Mini Cooper
Reborn in 2001 under BMW’s expert guidance, the 2000s Mini Cooper is a modern retro icon. It combines a lightweight build, easy handling, and a premium design to create the ultimate city car, proving that classics aren’t always speedsters or SUVs.
Range Rover Sport
Although it has some faults, we can't deny the influence of the Range Rover Sport. This car helped redefine SUV luxury, proving that an off-road vehicle could also be stylish and attractive. Many drivers fell instantly in love with it, and it remains a popular and classic choice today.
Honda S2000
Released in 1999, the Honda S2000 set the bar high for all other cars of the 2000s. It had precise, cutting-edge engineering that included a roaring 9,000-rpm engine and sculpted, sporty bodywork. It was an instant classic that defined noughties roadster performance culture.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII
Roaring to life in 2003, the 8th-gen version of the iconic Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution more than lived up to its legacy! It brought aggressive turbo power and razor-sharp handling to the roads and challenged many other top dogs, securing both cult and mainstream appreciation.
Mazda RX-8
We all know it, but the Mazda RX-8 still surprises us with just how good it is. Over two decades after its release, the RX-8 is still fast, agile, and futuristic, with a gorgeous build and freestyle rear doors. Its reputation alone earns it the title of “2000s classic”.
Porsche 911 (997)
The original Porsche 911 is a tough act to follow, but the 2004 997 generation succeeded where others failed. It brought back classic styling cues, but refined them for modern audiences, and installed a high-powered engine that cemented its place as a 2000s classic.
Acura TL Type-S
Acura pulled out all the stops with the TL Type-S in 2007, launching a luxurious speedster at a time when many cars were practical commuters. It had a high-revving V6 engine and a performance build that engaged drivers and helped it define the sport-sedan niche.
Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz has introduced several great cars to the luxury car market, but the 2002 supercharged E55 AMG is the most deserving of the “classic” title. It redefined the super-sedan category with its 469-hp engine, which was housed inside an exquisitely designed build.
Saab 9-5 Aero
It’s not an extremely well-known car, but the Saab 9-5 Aero is a cult classic among collectors. It put a refreshing spin on the typical 2000s luxury sedan, giving it a quirkier look while also providing plenty of turbocharged power. Even as Saab faded, the 9-5 Aero remained a standout.
Cadillac CTS-V
Unveiled in 2004, the first-gen Cadillac CTS-V redefined the American sports sedan for a new generation of drivers. It shattered tired stereotypes, seamlessly blending muscle with sophistication, and became a symbol of the noughties' performance ambition. What more could you want from a classic?
BMW M3 E46
Often praised as one of BMW’s best cars, the M3 E46 was introduced right at the turn of the century, establishing a new path for the brand. It was simultaneously an everyday runaround and a track-ready speedster, and its legendary straight-six engine alone made it a classic.
Subaru Impreza P1
We love any variant of the Subaru Impreza, but the 2000s P1 was a special-edition model that truly embodied classic rally spirit. It was sharp, agile, and thrilling to drive, and its rarity catapulted it to icon status almost immediately.
Audi A2
It looks nothing like a “traditional” Audi, but that’s what makes it so unique! The quirky A2 took the 2000s by storm with its futuristic efficiency and revolutionary lightweight construction. It was initially underappreciated, but has now become a nostalgic classic.
Porsche Carrera GT
This looks like the kind of car you’d see in 2025, but the unbelievable Porsche Carrera GT was actually released in 2004! It became the poster child of the decade, boasting a roaring V10 engine, race-bred construction, and a design that demanded respect.
Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06
Speaking of unreal performance, the ‘01 Corvette C5 Z06 put a new, modern spin on a classic Chevy. It became a classic in its own right, thanks to its incredible 405-hp engine and sleek, sculpted build. Its popularity put the US back on the global sports car map.
Bentley Arnage
It may have debuted in 1998, but the Arnage set the stage for Bentley’s new-century opulence. This modern classic bridged the gap between craftsmanship and performance, putting a V8 engine inside a traditionally lavish Bentley body. The result? A decade-long luxury icon.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk5
The Volkswagen Golf GTI was a hot-hatch legend, but it received some much-needed rejuvenation in 2004 with the introduction of the Mk5 model. It had all the turbo power, sharp dynamics, and everyday usability a driver could want, and quickly became a reborn classic.
