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Revolutionary Rides: The Most Important Cars Of The Last 30 Years

Cameron Eittreim February 15, 2023

In the auto world, there are the average, ordinary cars you don’t bat an eye at. And then there are the cars that changed the industry. Cars like the Tesla Roadster and Toyota Prius completely revolutionized the way we drive today. There are other cars like the Jeep Cherokee that started an entirely new segment. Today, we take certain cars and SUV models for granted because we’ve forgotten how far they’ve come over the past 30 years.

Other vehicles like the Lincoln Navigator are also overlooked when it comes to their impact on the industry. The Navigator sparked the full-size luxury SUV segment we have today. So these defining cars definitely deserve their due. We looked back at the most important cars from the last 30 years and the impact they had on the auto industry right here.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Released to the market as a 1993 model, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was the first modern luxury SUV. It’s said the only reason Chrysler Corporation purchased American Motors was for the design of the Grand Cherokee. Without a doubt, the Grand Cherokee was one of the most influential SUV models of the last 30 years (via KBB).

It was everything that consumers wanted and didn’t realize they needed. The Grand Cherokee was simultaneously comfortable, rugged, and practical. Without the success of the Grand Cherokee, the Jeep brand wouldn’t be what it is today. Not to mention the fact that the Grand Cherokee sparked a wave of midsize luxury SUV offerings throughout the car industry.

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Dodge Intrepid

Cab forward design was a brand new concept when Chrysler introduced the Dodge Intrepid sedan in 1993. But the Intrepid completely revolutionized automotive design at the time and moved sedans away from the boxy styling of the 1980s. We might not have ever had the modern-looking cars that we have today without the success of the Intrepid (via Auto Blog).

The Intrepid was sold alongside two other Chrysler sedans with the same body style. Its interior was larger than anything else in the class at the time. The performance was also much better than comparable family sedans on the market. Dodge built the rest of their 1990s lineup around the Intrepid and for good reason.

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Dodge Ram

The Ram was another influential vehicle in a long line of them coming out of Chrysler in the 1990s. The big rig-inspired styling and modern lines were unlike anything else on the market at the time. The Ram went from being an obscurity to one of the most popular pickup trucks of the decade thanks to its redesign (via Edmunds).

Many new firsts came with the redesigned Ram, such as modern airbags and an extended cab interior. The big rig-inspired exterior design and modern curves made the Ram much more attractive than anything else in the segment. The Ram was one of the best-selling Chrysler products of all time in this body style.

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GMC Typhoon

SUVs used to be a fairly basic type of vehicle, often reserved for ranchers and people who needed off-road capability for work. But in the 1990s, there was a resurgence in design and innovation that began with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. General Motors took a different approach and introduced the first high-performance SUV, the Typhoon (via Car & Driver).

The Typhoon was a turbocharged SUV that utilized the same technology under the hood of the Buick Grand National. The Typhoon’s design was flush and beautiful, with unique paint options that weren’t used on the standard Jimmy. And it was very fast. At one point, the Typhoon was the fastest production vehicle in America.

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GMC Syclone

The Syclone was the first performance pickup truck ever released. True, there was the 454 SS before it, but the Syclone was a dedicated performance pickup truck. Utilizing the same turbocharged engine found in the Typhoon, the Syclone was one of the fastest production vehicles on the road (via Hot Cars).

The slick black paint job and the short wheelbase gave the Syclone a seriously sinister appearance. The performance floored enthusiasts that the Syclone offered for the price. Even comedian Jay Leno is the owner of one of the original Syclone trucks produced in the 1990s.

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Ford F-150 Lightning

Few pickup trucks have left as much of a lasting impression on the automotive industry as the original Ford F-150 Lightning. The Lightning took everything great about a shorted F-150 and jacked the performance up a notch. The sheer look of the F-150 Lightning was enough to let you know that it meant business (via Car & Driver).

Ford’s in-house Special Vehicles Team exclusively designed the Lightning, also known as SVT. The design of the Lightning was about as barebones as you got, but its main purpose was performance, so that made sense. From the factory, the Lightning was a performance powerhouse, and unlike anything else Ford ever released.

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Lexus LS400

Before Toyota launched the Lexus brand, German and domestic automakers dominated the luxury car segment. Toyota saw that there was an opening for a well-respected Japanese competitor to offer a superior product. Honda launched Acura a few years before, but the Acura cars were nothing more than rebadged Hondas (via Edmunds).

Toyota spent close to a billion dollars doing research and design on the initial Lexus models. It’s been said the LS400 was over-engineered on purpose. Even today, an original LS400 model is a comfortable driving car with bulletproof design quality. The LS400 revitalized the luxury car segment and firmly placed Lexus at the table.

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Toyota RAV4

Initially conceived in the early 1990s, the RAV4 was the first official crossover vehicle released by an automaker. The car-based design of the RAV4 was unlike a traditional off-road, which gave it a much better ride than other SUVs on the market. The hatchback design and high ground clearance helped the RAV4 compare to other off-roaders on the market (via Cars Guide).

