The 1990s is an era of performance icons, so much so that many examples got forgotten over the last two decades. The JDM scene was flourishing with the fourth generation of Toyota Supra. Godzilla, also known as the Nissan GTR, was a monster on the track as an uncontested champion. Mazda's Miata proved to the world that the roadster was still a viable sports car. To make things even better, it was exciting in Europe. BMW was selling the E36 M3, Porsche launched the Boxster, and Volkswagen sold their VR6 engine vehicles like the Corrado. By no means is this a comprehensive list of the 1990s performance icons, but it is easy to see how a vehicle could get lost along the way.
If it was from a manufacturer with a more famous performance model, a company that faded into the background, or from a brand that isn't known for its performance models. The compact car segment has gone from strength to strength since these cars launched, with budget offerings that act as affordable runarounds although way up to the Toyota IQ-based Aston Martin Cygnet.
These compact performance cars are remarkably modern.
Nissan Sentra SE-R
The Sentra is one of Nissan's compact models. Unlike the Pulsar GTi-R which has appeared in Gran Turismo has maintained a cult-like following, the Sentra SE-R has faded into obscurity. The compact performance car came in the nameplate's third generation, which launched in 1990. Equipped with a 2.0 liter, four-cylinder engine, the model had 140 horsepower and was capable of 0-60 miles per hour in 7.6 seconds, a number which rivals many hot hatchbacks today. This is part of the reason many cars from the 1990s receive enthusiasts' respect. These models stand on the precipice between the past and incredibly powerful engines, which came increased weight from mandatory safety features.
Models from the 1990s like the Sentra SE-R offer respectable performance because they lack the weight, which comes with large A and B pillars. Making the Sentra SE-R even more appealing models are the all-around disc brakes and independent MacPherson strut suspension. A base Nissan Sentra from the time can look rather unappealing from the outside with black plastic bumpers. The Sentra SE-R as a more premium vehicle came with body-color bodywork, which makes it look a lot better than a lot of vehicles. However, one place when the car fails is its economy rating, returning a mighty 21.7 miles per gallon.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Quad 442
At some point between the Oldsmobile 98 Convertible and their 1980s models, the Oldsmobile brand somewhat lost its way, failing to find it before the company fell apart in 2004. No car in their lineup embodies the manufacturer's struggle for an identity than the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Quad 442, another compact car from the 1990s. A break from the brand's history with large and powerful muscle cars, the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Quad 442 is not only a mouth full but all so a forgotten gem. Oldsmobile appears to have had their doubts about their compact, front-wheel-drive car, thus giving the car the Cutlass name to evoke that legendary 1960s model line, which even saw the first Oldsmobile 442.
Produced for the car's final model year between 1990 and 1991 the model took the 2.3 Liter Quad 4 engine which had sat at the top of the model's lineup since 1987 and boosts its power from 150 to 180 horsepower. With a five-speed transmission, the Quad 442 ticks plenty of gear head's boxes. As a product of the 1980s, the model has an angular and typically GM design, which in its coupe body looks remarkably like a Fox Body Mustang. The car shared the N body with the Pontiac Grand Am and Buick Skylark, which look remarkably similar to Oldsmobile's model.
1991 Isuzu Impulse RS
Isuzu built a long history with General Motors, primarily focusing on collaboration with the two brand's trucks, the on-again-off-again partnership spawned the Spectrum. Not content with playing second fiddle to General Motors, Isuzu gave the compact performance segment a crack with the Impulse RS. The model sold under different names globally, referred to as the Piazza in Australia and South East Asia.
The first generation Impulse had an air of the original Scirocco about it. The second evolved this design. However, it has more of a coupe-like aesthetic to it. The 1991 RS came with a 160 hp 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine and a five-speed manual, again like both the Oldsmobile and Sentra a remarkably modern-sounding set up. However, this modern air doesn't continue in the vehicle's interior, it offers an overly plastic-laden yet functional interior.
In a peculiar twist, the RS had its handling tuned by Lotus. With GM at the time owning both Isuzu and Lotus, the partnership ensured that the Impulse RS handled well through corners, surprising given its early all-wheel-drive system. Unfortunately, the RS model got scrapped after just one year and a 1.8-liter engine succeeded the Turbo model. The Impulse didn't last much longer than the RS model, the Japanese Economic bubble burst, forcing Isuzu to focus on their commercial vehicles sales.