Toyota 4Runner IV
Speaking of new-generation classics, the fourth-gen version of the iconic Toyota 4Runner was released in 2002. It was a rugged beauty with a larger, more refined build than those of its predecessors, and it became a staple of 2000s adventure culture.
Infiniti M45
We all know Infiniti makes beautiful vehicles, but not all of them are considered modern classics. The 2003 M45, however, is very deserving of that title for its luxury styling and V8 power alone. It was also surprisingly affordable, so it quickly gained cult-classic status with many admirers.
Opel Speedster
It shared DNA with the Lotus Elise, so of course, the 2000 Opel Speedster was a hit. It was lightweight and agile, with plenty of raw power behind it, and people couldn’t get enough of it. It’s already considered a classic in Europe and beyond.
MG TF
It was only manufactured for three years, but the ‘02 MG TF made a massive impact in that short timeframe. It updated the brand’s typical mid-engine roadster with something sharper and more stylish. MG may have collapsed, but the TF lives on as one of its classic sports cars.
Lotus Elise II
Following the success of the first Lotus Elise, the second-generation model was already being lauded as a classic before its release. It was one of the best sports cars of the noughties because it was fast and powerful, but also refreshingly minimalist.
Lamborghini Gallardo
Some consider Lamborghinis only “classics” to be older models, but the Gallardo proved them wrong in 2003! It transformed the traditional Lambo into something that could be reliably used every day, but without compromising on looks, power, or driving experience.
Porsche Boxster
Many classic Porsches are distant dreams, but the 2000s Boxster made those dreams a reality for many drivers. It was an accessible, entry-level sports car that put a thrilling spin on everyday practicality. Safe to say, it became a classic in many people’s hearts.
Citroen C6
The Citroen C6 oozes luxury and French sophistication, so it wins classic status for its looks alone. But it was more than just a pretty face because it was also a futuristic design with some fun quirks that set it apart from all those sameish executive saloons.
Bentley Continental GT Mulliner
The Bentley Continental hit the market in 2003, but it was the Mulliner edition models that elevated it to new levels of bespoke luxury. Powered by a W12 engine, it redefined modern grand touring and remains one of the best classic Bentleys to own today.
Ferrari Enzo
The ‘01 Ferrari Enzo was an ode to Formula 1 excellence, with a screaming V12 and carbon innovation technology. It was a car that everyone wanted but few could actually get their hands on, and its hypercar status carried it through the 2000s and beyond.
Mercedes SL500
The Mercedes SL500 may have looked like a typical grand tourer, but there was a lot going on beneath the surface. It combined advanced tech, a classic V8 engine, and sleek styling to define early-2000s luxury and earn a place among the noughties automotive icons.
Ford Focus ST
It might be a car that everyone owns now, but that doesn’t take away its classic status! The 2005 Ford Focus ST is one of the brand’s most successful models to date, delivering hot-hatch thrills and everyday usability that set the stage for modern hatchback culture.
Nissan 350Z
We all know about Nissan’s Z-car heritage, but many forget to credit the 350Z for reviving it in 2002. It was muscular and powerful, with an engaging driving experience that enthusiasts fell in love with. A legend was reborn, and the 350Z became an independent classic.
Lamborghini Murcielago
Another of Lamborghini's modern classics is the Murcielago, which is often underrated in automotive culture. It carried the brand’s V12 flagship legacy safely into the next century, with an unrelenting, brutal performance and stunning build that earned it 2000s supercar status.
Chrysler 300
The 2005 Chrysler 300 was bold, brave, and Bentley-esque, so it had all the markers of an early-century classic. In a bid to redefine American sedans, it called back to the pony car era, but put an affordable, luxurious spin on the muscular look to create a new, enduring model.
Alfa Romeo Brera
You could argue that every exquisite Alfa Romeo is a classic, but there are some standouts. The 2005 Brera is one of the largest, with its dramatic design that gives it a more refined and understated look than its highly sculpted predecessors. It was a soulful, timeless icon.
Jaguar XF
In the late 2000s, Jaguar was attempting to reinvent its designs, and the ‘07 XF fit the bill perfectly. It was sporty yet elegant, nostalgic yet fresh, and it drove exceptionally well. People remember it as a classic because it was such a turning point for the brand.
Aston Martin Vanquish
We couldn’t end this list without mentioning the Bond-approved Aston Martin Vanquish! It roared onto our screens and into our hearts in the early 2000s, earning plenty of cool points for its immense performance and elegant but aggressive design. Of course, it’s a classic.