The bulletproof reliability and affordable price tag slotted the RAV4 below the 4Runner in the lineup. Consumers liked the fact that the RAV4 was affordable and rugged. Without the RAV4, we wouldn’t have the vibrant crossover segment that we have today. The RAV4 paved the way for other compact SUVs to make their way into the fray.

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Ford Explorer

Although the Jeep Grand Cherokee was responsible for bringing luxurious SUV’s into the mainstream, it was the Explorer that completely changed the game. There was something about the original Explorer that millions of consumers liked. The design was handsome and rugged at the same time, and that versatility made it the complete package (via Driving Line).

The Eddie Bauer trim gave the Explorer an upmarket feeling, and the fact that it was practical compared to the larger Bronco made it popular. The original Explorer was a bigger hit than even the folks at Ford expected. There’s no way we’d have the popularity of the SUV segment that we have today without the original Explorer.

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Mazda MX-5

The MX-5 Miata was one of the most surprising success stories of the 1990s. At the beginning of the decade, Mazda was one of the least popular automakers on the road. The company launched the Miata as a completely new model. The modern styling was unlike anything else on the road at the time because most cars were still boxy (via Top Gear).

The MX-5 was an instant hit and became one of the best-selling roadsters of all time. This was partly because it offered an exhilarating ride and performance for a fraction of the price. Before the Miata was a thing, you’d have to spend a pretty penny on a sports car of this caliber. Overall, the MX-5 was affordable and fun to drive as it became a huge hit that recreated Mazda.

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GM EV1

It is without question that the GM EV1 was one of the most influential cars of a decade. The EV1 was the first consumer electric vehicle, one that you could get at your local Chevrolet dealership. It wasn’t the most stylish car on the road and wasn’t necessarily fun to drive (via Car & Driver).

But for the environmentally conscious consumer, the EV1 sparked a revolution. It was the car that showed consumers that an electric car was feasible. GM also famously got in trouble for demolishing all the EV1 models when the leases were up. There wouldn’t be a Tesla or Rivian without the EV1.

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Porsche Boxster

The Porsche brand was in the dumps in the 1990s and sales numbers were abysmal at best. What was once a pristine brand lost its image to the competition, and the company knew something needed to change. The Boxster was released to attract an entirely new type of clientele into Porsche showrooms (via Edmunds).

It was a car that was affordable and presented a new type of sports car for the new millennium. The Boxster was one of the best-selling Porsche models of all time. The unique design coupled with the bulletproof performance made it an excellent sports car. The Boxster is still an integral part of the Porsche lineup almost 30 years later.

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Honda Insight

Nowadays, we take mass-produced hybrids for granted. But back in 1999, the Insight was a novelty. The two-door hatchback wasn’t the best-looking ride on the block, but it was practical and resonated with a new generation of car shoppers. Thanks to the Civic platform, the Insight was a reliable and reasonable driving car (via Car & Driver).

The Insight was only a two-seater, so the practicality of the car was fairly limited. But the idea behind it was to achieve high fuel economy numbers. Considering it was the first mainstream hybrid car, there was a lot to be said about the little Honda. The Insight was redesigned later down the road to be a more practical vehicle.

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Toyota Prius

Who could ever forget the egg-shaped initial Prius, another hybrid model that hit the market early on? The Prius was a comfortable four-door compact car that introduced the world to the new hybrid system that Toyota developed. The reliability of the Prius was a major selling point for the car and the fuel economy was excellent (via Car & Driver).

The styling left a lot to be desired, but the point of the car was to introduce consumers to a hybrid vehicle. The first generation of the Prius laid the groundwork for the hybrid cars we have today. The next generations of the Prius continued to improve build quality and refinement.

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Audi TT

The Audi TT was the most influential sports car that the German automaker released in decades. The car completely changed the perception of the Audi brand at the time and it was unlike anything else on the road. The styling of the TT was futuristic and the performance jaw-dropping (via Auto Car).

Everything that made Audi vehicles great before the TT was enhanced in every aspect by this car. From the styling to the implementation, even a used TT is still a great ride. With the Quattro trim level, there are very few cars on the road that compete with the TT. The car revolutionized the sports car segment in every way.

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Volkswagen New Beetle

It could be said that the New Beetle revived the Volkswagen lineup. The car had the same adorable styling as the first-generation car but with a modern twist. The Beetle was a completely modern vehicle with an optional turbocharged engine. With little design elements like a flower holder on the dashboard, the New Beetle was a nod to the legendary car that came before it (via Edmunds).

Volkswagen sold millions of examples of the New Beetle, and it’s the car that got the company back on track. Although nowadays the New Beetle is a fairly common sight, most people don’t realize how influential this car was in 1998. The New Beetle was and still is one of the most influential vehicles of all time.

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Dodge Caravan

The Caravan was one of the most important cars of a lifetime, changing the way families drove forever. The 1990s version of the beloved minivan added even more innovations, such as a four-door design. Before the caravan, most vans were big and bulky and only had a right-side sliding door (via Edmunds).

The Caravan broke all kinds of barriers and proved to be one of the most popular Dodge models of all time. Even though consumers have moved away from minivans and toward crossovers, the importance of the Dodge Caravan can’t be underestimated. In every sense of the word, this was one of the most important car designs ever.

