Car and Driver magazine has been recognizing automotive excellence for decades, consistently identifying the standout vehicles in various categories. From its inception, the annual 10Best list has served as a benchmark for performance, innovation, and overall driving experience. This article compiles the winners from 1983 through 2001, providing a historical overview of vehicles that shaped the automotive landscape.
The Early Years: 1983-1985
The inaugural 10Best list in 1983 reflected a market undergoing significant changes. The winners—AMC/Renault Alliance, Chevrolet Caprice, Ford Mustang GT 5.0, Honda Accord, Mazda RX-7, Mercedes-Benz 380SEL, Pontiac 6000STE, Porsche 944, Toyota Celica Supra, and Volkswagen Rabbit GTI —represented a mix of domestic power, European refinement, and emerging Japanese reliability.
By 1984, the list saw shifts toward more performance-oriented choices: Audi 5000S/Turbo, Dodge Daytona Turbo, Honda Accord, Honda Prelude, Mazda 626, Pontiac 6000STE, Pontiac Fiero 2M4, Porsche 944, Toyota Celica Supra, and Volkswagen GTI. This indicated a growing emphasis on driving dynamics, as manufacturers began to prioritize handling and speed.
In 1985, the list continued this trend with vehicles like the Audi 5000S/Turbo, Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager, Honda Accord, Honda Civic/CRX, Honda Prelude, Merkur XR4Ti, Pontiac 6000STE, and Porsche 944. This period demonstrated a rise in American performance cars alongside established European luxury and Japanese efficiency.
The Mid-Decade: 1986-1990
The late 1980s witnessed further refinement in automotive design and technology. The 1986 winners included the Audi 5000CS Turbo Quattro, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable, Honda Accord, Honda Prelude, Lincoln Mark VII LSC, Porsche 944, Saab 9000, Toyota MR2, and Volkswagen GTI. These vehicles showcased the growing sophistication of both domestic and import models.
The 1987 list featured vehicles like the Acura Integra, Audi 5000/CS Turbo, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang GT, Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, Mazda RX-7 Turbo, Pontiac Bonneville SE, Saab 9000 Turbo, and Toyota MR2. The inclusion of Acura demonstrated the rising influence of Japanese luxury brands.
By 1988, the automotive market was becoming increasingly competitive. Winners included Acura Integra, Acura Legend Coupe, Audi 5000, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang 5.0, Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Honda CRX, and Saab 9000 Turbo. The dominance of Japanese manufacturers in terms of reliability and value was becoming more apparent.
The 1989 list included Acura Legend Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Colt Turbo/Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo, Ford Probe GT, Ford Taurus/Taurus SHO, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Lincoln Continental, Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo/Plymouth Laser Turbo, and Saab 9000 Turbo. This period marked an increase in turbocharged performance cars from various manufacturers.
The 1990 winners were Acura Legend Coupe, Diamond-Star Turbos, Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Lexus LS400, Mazda MPV, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Nissan 300ZX/300ZX Turbo, and Nissan Maxima SE. The emergence of Lexus signaled a new era in luxury automotive competition.
The Final Years: 1991-2001
The early 2000s saw continued innovation and refinement in the automotive industry. The 1991 winners included Diamond-Star Turbos, Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Mazda MPV V-6 3.0i, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mercury Tracer LTS, Nissan 300ZX Turbo, Nissan Sentra SE-R, and Toyota Previa. The inclusion of the Mazda MX-5 Miata reflected a growing appreciation for lightweight sports cars.
The 1995 list featured Acura Integra GS-R, BMW 325i/M3, Chrysler Cirrus LXi, Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique, Honda Accord, Honda Prelude, Lexus SC300, Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300ZX Turbo, and Nissan Maxima SE. The BMW 3-series’s consistent presence demonstrated its enduring appeal.
The 1999 winners included BMW 328i/M3, BMW 5-series, BMW M Coupe/M Roadster, Chevrolet Corvette, Chrysler 300M, Dodge Intrepid, Honda Accord, Lexus GS300/400, Mazda Miata, and Porsche Boxster. The rise of BMW as a dominant force in performance luxury was evident.
In 2000, the list featured Audi A6 2.7T/A6 4.2, Audi TT, BMW 3-series, BMW 5-series, Chrysler 300M, Ford Focus, Honda Accord, Honda S2000, Lexus GS300/400, and Porsche Boxster. The continued presence of BMW and Honda underscored their commitment to quality and innovation.
Finally, the 2001 winners included Audi A6 2.7T/A6 4.2, Audi TT, BMW 3-series, BMW 5-series, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus, Honda Accord, Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Porsche Boxster. The diversity of vehicles across brands demonstrated a vibrant and competitive automotive market.
Car and Driver’s 10Best list has long been a definitive measure of automotive excellence, reflecting shifts in design, technology, and consumer preferences over the years. The vehicles selected consistently pushed boundaries, setting benchmarks for performance, innovation, and overall driving experience.
