A new car must meet your needs and budget, but without aesthetic appeal, it may not earn a spot in your driveway. After all, a car is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s an extension of your personality and taste. While beauty is subjective, certain cars possess a unique allure that garners attention, turning heads whether they’re parked on the street or cruising down the highway.
iGuides experts examined both new and classic vehicles to identify the most stylish cars that stand out for their design excellence. While classics may be hard to acquire, there are always new, best-looking cars available that seamlessly blend modern technology with eye-catching aesthetics. Whether you’re a fan of sleek lines, bold curves, or a timeless silhouette, these vehicles are sure to captivate.
Classic Best Looking Cars
The cute vintage cars of yesteryears still hold the same charm they enjoyed decades ago. In fact, their demand and appeal have surged over the years, which is why some classic cars like the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante and 1962 Ferrari GTO have been auctioned for millions of dollars.
1. Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic
Enthusiasts of Art Deco marvel at the sleek design of the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic coupe, a derivative of the touring model. Only four were made in the late 1930s, inspired by Jean Bugatti’s Aerolithe show car. The prototype, extracted from lightweight Elektron magnesium alloy, listed riveted body panels due to the material’s inability to be welded, resulting in the iconic dorsal fin.
2. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Coupe
This Corvette is a product of William L. Mitchell’s vision that revolutionized automotive design. Mitchell drew inspiration from the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante, aiming to craft the first Corvette coupe. Peter Brock’s design prevailed in the competition, setting the stage for Mitchell’s iconic Corvette Stingray race car of the late 1950s. Later refined by Larry Shinoda and Tony Lapin in Mitchell’s secretive Studio X, the ’63 Corvette emerged as a stunning manifestation of aerodynamic elegance, marking a pivotal moment in automotive history. It could be an easy classic car to restore, as well.
3. Lancia Stratos HF Stradale
A notable figure in 20th Century rally history was the remarkable Lancia Stratos, designed to dominate the World Rally Championship, achieving consecutive victories from 1974 to 1976 under the skilled driving of Sandro Munari.
This vehicle emerged as a bold initiative by Bertone to secure Lancia’s patronage over its traditional collaborator Pininfarina, resulting in the creation of a striking wedge-shaped coupe featuring Bertone designer Marcello Gandini’s distinctive wraparound windscreen. Propelled by a mid-mounted 2.4-liter Ferrari V6 engine initially crafted for Ferrari’s Dino, around 500 road-legal cute cars were produced for homologation purposes, with surviving examples highly sought after in collector circles. The enduring appeal of the Stratos has also spurred the creation of numerous replicas.
4. 1964 Ford GT40
Ford sought the expertise of Lola, a British racing car manufacturer, to develop the chassis for its GT car, complementing it with a V8 engine and an aluminium body, meeting the maximum roof height requirement of 40 inches for international endurance racing. Thus, the iconic GT40 was born, securing its place in history with four consecutive Le Mans victories from 1966 to 1969, thanks to the contributions of Carrol Shelby and a talented lineup of drivers. Remarkably, the GT40’s stunning design also contributes to its sky-high value, exemplified by the significant prices fetched at auctions, such as the sale of an early prototype GT40 by Duncan Hamilton/Rofgo in 2020.
5. Porsche 911 (1964–Present)
Upon its introduction in 1964, the 911 marked a significant advancement from Porsche’s endearing yet modest 356 models. Though initial perceptions didn’t necessarily label it as a cute car for females, our team now recognizes its enduring beauty after 58 years of subtle refinement. We’ve consistently admired the daunting task faced by the 911’s lead designer, tasked with maintaining its iconic essence while infusing each iteration with novelty. Nonetheless, Porsche’s design team consistently rises to the occasion, perpetuating the model’s timeless allure. It is unusually considered as one of the best used cars on the market as well.
6.1974 Lamborghini Countach
Many fans favor the original Countach LP400, which debuted Bertone’s iconic ‘wedge’ design and adorned bedroom walls worldwide. Yet, the LP400 S amplifies Bertone’s vision, boasting broader wheel arches enveloping massive Pirelli rear tires, especially with the optional ‘flying-vee’ rear wing.
The wedge design’s impact, featuring the sleek screen and trademark scissor doors, has influenced Lamborghini’s top-tier supercars, including the present-day Aventador, along with exclusive models like the Reventon, Veneno, and Sian.
7. Mercedes-Benz 300SL (1954–1957)
The 300SL is like a piece of art, right? It came out between 1954 and 1963, first as a gullwing coupe, then later as a roadster. Now, the crazy part? Mercedes took its inspiration straight from their W194 race car back in ’52. Under the hood? A 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 240 horsepower, which was pretty nuts back then. Fastest car in production at the time, too! That direct fuel injection really made a difference.
Max Hoffman, the U.S. importer, was the one who convinced Mercedes to build it. He somehow talked the higher-ups into introducing it in New York City first, instead of Europe. The whole “SL” thing stood for super-light, you know, because of its lightweight race-inspired frame (superleicht if you want the German term).
