Which Mainstream Vehicles Were Truly Cool? | Carscoops

      Affordable and exciting cars have mostly been replaced by unexciting trucks and SUVs.

      April 18, 2025 at 20:30

      by Michael Gauthier

      In the last twenty years, mainstream coupes and convertibles have largely disappeared.

      While these vehicles offered style and affordability, they were often not very sporty or quick.

      We are curious to hear our readers' favorite mainstream cars and which ones they miss the most.

      The decline of sedans hasn't just impacted them; it has also sounded the death knell for coupes and convertibles. Although there’s a new Mustang and Charger available, the automotive landscape has shifted, leaving little room for fun. This wasn't always the case; car manufacturers previously provided a variety of cool mainstream vehicles. In fact, most major automakers had coupes derived from mundane family sedans.

      While these cars weren’t the most thrilling, the Nissan Altima Coupe still looks appealing a decade later, as does the Honda Accord Coupe. On the other hand, the Pontiac G6 Coupe and Convertible deserve to be forgotten, even though the latter was noteworthy for having a retractable hardtop.

      The Toyota Camry Solara might not have won any beauty contests, but the original Scion tC was a hit with its stunning design and reasonable price, making it easy to overlook its modest 160 hp (119 kW / 162 PS) output.

      Some fairly mainstream sedans also injected some excitement into the mix. The Oldsmobile Aurora radiated coolness across two generations, while Swedish automakers produced attractive and affordable sedans like the Volvo S40 and the second-generation Saab 9-3.

      More recently, Buick and Volkswagen made an attempt in the convertible market with the Cascada and Eos. While neither was outstanding, there’s a certain charm in retracting the roof and letting your cares drift away.

      With all this nostalgia, what do you think were some of the coolest mainstream cars? Or are we perhaps looking back on the past with rose-colored glasses?

      What Are The Coolest Mainstream Cars? AND What Mainstream Car Do You Miss More Than You Anticipated?