The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR (2024)

31st December 2019

Dan Trent

As thedecade draws to a close we identify the cars that had the biggest impact in the last 10 years. No, not every car in the list was launched in the past decade, but every car here has been influential.

The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR (1)

Alpine A110

As the 2010s draw to a close the pressure to be ‘woke’ is being felt even in the sports car world, where social acceptability for 200mph-plus speeds and the relevance of such excessive performance is increasingly hard to justify. Making this the perfect moment for the revival of Alpine, a sporting brand whose traditional links with Renault have now been formalised with a clever reimagination of the iconic ‘60s A110. By concentrating on lightness the Alpine rejects sports car norms by combining comfort and refinement with super-sharp, driver-focused response. A battle for ever-increasing horsepower and technology led by the German marques has dominated the last decade; as we enter a new one this French revolution in feel and feedback could represent a major shift in focus.

The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR (2)

Toyota Prius

Whether you buy into the virtue-signalling or not it’s impossible to ignore Toyota’s success in bringing hybrids to the fore. It started modestly, the original Prius of the late 1990s concealing its revolutionary tech beneath resolutely frumpy lines before the second generation settled on the more distinctive look that has now become a ubiquitous feature of city streets the world over. Its ability to swerve increasingly tight regulations for emissions may or may not play out at the pumps but, regardless, legislators have gifted the Prius – and its drivers – a free pass where more conventional cars have been penalised and demonised. And as an emblem of the Uber age the Prius has come to represent gig economy and its wider influence on both work and transport over the last few years.

The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR (3)

McLaren MP4-12C

Promising supercar start-ups come and go with depressing speed and regularity but the arrival of McLaren on the scene was something different. The F1 of the early ‘90s remains one of the most acclaimed supercars ever made, and also one of the most exclusive. With the MP4-12C, McLaren brought signature motorsport technology to the relative mainstream, not least the carbon-fibre construction it helped pioneer in Formula 1 cars. The 12C was reasonably conservative in looks but the huge punch of its twin-turbo V8, its innovative interlinked suspension and the cachet of its badge helped it overcome early wobbles and establish the brand as a true rival to Ferrari, Lamborghini and others.

The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR (4)

Range Rover Evoque

SUVs and crossovers have become the dominant automotive trend of the last decade and manufacturers have scrambled to adapt their ranges to meet demand. By co-opting the premium Range Rover badge and applying it to a boldly styled and more affordable crossover format, Land Rover skilfully adapted its 4x4 credibility to this fashion-conscious sector, cleverly using celebrity tie-ups to add a sense of glamour to proceedings. The 2010s will be known as the decade the crossovers took over, the Evoque a potent symbol of how fashion, brand power and aspirational design captured the hearts of a generation of motorists.

The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR (5)

Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R landed here in 2009 but its influence over performance cars for the decade since has been immeasurable. Truly a car born of the videogames generation, the GT-R successfully channelled the giant-killing reputation of the Skylines of an earlier age and used its obsessively engineered combination of technology and raw power to humiliate European rivals, not least on home soil with a series of astonishing Nürburgring lap times. Porsche and others didn’t like it, critics denounced it for being a PlayStation on wheels but it was impossible to ignore. And it’s still going strong.

The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR (6)

Tesla Model S­

Whatever your views on Elon Musk the impact of his ambition, free-thinking and cash resources have arguably created one of the greatest disruptive influences on motoring since Henry Ford and the Model T. Tesla’s toe in the water with an electrified Lotus Elise (since blasted into space) showed little hint of what was to come but the rest of the industry should have taken notice, given the kick up the backside the Model S was soon to give it. The chutzpah to then deliver an infrastructure of ‘superchargers’ to keep owners mobile showed similar swagger, the playfulness of ‘ludicrous mode’ acceleration underplaying the seriousness of the brand’s ambitions.

The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR (7)

Toyota GT86

The last decade has seen huge advances in technology and something of a horsepower arms race among performance manufacturers. Engines have got more powerful, wheels and tyres have got bigger and cars ever more complex but many keen drivers felt left behind. The idea that a white goods manufacturer like Toyota could spearhead the revival of back to basics sports cars with an affordable, rear-wheel-drive coupe dedicated to feel and feedback over outright speed seemed crazy but the GT86 – built in partnership with Subaru – was a nod to the purists that handling could matter more than stats. The argument hasn’t been entirely won yet. But the GT86 deserves recognition for starting it.

