanation should be necessaryFord: 1st/2nd gen Explorers, but that’s partially nostalgiaChevy: 3d Gen K20 stepside. Almost entirely nostalgia. Or the Bolt. Affordable EV without being super short rangeGMC: 1990s Sonoma. Good pickup for people who didn’t need a full-size.Buick: Mid-60s Riviera.Cadillac: Coupe DeVille. It’s what I think of when I think Cadillac.Hyundai: Kona N. Taking a rather forgettable small crossover (slightly lifted hatchback) and making it fun is an achievement.Kia: Either their early cars for being affordable econoboxes or the EV6, which should be seen as a lesson that automakers can make relatively cool, well-equipped EVs without making luxury EVs.Nissan: XTerra. It’d sell well if they rereleased it today.Rivian; R1T because it’s an electric pickup that should meet the needs of the buyer. The delivery vehicles, because that’s solid use.Subaru: Outback. It’s a really usable wagon all sorts of people can get excited about.Volvo: V70R Wagon.Peugeot: 206. I loved it in Need for Speed games.Mazda: Miata, because it is the attainable roadster.Mitsubishi: Lancer EVO.Aston Martin: DB5.Audi: Their wagons. They make a great luxury wagon.
I now notice that I didn’t list many vehicles I want. Guess I don’t like the best.
Dammit. I didn’t double-check when I edited, and my bulleted list became a mess when I added the line about not liking the best.
If your guuna rant at least do it in all caps.
Calling the 124 Spider the best Mazda whenever its worse in every aspect than the ND Miata is certainly a choice.
Eh, it looks better than the Miata, so I went with it. outside of say a last gen turbo RX7 I have nothing of note from mazda that is interesting , and the apex seals kill that old RX7.
Chrysler: Pacifica
I mean it’s just… so… the only car they still make.
Rivian – Amazon Van, cause its the EV that visits my house almost everyday.
Damn, I wish I had thought of that one.
My brain exploded with the question :head-explosion.gif:
So, since I’m a pretty basic dude, I’m gonna stick with manufacturers from the U.S., but I picked some that you didn’t include, mainly because they don’t exist anymore, with the exception of one. And away we go!
Oldsmobile – Rocket 88. It was one of the earlier mass produced V8s, and most definitely set the stage for the endless pursuit of more powerful engines that was to come. The argument could be, and has been, made that it was the first automobile that could be called a Muscle Car. It also had a killer song named after it, which also kickstarted a whole other revolution.
Saturn – I personally want to say the SC2, but c’mon, it’s gotta be the Sky Redline, right? No further explanation required.
Plymouth – As much as it pains me, I have to say the Voyager. For better or for worse, the industry wouldn’t be where it’s at today without the original Mopar minivans. Also, for better or for worse, it saved Mopar’s ass.
Mercury – Marauder. Again, no further explanation required.
Lincoln – The mid-60’s Continental. To this day, never has such a simple design continued to look so classy for so long.
Where’s Saab?
Yeah they left out so many, Saab – the answer starts with a 9
and ends with 00. And has the word Turbo, may also have the random letters S,P, and G.
No AERO?
The title asks for the automaker’s best vehicle, so for SAAB the answer is clearly the Model 401:
https://migrated.ifokus.se/uploads/f9f/f9f7820f5b101cb5df9ab8c494e643d1/401.jpg
Acutally I want to amend, for Dodge, Viper all the way!
This is the way
As a current W123 (project) Owner, I went W124 because I’ll be damned if anything with this car’s vacuum system can be called the greatest of any manufacturer. At the same time it still runs and runs and runs, and even continues to run when I take the key out until I physically choke the oil-burning diesel with the “STOP” lever on the engine
W124 has a lot of vacuum bs, too. had to manually open my gas door on many a cold winters day. But W124 is still God-tier.
I had that issue in my 3rd or 4th diesel MB. Took a MityVac and the FSM on DVD to solve it. While figuring it out, a long piece of tubing & the MityVac allowed me to shut it off from the comfort of the cabin. And it was perfect for isolating & testing each subsystem.
-mind, my first few cost $500 or less: you likely have higher standards 🙂
Thats really good to know! And honestly my standards are nowhere near that high, I’m just on a project car kick at the moment and am not tied to getting it perfect, I’ve already disconnected the door lock actuators because that is not worth the effort to me. I just want to get it about 80-90% functional overall before selling it off since I want to get into something JDM like a crown wagon. Needless to say my taste in cars is broad, so FB Marketplace is an extremely dangerous place.
