Most Influential Cars of the Past Decade

A lot can happen in a decade in the world of sports, politics, art, technology and life in general. The same can also be said about the auto industry. Aside from the Volvo XC90, every surviving model has gone through at least one complete generation and some are on their third. With that in mind let's take a look at five models over the past decade that have had the greatest impact on the industry through their design or technology.

2004 Toyota Prius

It wasn't the first hybrid, it wasn't even the first Prius but the second generation Prius was the one that put hybrids on the map and eventually made nearly every automaker produce their own. Even the German brands. The second generation Prius didn't make hybrids cool but it made them mainstream relevant and everyone jumped in to catchup. Even the latest million dollar halo cars from Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche are all hybrids.

Are there other cars from the past decade that you find more influential?

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ParadoX - 8/19/2014 3:30:24 PM

+2 Boost

3 Series - yardstick that all the other cars in the segment are measured against.
CR-V - Popularized the CUV
Camry - The yardstick that other makers are trying to dethrone (though I do believe the Accord is better).

chewy - 8/19/2014 4:51:54 PM

+1 Boost

The CUV segment has grown a bunch over the decade, I think the CR-V is selling just as well as the Civic at times. Most comparisons place the Camry towards the rear but it still sells at the pointy end of the pyramid.

jeffgall - 8/19/2014 8:34:21 PM

+1 Boost

Most car comparisons are done those who value performance and handling. Most Camry owners are drones who want to get to get from Point A to B. There are more drones out there and this is why the Camry leads in sales.

MattDarringer - 8/19/2014 9:27:05 PM

0 Boost

TVR Sagaris...Toyota cheated and stoled the essence of the Sagaris for the FT1/Supra.

W208 - 8/20/2014 4:30:04 PM

0 Boost

My vote goes for the Dodge Neon SRT4. Proof you can throw a crapload of turbocharged horsepower into a small, light FWD package, and still have fun. Before that car, no manufacturer dared testing the limits of a FWD vehicle.

Now the high powered hot hatch is commonplace.