The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR (8)

Audi R8

For half a century the Porsche 911 successfully cornered the market as the supercar-chasing sports car you could drive every day. Many tried to field a viable alternative but it wasn’t until the Audi R8 appeared in the late-2000s there was a true contender to the 911’s crown, Audi adopting the traditional mid-engined supercar format, fitting it with powerful and charismatic V8 and V10 engines but making it as accessible and user-friendly as any A4 saloon. And by the dawn of the new decade the R8 was fully-formed with a thundering V10 motor, a second-generation version coming in 2015 and winning the Nürburgring 24-hour just 10 weeks after the car’s show debut and before the road car even went on sale. A 911 still has the advantage of its occasional rear seats but Audi has given the iconic Porsche its biggest scare in years.

The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR (9)

BMW i8

For all the pressure to electrify and look at fresh approaches to mobility the motor industry has been deathly slow in showing any appetite to move with the times. Sure, we’ve seen electrified versions of regular hatchbacks and SUVs but true innovation has been sadly lacking. BMW’s establishment of a dedicated sub-brand to develop a new generation of part- and full-electric vehicles based around lightweight construction and bold styling gave it room to experiment without distracting from the ‘day job’. With its combination of electric power, a small three-cylinder petrol engine and carbon-fibre construction the i8 (and its more hatchback i3 stablemate) deserve greater recognition for pushing forward with new production and propulsion technology.

The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR (10)

Volkswagen Golf R

In the ‘90s and noughties if you wanted a 300hp road car with four doors, everyday practicality and all-weather four-wheel-drive you had to commit to driving a full-blown rally replica, complete with wings, bonnet scoops and full boy racer attitude. The Golf R changed all that, successfully gentrifying the same format into a typically polished and practical package everyday drivers could enjoy with a socially respectable image. Having laid down the template for the modern hot hatch with the Golf GTI in the ‘70s, the Golf R created a whole new class of super hatches, tempting premium brands like Audi and Mercedes into the field with 300hp-plus, all-wheel-drive rivals of their own.

  • BMW

  • i8

  • Alpine

  • A110

  • Toyota

  • GT86

  • Prius

  • Tesla

  • Model S

  • McLaren

  • 12C

  • Nissan

  • GTR

  • Audi

  • R8

  • Volkswagen

  • Golf

The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR (2024)

FAQs

The 10 best cars of the 2010s (List) | GRR? ›

The highest-ranked brand for reliability in 2010 was Porsche. When it comes to long-term reliability, Porsche is the highest-ranked brand in vehicle dependability in 2010. Looking for a high-quality, highly efficient small car or SUV? In 2010, these models were highest-ranked for vehicle dependability.

What is the best 2010 car to buy? ›

The winners: Cars
  • 2010 Honda Fit. Best Hatchback. ...
  • 2010 Toyota Camry. Best Midsize Car. ...
  • 2010 Ford Taurus. Best Family Sedan. ...
  • 2010 Volkswagen GTI. Best Upscale Compact Car. ...
  • 2010 Hyundai Genesis. Best Upscale Sedan. ...
  • 2010 Acura RL. Best Luxury Sedan. ...
  • 2010 Toyota Prius. Best Hybrid Car. ...
  • 2010 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen. Best Wagon.

What is the most reliable car in the last 10 years? ›

Comparing the Most Reliable Cars
CarModel Years to Look forModel Years to Avoid
Mazda 32005–2009, 2015–20202004, 2010–2014
Subaru Outback2014, 2016–2019, 20212001–2013, 2015, 2020
Toyota Camry2008–2009, 2012–2019, 2020–20212001–2007, 2010–2011
Toyota Corolla2010–2019, 20212000–2002, 2005–2006, 2009
8 more rows
Oct 17, 2023

What was the best car of the year in 2010? ›

Winners by Year
YearWinner
2009Honda City
2010Tata Nano
2011Ford Figo
2012Maruti Suzuki Swift
15 more rows

What was the number one car in 2010? ›

Top Ten Best Selling Cars and Trucks, 2010
CarsTrucks
1Toyota CamryFord F Series
2Honda AccordChevy Silverado
3Toyota Corolla/MatrixHonda CR-V
4Honda CivicDodge Ram Pickup
6 more rows

What is the most reliable car made in 2010? ›

The highest-ranked brand for reliability in 2010 was Porsche. When it comes to long-term reliability, Porsche is the highest-ranked brand in vehicle dependability in 2010. Looking for a high-quality, highly efficient small car or SUV? In 2010, these models were highest-ranked for vehicle dependability.

