Every generation has its automotive standouts—cars that, while perhaps overlooked in their time, go on to become coveted gems for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Think of the BMW E30, the original Audi Quattro, or even the humble Peugeot 205 GTI. What unites these “future classics” is a blend of performance, character, rarity (or soon-to-be rarity), and cultural significance. As we look ahead, some modern cars already show signs of joining that prestigious club in the next decade or two.
In this post, we’ve picked six cars from the last 2-3 years that we believe have that special spark. They might not be ultra-exotic or expensive (yet), but they’ve got the DNA of future legends—be it a glorious engine, a unique design, or a cult following already starting to brew. Whether you’re a casual admirer or a savvy buyer hoping to get ahead of the curve, these are the vehicles to watch.
The Renault 5 E-Tech
Yep. I’m starting with an EV. When Renault announced the new Renault 5, petrolheads around the world rejoiced. “Finally. A rally legend returning to the streets!” we all thought, but then Renault announced that this new Renault 5 would be electric there was the inevitable wave of disappointment and the worry that this new car would follow on the miserable path that the (not a) Mustang Mach-E went down.
However. This car is genuinely brilliant. It’s a nostalgic masterstroke that blends the beloved spirit of the original ‘Supercinq’ with the clean tech of tomorrow, and it’s got “cult status” written all over it. The design is bang-on: retro without being kitsch, modern without being soulless. And while many EVs today feel like appliances, the Renault 5 brings character back to the conversation. It’s compact, fun, stylish—and crucially, it’s electric in a way that even petrolheads might secretly admire. Renault knows its heritage, and this car is a love letter to the past with a plug-in future.
I’m calling it early: this car will age brilliantly. As cities clamp down on combustion engines and petrol-powered heroes become weekend-only toys, the R5 EV will be the cool, usable, and increasingly rare nod to when carmakers still dared to have fun. It’s not just an EV—it’s an icon in the making, and I’m tired of pretending that this car isn’t that, and I’m certainly not ashamed to admit it’s earned a spot on this list.
The Toyota GR86
I wasn’t a fan of the original GT86, and I’m still not. I think that Toyota got that car massively wrong, the stock clutch was basically unusable and if you had a Valve Spring fault you had to kiss your brand new car goodbye. So with that in mind, when the GR86 got announced I was sceptical. Could Toyota bring it back?
Yes. Yes they could. Given how tightening emissions regulations and safety standards are squeezing the life out of lightweight sports cars, the GR86 may well be one of the last truly affordable driver’s cars we’ll see. In a world overrun by oversized SUVs, hybrid crossovers, and dual-clutch everything, the Toyota GR86 feels like an act of rebellion—and we love it for that. It’s a car that dials back the tech overload and reminds us what driving is really about: balance, feedback, and a grippy rear axle just begging to step out.
With a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre flat-four, a manual gearbox, and a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, the GR86 is refreshingly analogue. It doesn’t try to overpower you—it invites you to get better. But when you strip all that back and look at the car, and I mean truly look at it. It’s Stunning. The GR86 is the very best of Toyota, in fact its a better MK5 Supra than the MK5 Supra we actually got.
The Alpine A110
If there’s one car on this list that has the pure classic heritage already, it’s the Alpine A110. With its low-slung curves, quad headlights, and beautifully sculpted bodywork, it manages to pay homage to the iconic original A110 of the 1960s while still feeling modern, sleek, and unmistakably special. Even sitting still, it looks like it’s moving fast — and that alone makes it a standout contender for future classic status.
The original Alpine A110 earned its stripes on the rally stages of Europe, famously winning the inaugural World Rally Championship in 1973. It was light, agile, and charmingly French — a proper David among rallying Goliaths. Fast forward to the modern reboot, and Renault’s Alpine division has somehow recaptured that same spirit. The new A110 is mid-engined, featherweight, and obsessively engineered for balance and driver feedback. But it’s the looks that really steal the show. It’s one of the few modern cars that doesn’t feel the need to shout — it just oozes elegance and purpose.
