Renault Fuego
This car had a name that means "fire" in Spanish, but it never really lit up the sales charts. However, it was stylish, aerodynamic, and ahead of its time. Reintroducing it as a small electric coupe that looks retro and cool could mean the Fuego might finally earn its name.
Pontiac Fiero
Long before anyone said "affordable Ferrari," GM made an audacious effort at making a mid-engine sports car for the masses, and we got the Fiero. It had the appearance, the buzz, and the unfortunate habit of catching fire. Still, a modern electric Fiero would outsell cassette decks in 1984.
Dodge Daytona Turbo Z
The Daytona Turbo Z looked like a high schooler’s drawing come to life. It had wild angles, a turbo badge, and lots of confidence. That turbo whistle still turned heads even though it was front-wheel drive. With Dodge’s love for performance today, a modern Daytona revival would be a no-brainer flex.
Subaru XT
The Subaru XT came with pop-up headlights, a steering wheel that resembled a joystick, and a wedge profile that seemed futuristic. It wasn't fast, but it was weirdly cool and could easily fit right in today’s retro-tech world if it were revived as an EV.
Toyota MR2 (First Gen)
The original MR2 didn’t need big power to have big fun. It was mid-engine magic on a budget, and yet Toyota left it in the past. If it were revived as a hybrid or EV pocket rocket, drivers would go wild.
Nissan Pulsar NX
The Pulsar NX was whatever you wanted it to be. It could be a coupe, a convertible, or a wagon, depending on which panels you attached on that day. In a way, it was a Transformer with turn signals, and the idea was ahead of its time.
Mazda RX-7 (FB)
Prior to Fast and Furious making rotaries mainstream, the first-gen RX-7 dutifully defined '80s automotive fun. It was light, well-balanced, and it looked cool without trying to. Reintroduce it as an electric rotary hybrid, and you would have every car nerd's dream car.
Honda Prelude
The Prelude was the sophisticated elder sibling to the Civic. At the time, it was sporty, classy, and dripping with ‘80s vibe. It introduced four-wheel steering and smooth, elegant lines that still hold up today.
Chrysler Conquest TSi
Built in partnership with Mitsubishi, the Conquest TSi was basically the American twin of the Starion. It was stylish, imperfect, and unforgettable, everything an ‘80s sports car should be. A modern version with retro styling and electric boost would be the comeback nobody saw coming.
Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo
The Cordia Turbo was quick, turbocharged and looked like it belonged in an '80s anime. Sadly, the Cordia Turbo never got its due. Put a modern powertrain in it together with a retro body kit, and it will win hearts all over again.
Peugeot 505 Turbo
The Peugeot 505 Turbo was France’s quiet contribution to the performance sedan scene. It could outrun a BMW 5 Series for less cash. And if it made a comeback, it could easily turn heads again, especially if Peugeot leaned into its elegant-meets-edgy European flair.
Ford EXP
The Ford EXP did not live up to expectations, but there is a certain charm to the minimalist wedge shape of the car. In an era where Ford is heavily promoting EVs, a small and light electric EXP would be the quirky, fun throwback that we didn't know we wanted.
Isuzu Impulse
The Isuzu Impulse looked like it came out of a concept car sketchbook, and it kind of did, thanks to Giorgetto Giugiaro’s design magic. It even had a “Handling by Lotus” badge, which was no joke. Today, it would easily stand out among the bland crossovers.
Nissan 300ZX (Z31)
Before the 350Z and 370Z, the 300ZX was the angular, confident hero that was loaded with ‘80s tech. It had personality, something the newer ones forgot. A comeback with hybrid power and those iconic pop-up headlights would be an instant cult classic.
Dodge Omni GLH
The Omni GLH (which stands for "Goes Like Hell") was Carroll Shelby's turbocharged joke on the hot hatch community. It seemed innocent, but it could humiliate far more expensive sports cars. Revamping it with new hybrid tech would help it regain its title as the underdog everyone secretly roots for.
Pontiac 6000 STE
In an attempt to best BMW, Pontiac made the 6000 STE, and it came with digital gauges, voice alerts, and an all-wheel drive. However, many people weren’t interested then. Today, it would do well as a fun, affordable EV.
Toyota Celica Supra
Before the Supra went full superstar, the Celica Supra was quietly setting the stage with its smooth inline-six engine, pop-up headlights, and a dashboard of glowing buttons. It was classy, quick, and very ‘80s. A modern electric Celica Supra would easily capture hearts all over again.