What is the 1 most reliable car? ›

Luxury brand Lexus gets ranked first, with models like the 2023 Lexus GX proving to be the most reliable. They are also doing well in the hybrid model section. Better fuel economy, low maintenance costs, and top-rated technology are what you get when you buy a Lexus.

What car has the least problems? ›

The most reliable car brands
  • Lexus. Reliability rating 98.3% ...
  • Toyota. Reliability rating 97.4% ...
  • Mini. Reliability rating 97.2% ...
  • Suzuki. Reliability rating 96.9% ...
  • Mitsubishi. Reliability rating 96.2% ...
  • Honda. Reliability rating 95.9% ...
  • Hyundai. Reliability rating 94.3% ...
  • Kia. Reliability rating 93.8%
Jun 1, 2024

What is the longest lasting most reliable car? ›

With regular maintenance and no major accidents, certain vehicles are known to cruise right past the 200k mark and live well into their third act.
  • 2023 Honda Accord. ...
  • 2023 Honda CR-V. ...
  • 2021 Toyota Tacoma. ...
  • Kevauto, CC-BY-SA-4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
  • 2021 Toyota Corolla. ...
  • 2023 Honda Odyssey. ...
  • 2022 Ford F-150. ...
  • 2020 Toyota 4Runner.
Jun 23, 2024

What car has the best repair record? ›

Lexus, Toyota, and Mini are the three most reliable brands in this year's annual auto reliability brand rankings, with the two Japanese brands swapping spaces from last year. The automaker Honda follows, with its luxury Acura brand coming in fourth and the mainstream Honda brand rounding out the top five.

What is the number 1 car of all time? ›

The Toyota Corolla is the world's bestselling car with Toyota building over 50 million of them since 1966. This amazing achievement is just a testament to the effort Toyota put in this model. They have produced countless versions, generations, and models for many different markets.

Which year used car is best to buy? ›

The optimal time to purchase a used car is typically between 2 to 5 years old. Within this age range, the vehicle has already experienced the most significant depreciation, yet remains relatively new and in good condition.

What year of car is best to buy? ›

Consider the Previous or Outgoing Model Year

An excellent way to use timing to your advantage when buying a new car is by getting a vehicle from the previous model year. You can also get a good deal by purchasing a new car toward the end of its model year, for example, a 2024 model in December 2024.

What is the performance car of the year 2010? ›

In performance and driving experience, the prudent 2010 Ford Fusion ranked highest in the Midsize Car segment. Ranked highest among Midsize Pickups, the sturdy Ford Explorer Sport Trac earned an award in performance and driving experience.

What was the number 1 car in 2011? ›

Top 20 Best Sellers in 2011
RankRank
11Ford F-Series
22Chevrolet Silverado
33Toyota Camry
47Nissan Altima
17 more rows
Jan 4, 2012

What was the expensive car in 2010? ›

There are plenty of other 2010 cars–such as BMW's $137,000 7-Series turbocharged V12 sedan and Jaguar's $115,000 XJ Super V8 sedan–that offer a lot of extras with an MSRP and long-term costs to match. They're at home on our list of the most expensive cars of 2010.

What is high mileage for a 2010 car? ›

To determine whether a car has reasonable mileage, you can simply multiply 12,000 by its age. That means good mileage for a car that's 5 years old is 60,000. Significantly more or fewer miles could indicate a problem or trouble in the future.

What car is the best to buy second hand? ›

Best used second-hand cars
  • Best fun car: Mazda MX-5. ...
  • Best SUV: Skoda Karoq. ...
  • Best electric car: Tesla Model 3. ...
  • Best hybrid car: Toyota Corolla. ...
  • Best executive car: Mercedes E-Class. ...
  • Best small family car: Ford Focus.
  • Best large family car: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso.
  • Best estate car: Volvo V90.

Is it better to buy a 10-year-old car? ›

Affordability: One of the primary advantages of purchasing a 10-year-old car is affordability. New cars experience rapid depreciation in their first few years, making older models more budget-friendly. Buyers looking for a cost-effective option may find that a 10-year-old car provides good value for the money.

What is the most reliable car from 2000-2010? ›

These 10 Used Cars From the 2000s Are Surprisingly Reliable
  1. Lexus IS300. ...
  2. BMW M3. ...
  3. Pontiac GTO. ...
  4. Honda Civic Type-R. ...
  5. Mazda MX-5 Miata. ...
  6. Hyundai Tucson. ...
  7. Ford Mustang. ...
  8. Nissan Altima.
Jan 8, 2024

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