13 New Cars That Still Have Some Soul

New cars increasingly feel like they lack something. Compared to classic cars, they lack soul, often don’t resonate with us like they used to, and have a somewhat clinical feel to them.

Yet that isn’t always the case. Some cars are currently on sale that do have souls and stir emotions within us.

This list contains 13 of those and what makes them special. We’ve included both performance cars and daily drivers to give us as wide a range of vehicles as possible.

Renault 5 EV

Electric vehicles might not resonate like internal combustion engine cars. However, the new Renault 5 EV has a character of its own, thanks to its retro-inspired design and cute proportions. It has bundles of characters, and it’s also one of the best small EVs of recent years.

With over 200 miles of range in the top model, the Renault 5 will make a practical daily driver. Its small size makes it much more user-friendly, and riding on Renault’s new EV architecture should ensure it is ultra-efficient. There is a lot to love about the Renault 5 EV.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is another EV that has stolen the show. When Hyundai took the covers off the car in 2020, the South Korean manufacturer stunned the world with its radical 1980s-style retro design, which was boxy and reminiscent of the Lancia Delta Integrale.

A current MSRP of $41,800 makes it one of the more affordable EVs on the market. Hyundai’s E-GMP platform is also incredibly efficient, and the total range of 303 miles means range anxiety should never be a worry for any owner.

Lada Niva

Incredibly, Russian manufacturer Lada still produces the venerable Niva SUV. Even more remarkable is that it has changed so little over the years. The Niva still retains much of the original character from 1977, and it even looks the same.

Despite Lada’s reputation, the Niva was one of the few vehicles from the manufacturer that worked well. It was pretty competent off-road, and its basic nature in terms of features and design keeps things simple and user-friendly. A Lada is also exceptionally rugged and tough. It is just a shame that Russia’s recent actions have stopped imports of the plucky 4×4.

Morgan Super 3

The striking and very different Morgan Super 3 evokes memories of the 1930s thanks to its unique three-wheel arrangement. It has two wheels at the front and one at the back. It is designed to be the perfect adventure car and provide a truly unique driving experience.

Power comes from a 1.5-liter Ford Ti-VCT naturally-aspirated inline-three that produces 117 horsepower. For a car that weighs just 1,400 lbs, that is the perfect amount, and the top speed of 130 mph is also very impressive.

Kimera EVO37

Kimera Automobili loves all things Lancia. In fact, they love the Italian manufacturer so much that they decided to create their own special reincarnation of the Lancia 037. This is the dramatic Kimera EVO37, launched in 2021, that is probably the best restomod of recent years.

Externally, the EVO37 is a dead-ringer for the original car. It has a steel monocoque bolstered by a new tubular structure, plus other performance features such as forged double wishbone suspension and Brembo brakes. Power comes from a 2.1-liter four-cylinder engine that utilizes the block from the original Lancia 037.

Nissan GT-R

While it is set to go out of production soon, the current Nissan GT-R defies convention. With its massive 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine under the hood, producing up to 562 horsepower in standard versions, it goes against everything that the automotive industry is moving towards.

It was the perfect successor to the original GT-R Skylines, and it proves that Nissan can produce more than solid sedans and dependable SUVs. The world would be a poorer place without the GT-R.

Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD

While it will not go into production, Opel’s brilliant electric restomod of its Manta coupe is a stunning creation. One that shows the direction that electric cars really should take.

Opel took an original 1970s Manta coupe and turned it into their vision of what a new electric version could look like. Gone is the 75 horsepower 1.6-liter engine; in its place is a 145 horsepower electric motor. The Manta GSe features an LED digital bar across the front of the coupe, and the range on a single charge is 124 miles. Safety requirements mean Opel couldn’t put it into production, but a new electric Manta is very much on the way.

2024 Ford Mustang

With Dodge and Chevrolet abandoning their muscle cars, it’s a miracle that Ford committed to a new generation of the Mustang for 2024. This is even more so given the variety within the range, from the basic EcoBoost V6 versions right up to the fearsome Dark Horse Mustang with its 5.0-liter Coyote V8 producing 500 horsepower.

Yet Ford has gone one step further with the crazy Mustang GTD. This supercar version of the Mustang packs a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that should produce up to 800 horsepower. Ford has gone all in to make the newest Mustang the best one so far.

2024 Nissan Z

While the Nissan 350Z and 370Z perhaps didn’t live up to people’s expectations, the same can’t be said of the new Nissan Z sports car. The striking new Z/Fairlady pays homage to the original 240Z, with design cues from that car inspiring features such as the grille and proportions of the new Z.

Under the hood is a 400-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, starting at just $42,970. Add in the manual transmission, and you have a gearhead’s dream.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

If you thought the Hyundai Ioniq 5 was good, then wait until you see the Ioniq 6. Hyundai took its E-GMP platform and created a radical, streamlined version of the EV that has one of the lowest drag coefficients of any modern vehicle at just 0.21.

Add in the fact that its current MSRP is just $37,750, and you have quite the bargain. The Ioniq 6 has a maximum range of up to 342 miles and 320 horsepower, plus its streamlined design gives it a sleeker, more compact appearance.

Alpine A110

There can be no denying that the modern version of the Alpine A110 has a soul. The French sports car first appeared in 2017 as a reimaging of the original from the 1960s to the 1970s. The new version has a 1.8-liter Renault turbocharged inline-four under the hood, producing 249 horsepower in total and up to 288 horsepower in the A110S.

The A110 weighs just 2,432 lbs for the base model, making it extremely light. This aids the car’s agility in the corners, and it means that 250 horsepower feels like 1,000 in a car this size and weight. As far as budget sports cars go, the A110 is one of the best.

Toyota GR86

Toyota might be the kings of budget sports cars at the moment, and one of its flagships is the current GR86. Available for just $29,300, the GR86 provides all the thrills and spills of a sports car at a great price. Key to this is the 2.4-liter 228 horsepower Boxer engine under the hood, an engine it shares with its sibling, the Subaru BRZ.

Both automatic and manual versions are available, and the GR86 certainly looks the part. For a sports car, it’s also quite comfortable, meaning it can easily double up as a dependable daily driver.

Toyota GR Supra

While it’s more expensive than the GR86 at $56,250, the Toyota GR Supra is worth every cent. For less than $60,000, you get a car with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine under the hood that produces 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. The recent addition of a manual transmission only made the GR Supra more appealing.

Upon its launch in 2019, its BMW underpinnings were heavily criticized. However, the new Supra has quickly become one of the best-loving and most established sports cars in North America and Europe. It serves as proof that sports cars still have a place in the automotive market.