16 Forgotten Car Models from the ’90s That Are History
These ’90s cars once filled the streets and now barely show up even in used car lots.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
The 1990s gave us some truly oddball cars, ambitious designs, and models that quietly disappeared without much fanfare. Some were ahead of their time while others just missed the mark entirely. Get ready for a throwback to some of the quirkiest, rarest, and most short-lived cars of the decade.
1. Eagle Talon
User Mikeetc on en.wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons
Built for speed and full of attitude, the Eagle Talon once roared through ’90s suburbia. It shared DNA with the Mitsubishi Eclipse but had a more aggressive edge. Sadly, when the Eagle brand was dropped, the Talon went with it.
2. Geo Prizm
IFCAR on Wikimedia Commons
The Geo Prizm looked plain, but it shared a platform with the Toyota Corolla. Reliable yet unmemorable, it quietly did its job before fading into obscurity. When the Geo badge was phased out, the Prizm lost its spotlight.
3. Suzuki X-90
Whoopdedoodledee on Wikimedia Commons
The Suzuki X-90 was part SUV, part coupe, and all confusion. Its bubble-like shape and removable T-tops made it stand out, but not always in a good way. It disappeared quickly and became an oddball collector’s item.
4. Mercury Tracer
IFCAR on Wikimedia Commons
The Mercury Tracer was a compact car that kept a low profile. It was dependable but lacked personality, which made it easy to overlook. As Mercury declined, the Tracer quietly left the lineup.
5. Oldsmobile Achieva
The Oldsmobile Edge on Wikimedia Commons
The Oldsmobile Achieva tried to grab the attention of younger drivers but never really caught on. It had a solid performance but suffered from a bland design. Once Oldsmobile started fading, this model went with it.
6. Plymouth Breeze
IFCAR on Wikimedia Commons
As part of Chrysler’s “cloud cars,” the Plymouth Breeze was meant to feel fresh and modern. It offered roomy interiors but struggled to stand out. After Plymouth was retired, the Breeze faded into memory.
7. Isuzu Stylus
ilikewaffles11 on Wikimedia Commons
The Isuzu Stylus was a nimble little sedan with great handling for its class. Despite its driving fun, it got lost in a sea of competitors. Isuzu’s move away from passenger cars made this model vanish quickly.
8. Mazda MX-3
Rudolf Stricker on Wikimedia Commons
This compact coupe was light, sporty, and even came with a tiny V6 engine. The Mazda MX-3 had personality but never reached widespread popularity. It quietly disappeared by the end of the decade.
9. Ford Aspire
Elise240SX on Wikimedia Commons
The Ford Aspire lived up to its name by trying to offer affordable efficiency. Unfortunately, it lacked flair and didn’t leave a strong impression. It was cheap, it was small, and now it’s mostly forgotten.
10. Mitsubishi Diamante
IFCAR on Wikimedia Commons
The Mitsubishi Diamante tried to compete with luxury sedans but never quite found its audience. It had smooth lines and decent features, yet struggled in a crowded market. By the early 2000s, it had quietly bowed out.
11. Saturn SC
Bull-Doser on Wikimedia Commons
Saturn’s sleek SC coupe turned heads in the early ’90s. It had hidden headlamps and a futuristic vibe, but it was short-lived. As Saturn faded, so did the SC’s presence on the road.
12. Dodge Colt
Bull-Doser on Wikimedia Commons
The Dodge Colt had a long run before its quiet end in the early ’90s. It was affordable and compact but often overlooked. As Dodge moved toward bigger vehicles, the Colt was left behind.
13. Chevrolet Lumina APV
BlueCrabRedCrab on Wikimedia Commons
The Lumina APV looked more like a spaceship than a minivan. Its futuristic style was too bold for many families. It quietly exited the stage after failing to capture long-term buyers.
14. Hyundai Scoupe
Rutger van der Maar on Wikimedia Commons
Before Hyundai nailed sporty design, they gave us the oddly named Scoupe. It tried to blend coupe style with budget pricing, but the quality just wasn’t there. Today, it’s more of a trivia answer than a collector’s item.
15. Pontiac Sunfire GT
Tronno at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons
The Sunfire GT added sporty looks to a basic compact car. It had bold curves and came in wild colors, but the performance never matched the styling. Once Pontiac shut down, it became just another footnote.
16. Acura Vigor
LukaCali on Wikimedia Commons
The Acura Vigor sat awkwardly between the Integra and the Legend. It had strong engineering and a unique inline-five engine, but drivers never fully embraced it. After a few short years, it made way for the TL.