Our top five cars from the 1990s!

The 1990s were a decade of big changes… Britpop ruled the radio, we were rooted to our TV screens for every episode of Neighbours and Gladiators, and our mobile phones were just starting to shrink from bricks to something that actually fit in our pockets! The car world was going through its own transformation, as well. Manufacturers were blending performance and practicality like never before, giving us hot hatches that could thrill on a Sunday B-road blast and still handle the school run on the Monday. Meanwhile, Japanese carmakers were shaking up the European dominance with engineering precision and a focus on reliability. 

It was quite a golden age for drivers, and these five cars picked out below certainly capture the spirit of the decade. I often wonder if our favourite cars originate from our childhoods, and also perhaps from when we were either learning to drive or driving our first car. The last car on the list would be that for me - it did many a trusty trip round the M25 for me in my uni days! 

The Honda NSX 

Japan’s supercar that shook Ferrari! When the Honda NSX landed in 1990, it didn’t just turn heads, it turned the supercar world upside down. At a time when Ferrari and Lamborghini were known for temperamental reliability and twitchy handling, Honda dared to build a car that was as usable as a Civic and as thrilling as a 348. The NSX’s mid-mounted 3.0 litre V6 (later a 3.2-litre) featured VTEC variable valve timing, producing around 270bhp and revving to an ear-tingling 8,000rpm. Its all-aluminium chassis made it exceptionally light and agile, and its handling was honed with input from none other than Ayrton Senna himself. Senna tested the NSX at Suzuka Circuit, telling engineers to stiffen the chassis by 50%. They did.

The NSX proved that exotic performance didn’t have to come with headaches. With reliability, perfect balance and a touch of futuristic styling, it became the thinking driver’s supercar - one that kept Europe’s finest on their toes, whilst remaining perfectly civilised for the commute.

BMW M3 (E36) 

The second-generation BMW M3, the E36, arrived in 1992 and showed that serious performance could also be seriously refined. Gone was the boxy aggression of the 1980s E30 - this was a sleeker, more mature machine. Under the bonnet sat a silky 3.0 litre straight-six engine at the time, delivering between 286 and 321bhp depending on the model. With rear-wheel drive, near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution, and BMW’s legendary chassis engineering, it offered poise and precision few rivals could match.

What made the E36 M3 truly special, though, wasn’t just its speed (though 0–60mph in around 5.5 seconds was impressive for the time) but its versatility. It could be a high-speed cruiser one minute and a track-day weapon the next. Available as a coupé, saloon or convertible, it cemented the M3’s reputation as the ultimate everyday performance car.

Renault Clio Williams 

Ooh, a hot hatch hero… If you were a fan of Top Gear or Gran Turismo in the ’90s, the Renault Clio Williams was the stuff of legend. Built to celebrate Renault’s partnership with the Williams Formula One team, this limited-edition hot hatch was far more than just a marketing exercise. Under the bonnet sat a 2.0 litre 16-valve engine producing 145bhp, which was plenty for a car weighing barely a tonne. 

The Clio Williams was quick, and a pure driver’s delight. Its razor-sharp steering, playful chassis and beautifully balanced handling made it one of the most engaging cars of its era. Each came painted in deep ‘449 Sports Blue’ with gold alloy wheels, and only 3,800 of the original Williams 1s were originally built. Despite its F1 name, it was built by Renault Sport in Dieppe, not Williams, and the gold wheels were a nod to the team’s race car livery. It became an instant classic - surely proof that small cars could deliver massive fun…

Subaru Impreza Turbo 

When Colin McRae sent the Subaru Impreza sideways through the forests of Wales, it definitely captured the imagination of an entire generation. The road-going version, launched in 1994, then brought rally-bred performance to the masses. With a 2.0 litre turbocharged boxer engine delivering around 208bhp (and later more in the WRX and STI trims), permanent all-wheel drive, and a throaty exhaust burble, it was an instant hit. The Impreza was fast, and unshakeably composed. Its grip and balance made it devastatingly effective on wet, twisty roads, and it felt every bit as special as its WRC sibling. The Impreza’s rally success made Subaru a household name, boosting sales by 300% in the mid-’90s.

Subaru’s success on the world rally stage turned the Impreza into an icon, and its trademark blue-and-gold livery became synonymous with the decade’s motorsport cool. It’s no exaggeration to say this car defined a generation of petrolheads!

Peugeot 106 

Yep, fond memories on this one! The Peugeot 106 may have been small, but it had bags of charm. Introduced in 1991, it became one of Britain’s most popular superminis thanks to its affordability, nimble handling and chic French styling. Yet it was the sporty versions - the XSi and later the 106 GTi - that truly made it shine. The GTi’s 1.6 litre engine produced around 120bhp, propelling the featherweight hatch to 60mph in around 8 seconds. Many owners called it the ‘baby 205 GTi’ thanks to its similar handling…

The 106 felt quite speedy and nippy, and was also joyous to drive. With sharp steering and an eager engine, it embodied everything that made ’90s hot hatches so beloved. They were affordable to buy, and cheap to run. It was the first car for thousands of young drivers, and remains a cult classic today! Indeed, some still consider the 106 GTi one of Peugeot’s finest driver’s cars ever made.

That was a nice trip down memory lane! The 1990s were certainly a golden era for the car lover… Manufacturers pushed boundaries, balancing everyday usability with thrilling performance. Whether it was the precision of the Honda NSX, the refinement of the BMW M3, the hot-hatch brilliance of the Clio Williams, the rally DNA of the Impreza or the cheeky spirit of the 106, cars like these defined a generation. 

Let us know below your particular favourites from the decade!