Buick Reatta
The car was hand-built, high-tech, and featured a touchscreen display in 1988. It didn’t click then, but it aged incredibly well. A sleek electric Reatta today would make perfect sense, delivering luxury, comfort, and just enough nostalgia to put a smile on your face.
Mercury Capri
The Capri was Ford’s overlooked fun car. It was a smaller, sportier variation of the Mustang that actually handled well. In an era where compact coupes are once again becoming fashionable, the Capri deserves a second shot.
Plymouth Laser
The Plymouth Laser had the same DNA as the Eclipse but somewhat faded into obscurity. It deserved way more love, as it was turbocharged, attractive, and agile. A comeback with modern styling and electric boost could easily turn this forgotten sibling into the favorite.
Volkswagen Scirocco
The effortlessly cool Scirocco was the low-slung cooler cousin of the Golf. It made efficiency look sexy, and many would love to see it make a comeback. VW could bring it back as an affordable EV coupe and the world would go nuts.
Plymouth Horizon
The Horizon was your neighbor's boxy little commuter that never died. It wasn't glamorous, but it was reliable, cheap, and lovable. In a world of over-designed SUVs, a basic electric Horizon would feel refreshing.
Pontiac Sunbird GT Turbo
Pontiac's definition of sporty was always a bit over-the-top, and the Sunbird GT delivered on that notion. It had turbocharged power, flamboyant decals, and a T-top option. In this manner, a revival may make sense now as a nostalgic compact coupe that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Renault Alliance GTA
The Alliance GTA was a French-American experiment that nearly achieved success. It did not work in the ‘80s, but a contemporary hybrid reboot may actually work today.
Honda CR-X
Light, quick, and insanely fun to drive, the CR-X was super fuel-efficient before that was even trendy. If it makes a comeback as a feisty hybrid coupe, every car nerd from the ‘80s will line up.
Nissan 200SX
The 200SX was the kind of affordable, rear-wheel-drive fun car that enthusiasts beg for today. It offered sharp lines, great balance, and surprising agility, and it deserved way more love than it got. Today, it could bridge the gap between nostalgia and new-school tech if it were recreated as an electric sports hatch.
Chrysler LeBaron Convertible
Nothing said ‘80s beach vibes quite like a LeBaron with the top down and the radio blasting. A modern EV convertible revival could make carefree cruising cool again. We could all use a little bit more sunshine and synth-pop energy.
Plymouth Sapporo
The Sapporo was smooth, stylish, and criminally underappreciated. It was built for vibes, not speed. A revival as a retro-inspired electric coupe would give it the second life it always deserved.
Toyota Cressida
Before Lexus existed, the Cressida was Toyota’s luxury flagship. Rear-wheel drive, silky inline-six, and understated elegance, it had class before anyone noticed. Reimagine it today as an EV luxury sedan that rivals Tesla while keeping that old-school refinement alive.
Chevrolet Spectrum Turbo
This little Chevy had Isuzu DNA and a turbo that made it surprisingly fun to drive. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was punchy and efficient. It could easily win hearts again if it made a comeback as a modern electric hatch with that same scrappy underdog spirit.
Suzuki Samurai
Tiny and rugged, the Samurai was a go-anywhere, fit-anywhere kind of SUV. It rolled over in the press, but people loved it. A modern electric Samurai would be unstoppable and maybe a little more stable this time.
Nissan Stanza Wagon
Years before it was trendy, this car came with sliding doors and a boxy shape. It was useful, unconventional, and catered to families who sought something beyond the usual boring drive. If it made a modern comeback, it would have quirky looks, flexible space, and all the nostalgia Gen X could handle.
Mercury Cougar
The Cougar endured an identity crisis, but its striking good looks combined with a confident yet smooth ride made it quietly remarkable. If Mercury were still around, a hybrid Cougar coupe would undoubtedly pounce on today’s retro-loving crowd.
Saab 900 Turbo
The Saab 900 Turbo had a quirky ignition placement, wraparound windshield, and a turbo that actually meant business. It was the intellectual’s sports car, and it had lots of character. If Saab came back with an electric 900, it’d instantly become the thinking person’s EV.
Mitsubishi Starion
Before Mitsubishi made sensible crossovers, it made this turbocharged rear-wheel-drive beauty. The Starion looked fast standing still, and handled even better on the move. A comeback as a sleek, electric sports coupe would be an absolute home run, especially if it kept those flared fenders and unmistakable ‘80s attitude.
