Every year that passes sees automakers releasing new cars. Whether it's a simple styling update or a whole new model, the industry is densely packed with new cars to fawn over. But, this can be a double-edged sword for a car's legacy and the enthusiasm that surrounds it, as standing out in such a crowded field is a tricky task.

The latest and greatest cars will naturally induce excitement, standing out as the pinnacle of what a new car can be. But, oftentimes, cars that don't chase this ultimate status, and instead cater to a niche market, act as an entry-level offering, or try to deliver something unique. While many times these cars can still end up highly rated among enthusiasts, many times they don't. This is especially true in the sports car market, as a sporty vehicle is more of an emotional purchase than a rational one.

Whatever the reason may be, these 10 sports cars sold during the last decade ended up underrated, being either generally underappreciated for what they are, forgotten, or just not talked about as much as they deserved to be.

10 Alpine A110

Via Auto Experience

One of the coolest and most unique French sports cars, the Alpine A110 shares both its name, and overall design with the legendary little rally-winning sports car of decades past.

Via Groupe Renault

Originating in 1961, and produced until 1977, the Alpine A110 was a sports car mostly built with Renault parts, including the engine, and went on to achieve victory in the WRC, standing out as an iconic rally car with its uniquely sleek looks. The majority of Alpine as a company would be bought by Renault in 1973, and several further awesome sports and race cars would be made by them up until the '90s.

However, an Alpine sports car hadn't been sold since the '90s, so the 2017 introduction of the A110 marked a significant comeback for the Alpine brand. Mid-engine, RWD, and with a curb weight of around 2,400 lbs, the new A110 handles remarkably well. But, handling isn't everything, and the A110 adds speed to the mix with a 0-60 mph run of 4.5 seconds thanks to the 248 hp it produces. Only sold in Europe, the Alpine A110 did generate some hype on release, but overall hasn't been appreciated as the uniquely cool sports car, and revival of the once legendary Alpine brand that it really is.

9 Fiat 124 Spider

Via CarBuzz

Similar to the Alpine A110, the Fiat 124 Spider is a faithful modern interpretation of the brand's vintage sports car. Similarly as well, while initially seeing some fanfare the 124 Spider has become very underrated today, despite everything that makes it great.

Via lampedodge.com

Based on the iconic classic 124 Spider that was sold from the mid '60s until the early '80s, this modern version was introduced for the 2017 model year. Unlike the original though, this 124 Spider was not entirely Italian, as it was built based on the Mazda MX-5 Miata, and is made in the same Japanese factory Mazda uses.

It's not exactly fast, as the 124 Spider ditches the Miata's engine for a Fiat 1.4 L turbocharged inline-4 making 160 hp. But, the Miata is a beloved sports car among many for its purity, low weight, and unbeatable handling rather than speed, retaining a purposeful lightweight and small design that isn't so much fast as it is quick. Rather than a powerful Italian sports car, the 124 Spider can be thought of as a Miata transformed with Italian style, including the beautiful retro design and a nicer interior.

8 Tesla Roadster (1st Generation)

Via Autoevolution

The current, coming soon incarnation of the Tesla Roadster is the complete opposite of underrated, and instead is one of the most anticipated and hyped new vehicles in the industry. The original 1st generation however was met with and is remembered with a mere fraction of the excitement that the new one has been generating.

Via electrive.com

Introduced in 2008 and sold until 2012, the Tesla Roadster was built on top of the Lotus Elise' chassis, and still bears slight resemblance to the British sports car if you look closely. What bears no resemblance to the Elise though is the powertrain, as of course Tesla is an electric car company, and the Roadster made headlines for being an innovative electric sports car. With a claimed 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds, and a 220 mile range, its not hard to see why the Roadster let Tesla hit the ground running, and despite being overshadowed by the new one, is still a pioneering electric sports car that can hold its own.

7 Saturn Sky Redline

Via Bring a Trailer

Shut down at the end of 2010, Saturn had a relatively short life as an automaker, but a unique one at that. Founded in the '80s around building small and efficient import-fighting cars, Saturn was a somewhat independent brand within GM and saw the end of their life with this surprisingly good sports car in their lineup—the Sky Redline.

Via Mecum Auctions

Built on the same platform as the Pontiac Solstice (which met a similar fate), the Saturn Sky was released for the 2007 model year, and the Sky Redline followed it up as the performance variant. A small and fun RWD sports car to begin with, the Redline version makes the handling even better with sportier suspension and thicker sway bars, and kicks the power up by over 80 hp compared to the standard Sky with a new turbocharged 2.0 L inline-4 engine that produces 260 hp. Offered with a manual transmission as well, the Saturn Sky Redline was a proper little sports car with surprisingly good performance, yet was mostly ignored and forgotten as Saturn met their demise.

RELATED: The 10 Best Cars Saturn Ever Made, Ranked

6 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Via Motor Authority

Known today as Hyundai's dedicated luxury-focused brand, the first Hyundai Genesis was released in 2008 as a luxury sedan, and was followed up that same year with the Genesis Coupe - a surprisingly good sports car that gets overlooked thanks to its Hyundai badge.