They actually built about 1400 of the coupe versions before they switched over to making roadsters in ’57. But it wasn’t just about performance. According to Ian Cartabiano from Toyota, the design these cute small cars was almost perfect. A balance of sleekness without too much curve, strength without overdoing it. Robin Page, who’s the head of design at Volvo, thought the gullwing doors alone made it legendary.
Now, here’s the kicker: in 2022, one of these beauties, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, got auctioned off for a mind-blowing $143 million. That’s crazy money! Just for comparison, the next highest car, a Ferrari 250 GTO, went for $51 million. Even when you add up the other GTOs sold at auction, they don’t touch that price.
8. Ferrari 250 GTO (1962–1964)
Honestly, Ferraris could fill up a whole list of beautiful, attention-grabbing cars, no question. Since, well, practically forever, they’ve been the benchmark for both looks and speed. But the Ferrari 250 GTO? That one really stands out in history, not just ’cause of its stunning design but also its insane rarity. There’s only 36 ever made from 1962 to 1964. Today, it’s considered the most valuable Ferrari in the world, some even went for over $50 million at auctions.
Here’s a fun fact: GTO, which means Gran Turismo Omologato, is all about endurance racing, but they sold it to the public for homologation rules. The first car to rock the GTO name. Funny enough, Pontiac thought the same, slapping that label on their ride which sparked the muscle car craze. Some other brands even “borrowed” the name. Anyway, the 250 GTO are classy looking cars—just the perfect blend of sleek, aerodynamic design and top-notch performance. Hard to believe 60 years later it’s still hard to beat!
Best Looking Cars of Modern Time
1. 2023 Genesis G90
In a segment dominated by renowned luxury brands, the G90 stands out as a good looking car. It boasts a spacious cabin with premium design and materials, accommodating five passengers comfortably. Buyers can opt for a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine or a hybrid variant, both with standard all-wheel drive.
2. 2023 Rivian R1T
The R1T is the pioneering electric pickup from Rivian boasting a distinctive appearance, which sets it apart from competitors. Its front grille-free design incorporates a horizontal light bar and vertical oval cutouts housing headlights. Offering a seamless look, the R1T combines its five-seat crew cab with the bed, utilizing the rear space for a weather-sealed gear tunnel. With range options from 260 to 400 miles and power outputs ranging from 600 to 835 horsepower, Rivian’s electric pickup dominates the market.
3. 2023 Cadillac Lyriq
One of the advantages of electric vehicle architecture lies in its adaptability across various vehicle types, as seen with the GMC Hummer EV pickup sharing its platform with the luxurious 2023 Cadillac Lyriq. The Lyriq boasts a fresh Cadillac design, featuring a distinctive “black crystal grille” and dynamic lighting design with vertical LED elements and a synchronized lighting pattern.
Its spacious interior is optimized with a tall front end and large wheels positioned at the corners, providing ample room for five occupants. The cabin is elegantly crafted, highlighted by a sweeping 33-inch instrument cluster and infotainment display across the dashboard.
4. 2023 Toyota Prius
No Prius has ever quite made the cut here, lacking in allure throughout its history. But that narrative shifted dramatically with Toyota’s unveiling of the breathtaking 2023 model, boasting a striking new design. The sleek and contemporary aesthetic was just the beginning of the surprises with this iteration.
Toyota significantly enhanced the hatchback’s power, elevating it from a modest 121 horsepower to a robust 196 in all-wheel drive versions (194 in front-wheel drive). Moreover, they made strides in fuel efficiency, achieving EPA estimates as impressive as 57 mpg in combined city and highway conditions. This makes it one of the best mpg cars on this list, making it a strong contender for the Prius camper conversion.
5. 2024 Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 excels in maximizing the driving time between charges for fully-electric vehicles, offering a satisfying ride without burdening owners with EV complexities. Its stylish design sets it apart while delivering on performance and spaciousness. Boasting up to 310 EPA-estimated miles of range and a thrilling 576 horsepower in its GT version, it’s a compelling option. With rapid recharging capabilities of around 225 kW, it’s a practical choice for long journeys.
While slightly pricier than its counterpart, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, it outshines competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, and Nissan Ariya. Both Kia and Hyundai received the 2024 Editors’ Choice awards. The EV6 clinched the top spot in the U.S. News rankings last year. It secured the title of Best Electric Vehicle for Families.
6. Toyota GR86
Three decades ago, Toyota was crafting three of the world’s most striking performance cars simultaneously. The compact yet truly striking SW20 MR2, the sleek and molded Celica GT4, and, of course, the ever-iconic A80 Supra. That enchantment, which seemed lost for many years, has returned with the Toyota GR86. While the first-generation GT86 was a decent sports car, the revamped GR86 was designed with enough flair to turn heads right from the factory. It incorporates a bit of updated JDM style into a car with a classically cool design, managing to look purposeful without veering into the realm of tackiness.
The GR86 features muscular curves and a bold grille that give it an aggressive edge, complemented by sculpted side panels. Although the cabin materials may seem lackluster, the front seats offer ample comfort and support.
The 228-horsepower four-cylinder engine delivers brisk acceleration, and the handling is both confident and engaging. The GR86 doesn’t compromise ride comfort for its athletic performance; the suspension smooths out most road imperfections, keeping the cabin pleasant. This four-seater comes equipped with standard features like dual-zone automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.