There Are Many Great British Cars
The United Kingdom has produced some exceptionally cool cars throughout the decades. From eye-catching Aston Martins to fancy Rolls-Royces, the list goes on. But which of them are considered the best? Well, let's find out! Yes, we'll be running the rule over a selection of awesome British motors right here. And you're sure to recognize many of the names, folks.
Aston Martin DB5
As James Bond's car of choice, the Aston Martin DB5 has a permanent parking spot in pop culture's garage. It's a fantastic motor, boasting a straight-six engine that can hit 145 mph at top speed. And folks are still willing to pay huge money to get their hands on one. All 25 of the "continuation" DB5s that came out in 2020 sold out, with each selling for millions.
Jaguar E-Type
It's fair to say that car enthusiasts were left in a state of awe when the Jaguar E-Type made its bow in 1961. This gorgeous vehicle wasn't only exceptionally fast, but it was fairly priced as well. Rival motors were far more expensive! The E-Type is still fondly remembered today as one of Britain's best.
Mini
Is the Mini the greatest compact car ever created? It's certainly in the running! This iconic model hit the market in 1959, and has since gone on to enjoy tremendous success. More than 5.3 million Minis were produced over the next four decades, while the modern version has continued to build on its legacy today.
Range Rover
Would the modern SUV be where it is today without the Range Rover? This motor has been extremely influential since making its bow back in 1970. Equipped with a powerful V8 engine capable of hitting 150 mph, its popularity has shown no signs of diminishing with the car-buying public.
Ford Escort
When talking about classic U.K. car models, you can't not mention the Ford Escort. A stylish update on the Anglia, it immediately turned heads upon its release in 1968. More than two million Escorts went on to be built over the next 34 years, before leaving the stage in 2002. It's pretty telling that the car's still fondly remembered today!
Rolls-Royce Phantom
A stunner in every sense, the Rolls-Royce Phantom remains a remarkable car. It just oozes luxury and elegance. It also came in various body-types during its production run — the convertible was particularly eye-catching! Few British motors have been able to match the Phantom's quality since it bowed out in 2017.
Lotus Elise
It's hard to tear your eyes away from the Lotus Elise. What a cool-looking car! It first hit the road back in 1996, and immediately pulled people in thanks to its excellent handling. To say it was fun to drive would be an understatement. The Elise was eventually retired in 2021 — but it won't be forgotten about in a hurry.
McLaren F1
While it was only in production for six years, the McLaren F1 is still regarded as one of the finest British cars ever made. Visually, it's absolutely gorgeous. But under the hood? Wow. The F1's equipped with a monstrous V12 engine that can hit 241 mph. Impressive, right?
Morris Minor
Not to be confused with the Mini, the Morris Minor is an impressive model in its own right. It first came out in 1948 and quickly won over the public, hitting a million sales by 1960. It was a significant moment — no other British motor had managed to do that back then!
Lotus Esprit
Stylish? Yes. Technically sound? You bet. Kindly priced? Absolutely! Yep, the Lotus Espirit had a lot in its favor when it first arrived in 1976. It was a fantastic performance car that could stand up to the likes of Porsche and Ferrari — all while being cheaper. Its production run eventually ended in 2004.
Ford Sierra
Did the Ford Sierra get off to a bumpy start in 1982? Undoubtedly. Folks didn't know what to make of its unique exterior! But the car soon found its groove with the public. It became incredibly popular over the following years, before retiring in 1993. Around three million Sierras had been produced by then.
Bentley Continental GT
The Bentley Continental GT is a jaw-dropping motor. On looks alone, it beats most British cars! But it's arguably more impressive under the hood. When it launched in 2003, the Continental GT boasted a powerful W12 engine. Now, it's equipped with a V8 hybrid that packs an even greater punch.
Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf has been a British-built car since 2013 — and boy, has it made an impact. This motor led the way as the first mass-market EV, opening the door for other models. It's fully-deserving of its pioneer status, folks! And it shows no signs of stopping yet.
Nissan Qashqai
Car lovers couldn't get enough of the Nissan Qashqai when it first rolled out in 2007. As a high-riding compact crossover SUV, it really stood out at the time. And it contines to find fans today. Around four million Qashqais have been produced over the last 18 years.
Rover SD1
To say that the Rover SD1 had a disastrous start wouldn't be overstating it. This car was both unreliable and poorly-built upon its release in 1976. But things got a lot better soon after! Following some tweaks, the SD1 saw vast improvements in performance and handling. It quickly became a British classic.