With Alpine going all-in on EVs soon, the current petrol-powered A110 could well be the last of its kind. It’s already rare on UK roads, and as collectors catch on to its significance — both as a performance gem and a styling triumph — I’m convinced this is one of those cars people will look back on and say, “I should have bought one when I had the chance.”
The Lotus Emira
Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious is an unfortunate anagram to have as a car company, but with Lotus they have historically earnt it. But every once in a while, a car rolls off their production line and instantly feels and looks brilliant. The Lotus Emira is one of those cars. It’s not just a new model — it’s the final petrol-powered Lotus before the brand goes all-electric. And as the curtain begins to fall on the era of analogue British sports cars, the Emira arrives as a beautifully bold encore.
Visually, it’s stunning. Low, wide, sculpted, and more exotic than anything else at its price point, the Emira looks every bit the junior supercar. It channels design cues from the Evija hypercar, with sleek LED lights, side intakes that mean business, and an elegant aggression that makes you want to stare at it for longer than is socially acceptable. It’s a proper head-turner — and crucially, one that’s still recognisably a Lotus.
Beneath the curves, it carries Lotus’s DNA: lightweight engineering, telepathic handling, and a focus on driving feel rather than straight-line numbers. Offered with either a supercharged Toyota V6 or an AMG-sourced turbocharged four-cylinder, the Emira may not chase lap records, but it nails the emotional part of driving that so many modern cars miss.
The MX5 NC
When people talk about the Mazda MX-5, the conversation usually revolves around the pop-up headlight charm of the NA or the modern refinement of the ND. But sitting quietly in the middle is the NC, the third-generation MX-5 — and in my eyes, one of the most underrated future classics on the road.
Launched in 2005, the NC was the first MX-5 to feature a fully new platform (shared loosely with the RX-8) and the first to get a proper 2.0-litre engine in the UK. It was slightly bigger, slightly heavier, and more grown-up than its predecessors — and because of that, it’s often overlooked by purists. But here’s the twist: time is being kind to the NC. What was once seen as a compromise is now appreciated for what it is — a brilliantly balanced, genuinely usable sports car with proper old-school RWD fun baked in.
Visually, the NC is ageing surprisingly well. It may lack the retro charm of the NA, but its wide arches, clean lines, and no-nonsense roadster proportions are maturing into something quietly handsome. But most importantly, it still drives like an MX-5 should — light, agile, and engaging at every speed. Values are still relatively low (for now), but as early NAs climb out of reach and ND prices hold firm, the NC is emerging as a savvy enthusiast buy — and, if you ask me, a prime candidate for future classic status.
The BMW i8
See! I’m not just some edgy 20-something year old trying to make you annoyed! There are some sound opinions in this ‘article’… and I’ve saved the best car for last!
Every “future classics” list needs one safe bet — the car that everyone nods at and says, “Yep, that’s going to be worth something.” For me, that’s the BMW i8. In fact, I’d go one step further and say it’s already a classic. When it first appeared in 2014, it looked like nothing else on the road — all scissor doors, flowing curves, and those futuristic light signatures — and it still turns just as many heads today.
What’s always made the i8 special in my eyes is how it blended exotic car drama with forward-thinking engineering. Some call it one of the first “electric supercars,” and while purists will be quick to point out the little 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder behind the seats, it was that plug-in hybrid system that really broke new ground. Back when most hybrids looked like they’d given up on life, BMW gave us a carbon-fibre chassis, all-wheel drive, and a design that could have driven straight out of a concept car sketch.
For me, the i8 was a statement — proof that performance and sustainability could live in the same garage. And now, as the whole industry scrambles to electrify, it’s obvious just how much of a trendsetter this car was. With production ending in 2020 and no real successor on the horizon, I think the BMW i8 has already earned its place in the classic hall of fame. This isn’t one we’ll be waiting on — the future classic is already here.