Icons Of The Millennium Era
The early 2000s were a wild mix of Fast & Furious dreams, CD changers, and cars that actually had personality. It was a time when performance mattered more than fancy screens. Some models flopped, but others became instant legends, as these were the cars that ruled every teenager’s bedroom poster collection. So, let’s take a look at the 20 best cars that made the early 2000s one of the most unforgettable eras in automotive history.
1. Ferrari Enzo (2002)
Revealed at the 2002 Paris Motor Show, the Ferrari Enzo displayed the brand’s Formula One spirit with a 6.0-liter V12 engine generating 660 horsepower. Only around 400 units were produced, with the final car gifted to the Vatican for charity.
2. Porsche Carrera GT (2004)
The Porsche Carrera GT debuted in 2004 as a true masterpiece of German engineering. Powered by a 5.7-liter V10 engine delivering 605 horsepower, it combined speed with precision handling. Its carbon-fiber chassis and manual gearbox made it a purist’s dream and a symbol of Porsche’s performance legacy.
Charles from Port Chester, New York on Wikimedia
3. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 (2005)
Breaking boundaries became the Bugatti Veyron 16.4’s signature. Beneath its sleek body rested a quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine generating 1,001 horsepower, making it the first production car to top almost 400 km/h (248 mph). Besides, ten radiators kept it cool, while $42,000 Michelin PAX tires anchored its performance.
Falcon® Photography from France on Wikimedia
4. Ford GT (2005)
Reviving a legend, the 2005 Ford GT honored the iconic GT40 that conquered Le Mans four times. Under its sculpted hood roared a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 delivering 550 horsepower. Produced in just 4,038 units, it featured distinctive doors cutting into the roof, demanding a uniquely dramatic entry and exit.
5. Lamborghini Murciélago (2001)
The Lamborghini Murciélago set a bold tone for the brand’s future. Its 6.2-liter V12 engine delivered 580 horsepower, blending ferocity with refinement. Produced in 4,099 units, it took its name from a bull and flaunted Lamborghini’s trademark scissor doors with theatrical flair.
2001 Lamborghini Murcielago by Exotics Motors USA
6. Aston Martin DB9 (2004)
This car marked a new era for the brand when it launched in 2004. As the first model made at Aston Martin’s Gaydon facility, it featured a lightweight aluminum and composite structure and came in both coupe and convertible Volante versions, combining performance with timeless style.
free photos & art on Wikimedia
7. Honda S2000 (2004)
Built for driving purists, the Honda S2000 delivered precision through its high-revving F20C engine, producing 240 horsepower from just 2.0 liters. Spanning a decade of production and over 110,000 units, it defined lightweight, analog perfection.
8. BMW M3 E46 (2000)
Shopping for an E46 M3 meant starting with BMW's brilliant 3.2-liter inline-six, serving up 333 horsepower in every example. Interestingly, buyers could opt for the SMG automated manual transmission, with 85,766 total units produced.
Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France on Wikimedia
9. Audi R8 (2006)
The 2006 Audi R8 marked the brand's entry into supercar territory with precise German engineering. Its 4.2-liter V8 delivered 420 horsepower through the quattro all-wheel-drive system, while the aluminum Space Frame chassis provided structural rigidity.
10. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (2003)
This one featured a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that provided 617 horsepower. Produced between 2003 and 2010, only 2,157 were made, making it a true collector’s gem. Lastly, its carbon-fiber body enhanced performance, and the iconic gullwing doors honored the legendary 1950s 300 SL.
11. Nissan 350Z (2002)
For six years, sports car enthusiasts yearned for Nissan's next Z-car evolution. The 2002 350Z answered that call emphatically by introducing 287 horsepower through its 3.5-liter V6 while channeling the pure spirit of the 1970s 240Z.
2002 NISSAN 350Z (Drive and Review) by reecepayn
12. Chevrolet Corvette C6 (2005)
Redefining America’s sports car, the Corvette C6 broke tradition by bringing back exposed headlights for the first time since 1962. Its Z06 version packed a 7.0-liter LS7 engine with 505 horsepower, showcasing serious track performance. Fittingly, it also led the 2005 Indianapolis 500 as the official pace car.
13. Toyota Celica GT-S (2000)
Sporty and agile, the seventh-generation Toyota Celica GT-S thrilled drivers with a 1.8-liter 2ZZ-GE engine pushing 180 horsepower at 7,600 rpm. Paired with a good 6-speed manual transmission, it offered sharp handling and lively response.
14. Subaru Impreza WRX STI (2004)
Born from rally legends, the 2004 WRX STI packed a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four engine. Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system gave it unmatched grip and control. Plus, signature blue paint, gold wheels, and a towering rear wing turned it into an instant icon among enthusiasts.
15. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII (2003)
Taming high-performance vehicles demands sophisticated engineering, which Mitsubishi addressed brilliantly in the Evolution VIII through its Super All Wheel Control system. This innovative handling solution complemented the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine's output and functional aerodynamics.
16. Lotus Elise Series 2 (2001)
At a delightfully dainty 860-900kg, the 2001 Series 2 Elise was practically floating on air. This featherweight flirt, named after Colin Chapman's granddaughter, achieved its svelte figure through an aluminum chassis draped in fiberglass curves.
Amazing 1 owner, 2001 Lotus Elise s2. only 16,000 miles £19,995 by Allon White Sports Cars
17. Volkswagen Golf R32 Mk4 (2002)
Engineered for driving purists, the Mk4 Golf R32 gave 240 horsepower from a 3.2-liter VR6 engine. An all-wheel-drive setup provided remarkable stability and balance through corners. And scarcity amplified its desirability, with only 5,000 examples ever making it to the U.S. market.
Volkswagen Golf 4 R32 (2002) - Walkaround, Interior, Engine & Drive by Kickdown Collection
18. Peugeot 206 GTi (2000)
The World Rally Championship DNA of the Peugeot 206 flowed directly into its GTi street variant. Equipped with a 138-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-four, this compact performer brought motorsport-inspired agility to European roads with its nimble handling and accessible performance.
2000 Peugeot 206 GTI - Gearbox Garage by GearBox Garage
19. Renault Clio V6 (2001)
When Renault needed a partner to realize their wildly ambitious Clio V6, they turned to Swedish specialists TWR. The collaboration yielded an engineering masterpiece by turning a humble hatchback into a rear-wheel-drive machine with a mid-mounted 3.0-liter V6 producing 230 horsepower.
20. Alfa Romeo 147 GTA (2002)
Designed to stir passion, the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA transformed the everyday hatchback into a performance icon. Beneath the hood, a 3.2-liter V6 from the Busso engine family provided 247 horsepower. Lastly, bold styling, an assertive grille, and sculpted lines gave it unmistakable Italian flair and attitude.