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Lincoln Navigator

When Ford introduced the Lincoln Navigator to the market, it was a big gamble. At the time, the Lincoln brand was teetering on collapse. The Navigator was the first SUV model ever sold by the storied luxury car brand. Surprisingly enough, the Navigator was a hit that revolutionized the SUV segment forever. People couldn’t get enough of the big, bold Lincoln model (via Edmunds).

The chromed-out design coupled with the abundance of luxury features was enough to make the Navigator a popular ride. There was a point in time when the dealerships couldn’t keep enough Navigators in stock. The Navigator success story caught GM off-guard, which prompted the release of the original Denali and Escalade models.

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Chevrolet Avalanche

If there’s one thing that GM does right, it’s an attempt to do something different. The Avalanche was a great SUV that offered an innovative design. It was the first SUV that turned into a truck via the back glass and the truck bed. The Avalanche proved to be a knockout success for GM in the long run, although it was eventually discontinued (via Every Car).

The SUV boom during the 2000s was a crazy time when almost every automaker was trying to jump into the mix. The design of the Avalanche was appealing enough that even the most traditional pickup truck buyers were willing to give it a chance. There was also a Cadillac version of the Avalanche.

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Dodge Dakota

You might not think about it, but the Dakota was one of the most influential rides on the road. The Dakota was the first mid-sized pickup truck ever sold. It was also the first mid-sized and compact truck with a full-sized V8 engine. If it hadn’t been for the Dakota coming onto the scene, there wouldn’t have been a Toyota Tundra (via Edmunds).

Before the Dakota came onto the scene, there were only compact trucks. The Dakota was the first viable alternative to a full-sized pickup truck if you still needed power and hauling. The excellent design and handsome styling of the Dakota made it a popular truck among consumers, and there was also the 5.9 R/T performance version.

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Tesla Roadster

The Tesla Roadster was the first modern electric car of the 2000s available for purchase. Designed by Elon Musk of PayPal fame, the Tesla was a futuristic car in every sense of the word. The initial models were flawed and plagued with delays and defects. But Musk was able to hang in there until the brand became a cultural phenomenon (via Car and Driver).

Now electric cars are becoming commonplace and the Tesla Roadster was one of the first new mainstream models. Recently, the Tesla company has teased the release of the redesigned Roadster, which is more modern in every way. Tesla also designed many other influential cars including the Model S.

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2005 Ford Mustang

The 2005 design of the Mustang was one of the most influential of all time. This was the car that birthed the retro-inspired muscle cars that we have today. The 2005 model hearkened back to the original Mustang. Every inch of the design was both retro and modern as Ford didn’t miss a beat when it came to the performance of the car (via Edmunds).

This generation of the Mustang was among the most popular ever sold. This generation of the Mustang was available in many configurations. The performance was among the best in a generation. Ford stayed with retro-inspired styling well into the next generation of the car.

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Ford F-150 Aluminum

The Ford Motor Company is always improving and gets better every decade. But Ford is also a company that has never shied away from the innovative design. When it was announced the next generation of the F-150 was aluminum, the automotive world was in an uproar. Traditional pickup truck enthusiasts couldn’t see how an aluminum truck would have much effect (via Muscle Cars and Trucks).

Still, even with the negative press, the Ford Motor Company pushed forward and launched the aluminum F-150. The truck has been a success for the company, and even naysayers can’t deny how popular the truck is. The aluminum-based design helped the truck achieve better gas mileage and performance.

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Lamborghini Urus

High-performance SUV models are still a new concept when it comes to exotic cars. Lamborghini sold an SUV in the 1980s and 1990s, but it was more of a Hummer clone than anything. So when the company announced the Urus, the automotive world asked what kind of car it would be (via Car & Driver).

Well, the Urus was one of the most influential SUV models of all time, and it has influenced new models from Maserati and Ferrari. The design of the Urus was eye-catching enough that consumers went for it. The popularity of the SUV also surprised the automotive world, especially considering how high the price tag was.

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Porsche Panamera

The Panamera was one of the most influential cars of the last decade. It was the first four-door Porsche model and the first Porsche sedan that hit the market. The styling of the Panamera was ahead of its time and there wasn’t anything else like it on the road (via Car & Driver).

Critics were quick to point out the drawbacks of the Panamera, but it didn’t slow the popularity of the car at all. The Panamera has remained one of the most popular Porsche models on the road as its performance was unmatched. There’s no doubt that the Panamera changed the face of the exotic car market.

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Revolutionary Rides: The Most Important Cars Of The Last 30 Years

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Dodge Intrepid

Dodge Ram

GMC Typhoon

GMC Syclone

Ford F-150 Lightning

Lexus LS400

Toyota RAV4

Ford Explorer

Mazda MX-5

GM EV1

Porsche Boxster

Honda Insight

Toyota Prius

Audi TT

Volkswagen New Beetle

Dodge Caravan

Lincoln Navigator

Chevrolet Avalanche

Dodge Dakota

Tesla Roadster

2005 Ford Mustang

Ford F-150 Aluminum

Lamborghini Urus

Porsche Panamera

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