Forget the Ferrari – Here are 5 of the Most Underrated Cars of the Past Decade

If automobiles were celebrities, I’m sure brands like the eponymous Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche would be the Hollywood A-listers who can effortlessly make the spotlight shine on them. They deserve it, thanks to their gorgeous looks and awesome performance.

However, there are other cars out there that also should be given their rightful high time. Here are five fabulous, underrated cars whose parts, from the wheels to the steel tubes, are worthy of recognition.

Volkswagen Phaeton

Translated as “People’s Car”, this long-time German automobile has been popular for its affordable cars, hence the name. So when they launched the Phaeton, which was worth $94,000, things didn’t flow so sweetly for this Volkswagen. Too bad, because this fine piece of work featured very impressive craftsmanship and technology, so much so that it gives the driver the sense of sophistication and style – fitting for a car of its price tag.

Volvo C30

Shooting brakes, also popularly known as hunchbacks, may not have the coolest design, but it has a strange appeal that got car enthusiasts wanting more; just look at the successes of the Volkswagen GTI, Mazda Speed3, Mini Cooper S, and Honda Jazz. However, despite the popularity of cars similar to the Volvo C30, this model didn’t follow suit even though it featured a considerable amount of power and a sleek all-glass hatch.

Jaguar XJR

The thing about Jaguars is that every release always makes headlines with the hobbyists. Not the XJR though. Don’t get this confused with the well-received XJ-R, because this forerunner looks like something that would be bought by those with old-school sensibilities. But don’t think is an old and slow turtle, because this sedan is powered by a 390hp supercharged V8, making it considerably speedy. And the best part? It doesn’t look the part, so it’s unlikely to get pulled over.

Ford Taurus SHO

If there’s a Ford sedan that got people raving, it’s the Fusion. And the hype is real, since it’s a comfortable and powerful yet fuel-efficient vehicle, making it friendly to both the environment and its drivers’ wallets. However, its predecessor, the Ford Taurus SHO, should also be sung the same praises as its successor. It has a 3.5L twin-turbo direct-injection EcoBoos V6 and 350 lb-ft of torque. If that isn’t enough to get people pumped, it also has a smooth four-door, and it’s also an all-wheel drive. Too bad this beast got overshadowed.

Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac is known for its stylish body design. However, the Pontiac GTO seems to be an exception of that. Such a flaw led to this model’s unfortunate demise, but it’s quite a shame because under the hood of this dime-a-dozen-looking sedan roars a 6.0L V8 engine that pumps out 400 horses. If that doesn’t impress you, nothing will.

So if all you can name are Maseratis and Aston Martins, then you still have a lot of gas to guzzle, because out there are other models that should also have their fifteen seconds of fame.