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The decade’s best cars
© JaguarRemember the 2010s? Due to the pandemic, it almost seems a lifetime ago. So the team here at Motoring Research decided to look back – and we’ve chosen our favourite cars of the decade. To keep things interesting, we limited the list to 20 cars and have attempted to cover a broad spectrum of vehicles. Oh, and there’s no more than one car for every manufacturer. Let us know if you agree with our choices.
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Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
© Alfa RomeoGod knows it isn’t perfect, but in a world of engine downsizing, all-wheel-drive safety nets and derivative crossovers, we’re mighty pleased that the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio exists. It’s everything an Alfa Romeo should be – yes, including the faults – and we salute anyone who spends upwards of £65,000 on this Italian gem. Do you want some good news? Used prices start from £35,000…
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Alpine A110
© AlpineIn the same way that it’s seemingly impossible to write about the Reliant Scimitar without mentioning a certain member of the royal family, every review of the Alpine A110 we’ve read has included a reference to a sports car from Stuttgart. For us, the little A110 is more than simply an alternative to the Porsche 718 Cayman, it’s a breath of fresh air and an example of what can be achieved when engineers and designers stick to a tight (and light!) brief. We have a deep fondness for this gem from Dieppe.
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BMW M2
© BMWOur man Tim Pitt has driven a fair few performance cars in his time. Of the BMW M2, he said: “The new BMW M2 is a staggeringly good performance car. The combination of supercar acceleration with a cleverly developed chassis, all wrapped in a package that’s sufficiently compact to make the most of UK roads, is tantalising.” The final sentence of his 2016 review was simple and to the point: “Buy one.”
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Bugatti Chiron
© BugattiTim hasn’t driven the Bugatti Chiron – nobody at Motoring Research has… yet – but as a flagship for the performance car industry and a pin-up for a generation of young enthusiasts, it has to be one of the cars of the decade. The world doesn’t need a 1,500hp hypercar, but it’s thanks to cars like the Chiron that engineers keep pushing themselves and kids keep dreaming. It’s also the reason why – spoiler alert – the likes of the McLaren P1 and LaFerrari are absent from this list.
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Citroen C4 Cactus
© CitroenIf the Bugatti Chiron is a demonstration of what can be achieved when you have an unlimited budget, the Citroen C4 Cactus – in its original, Airbump-to-the-max form – is an example of clever thinking and real-world practicality. It had many flaws (far too many to list here) but for its feelgood cabin, focus on reducing weight and the Airbump technology, it deserves recognition. It’s also far more interesting than the vast majority of modern crossovers. In years to come, it will be good to remember the 2010s this way.
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Dacia Sandero
© DaciaCompetitive PCP deals have encouraged consumers to push further upmarket, with manufacturers doing little to discourage them. Kia and Hyundai have all but forgotten their budget roots, while the mainstream manufacturers have introduced premium sub-brands and more posh trim levels than you can throw a Ferrero Rocher at. It means that Dacia has dominated the cheap end of the market, establishing a firm foothold in the UK. We still find it remarkable that Dacia was able to offer a brand new car with a three-year warranty for £5,995.
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Ferrari 458 Speciale
© FerrariAccording to Tim Pitt, the 458 Speciale is the pinnacle. The grand fromage. The best of the best. “Peak naturally-aspirated Ferrari.” At its heart is a 4.5-litre V8 producing 605hp and mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. As Ferrari’s last ever free-breathing V8 supercar, it has a place in Maranello’s history books. It also just happens to be one of the greatest cars of the decade.
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Ford Fiesta ST
© FordIf you’re after an era-defining hot hatch, look no further than the Ford Fiesta ST. This is the Peugeot 205 GTI for a new generation – the benchmark for affordable hot hatches. The outgoing Fiesta ST rendered the previously untouchable Renault Sport Clio null and void, while the latest three-cylinder version is every bit as magical as its predecessor (seen here).
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Jaguar I-Pace
© JaguarWe suspect the 2020s will be mostly remembered for its alternative fuel vehicles, but the Jaguar I-Pace got there early. This multi-award-winning EV is one of a new breed of premium electric cars and, in our opinion, it’s one of the best. Our man with the light foot, Richard Aucock, called it a “landmark car”, saying that it sets an “impressively high bar to battle over”. High praise.
