Cars That Have Become Undeniably Cooler Over Time (Starting With the Corolla)

Remember when the Toyota Corolla was just your driving instructor’s favorite car? Well, times have changed.

The buzz around the new Corolla model showcased at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show proves that even the most sensible cars can develop a serious cool factor over the years. It’s a fascinating phenomenon in the automotive world: vehicles that started as purely practical transportation have evolved into genuinely desirable machines. Some gained muscle, others found their sporty side, and a few just needed the right designer to see their potential.

These transformations remind us that car culture is always evolving, and yesterday’s appliance can become tomorrow’s head-turner. Here are twelve cars that have become undeniably cooler with each passing generation.

Toyota Corolla

Let’s start with the car that inspired this whole conversation. The Corolla spent decades as the automotive equivalent of beige wallpaper: reliable, affordable, and utterly forgettable.

Then something remarkable happened with the 12th generation, particularly the 2019 hatchback that actually looked like designers cared about making people smile. The current model with its aggressive front end and available GR Sport trim has genuine character, and the GR Corolla takes things even further with a turbocharged three-cylinder producing 300 horsepower.

That’s right, a Corolla with 300 horses. Nobody saw that coming when your grandparents were driving their 1995 model to church every Sunday.

The transformation from transportation appliance to something enthusiasts actually discuss online is complete.

Honda Civic

The Civic has always had enthusiast appeal, but its journey from quirky economy car to refined sport compact is worth celebrating. Early models were practical and fuel-efficient, which was great for your wallet but didn’t exactly set hearts racing.

The brand found its performance footing with models like the Si and Type R, but even the base Civics have become genuinely attractive cars. The current 11th generation ditches the controversial styling of its predecessor for clean, sophisticated lines that wouldn’t look out of place on a luxury sedan. The Type R now delivers 315 horsepower in a package that’s finally matured beyond boy-racer aesthetics.

It’s impressive how Honda has managed to keep the Civic relevant and desirable across five decades and eleven generations.

Hyundai Elantra

The Elantra spent most of its life as the car you bought when you needed something, anything, with four wheels and a warranty. It was transportation, nothing more.

Then Hyundai hired some designers who apparently decided boring was no longer acceptable, and the transformation began. The current N-Line model features angular styling that looks genuinely aggressive, and the Elantra N delivers 276 horsepower with a proper manual transmission option.

Hyundai has proven that value doesn’t mean vanilla anymore. The shift from forgettable to formidable happened surprisingly quickly, and the Elantra now competes on style and performance, not just price.

Who would have thought a Hyundai sedan could make enthusiasts take notice?

Ford Mustang

The original Mustang defined cool in 1964, but the nameplate went through some rough patches that we’d all rather forget. Those Fox Body years had their fans, but the mid-2000s retro revival is when the Mustang reclaimed its crown.

The current S650 generation balances heritage styling with modern performance capabilities that would make Carroll Shelby proud. With options ranging from the efficient EcoBoost to the supercharged 760-horsepower Shelby GT500 that stopped production in 2022, there’s a Mustang for every type of enthusiast. The independent rear suspension introduced in 2015 finally gave the car handling to match its straight-line speed.

After decades of evolution, the Mustang has become the complete package it always promised to be.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

The Miata arrived in 1989 as a love letter to classic British roadsters, and it’s only gotten better with age. Each generation has refined the formula while keeping the lightweight, tossable nature that made the original so beloved.

The current ND generation is the purest expression yet, shedding weight and adding just enough power to keep things interesting without losing the plot. Starting at around 27,000 dollars, it remains one of the most accessible ways to experience genuine driving joy. Mazda has resisted the temptation to bloat the car with unnecessary features or power, understanding that sometimes less really is more.

The Miata proves that cool doesn’t always require big horsepower numbers or aggressive styling.

Dodge Charger

The Charger nameplate carries serious heritage from its muscle car glory days, but it took a long break that included some questionable choices. When Dodge revived it as a four-door sedan in 2006, purists were skeptical about a family-friendly muscle car.

Then people actually drove them, and the combination of V8 power with rear-seat practicality made perfect sense. The Hellcat variants pushed things into absurd territory with supercharged V8s producing over 700 horsepower in a car you could genuinely use for a Costco run.

The Charger proved that four doors doesn’t mean no fun, and it became the ultimate sleeper sedan. Dodge managed to honor the past while creating something entirely new and genuinely cool.

Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ

These twins evolved from the promising but underpowered original 86 and FR-S into something that finally delivers on the initial promise.

The first generation suffered from a torque dip that frustrated many drivers, but it proved the market still wanted affordable rear-wheel-drive sports cars. The second generation addressed nearly every complaint with a larger 2.4-liter engine producing 228 horsepower and significantly more torque. The improved power delivery transforms the driving experience while maintaining the balanced chassis that made the original special.

Starting around 29,000 dollars, these cars represent one of the best value propositions in enthusiast motoring. It’s refreshing to see manufacturers actually listen to feedback and make the right improvements.

Kia Stinger

Kia making a sports sedan seemed unlikely until they actually did it, and the Stinger proved the brand had serious performance credentials. The twin-turbo V6 GT model produces 368 horsepower and delivers it to the rear wheels in a package that undercuts German sport sedans by thousands of dollars.

The fastback styling is genuinely attractive, and the chassis tuning was developed on the Nürburgring, which explains why it handles so well. Kia took a chance on building something exciting rather than another practical crossover, and enthusiasts responded positively. The Stinger’s existence elevated Kia’s entire brand image and proved they could play in the performance space.

Sometimes the coolest thing a manufacturer can do is build something nobody expected.

Ford Bronco

The Bronco returned after a 25-year absence to become one of the hottest vehicles in America, with waiting lists stretching months. Ford understood that nostalgia alone wouldn’t cut it, so they built a genuinely capable off-roader that can hang with the Jeep Wrangler.

The boxy retro styling hits all the right notes while incorporating modern technology and safety features that make it practical for daily use. Removable doors and roof panels deliver that open-air freedom that makes off-road SUVs special. The Bronco isn’t just riding on nameplate recognition; it’s actually a great vehicle that honors its heritage while being thoroughly modern.

Ford’s patience in getting this revival right paid off spectacularly.

Volkswagen GTI

The GTI invented the hot hatch segment in 1976, but it’s faced serious competition over the decades from manufacturers who copied the formula.

Volkswagen has refined the recipe across eight generations, and the current Mk8 delivers 241 horsepower in a practical package that still offers Golf versatility. The plaid seats remain a nostalgic touch that connects modern GTIs to their ancestors. While some enthusiasts debate whether each generation truly improves on the last, the GTI has maintained its position as the benchmark hot hatch.

It’s impressive how VW has kept the GTI relevant and desirable while mainstream tastes shifted toward SUVs. The GTI proves that doing one thing exceptionally well never goes out of style.

Nissan Z

The Z car has been cool since the original 240Z stunned everyone in 1969, but the nameplate needed revitalization after the 370Z overstayed its welcome. The new 400Z (simply called Z) brings retro-modern styling that perfectly balances heritage with contemporary design language.

The twin-turbo V6 produces 400 horsepower, finally giving the Z the power its chassis always deserved. Nissan resisted the urge to overcomplicate things with hybrid systems or turbo four-cylinders, keeping the formula simple and pure. Starting around 43,000 dollars for that level of performance represents genuine value in today’s market.

The Z’s return reminds us that sometimes the best way forward is remembering what made something special in the first place.

BMW M3

The M3 has always been special, but its evolution from E30 to current G80 shows how a legendary nameplate can adapt without losing its soul. Early M3s were lightweight precision instruments, while modern versions are technological powerhouses producing over 500 horsepower.

The controversial front grille design of the current generation divided opinions, but nobody questions the performance capabilities. BMW managed to add sophistication and technology while maintaining the driving dynamics that made the M3 a benchmark sport sedan. The availability of a manual transmission in today’s automatic-dominated market shows BMW still respects enthusiasts.

Each generation pushes boundaries while respecting the heritage that makes the M3 nameplate special.

Conclusion

The automotive industry’s ability to reinvent and improve iconic nameplates while respecting their heritage is genuinely impressive. These twelve examples prove that cool isn’t static; it evolves with technology, design trends, and changing consumer expectations.

Some cars found their identity through performance upgrades, others through bold styling choices, and a few simply needed time and the right generation to realize their potential. The buzz around vehicles like the new Corolla shows that enthusiasts notice and appreciate when manufacturers take risks and push boundaries.

Whether it’s adding power, refining handling, or just making something that looks great, these transformations remind us why we love cars. The best part is knowing that somewhere out there, tomorrow’s cool car is probably today’s sensible commuter waiting for its moment to shine.