13 Overlooked Exotic Cars of the Last Decade
What do fading beauty and overlooked exotic cars have in common? Both are sad realities of life. The word “exotic” has been thrown around so loosely that its true meaning is at the mercy of the context. Generally, exotic refers to something foreign and striking.
Exotic cars are “foreign” in the sense that they are typically rare, expensive, and exclusive. They’re often the product of high-end automakers, examples of which include McLaren, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Ferrari.
So, this is an ode and not a dirge to underrated or overlooked exotics. Enthusiasts still appreciate these cars for their qualities and/or niche appeal, even though they do not enjoy as much attention or prestige as they either used to or should. Underestimation happens to everyone and everything, including these 13 exotic cars.
Acura NSX (2016-Present)
The original NSX changed the game by showing the world it’s possible to build a high-performance sports car with the reliability of a daily driver, forcing rivals like Lamborghini and Ferrari to up their games. However, the newer NSX couldn’t replicate this feat and lost the respect of fans.
This is despite the Acura boasting a pacesetting hybrid powertrain and cutting-edge technology. If you’ve wondered why the newer NSX isn’t getting the love it– maybe– rightly deserved, you’re not the only one. Some believe the new NSX is no NSX because it exchanged its Japanese heart for a German motor shared with the BMW Z4.
Alfa Romeo 4C (2013-2020)
The Alfa Romeo 4C’s exotic looks and lightweight construction could not save it from the displeasure of purists who thought the 4C could ride better than it did for an Italian mid-engine sports car. Not even the Spider variant that followed the original coupe in 2015 could sway fans disappointed by the 4C’s subpar road manners.
Some accused the 4C of being ugly, but we leave that to individual interpretation. What’s certain is that 4C was backed by a big name and an even bigger brand but failed to live up to expectations– a fine example of bad cars teaching us to appreciate the good ones.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2018-Present)
It’s not the Vantage’s fault that it is one of the underrated exotic cars of the modern era. The 2-seat sports car came amidst accusations that Aston Martin’s cars in recent years looked too similar, which the marque’s CCO, Marek Reichman, explained as a tactic design language to help rebuild the automaker’s identity and global appeal.
The V8 Vantage did not lack in beauty, brains, or power. Its biggest impediment to stardom is the crowded segment it competes in, dominated by strong rivals like the Porsche 911 and Mercedes-AMG GT.
Lotus Evora (2009-Present)
The truth is that Lotus as a brand has never been as famous as other exotics like Porsche or Ferrari, even though the British sports car maker is behind some of the world’s best well-balanced and engaging sports cars– like the Evora.
Perhaps, Lotus is yet to recover from the derogatory Lots of Trouble, Usually Serious (LOTUS) nickname it got for building troublesome cars in the 1960s, or maybe it’s a victim of its prohibitive high costs outside Europe. Granted, the Evora had its share of problems, but so did many other cars that got more recognition.
McLaren 570S (2015-2019)
The 720S, introduced at the Geneva Auto Show in 2017, is a far brighter star than its immediate predecessor, the 650S, and the ones before it, from the GT to the 620R, 600LT, and the 570S.
The 570S got overshadowed by other fantastic cars in McLaren’s harem, even though the 570S offered supercar performance at a relatively cheaper price point. For a car that could wake to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 124 mph in 9.5 seconds, the 570S is underrated.
Nissan GT-R (2007-Present)
Yes, the GT-R was the Godzilla that destroyed everything on its part at the Japanese Touring Car Championship and the Australian Touring Car Championship, but that was roughly 30 years ago. After all these years, the Nissan GT-R is still leaving off its glory days of the 1960s and again in the 1990s.
It has neither replicated its “Godzilla” track dominance nor evolved its design since the R35’s debut in 2007, leading some to overlook the GT-R in favor of newer models.
Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster (2016-Present)
When you think about it, the 718 Cayman/Boxster twins could make for a better, faster car than the rear-engined 911. Yes, the 718 used a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine versus the previous flat-sixes with better exhaust notes, but Porsche paired the engine with an RWD configuration and a mid-engine layout.
The Porsche 718 Cayman does not get the respect it deserves mostly because of this engine and “entry-level” designation, but nearly everyone who drove it thinks the car is hugely, wrongly overlooked.
Karma Revero (2016-Present)
By EV standards of the recent past, the Karma Revero looked really good for a plug-in hybrid luxury sedan. It was a remodeled version of the Fisker Karma and the first offering from the Chinese-owned Karma Automotive (now Fisker Automotive).
Although Karma revamped the Revero to become a much better car than the Fisker, it never got the level of recognition and global fame that the Fisker Karma still enjoys. It didn’t help much that the troubled Karma belonged in a hotly competed luxury EV segment.
Lexus LFA (2010-2012)
The LFA is well known in gearhead circles, but the car deserves far more respect and wider recognition. The Lexus LFA is a V10-powered supercar that the uninitiated would easily dismiss as no more than a high-performance sports car.
It may not be a Ferrari or Bugatti, but the LFA is a fine-looking exotic with a body designed with a narrowed focus on downforce, as evidenced by the air scoops near the rear fenders that cool the radiator and brakes. Perhaps, the LFA doesn’t get the ovation it deserves because there are so few of them (500 units), and they tote a supercar price tag of around $400,000.
Koenigsegg Regera (2016-present)
Most discussions of hypercars usually involve popular names like the Bugatti Chiron, Aston Martin Valkyrie, McLaren P1, and even Koenigsegg’s own Agera RS.
Rarely does the Koenigsegg Regera come up in such discussions, even though the car introduced several firsts and innovative technologies like the Direct Drive transmission system that got rid of the traditional gearbox. That said, the most plausible reasons for Regera’s relative anonymity are its exorbitant price tag and low-volume production.
Maserati GranTurismo (2007-present)
The thing about the Maserati GranTurismo is that it is just as famous as it is willfully overlooked by those who know more than two things about grand tourers. A Redditor called it an outdated “joke” because it was missing basic features that you’d find in far less premium brands.
However, the 2024 GranTurismo does not deserve to suffer for the sins of the father, not with its dual-purpose chassis and fantastic bodywork.
Genesis G70 (2017-present)
The Genesis G70 may not be considered exotic by traditionalists, but it meets the criteria and deserves more recognition for its strong performance and value. If people could see Genesis as a performance car maker, the G70 might just stand a chance of being recognized as more than just a luxury sports sedan.
The 2024 model still sports a “sleeper car” design that hides the car’s capabilities. Its powertrains include a V6 that makes 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque.
Bentley Continental GT (2018-present)
Like the Genesis, many people don’t appreciate the Bentley Continental GT’s true colors because they could never look past The Flying B and the visions of a luxury grand tourer it evokes. However, the Continental GT is more than just a luxury grand tourer: It delivers impressive performance, whether prepped with the 4.0-liter V8 or the 6.0-liter W12.
Take the 2024 model, for example. The V8 powertrain makes 542 horsepower, enough ponies to send the nearly 5000-lb coupe barreling to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.