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Kia e-Niro
© KiaRichard had similar words of praise for the Kia e-Niro. While it won’t feature in too many people’s top 20 cars of the decade, it arguably does as much for the mainstream EV market as the I-Pace does for the premium end. “It’s the best ‘everyman’ electric car we’ve yet seen”, reckoned Richard.
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Lamborghini Aventador SV
© LamborghiniAs if the ‘standard’ Aventador wasn’t enough, Lamborghini injected 50hp and 170 percent more downforce, removed 50kg of weight, and added a host of upgrades to create the Super Veloce. There’s a sense that cars like this snarling, V12-engined nutjob are a dying breed – performance for performance’s sake and to hell with emissions and practicality. The SV (and its equally bonkers SVJ successor) show future generations we could let our hair down once in a while.
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McLaren 600LT
© McLarenSome people reckon the 600LT is the best car McLaren has ever built. That’s quite a claim when you stop to think about some of the other cars in Woking’s back catalogue. Tim Pitt thought it was probably the best driver’s car of 2018 – and “fit to follow in the tyre tracks of the 675LT and F1 GTR”. Exalted company indeed.
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Porsche 911 R
© PorscheThere will be some who claim this slot belongs to another 911, or even another Porsche. Some would no doubt argue you could fill the entire list with Porsches. But we’re opting for the 911 R, with its 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six, six-speed manual gearbox and genuine 200mph top speed. Just 991 were built, with many changing hands for vastly inflated prices. You’ll still need deep pockets to buy one.
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Rolls-Royce Phantom
© Rolls-RoyceIn truth, we’ve enjoyed better drives in the Wraith, but driving isn’t really the point of a Rolls-Royce. Which is why we think the Phantom is one of the best cars of the decade. Nobody does luxury like Rolls-Royce, and the Phantom was – and probably still is – the best car in the world. We’d rather go for a drive in a Wraith, mind.
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Skoda Superb
© SkodaWe think the Skoda Superb is the best all-rounder in the Volkswagen Group portfolio, not to mention proof that you don’t really need a crossover or SUV to achieve peak practicality. We’ll take ours with the 280hp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, please. Oh, and finished in Dragon Green paint. Thanks.
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Suzuki Jimny
© SuzukiFew cars generated as much buzz as the Suzuki Jimny. An unprecedented number of pre-orders was followed by a lengthy waiting list, catapulting Suzuki into waters normally charted by limited-run sports cars and supercars. Our verdict: “Think of the new Jimny as a puppy. It’s not perfect, and there might be more sensible ways of spending your cash, but if you’ve fallen in love with the looks, the car will win you over with its boundless energy and deep-rooted character. As a bonus, the Jimny won’t leave a puddle on your kitchen floor.”
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Tesla Model S
© TeslaTesla has done a brilliant PR job for the electric car industry. While the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Jaguar are only now getting their electric houses in order, Tesla has been churning out the Model S since 2012. The poster car for the plug-in segment offers a realistic range, a host of tech – some useful, some less so – and has provided a springboard for Tesla to launch further sector-busting electric cars.
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Toyota GT86
© ToyotaThis might be a controversial choice, but we have a soft spot for the Toyota GT86 and its near-identical twin, the Subaru BRZ. Some argue that the GT86 needs more power, but that overlooks its delightful balance, perfect poise and wonderful steering. Shortly due to be replaced, it felt like a Porsche 944 for a new generation.
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Volkswagen Up
© VolkswagenThere is plenty of choice in the city car segment, but for almost the entire decade, the Volkswagen Up has been our number one pick. It’s well built, neatly packaged, has a strong image and is as good outside of the city as in it. The fact that you can order a GTI version is the icing on the cake. See also: the near-identical Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii.
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Volvo XC40
© VolvoThe roads are filled with bulky crossovers and SUVs, and whether you like ’em or not, they appear to be here to stay. If you must have one, make sure it’s a good one – which is where Volvo comes in. The XC40 is like the brilliant XC90 but in a smaller and more affordable package. Top tip: be sure to order the optional orange carpets. Sorted.