Lotus Elan Mk1
The Lotus Elan Mk1 is an easy car to love. It handles like a dream, performs brilliantly, and looks fantastic. It's one of the great British cars from the 1960s. On top of that, the original Elan proved to be pretty influential as well. The Mazda MX-5 was heavily inspired by it.
Jensen FF
Boasting anti-lock brakes and a four-wheel drive, the Jensen FF was unlike any other high-performance road vehicle back in 1966. It was ridiculously innovative for its time. The car also had a beast of an engine. Its Chrysler V8 could hit 140 mph at top speed. What a motor!
Aston Martin DB9
Would the Aston Martins of today be where they are without the DB9? It seems unlikely! This car brought some cool features to the table, such as its VH platform and light aluminum body. It helped the brand become more modern upon its release in 2003.
Jaguar XJ6
The Jaguar XJ6 made quite the splash when it debuted in 1968. It blew the competition out of the water thanks to its impeccable handling and beautiful interior. The straight-six engine wasn't bad, either. While the nameplate stuck around until 2019, it could be argued that none of the following models matched that first effort.
Ford Cortina
Visually, the Ford Cortina looked like a run-of-the-mill motor when it came out in 1962. But it was so much more than that. This car's roomy interior and friendly price made it the go-to choice for many families during that period. It was extremely popular across its 20-year production run.
Austin Seven
Is the Austin Seven the most important British car ever made? It has to be up there! At a time when automobiles were really expensive, this model was offered for a very nice price upon its release in 1922. Folks could now buy a vehicle without breaking the bank. It enjoyed a 17-year production run.
Jaguar Mk2
It's hard to think of a car with a classier appearance than the Jaguar Mk2. What a beauty! Rolling out in 1959, it boasted a curvy body, a stunning interior, and performed excellently. Its straight-six engine was magnificent, too. The Mk2 was eventually retired in 1969 — but it's still beloved today.
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta was a real game-changer back in the mid-'70s. No other front-wheel drive Ford vehicle had included a transverse engine at that point. Thanks to that decision, the Fiesta boasted a roomy interior and had fantastic handling. Folks couldn't get enough of it!
Vauxhall Cavalier
Across its three generations, the Vauxhall Cavalier never looked the same. Each model had a completely different appearance. But did the quality suffer as a result? No way! The Cavalier was a popular car on British roads throughout its 20-year lifespan. It's considered a classic now.
Jaguar F-Type
Sports cars don't come much cooler than the Jaguar F-Type. This motor could be bought as either a coupé or a convertible, with V6 and V8 supercharged engine options. It proved to be very popular during its 11-year run.
Morgan Plus 4
While Morgan might not be the most famous British car manufacturer, it still managed to produce a classic in the form of the Plus 4. This vehicle made its bow in 1950, and delighted all who drove it. As a roadster, it did everything right.
Vauxhall Viva
Was the Vauxhall Viva a spectacular car? Not really — but it didn't need to be! Following its release in 1963, it quickly became one of the go-to family vehicles. The Viva was cheap to look after and simple to drive. The perfect mix, right?
Triumph Stag
Few cars have aged better than the Triumph Stag. In the past, this motor was seen as horribly unreliable, with some dubbing it "the Snag." Now, though? It's a different story! Thanks to modern advancements, the Stag is easier to maintain today, meaning more folks are able to appreciate it.
Land Rover Freelander
It took a while for the Land Rover Freelander to emerge on the market. The compact SUV had been in development for years prior to its launch in 1997. Was it worth the wait? You bet! The first generation was particularly popular.
Jaguar XJ220
One of the finest supercars to come from the British Isles, the Jaguar XJ220 is a fabulous motor. It's equipped with a twin-turbo V6 engine that can hit 217 mph. The production run only lasted for two years, but '90s cars didn't get better than this, folks.
Land Rover Discovery
The Land Rover Discovery made huge waves upon its release in 1989. It was a practical vehicle that could serve as both an off-roader and a family car. People loved it! Now, it's currently in its fifth generation.
Jaguar XK120
Another classic Jaguar, the XK120 earned plenty of attention back in the day. When it rolled out in 1948, this motor became the fastest production car on the planet. Wow! It could hit speeds of over 124 mph.
McLaren P1
How do you top something as great as the McLaren F1? Well, the manufacturer gave it a shot! The P1 came out in 2013 — and it blew everyone's socks off. It looked amazing, performed brilliantly, and had a powerful twin-turbo V8 engine.
TVR Chimaera
A cheaper alternative to Mercedes and Porsche's roadster options, the TVR Chimaera was a popular choice back in the 1990s. With its rear-wheel drive setup and V8 engine, drivers had a lot of fun behind the wheel. It looked pretty cool, too!
