Forgotten Gems of the 1990s: Underrated Cars That Deserve More Love

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The 1990s was a golden era for car enthusiasts. It gave us legendary models like the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra, and McLaren F1. But not every great car of the decade became a household name. Some incredible machines have slipped under the radar—forgotten gems that deserve far more recognition. Let’s take a look at some of the most underrated cars of the ’90s and why they’re worth remembering.

1. Mazda MX-3 (1991-1998) – The Mini V6 Marvel

The Mazda MX-3 was an unassuming little coupe, but what made it special was its engine—an insanely tiny 1.8-litre V6, the smallest mass-produced V6 ever. Producing around 130 bhp, it was no powerhouse, but its lightweight chassis and nimble handling made it a joy to drive. If you want a quirky, rev-happy 1990s coupe, the MX-3 deserves a second look.

Horsepower & Top Speed: 130 bhp, 126 mph
Engine Type: 1.8-litre V6
Production Numbers: Around 75,000 units; unknown how many remain

2. Volvo 850 T-5R (1994-1995) – The Sleeper Wagon

Volvo isn’t typically associated with high-performance, but the 850 T-5R was an exception. Developed with input from Porsche, it packed a turbocharged 2.3-litre five-cylinder engine producing 240 bhp, making it one of the fastest estate cars of its time. It was also one of the first performance wagons to gain cult status, thanks to its success in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).

Horsepower & Top Speed: 240 bhp, 155 mph
Engine Type: 2.3-litre turbocharged inline-five
Production Numbers: 5,500 units worldwide; few remain in good condition

3. Mitsubishi FTO (1994-2000) – JDM’s Forgotten Hero

While the Mitsubishi Eclipse gained fame, the Mitsubishi FTO remained an underrated gem. Designed as a front-wheel-drive sports coupe, it came with a 2.0-litre MIVEC V6, offering a thrilling 200 bhp in the GPX model. Despite winning Japan’s Car of the Year in 1994, it was overshadowed by its AWD rivals like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza WRX.

Horsepower & Top Speed: 200 bhp, 140 mph
Engine Type: 2.0-litre V6 MIVEC
Production Numbers: Around 36,000 units; few remain due to export restrictions

4. Nissan 300ZX (Z32) (1989-2000) – The Overlooked Fairlady

Although it had a strong fanbase in Japan and the U.S., the 300ZX Twin Turbo never quite reached the same iconic status as the Skyline GT-R. With a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 300 bhp, it had the performance to match many supercars of the era. Unfortunately, its complex mechanics and high maintenance costs kept it from achieving wider success.

Horsepower & Top Speed: 300 bhp, 155 mph
Engine Type: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
Production Numbers: Over 160,000 units; numbers are dwindling due to age and tuning scene

5. Alfa Romeo 164 Q4 (1993-1997) – The AWD Italian Saloon

The Alfa Romeo 164 Q4 was a stylish executive saloon with a Ferrari-inspired 3.0-litre V6 and a clever all-wheel-drive system. It was developed alongside the Saab 9000, Lancia Thema, and Fiat Croma but stood out with its stunning Pininfarina-designed bodywork. Despite its fantastic handling and power delivery, Alfa’s reputation for reliability issues meant it never became as popular as German rivals.

Horsepower & Top Speed: 232 bhp, 150 mph
Engine Type: 3.0-litre V6
Production Numbers: Approximately 1,000 units; very few remain

6. Ford Puma (1997-2002) §– The Lightweight Sleeper

The Ford Puma was an affordable, lightweight coupe that handled like a dream. Powered by a 1.7-litre Yamaha-developed Zetec engine, it produced just 123 bhp but felt much quicker thanks to its agile chassis. It was essentially a Ford Fiesta with a sportier body, making it a fun, accessible performance car that never quite got the recognition it deserved.

Horsepower & Top Speed: 123 bhp, 126 mph
Engine Type: 1.7-litre inline-four Zetec
Production Numbers: Around 133,000 units; a growing number are now scrapped

7. Subaru SVX (1991-1996) – The GT Car That Never Took Off

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Subaru SVX was an unusual luxury GT car that came with a 3.3-litre flat-six boxer engine and AWD. It had futuristic styling with its unique half-window design but was let down by its weight and the absence of a manual gearbox. As a result, it never found the same success as Subaru’s rally-bred models.

Horsepower & Top Speed: 230 bhp, 143 mph
Engine Type: 3.3-litre flat-six boxer
Production Numbers: 24,379 units; fewer than 10,000 estimated to remain

8. Honda Prelude Type SH (1996-2001) – The Forgotten VTEC Coupe

The Honda Prelude Type SH was one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars of the era, thanks to its Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS), which improved cornering grip. Its 2.2-litre VTEC engine produced 200 bhp, making it a fantastic alternative to the Integra Type R. Despite its capabilities, the Prelude never received the same cult status as other Honda performance models.

Horsepower & Top Speed: 200 bhp, 140 mph
Engine Type: 2.2-litre VTEC inline-four
Production Numbers: Over 58,000 units; survivors are becoming rare

Conclusion

While the 1990s produced many legendary cars, these forgotten gems deserve more attention for their unique designs, innovative engineering, and driving excitement. Whether it’s the Mazda MX-3’s tiny V6, the Volvo 850 T-5R’s sleeper status, or the Subaru SVX’s futuristic styling, these cars prove that sometimes the best machines aren’t always the most famous ones.