2000-2024: The most influential car of the last 25 years according to Drive

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It’s a full quarter of a century since the end of the last millennium, and there have been plenty of influential automotive models that have changed the entire landscape.

Looking back to the year 2000, Holden and Ford were the biggest brands in Australia thanks to local manufacturing and compelling products, but now in 2024 everyone wants a ute or SUV.

But in the last 25 years, we have also seen the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids, as well as downsizing engines and the mass-market demise of petrol V8s.

Here are our picks for the most influential models of the last 25 years.

Tesla Model S – Jordan Hickey, Journalist

Before the first Model S sedan rolled off Tesla’s assembly line and was delivered to customers in 2012, the electric vehicle market was mostly restricted to small cars with limited driving range, including Japan’s Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

The Tesla Model S is arguably the model that kick-started the modern EV era. It had a usable range, a giant 17-inch touchscreen (for the time), and sports car-like acceleration times.

Most importantly, it laid the foundation for Tesla to eventually introduce the Model 3 and Model Y – now among the best-selling new cars in the world – and encouraged ‘legacy’ manufacturers, along with a wave of start-ups, to build their own electric cars. 

Toyota Prius – Ben Zachariah, Journalist

While I’d love to name something like the Bugatti Veyron as being the most innovative car of the last quarter century, my vote actually goes to the humble Toyota Prius.

The first generation was actually released in 1997, but it was the second-generation version sold in Australia and North America from 2003 which really turned the tide for our industry, popularising efficient hybrid cars.

The Tesla Model S was a game-changer, but without the hybrid Prius paving the way, the electric Tesla never stood a chance. Doesn’t mean I want to drive one, though.

Mazda CX-5 – Tung Nguyen, News Editor

Mazda’s first CX-5 was an instant hit when it landed in Australia in 2013, propelling to the top of the sales charts and making SUVs cool for families along the way.

In fact, it remained the best-selling SUV for almost a decade until the current-generation Toyota RAV4 arrived on the scene.

Given how many CX-5s you see on the road now, its fair to say the CX-5 helped build Mazda Australia into the powerhouse brand it is today.

Nissan GT-R – Alex Misoyannis, Deputy News Editor

It’s no secret electric cars have democratised rapid acceleration. MG will sell you an electric hatch with more than 300kW for less than the price of a hybrid Toyota Kluger.

But the ‘OG’ of unlocking performance – both the speed itself, and performance-car technology – for buyers without millions to splash on a Ferrari is the R35 Nissan GT-R.

Two turbos, six cylinders, all-wheel drive, two clutches, clever differentials, and the myriad choices of drive mode – including the now-ubiquitous launch control – we’ve come to expect in modern performance cars, all for BMW M3 money.

After the brilliance of the R35, Nissan launched the R36 GT-R to perfe… wait, no, you can still buy an R35 in overseas markets after 17 years of production. Carry on then.

Tesla Model S – Tom Fraser, Journalist

I'm not a huge fan of the brand, but there's little doubt that the Tesla Model S has had the biggest impact on the automotive world over the past 25 years.

It arguably popularised the electric vehicle with an interesting, minimalist design, a reliable electric powertrain, cool technology, and not to mention, a brilliant electric charging network.

There were other electric vehicles before it, but none had quite the same effect on the world as the Tesla Model S.

BMW X5 – James Ward, Director of Content

The original BMW X5 proved that the European brands could combine their reputation for engineering, dynamic prowess and luxury into a go-anywhere adventure platform.

The BMW X5 arrived at the start of the SUV boom and spearheaded the direction for every prestige and premium brand to follow.

Ford Ranger – James Ward, Director of Content

The Australian involvement in the development of the PX Ranger contributed to one of the biggest step-changes that the Australian market has seen in vehicle usage, changing it from being what was an evolving workhorse into a lifestyle category.

Yes, it was still a body-on-frame, leaf-sprung work truck, but the way it drove and handled, as well as the creature comforts made it accessible to new buyers, especially families, for the first time in serious numbers.

All of a sudden, dual cabs became a popular vehicle, and we’ve never looked back.

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