Via Auto Cart

Introduced with choice of a turbocharged inline-4 or V6 engines, the Genesis Coupe made 210 or 306 hp respectively. With RWD and an available manual transmission, the Genesis Coupe offered a proper sports car experience, and got even better in 2013 with a power boost to 274 hp on the inline-4, and 348 hp for the V6 models, and made that V6 the only engine choice starting in 2015. With some great handling, and a surprisingly nice interior as well, the Genesis Coupe defies the expectations the Hyundai name had people set for it.

5 Ford Mustang Ecoboost

Ford Mustang EcoBoost
Car and Driver

The Mustang as a model is by no means underrated. As the originator and longest-running pony car, the Mustang has been a staple of Ford as a brand and has a massive, passionate fanbase. However, with so many variants of the Mustang out there, some tend to be underrated compared to the more iconic specs like the V8-powered Mustang GT.

2020 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible
via AutoNXT

Introduced with the Mustang's 2015 model year debut, the Mustang EcoBoost soon took over from the long-running V6 powered Mustang as the affordable base model. While a smaller 2.3 L turbocharged inline-4, the EcoBoost actually made more power than the V6, topping out at 310 hp, and now 332 hp for the 2020 model - more than the V8 Mustangs of generations past. Costing nearly $9,000 less than the V8 model, the EcoBoost offers a great way to get a new Mustang at a rather affordable price.

Yet, despite all of its virtues and surprisingly impressive performance, the Mustang Ecoboost is the entry-level model. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, entry-level offerings tend not to be the ones that get people excited, and that, unfortunately, holds true for the Mustang EcoBoost.

RELATED: 5 Reasons Why The EcoBoost Mustang Is The One To Buy (5 Reasons Why We'll Rather Have A V8)

4 Dodge Challenger GT AWD

Via DriveTribe

Dodge's iconic muscle car, the Challenger like the Mustang is one of the brand's staples and a car that is very highly rated, with a fanbase of loyal enthusiasts backing it. The Challenger GT AWD on the other hand offered something truly unique for a muscle car.

Via WFYI

It's sort of understandable why the Challenger GT AWD ended up so underrated despite what it offered though, as it serves a rather niche market. Introduced in 2017, the Challenger GT AWD was released as a trim level with a focus on northern customers. Typically, once snow starts falling, muscle cars are relegated to the garage. Changing that, the Challenger GT AWD is, as the name suggest, AWD and ready to tear up snowy roads. Only offered with the 305 hp V6, the Challenger GT AWD power-wise pales in comparison to its higher trim brothers like the Hellcat, but it's still a thoroughly unique year-round muscle car.

3 Chevrolet SS

2016 Chevrolet SS
Via media.gm.com

While not a true sports car in the strict definition, the Chevy SS fits the muscle car bill and is among the most underrated of that type sold in the last decade, by a wide margin.

Via CarBuzz

Built in Australia as a VF generation Commodore, the Chevy SS was shipped to America to be badged as the Chevy SS starting in the 2014 model year. A legendary muscle sedan down under, the LS3 V8 seen on the Commodore's performance trims was present in the Chevy SS, sending 415 hp to the rear wheels, and with a manual transmission to give a proper muscle car experience. Capable of a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds, it's not hard to see why the Chevy SS was so underrated, and such a slow seller, as on the outside it looks like just about any other Chevy sedan - although that sleeper quality does add to the fun.

RELATED: Only True Gearheads Know Why These 10 Boring-Looking Cars Are Cool

2 Jaguar XK

Via Wikipedia

While a high-end car when released, the 2nd generation Jaguar XK today has fallen in value and overall enthusiasm quite hard, despite all the luxury and performance it offers.

Via Wikipedia

Introduced in 2007, and discontinued in 2014, the Jaguar XK was a luxurious grand tourer with some sleek looks and great performance. Offered with a V8 engine, the Jaguar XK made 380 hp in its base form, and up to 542 as the supercharged XKR-S. Despite this power, a top-notch leather-wrapped interior, and some good British looks, the 2nd generation XK remains fairly unappreciated. Whether it's because of the more sporty F-Type's debut that followed it, the high maintenance costs or grand tourers generally getting less attention, the XK just doesn't get the appreciation it deserves.

1 Caterham 620

Caterham 620R
via Top Speed

Its understandable why a car like this would be underrated by most, after all a barebones windshield-free rocket isn't an experience most drivers want, or could handle. But, compared to just about everything at its price point of $66,000, the Caterham 620 absolutely dominates in terms of performance.

Via Pinterest

It wasn't an entirely new car either, as Caterham has been producing and refining the legendary 7 since the early '70s. In terms of power and performance though, the Caterham 620 is the ultimate. Introduced in 2013, the 620 uses a supercharged 2.0 L Ford Duratec engine to deliver 310 hp, and while that doesn't sound too crazy, keep in mind the whole car weighs under 1,400 lbs - meaning it rockets from 0-60 mph in 2.79 seconds, that's hypercar territory right there. Offered as the 620R or 620S, the main difference is that the S has a full windshield, while the R has a low slung carbon fiber wind guard instead.

NEXT: Every Gearhead Should Drive These Underrated British Sports Cars