13 Most Underrated Cars of the Last Decade

For the last 10 years, the auto market has been filled with large SUVs, compact crossovers, hybrids, and full-blow electric cars with a host of futuristic tech. Unfortunately, this led to some incredible vehicles not getting the recognition or love they deserve.

From cars overshadowed by their competition to cars to ones that were never sales successes, these are the 13 most underappreciated cars from the past decade.

BMW M550i xDrive

The BMW M5 is by no means an underrated car. However, its slightly weaker sibling, the M550i, is another story. Although it might not have the F90 M5’s S63 V8 engine, the M550i features a similar twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine that produces 523-hp and 553lb-ft of torque.

Coupled with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the M550i reaches 60 mph from a stop in 3.5 seconds. Albeit slightly slower than the F90 M5, the M550i benefits from a more comfortable ride, and a cheaper price tag and is subsequently more of a sleeper than the shouty M5.

Lexus LC 500

The LC 500 is the Lexus LFA’s spiritual successor. But because it’s heavier and less potent than the LFA, many never even gave the LC the light of day. However, the LC 500’s goal was never to be the quickest sports car money can buy.

The Lexus LC 500 is a touring sports car with a mighty 5.0-liter V8, an interior fit for a king, and its space-age design makes it stand out from everything else on the road. But because the LC 500 was as quick as a Toyota Supra, and didn’t fill the LFA’s shoes, it never received the love it rightfully deserves.

Audi TT RS

Throughout most of the 2000s and 2010s, the Audi TT was often overlooked in favor of its other five-pot brother, the RS3, or the R8 supercar. Because the TT RS was seen as the baby R8, and the TT was stereotyped as a hairdresser’s car, it too went underappreciated.

While in reality, the TT RS was, and still is, one of the best value-for-money sports cars. Under its hood sat a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five that generated 394-hp and 354lb-ft of torque. Coupled with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive, 0 to 60 mph took the last-generation TT RS as little as 3.4 seconds.

Ford Focus RS

With cars like the Toyota GR Corolla, Volkswagen Golf R, and Honda Civic Type R, the hot hatch market is highly competitive in 2024. However, back in the 2010s, the market was even more saturated. However, the Ford Focus RS changed the definition of hot hatch in 2015.

The Focus RS was one of the first all-wheel-drive hatches to feature torque vectoring, allowing the Focus to swing its tail around corners like a rear-wheel-drive sports car. The Focus RS was a pure driver’s car, with all models coming with a 6-speed manual and other performance upgrades like Recaro race seats, and an obnoxious exhaust.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe

Unfortunately, most people don’t recall the BMW M6’s existence. Those who remember it, often forget it came as a four-door sedan, dubbed the Gran Coupe. Because it had the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 as the F10 M5, it lived in the M5’s shadow.

In reality, the M6 was nearly as quick as the M5 but was more stylish and luxurious. However, only 23 of the BMW M6 Gran Coupes that reached the North American market came with manual transmissions. Not only are these scarce, but they are also excellent automotive investments.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

If you were to ask the average teenager in 2024 what the best Porsche ever is, chances are they’d say the 992 GT3 RS. Due to the GT3 RS’ immense popularity, most people forgot about the Cayman GT4 RS.

Featuring the 4.0-liter flat-six with a 9,000-rpm redline shared by the 911 GT3 that sits closer to the middle of its chassis, and a tinier body, the GT4 RS embodies all the highlights of the GT3 but in a more compact body. Despite having 493-hp and a top speed of 196 mph, it lives in the GT3’s shadow.

Hyundai Elantra N

Although the Elantra N doesn’t share the traditional hot hatch design language, it competes with the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Audi S3. This front-wheel-drive sedan has a fruity exhaust note, a manual transmission, and a turbo-four that produces up to 276-hp.

Of course, the Elantra N is not an unknown car, but it’s underrated because of its price tag. Despite being neck and neck with its competition, the 2024 Elantra N costs only $33,700, despite its objectively more striking appearance and high-quality interior.

Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

There’s no denying that station wagons, also called estates, are some of the coolest cars around. Creations like the BMW M3 Touring and Audi RS6 Avant showcase the perfect balance of power and practicality without sacrificing style. However, not only the Europeans knows how to make fast wagons.

The second-generation CTS-V came as either a sedan or wagon, with both variants sharing the same supercharged 556-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Less than 1,800 CTS-V Wagons exist, with merely 514 of them having a manual transmission.

Ford Mustang EcoBoost

To many, buying a traditional muscle car with anything less than eight cylinders under its hood is sacrilege. There’s no denying that. However, why can’t it be a tremendous sports car? When abandoning your preconceived notions, it’s clear that the Ford Mustang EcoBoost is a surprisingly quick sports car.

Although it’s not as rapid as powerful as the GT, the EcoBoost Mustang features a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four that squeezes out 315-hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. In comparison, the EcoBoost reaches 60 mph only 0.3 seconds behind the GT but costs significantly less.

Alfa Romeo 4C

On paper, the Alfa Romeo 4C sounds like it leaves the heart wanting more. Instead of having the turbocharged V6 utilized by the Stelvio and Giulia QV, it has a mid-mounted turbocharged 1.75-liter inline-four. Although quick, the 4C is not a record-breaker, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.2 seconds.

There is so much more to the 4C than a spec sheet. After all, it’s a carbon fiber-infused Italian sports car that weighs as much as a feather, has a ridiculous exhaust, and an exotic exterior design. Undoubtedly, the Alfa Romeo 4C will soon turn into a modern classic.

Volvo V60 T8 eAWD Polestar Engineered

Another fast wagon that’s criminally underrated is the Volvo V60, in particular the top-of-the-range T8 eAWD Polestar Engineered example. With an elegant design and a luxurious interior, no one expects this plug-in hybrid Volvo wagon to do 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds — quicker than the aforementioned Alfa.

This is because the T8 Polestar Engineered sports a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s turbocharged, as well as one electric motor that sits by the rear axle. The result is 455hp and 523lb-ft of torque; figures close to a new base model BMW M3.

Jaguar XFR-S

Before the Project 8, there was the Jaguar XFR-S. In essence, it shares the same philosophy as the BMW M3 CS.  For some reason, Jaguar thought the XFR wasn’t mad enough, so they added some aero pieces, a stiffer suspension setup, a hellish exhaust, and a tuned V8 to make the XFR-S.

Its supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine churned out 550-hp. Regardless, Jaguar kept the XFR-S rear-wheel-drive. Despite being a true track weapon, running around the Nurburgring faster than the BMW M3 CS —  the XFR-S had one major flaw: An MSRP of six figures.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage S

In the 2000s, Aston Martin introduced a smaller sports car that fit just below the DB9 in its lineup called the V8 Vantage. After a while, Aston introduced an example of the Vantage that came with a V12 engine. On top of that, they built the V12 S Vantage, a small British sports car with up to 565-hp and 457lb-ft of torque.

Aston Martin still had one trick up their sleeve, though.  Aston Martin’s team of madmen decided that merely 351 V12 Vantage S examples should come with a 7-speed manual transmission. Today, these V12 unicorns are worth $199,867 on average — nearly identical to its original MSRP.