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The 1990s were a truly fantastic era for cars. While there are many disputes whether the 90s or 2000s were the best era, or rather the peak era for performance cars, no one can argue with the fact that the 1990s had some truly fantastic cars to offer. The era of some of the best Japanese performance cars, the last gasp of pop-up headlights, and in some cases, an automaker's unfortunate final attempt at making a genuine performance car before their dissolution or shifted focus to a different market segment.
Performance cars of the 90s were mostly good at everything, putting a smile on your face in the corners while also tearing it off during hard acceleration. The 90s were also the transitional era for automotive design, where everyone slowly started abandoning right angles and squares for curvy designs. The end result are some truly spectacular-looking sports cars that are real head-turners.
10 Lamborghini Diablo
The Diablo is Lamborghini's third modern supercar, coming after the Miura and the Countach. Launched in the early 90s, it was the natural evolution of the Countach, featuring a much curvier body. No matter what angle you look at the Diablo from, it's a truly stunning car.
It was also the last ever V12-powered Lambo to be offered with RWD, and what a V12 powered it. The original had a 5.7-liter V12 with 485 hp, paired exclusively to a 5-speed manual transmission. In just about every aspect, the Diablo is pure drama.
9 BMW 8 Series (E31)
The original E31 8 Series was the peak of BMW's lineup in the 90s. A true GT car, with what has to be one of the greatest designs of all time, and some of the best powertrains as well. While the new 8 Series is struggling to stay afloat, the E31 has definitely earned its icon status.
The perfectly tidy exterior lines, the pop-up headlights, the perfect proportions, the 8 Series is a definite head-turner. Depending on the powertrain, it could hold its own in a straight line and in the corners. Small wonder that this icon is becoming so expensive nowadays.
8 Acura/Honda NSX (NA1)
Going back to the 80s for a second, Honda decided that it can make a genuine contender for Ferrari's greatest hits, while still being as practical and reliable as any old, regular Honda. The original NSX was exactly that; a supercar that you could daily drive if you wanted to.
The VTEC-infused V6 engine made a sonorous sound, and paired to a manual transmission, the NSX was a true joy to drive. However, it was also pretty comfortable, and in general just felt... normal. In comparison, Ferrari's 348 and 355 were just full of little quirks that "you have to get used to," whereas getting into an NSX just felt like getting into a more sporty Honda.
7 Ferrari F355
The 355 was the peak of Ferrari's V8 supercar lineup in the 90s. Replacing the 348, the 355 was a natural evolution of the styling, the powertrain and the driving experience. Mounted in the middle is a 3.5-liter V8.
The engine is essentially the same as the 348's V8, with the only difference being the increased displacement and the amount of valves per cylinder. In this case, five, which allowed the 355 to rev out to 8,500 RPM. It's a total stunner on the outside, and legend has it your face will start to hurt from smiling so much while driving it. It's a shame that the F355 is potentially a ticking time bomb when it comes to reliability.
6 Mitsubishi GTO
Remember back in the day when Mitsubishi used to be cool and desirable? While we leave Mitsubishi time to climb out of the hole they dug for themselves, we can reminisce on one of their greatest ever creations; the GTO, known as the 3000GT in the rest of the world.
The GTO came out at a time when every Japanese automaker had a flagship sports car, and it was Mitsubishi's answer to the Mazda RX-7 and Nissan 300ZX. As well as a powerful, twin-turbo V6, the 3000GT featured some incredible innovations, including one of the first consumer applications of four-wheel steering. It also looks spectacular.
5 Nissan 300ZX (Z32)
Nissan's entry into the 90s flagship sports cars segment was the Z32 300ZX in the 90s. Like most of its contemporaries, this car also featured some major innovations, including four-wheel steering, and parallel twin turbos that were kept in check by not just one, but two intercoolers.
It was available with a 2+2 configuration, as well as a naturally aspirated version of the same V6 engine. Unfortunately, it dropped the RB I6 that the Z31 had, but one look at this gorgeous exterior, and all is forgiven.
4 Lotus Esprit V8
With the possible exception of the Elise, the Esprit is the most iconic model in Lotus' history, and we absolutely love it. Originally appearing in the 70s with a four-cylinder engine, the Esprit received a major rework during the 1990s. As well as more modern styling, the four-cylinder was joined by a 3.5-liter V8.
Eventually, Lotus began offering a twin-turbo version of this engine, and combined with its very low weight figure, the Esprit could scare some supercars. It also looks absolutely gorgeous, with a low, slender profile, a fantastic wedge shape and pop-up headlights.
3 Aston Martin DB7
Often considered to be one of the most beautiful cars of all time, the DB7 was one of the first products after Aston Martin was acquired by Ford. It was based on the Jaguar XJS, but with a much more modern exterior, although the DB7 also used a six-cylinder engine at first.
That was until the late 90s, when the DB7 Vantage came along. The six-cylinder was out, and in its place was the iconic 5.9-liter V12. It may have been massively flawed and built down to a price in some ways, but the Aston Martin DB7 is still a stunning automobile.
2 Chevrolet Corvette (C5)
The C5 Corvette is perhaps best known for being one of the last ever cars to be sold new with pop-up headlights. But, there are plenty of other things to like about it. Unlike some of the aforementioned performance cars, the C5 didn't bother with super advanced technology and assistance systems; it just wanted the driver to have some good old-fashioned fun.
The C5 had a fantastic formula. A big, reliable, powerful V8 under the long hood, a manual transmission, and RWD. That's all there was to it, and it worked. Today, the C5 Corvette is one of the best performance car bargains. Not to mention, it still looks just as good as it did back then.
1 McLaren F1
Perhaps the most special supercar of all time, the McLaren F1 showed the world that when one of the best Formula 1 teams of the time decides to make a road car, they're going full force into it. The McLaren F1 became the fastest car in the world in the late 90s, achieving over 240 mph.
To this day, it remains the fastest naturally-aspirated production car of all time. It can't be dethroned, unless turbocharging is involved. While the F1's design was more about function than form, it's difficult to argue with the fact that it's a stunning piece of engineering, and it will definitely turn heads wherever it goes.