1970 – Chevrolet Chevelle
1970 was a great year for fans of the Chevrolet Chevelle. The car never looked better, sporting some beautiful styling. Oh, and we can't not mention the engine options. The Chevelle was equipped with some very powerful motors at that time.
1971 – Chrysler New Yorker
Boasting power steering, power brakes, and a solid V8 engine, the Chrysler New Yorker was a great car to own in 1971. It was also an extremely comfortable vehicle to ride in thanks to its cosy interior. Space wasn't a problem here!
1972 – Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Beetle reached a huge milestone in 1972. Yes, it became the best-selling car on the planet that year, surpassing more than 15 million units. It took the crown from the Ford Model T. Talk about a supreme effort!
1973 – Chevrolet Monte Carlo
How's this for a slick redesign? The 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo was a much leaner car than previous models, sporting a pretty cool interior, too. Everyone seemed to love it! It was even named the "Car of the Year" by Motor Trend.
1974 – Ford Pinto
The Ford Pinto was a pretty popular car during the early part of the '70s. But it reached incredible heights in 1974. The model sold like hot cakes that year! More than 544,000 units were shifted, marking its strongest-ever period.
1975 – Oldsmobile Cutlass
With the energy crisis still rumbling on, motorists were offered some peace of mind by the 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass. In addition to the standard line-up, this car also had two smaller engine options — and folks appreciated the choice!
1976 – Chevrolet Impala
It's not hard to understand why the Chevrolet Impala earned a lot of love in 1976. The car was redesigned that year, aiming for a more modern look. The interior was really comfortable, while the V8 engine proved to be impressive as well.
1977 – Chevrolet Caprice
A much smaller car than its predecessors, the 1977 Chevrolet Caprice was a direct response to the energy crisis. Due to its lighter frame, the car didn't guzzle gas. It was easy to drive, too, which was another plus! The Caprice was a big hit that year.
1978 – Ford Fairmont
If you were looking for a stylish car at a reasonable price in 1978, then the Ford Fairmont would've been perfect. It had a solid design that attracted younger motorists and those with families at the time. You couldn't go wrong with it!
1979 – Chevrolet Chevette
Sporting a large grill, rectangular lights, and a flat hood, the Chevrolet Chevette looked very different in 1979. But folks loved it! It was one of the most popular cars in the country during that period.
1980 – Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
With the 1970s now in the rear-view mirror, what car did motorists flock to at the start of the new decade? Well, step forward the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. This vehicle went on to enjoy great success in 1980, gaining a lot of popularity.
1981 – Chevrolet Citation
While the Chevrolet Citation faced challenges in 1981 due to stricter emission rules, the car still had a lot of admirers. The X-11 performance package was particularly solid, offering excellent suspension and a strong V6 engine. It was a very nice motor.
1982 – Ford Escort
1982 was a banner year for the Ford Escort. Thanks to its very affordable price, it became one of the best-selling cars across the country at that time. It was a massive success, kicking off a solid period for the Escort.
1983 – Chevrolet Cavalier
The 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier had a lot going for it. Aesthetically, it was a real eye-catcher, sporting a slick design. As for its performance, the car was extremely reliable. It handled well and was comfortable to drive. What more could you ask for?
1984 – Chevrolet Celebrity
Another reliable motor, the Chevrolet Celebrity was a solid choice for drivers back in 1984. It had good handling, a comfortable interior, and the perfect engine for a family-sized car. Don't let the plain exterior fool you — folks loved this model!
1985 – Ford Taurus
To say that the Ford Taurus was a game-changer would be a major understatement. While other cars relied on boxy bodies, this vehicle sported an impressive aerodynamic exterior when it debuted in 1985. It was a huge hit that ultimately influenced car designs going forward.
1986 – Honda Accord
A good engine? Check. A sporty body? Check. Retractable headlights? You bet! Yes, the Honda Accord was a highly-coveted car in 1986 for a variety of reasons. And we can't forget about the double wishbone suspension, either. That feature improved the handling by leaps and bounds.
1987 – Ford Mustang
At a time when Ford Mustangs weren't the prettiest cars to look at, 1987 marked a big change. Yep, that year's model adopted a smoother body that was much more aesthetically pleasing. The interior was revamped as well, to the delight of Mustang fans everywhere!
1988 – Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry turned a lot of heads in 1988. It offered an all-wheel-drive option and a powerful V6 engine. The car enjoyed great success that year, surpassing 200,000 sales for the very first time in America. Impressive, right?
1989 – Nissan Sentra
The 1989 Nissan Sentra was a very solid car. It offered two different engine types to drivers, in addition to some cool features. For instance, the SGX model was equipped with power steering and power windows.
1990 – Ford Explorer
Heading into the 1990s now, what vehicle kicked off the decade on top? Well, say hello to the Ford Explorer. This SUV changed the game for many, as its off-road abilities were just as strong as its on-road qualities. It was super versatile!
