Automotive history is filled with stories of excellent creations that, for one reason or another, didn't get the praise they deserved. For every winner like the Ford Mustang or Porsche 911 that rolls off the assembly line, dozens more are overlooked, despite their obvious innovations and luxurious features.
Time has a funny way of changing our perceptions, as many of these vehicles are now considered classics and even a reflection of some people's financial fitness, given the investment needed to purchase them. We've compiled a list of the 10 most underrated cars ever made. Where does your favorite rank?
- 18-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60-69
- 70-79
- 80+
Volkswagen Phaeton
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No one ever doubted the Phaeton was a masterpiece of automotive engineering. It was a passion project of VW's chairman who envisioned a luxury sedan that could rival a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Built in a special glass factory, the Phaeton's most notable feature was its massive W12 engine.
However, American buyers in the early 2000s just couldn't get on board with paying $96,000+ for a Volkswagen, a brand name that translates to the "people's car." The Phaeton is now seen as a luxury car ahead of its time.
Chevrolet SS
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The Chevy SS was a secret supercar disguised as a family sedan. Essentially a re-badged Holden Commodore from Australia, the SS sported a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, and an available six-speed manual transmission.
Unfortunately, the SS became a victim of poor marketing. Chevrolet barely advertised it, and its understated looks meant it flew under the radar of the muscle car enthusiasts who would have loved it.
Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
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What if you took a supercharged V8 with 556 horsepower and put it in a station wagon body? That was the idea behind the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon, a grocery-getter that could outrun your average Porsche. So, why did it fail?
When this model was released in the early 2000s, station wagons had little appeal to the audience who might have appreciated this one's raw power. In fact, the market for high-performance wagons in the United States is still incredibly small. However, critics and Cadillac fans alike have come around to the CTS-V Wagon in the decades since its release.
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Ford Flex
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Introduced in 2009, the Ford Flex dared to be different in a sea of generic, jellybean-shaped crossover SUVs. Classic wood-paneled wagons inspired its boxy, retro styling, and it offered enormous passenger and cargo space.
The Flex's hearse-like styling was polarizing. While some loved it, many buyers found it too weird and opted for more conventional SUVs, such as Ford's own Explorer. Discontinued in 2019, the Flex is now appreciated by some car enthusiasts for combining the best parts of an SUV and a minivan.
Suzuki Kizashi
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The Kizashi was Suzuki's ambitious attempt to take on the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Its premium interior and sporty handling earned praise, but it may have been too far outside Suzuki's wheelhouse.
Known for their small cars and motorcycles, Suzuki ultimately found manufacturing and selling the Kizashi a "headache" and gave up on the model in 2013. Eventually, it left the U.S. car market altogether. Today, many consider it an early example of a premium family sedan.
Saab 9-2X Aero
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Essentially a Subaru Impreza WRX wagon in a more stylish package, the Saab 9-2X Aero quickly earned the nickname "Saabaru." It had the legendary turbocharged boxer engine and all-wheel-drive system of the WRX, but with a refined interior and a more comfortable suspension.
Saab purists revolted. The last thing they wanted was a Subaru in disguise, and Subaru fans just bought the cheaper WRX. Decades removed from the controversy that plagued the 9-2X Aero's two-year production run, many enthusiasts now regard it as a misunderstood gem.
Pontiac G8 GXP
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Like the later Chevy SS, the Pontiac G8 was a re-branded Australian Holden sedan. The top-tier GXP model was a true performance machine, featuring the 415-horsepower LS3 V8 and an available manual transmission.
However, the timing was wrong. The G8 launched in 2008, right at the start of the global financial crisis and a massive spike in gas prices. To make matters worse, it was a Pontiac, and General Motors shut down the entire brand in 2010. As Pontiac's last new model, it has way more fans today than it did in its short lifetime.
Acura ZDX
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The SUV coupe is a standard of today's crossover offerings. As a pioneer of this style in 2010, the Acura ZDX was just too ahead of its time for car buyers to really appreciate it.
Today, collectors prize the ZDX for its luxurious interior and Acura's excellent Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH+AWD) system. In an era when numerous models blend the high ride height of an SUV with the sleek, sloping roofline of a sports car, enthusiasts are now quick to point out that the ZDX may have done it first.
Merkur XR4Ti
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In the mid-80s, Ford decided to bring its European performance sedan, the Ford Sierra XR4i, to America. It had a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, and an independent rear suspension that gave it fantastic handling.
It was a sports sedan that could compete with BMW, but Ford's first problem was in the "European" name it chose for the American release. Nobody knew what a "Merkur" was. Lincoln-Mercury dealerships sold it, which further confused buyers. Today, its rarity and innovations make the XR4Ti a collector's item.
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Lexus GS
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The Lexus GS was a midsize luxury sedan that equaled the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, but at a lower price point. The high-performance GS F model, with its glorious naturally-aspirated V8, was a particularly great example of this line.
The problem was that the GS was always overshadowed, both by its competitors and within the Lexus lineup. Customers tended to prefer either the ES sedan or the RX SUV, leaving the GS neglected in its day. Now, collectors see it as the sporty and comfortable sedan it always was.
Bottom line
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You never know what a car's legacy will be. The most popular models of any given time become familiar and boring, while the slow-selling outcasts can turn out to be diamonds in the rough.
Automotive critics who have tried to determine why this happens so often have found that rarity is one of the biggest factors that make older cars more interesting to collectors. Since nearly all of these cars failed to sell in large quantities, it's no wonder car enthusiasts love them today.
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