13 Cars That Defined the Last Decade
The past decade saw some exceptional cars take to the road, ranging from supercars to pickup trucks and family sedans. Many of these have made their mark on the automotive industry in more ways than one. Some could even be called iconic due to the impact that they have had.
This list contains 13 of the most iconic cars of the past decade, from 2010 to 2020. We've selected them based on their launch reception, performance, and, in some cases, rarity.
Tesla Model S
Calling the Tesla Model S an icon might be a stretch. However, there is no denying the impact the Model S has had on the automotive market. It was the car that redefined how many viewed the electric car after the terrible debut of the REVAi G-Wiz.
Tesla debuted the Model S in 2012, but its development began back in 2007 under the codename “WhiteStar.” Following its debut in 2012, Tesla launched a revised dual-motor and all-wheel drive version in October 2014, and since then, the Model S has gone from strength to strength. It remains a core part of the Tesla lineup in 2024.
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
The second-generation CTS-V was already remarkable, but General Motors planned on making this Cadillac even more remarkable. The CTS-V Wagon came along, a true unicorn in the Cadillac range that had the same 556 horsepower (hp) 6.2-liter supercharged V8 under the hood as the sedan version.
A rear-wheel drive supercharged station wagon was a real rarity, and the option of a manual transmission made it even better. This combination is usually found in our dreams, not production wagons. The base price of $64,340 might sound steep until you remember what you are getting for that money.
Toyota Camry
Placing the Toyota Camry in this list might seem like a boring choice. But the Camry is one of the best-selling cars on the market nearly every year, and for good reason. It is powerful, comfortable, safe, and excellent in fuel economy.
The Camry is an excellent-looking family sedan and one of the most reliable on the market. Sure, it doesn't have the same allure as a Ferrari or a Chevrolet Corvette. However, the Toyota Camry is an excellent car that goes about its business quietly and efficiently.
McLaren P1
The debut of the original hypercars, the McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari, and Porsche 918 Spyder, was one of the greatest events of the past decade. Of those three cars, the P1 stands out as the wildest and most ferocious.
The P1 has a twin-turbocharged V8 under the hood paired with a McLaren electric motor. That motor produces 177 horsepower, and combined with the V8, the P1 produces a staggering 903 horsepower. What made the P1 stand out was its wild nature, which provided one of the planet's most extreme and unfiltered driving experiences. Few cars come close to rivaling the P1.
Alpine A110
The Alpine A110's reemergence near the decade's end was a standout of the 2010s. Renault reintroduced its Alpine brand and reimagined the original A110, updating the styling and producing a retro sports car with a 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-four under the hood.
That and the maximum 296 hp might not sound that impressive. But it is, with the A110 incredibly light and agile, with the ability to rival a Lotus in the corners. The engine response is smooth and crisp, and the sound from an inline-four is fantastic. The world needs more sports cars like the A110.
Nissan GT-R
The Nissan GT-R launched in 2009, but its influence was felt throughout the 2010s. The new R35 GT-R brought back the famous range of Nissan sports cars last seen in 2002, albeit without the Skyline name. The new GT-R has 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 power, and the current version has 562 hp. The GT-R50 has even more, with 710 hp,
The GT-R recaptured the giant-killing reputation of its predecessors, humiliating European rivals from Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche. It has always been incredibly fast around the Nürburgring, and while many viewed it as “too refined” and “too perfect,” that is an injustice to one of the best performance cars of the 2010s.
BMW i8
For years, the automotive industry has been pressured to hybridize, electrify, and move towards a sustainable future. However, few have been as brave as BMW with their i8, which was almost too brave for some to handle.
The i8 was exceptional as a showcase for hybrid power and its potential. It looked good, and its three-cylinder, 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and 131 hp electric motor combined to produce 369 hp. The i8 was also incredibly economical, with a claimed 134 mpg, although around 40 mpg is more realistic in the real world. That doesn't detract from how good the i8 was. Its hybrid powertrain and radical looks may have just been a bit ahead of the market.
Ferrari LaFerrari
Ferrari's entry into the hypercar segment is also worthy of a place on this list. The Italian manufacturer introduced LaFerrari in 2014, with a 789-hp 6.3-liter V12 engine under the hood and a 9,0000 rpm redline. Backing up the V12 was the 161-hp electric motor.
Combined, the LaFerrari had 950 hp on offer. Its speed figures were incredible, with it able to reach 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. It remains the most mind-bending Ferrari ever produced, and so far, it is the Prancing Horse's only hypercar.
2012 BMW M3
It is arguable that the 2012 edition of BMW's sports saloon is the best it has ever produced. The E90 is special for various reasons, mainly the 414 hp naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter V8 under the hood. Revving up to 8,500 rpm, the E90 M3 sounds more like a small-block V8 engine, delivering raw, unfiltered power.
The E90 is the last generation of the M3 before electric-power steering comes in and numbs the car. As a result, handling feels direct and responsive, and it is a joy in the corners as much as it is on the straights. Its lightness of 3,600 lbs is very refreshing in a world full of cars much heavier than that.
Porsche 918 Spyder
We couldn't leave the last of the original hypercars off this list. Arguably, the Porsche 918 Spyder, part of the P1 and LaFerrari “Holy Trinity,” is the cleverest of the bunch. The 918 has a 4.6-liter Porsche V8 under the hood and two electric motors. Combined, the 918 produces 875 hp.
The V8 is based on the same architecture used in the RS Spyder Le Mans prototype, and the engine itself weighs just 298 lbs. The 0-62 mph time of the 918 is just 2.5 seconds, with a top speed of 218.7 mph. An added bonus of the 918 is the ability to drive 12 miles on just the electric power, useful for shit trips to the local store.
Lotus Exige V6
The Lotus Exige V6 is the overlooked version of Lotus' incredible sports car. Lotus introduced the 3.5-liter Toyota V6 in 2012, producing 345 hp. The same engine was found in the Lotus Evora S. Yet many overlooked the Exige V6, mainly because other sports cars offered more power and perhaps bolder styling.
But the Exige V6 could easily blow them all out of the water. The Exige was fast and light, able to turn on a dime and outrun any of its competition on twisty rounds. This is what makes Lotus sports cars so good, and the Exige V6 is no different.
Toyota GT86
The Toyota GT86 and its sister, the Subaru BRZ, helped redefine sports cars for the modern era. Because it showed the world that you didn't need 500+ hp and outrageous designs to make an excellent performance car, the GT86 is a back-to-basics, joyous, and poised sports car everyone should drive.
Toyota partnered with Subaru to create the GT86 and the BRZ. Under the hood of the GT86 is a 2.0-liter H4 engine producing up to 204 hp. The GT86 has become so popular that Subaru continues to produce the BRZ, and Toyota has evolved the GT86 into the GR86.
2018 Porsche 911 GT3
Of all the outstanding Porsche 911s over the years, the 991.2 generation GT3 is one of the very best. Few cars on the market have had such an impact, with a high-revving 4.90-liter flat-six and six-speed manual transmission making the GT3 an actual driver car.
With 500 hp on offer, the 911 GT3 is one of the best driving experiences anyone can have. The 991.2 GT3 is incredibly rewarding to drive, and it steers perfectly. It is also a very easy sports car to live with daily. Something that only a handful of manufacturers can ever claim to have.
