18. Mazda MX-3
Another blip in the history of ’90s sports cars is the MX-3. This little hatchback sports car was supposed to take Mazda to the next level. The design of the MX-3 was heavily influenced by the RX-7 of the time. You can see this by taking a look at the rounded glass back hatch. The MX-3 was the only car in this class that had a V6 engine standard, which made it perform admirably. The overall package was bit bland when you look at it though, which lead to Mazda falling on tough times during this period.

The Mazda MX-3 had all the potential to be a hit like the CRX or the GTI, but a lack of execution made the car fail. The short wheelbase and lack of features took away from what could have been a popular Mazda. Later in the next decade, Mazda perfected the compact car design with the Mazda 3, which remains a popular car to this day.