You know, I still have that FSM on disc. You’re welcome to it if you can figure out a way I can mail it to you that you’re comfortable with.
-IIrc, though, I needed a Windows 95 emulator to view it
Shit, lets actually do this.
Theres a lot of bias towards sportiness in here, and some brands i have a lot more fondness for others so they have more detailed answers. Also Citroen and Lancia were missing so i added those.
Well they are also missing LR, but its 100% the OG 90 so must of been left out cause no debate.
Oh right they did. Yeah i’d agree with you though.
SD 455 was 73 nd 74 only, they did make a pretty killer looking 71 455 HO though.
I am interested in your views, do you have a newsletter I can subscribe to? Seriously, I like your list. I would make these changes/additions
I just hang out on the discord a lot (You should join!)
Saab, i’m 100% with you on.
The Buick would have been any model with the Dynaflow transmission.
THAT IS NOT A FIRST GEN VIPER
Shhhhh. Shhhhh. (Strokes head) Shhhh…
Hardigree didn’t mean to hurt you.
Shhhhh…
He’s had it in for me since I called out his takes on the jellybean F150 styling. I should have expected this knife to the ribs.
To this day, that remains one of the worst automotive takes I have ever read
Nah, if that were the case we’d all have bled out by now, given that no self-respecting car person would ever agree with that F150 take. I still half believe it’s a long troll.
This is obvious.
I will also state for the record that there are only 4 generations. Let that sink in for a minute.
Every one of the 5 generations has either a new design, a revamped engine, or both.
We think a lot alike.
BMW – Meh E39 M5, it was great until the V10 came along, who cares that it’s bloated, wouldn’t trade my 6spd V10 for anything. Would pick E34 M5 over the E39, definitely pick the 2002tii, M1, 850CSi (V12!! yummy), or 635CSi/M6.
Why is Tesla on first on the list, so disappointed, Model Y yuck, if anything the OG Roadster it’s what put them on the map even though it was a POS, well everything they make is a POS.
Porsche, guess can accept your answer, but the only real Porsche is 911 so just pick the generation. DT suggesting the Cayenne that belongs under VW/Audi, but would lose to Audi 2000 Rally.
Renault – yeah the R5 all the way.
Peugeot – Now I miss my 505 Turbo
Merc – 300SL Gullwing.
The order of this list is causing me so much anxiety. Why would you not put it in alphabetical order? What is this?!
I think we’d be friends
You’re not entirely wrong with that list
Hyundai Equus Ultimate. Absolutely unbelievable car for the price. (I mean used today)
Honestly, I agree. The Stinger is close, but the Carnival nailed it.
My personal fav is the CT6-V. The OG Blackwing.
I was actually thinking about this car the other day and considered calling 1-800-AUTOPIAN to suggest it gets an article. If the Bongo Brawny Sky Lounge ever made it to production, I would have to vote for that, though.
I mean, yeah, but the RS2 Avant is pretty high up there too, even if a lot of the parts said “PORSCHE”.
Gotta go with the S2K here
Sprinter: short wheelbase, 1st gen, low roof with the diesel.
Big enough to carry pretty much anything and anyone you need, but it will fit in a standard garage and still get decent fuel economy!
Fiat: mk1 Fiat Panda. The only thing Fiat has ever created that is pure perfection. Utilitarian, tough, stylish, simple, desperately desired by yours truly.
Most of your list is 100% on target but for Mitsubishi it has to be the late 80s widebody Starion, hands down. Without it there’d be no 3KGTs or DSMs or Evos.
But if you want you could put that over into the Dodge category, the Dodge versions were also Chrysler and Plymouth I think, but certainly the Dodge Conquest TSI wide body is still the best looking of the bunch in my opinion.
They’re physically, mechanically, and in all ways identical. Unlike the later DSMs and 3KGT/Stealth that differed cosmetically by brand the Starion/Conquest was 100% identical except for the stickers are the rear hatch and the front fenders.
They’re also 100% built by Mitsubishi which is why I put them in the Mitz category. The DSMs were group effort Moparbishis but the Starion came from Mitz.
You’re absolutely correct though that the wide body is the best looking. It still stops my heart every time I see one.
I think they are legitimately Hemi Head as well. though back then you kind of needed the turbo to fill that head space fast enough.
They were. The 4G54 engine was even branded “Hemi” in other Chrysler products to much dissatisfaction from fans of the 60s V8 “Hemi”.