1991 – Chevrolet Lumina
The motorists of 1991 really liked the Chevrolet Lumina. And who can blame them! This car had a stylish aerodynamic body with power locks and power windows, while its V6 engine was both efficient and powerful. It handled brilliantly, too.
1992 – Ford Crown Victoria
Another vehicle that benefited from a new aerodynamic design, the 1992 Ford Crown Victoria attracted plenty of attention that year. It was lighter than older models, and offered better fuel efficiency. The car's overall performance also saw significant improvements, which was an additional plus!
1993 – Jeep Grand Cherokee
An icon in the SUV market, the Jeep Grand Cherokee won lots of fans in 1993. It was a very versatile motor, capable of performing both on and off-road. It handled like a dream! The interior wasn't anything to be sniffed at, either.
1994 – Dodge Caravan
With dual airbags, a rejigged instrument panel, and a slightly different exterior, the Dodge Caravan saw a mid-cycle refresh in 1994. And drivers loved it! You could even buy a compressed natural gas version of this model at the time.
1995 – Saturn SL
The final car to come from Saturn S-Series' first generation, the 1995 Saturn SL was an excellent motor. It boasted a really cool-looking body, while its four-cylinder engine was capable of reaching 85 horsepower. Nice and solid, right?
1996 – Ford Windstar
If you were searching for the perfect road trip vehicle in 1996, then you couldn't do much better than the Ford Windstar. What a motor this was! It was easy to drive, offering a comfortable ride to passengers. The Windstar's aerodynamic body was impressive, too.
1997 – Chevrolet Malibu
After spending 14 years on the shelf, the Chevrolet Malibu made its long-awaited return in 1997. And boy, were folks happy to see it! This redesigned Malibu offered a new front-wheel-drive system, replacing the rear-wheel-drive set up of older models.
1998 – Subaru Outback
Motorists had a right to be excited when the Subaru Outback received some upgrades in 1998. Not only was the engine boosted, but the suspension got revamped to improve the vehicle's handling as well. The headlights also got a makeover!
1999 – Volkswagen Passat
A beloved motor in 1999, the Volkswagen Passat got pretty much everything right as a family car. It was reliable on the road, comfortable for passengers, and boasted a really roomy interior. Few cars could match its popularity at the time.
2000 – Hyundai Elantra
As the 1990s came to a close, the Hyundai Elantra emerged as a real favorite in the year 2000. In addition to its slick body, this car boasted a spacious, comfortable interior that also included power locks and power windows. It was very nice.
2001 – Mazda Tribute
With its front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive options, it's no surprise that the 2001 Mazda Tribute was a popular motor at that time. It handled brilliantly on the road and didn't guzzle gas, which was a pretty big plus!
2002 – Kia Optima
A car that just screamed style and luxury, the 2002 Kia Optima attracted plenty of attention back then. Its V6 engine was slightly more powerful than the previous model, while its wheels were bigger as well. This Optima also had keyless entry.
2003 – Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot made its bow in 2003 — and SUV fans couldn't have been more excited. This vehicle was versatile, spacious, and reliable. It also had a strong V6 engine capable of reaching 240 horsepower. Sweet!
2004 – Nissan Altima
We won't beat around the bush here — the third generation Nissan Altima was an awesome car. It looked great, performed brilliantly, and had loads of interior space for passengers. No wonder folks loved this thing in 2004!
2005 – Chrysler 300
Combining modern features with a retro aesthetic, the 2005 Chrysler 300 was quite the motor. It looked to echo the appearance of the 1955 C-300. The inside of the car was roomy and comfortable, while the engine options were solid.
2006 – Toyota Prius
It's fair to say that 2006 was a very good year for the Toyota Prius. The model enjoyed a surge in popularity thanks to some small alterations to its appearance. For instance, the front-end was revamped, while its rear seats were slightly shifted.
2007 – Honda Fit
The Honda Fit ticked a lot of boxes for drivers back in 2007. With fuel costs spiking, it proved to be a very efficient motor. On top of that, the Fit also offered a spacious interior, belying its compact appearance.
2008 – Chevrolet Malibu
Just like it did in 1997, the Chevrolet Malibu made another splash in 2008. Yes, this car was bigger than the last model, offering some excellent safety features. It also had a selection of powerful engine options. Folks adored it.
2009 – Ford Fusion
The 2009 Ford Fusion was an extremely cool car. Not only did it look great, but it also included SYNC technology. This gave motorists the chance to use vocal commands for certain features inside the vehicle. How awesome is that!
2010 – Chevrolet Equinox
Jumping ahead into a new decade now, the Chevrolet Equinox was a very nice car to have in 2010. Its body received a cool redesign, while two new engine options were made available. You could go for a four-cylinder engine or a V6. It went on to be hugely popular.
Through: Elise240SX