Two Sides Of Cool
Design never really drives in a straight line. Whether it's clothing or automobiles, designers are always keen to reach back and revive the silhouettes and swagger of the past. At the same time, others are intent on pressing fast-forward, turning sci-fi sketches into street-legal machines. In this list, you’ll find the best of both. Let’s start with the modern rides bringing retro cool back to the road.
Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) on Wikimedia
1. Ford Mustang (S650, 2024)
Step into the S650 Mustang, and you’re stepping into a muscle memory of American roads. Its tri-bar taillights flicker nostalgia, while the fastback silhouette nods to 1965. Underneath, though, it’s all tech muscle with predictive dampers, digital cockpit, and drag strip dreams.
2. Dodge Challenger (2023)
With its wide stance and brutish grille, the Challenger grabs your senses, just as it did during its 1970s Detroit dominance era. As the supercharged Hellcat roars to life, the past pulses through every rev, reminding you that you’re not just driving a car but commanding a 700-horsepower time capsule.
THE V8 IS DEAD! 2023 Dodge Challenger Last Call Shakedown Review by TheStraightPipes
3. Chevrolet Camaro (2023)
Forget subtlety because the Camaro strikes with sharp lines that pay homage to the 1969 SS without ever feeling staged. It wraps aggressive retro charm around a nimble, tech-heavy chassis. Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 actively adjusts damping 1,000 times per second for sharper handling.
4. Mini Cooper (2025)
MINI released the updated Mini Coopers in 2025. These new versions evoke the original with a 1.5L turbo engine and a wide stance. A central touchscreen and new safety features update them without compromising the tight turning circle and the same cheeky personality.
5. Fiat 500e (2024)
Beneath its familiar dome-like profile, the Fiat 500e brings in a 117-hp motor. According to EPA estimates, the all-season-tired version gets 141 miles, but real-world highway tests at 75 mph returned just 120 miles. Inside, split-level screens and fabric upholstery deliver retro-modern charm.
6. Jeep Wrangler (2024)
This generation embraces retro design with square body panels, round headlights, flat fenders, and exposed door hinges—classic Jeep cues. Paired with modern upgrades like a turbo 2.0L or hybrid engine, plus a larger Uconnect screen and trail-mapping tech, it blends heritage with innovation.
The all-new Jeep Wrangler 2024 | #TheOneAndOnly by Jeep India
7. Toyota Land Cruiser 250 (2024)
The look leans vintage with steel bumpers, bold headlamp cutouts, a distinctive rectangular grille, and simple body lines. Underneath? Modern engineering shines with a hybridized engine, refined suspension, advanced crawl ratio, and a rigid frame built for real off-road use.
New 2024 TOYOTA Land Cruiser 250 - OFFROAD Test Drive by REC Anything
8. Porsche 911 (2019)
Timeless lines remain, from the rear-engine layout to the sloping rear glass. Building on that foundation, the 992 series introduces active aerodynamics and rear-axle steering for enhanced performance. Inside, haptic controls and analog-inspired digital gauges keep the driver engaged. Every curve reflects a refined legacy.
Porsche 911 2019 review by CarsGuide
9. Nissan Z (2023)
The 2023 Nissan Z revives key design elements from the original 240Z, such as the long hood and sloped roofline. Its taillights are inspired by the '90s 300ZX, blending multiple generations into one sleek silhouette. Powered by a twin-turbo 3.0L V6, it balances heritage with performance.
10. Ford Bronco (2024)
Ford’s Bronco returns with unmistakable retro cues like round headlights, flat body panels, a boxy stance, and a heritage-inspired grille. Its removable doors and rugged profile pay tribute to the first-gen Bronco of 1966. Underneath, it’s all modern tech—G.O.A.T. modes and independent front suspension.
You’ve seen all the charm of throwbacks. But now, it’s time to look forward. Designers and engineers are stretching imagination into form, creating vehicles that feel more concept than production. So, let’s explore the models redefining what tomorrow looks like on four wheels.
1. Tesla Cybertruck (2024)
Nothing on the road looks like it. Tesla’s Cybertruck breaks design tradition with sharp edges, an exoskeleton, and no visible door handles. This one is fast, with 0–60 in under 3 seconds and an on-road adaptive suspension that levels with payload.
2. BMW iX (2022)
The kidney grille may spark debate, but there’s no debating the innovation inside the iX. A sweeping 14.9” touchscreen and intelligent sensors keep the driver seamlessly connected. Add in Level 2 autonomy and over 300 miles of range, and this BMW makes it clear: tech takes the wheel.
Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) on Wikimedia
3. Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2023)
With the Ioniq 6, Hyundai glides confidently into the streamliner era. Its low-slung profile, pixel LED accents, and wing-style spoiler craft a futuristic silhouette, while 350 kW charging ensures speed isn’t sacrificed. Paired with a 77.4 kWh battery, this ride was designed for efficiency.
4. Lucid Air (2024)
Lucid Air uses aerospace-inspired aerodynamics and battery efficiency to leap ahead. Built in Arizona, the sedan blends up to 1,200 hp performance with techs like Dolby Atmos sound and over-the-air updates. An optional panoramic roof opens the cabin to the sky.
5. Toyota bZ4X (2023)
A bold nose, sharp LED strip, and sculpted flanks define the bZ4X’s distinctive look. When you opt for the AWD model, you’ll get X-MODE terrain management for added capability. Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 boosts driver awareness, while cloud-based updates and voice recognition modernize infotainment.
DestinationFearFan on Wikimedia
6. Polestar 3 (2022)
Engineered with precision, the Polestar 3 pairs dual-motor torque with Scandinavian clarity. A panoramic roof and vegan interiors frame a cabin powered by Android Automotive OS. LiDAR readiness and 517 hp show it’s prepped for autonomy without losing emotion.
Polestar 3 world premiere | Polestar by Polestar
7. Mercedes-Benz EQS (Sedan 2021, SUV 2023)
Inside the EQS, the 56-inch Hyperscreen steals attention, merging three displays under one curved glass panel. The vehicle’s cab-forward body reduces drag to 0.20 Cd. Dual motors and rear-wheel steering combine for confident electric luxury and unexpected agility.
8. Cadillac Celestiq (2024)
Each Celestiq is hand-assembled and offers a 600-hp AWD system and adaptive air suspension. Innovations include a fixed smart glass roof with adjustable transparency. Its interior has four-zone screens and 3D-printed elements that mark the futuristic craftsmanship in Cadillac’s most advanced vehicle yet.
[EXCLUSIVE] 2024 Cadillac Celestiq | Passion Project [4K] by ACCELER8
9. Polestar 4 (2024)
The Polestar 4 turns heads with its sleek, futuristic design, with no rear window, just a camera system and a panoramic glass roof. The dual-motor setup pumps over 500 horsepower, while the eco-luxe interior uses recycled materials. This ride is bold and ready for tomorrow’s roads.
10. Genesis GV60 (2024)
The GV60 brings futuristic form to an accessible luxury EV. Its clamshell hood, flush pop-out handles, and two-line LED lighting deliver a standout design. Inside, a crystal sphere shifter, facial recognition entry, and OTA software updates reflect next-gen ambition. Dual motors and up to 429 hp keep it sharp on the road.
