18 Retro Car Advertisements from the ’90s That Are Extinct
Here's a nostalgic cruise through '90s car ads that defined an era but have since vanished from screens and magazines.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
The ’90s were packed with bizarre car advertisements that left lasting impressions. Automakers pulled out all the stops. They brought cheesy slogans and outrageous stunts. While these ads once ruled the airwaves and print spreads, they’ve long disappeared.
1. Dodge Neon – “Hi” Campaign
RTShadow on Wikimedia Commons
Simple and quirky, this ad showed a bright Dodge Neon smiling and just saying “Hi.” It was meant to feel friendly and approachable for young drivers. While memorable, it lacked substance and fizzled out fast.
2. Isuzu Hombre – Joe Isuzu Returns
BrainThought on Flickr
The fictional fast-talking spokesman Joe Isuzu made a comeback in ads for the little-known Hombre pickup. His over-the-top lies were part of the charm.
3. Ford Escort ZX2 – “Cars That Rock”
Mr.choppers on Wikimedia Commons
Aimed at teens, this campaign used alt-rock bands and moody lighting to sell the ZX2 as edgy. The commercials were heavy on attitude, light on details.
4. Chevy Lumina – “The Family Car”
RL GNZLZ on Wikimedia Commons
Chevy positioned the Lumina as the ultimate family vehicle, complete with soothing voiceovers and slow pans over car seats. The ad tried hard to sell safety and simplicity.
5. Pontiac Sunfire – “Fuel for the Soul”
SsmIntrigue on Wikimedia Commons
Pontiac wanted to give the Sunfire a rebellious personality with flashy visuals and dramatic narration. The tagline felt deep, but the car wasn’t.
6. Saturn S-Series – “A Different Kind of Company”
harry_nl on Flickr
These heartfelt ads focused on Saturn’s customer-first approach and no-haggle pricing. They felt more like mini-documentaries than commercials. While initially effective, the emotional angle couldn’t mask lackluster performance.
7. Mitsubishi Eclipse – “It’s a Fast World”
harry_nl on Flickr
This high-octane spot showed the Eclipse racing through cityscapes with futuristic overlays. It screamed speed and excitement, appealing to young drivers.
8. Toyota Celica – “Looks Fast”
Toyota UK on Flickr
One clever ad showed a man getting a speeding ticket while parked — because the Celica “looked fast.” It was witty, eye-catching, and memorable. Unfortunately, clever marketing couldn’t boost slow sales.
9. Acura Integra – “Precision Crafted Performance”
MercurySable99 on Wikimedia Commons
The Integra got luxury-style ads that emphasized its refined engineering. With sleek visuals and polished voiceovers, it stood apart from other compact cars.
10. Geo Metro – “Big on Miles, Light on Dollars”
Cutlass on Wikimedia Commons
This ad played up the Metro’s gas mileage and affordability with cheerful jingles. It was budget-focused, almost cartoonish in tone. While great for its time, changing tastes made it feel cheap.
11. Nissan 300ZX – “Toys” Campaign
Kevauto on Wikimedia Commons
A surreal, CGI-heavy commercial featured toys coming to life and chasing the 300ZX. It was flashy, weird, and unforgettable. However, it was pulled quickly due to child safety concerns.
12. Lincoln Continental – “American Luxury”
Lincoln Pope on Flickr
This ad featured slow-motion shots, classical music, and voiceovers dripping with sophistication. It tried to paint Lincoln as timeless and elite. But younger buyers weren’t interested.
13. Subaru SVX – “Performance with a View”
Rutger van der Maar on Flickr
With its futuristic window-in-window design, the SVX looked like something from a sci-fi flick. Subaru marketed it with sweeping mountain vistas and techno music.
14. Oldsmobile Aurora – “Not Your Father’s Oldsmobile”
The Oldsmobile Edge on Wikimedia Commons
Oldsmobile tried to rebrand itself with this bold, somewhat awkward slogan. The ad showed sleek cars and edgy style to woo a younger crowd. The irony? Most young people had already moved on.
15. Peugeot 405 – “Take Your Breath Away”
Nrike darklighter on Wikimedia Commons
The dramatic ad featured sweeping landscapes, helicopter shots, and intense music. It looked more like a movie trailer than a car commercial. Sadly, the brand couldn’t maintain momentum in the U.S.
16. Mercury Mystique – “The New Breed”
Jason Lawrence on Flickr
Ford promoted the Mystique as a sporty, European-style sedan for American drivers. The ad was fast-paced, full of urban night scenes and sleek cuts. However, the car underdelivered, and buyers weren’t impressed.
17. Daewoo Lanos – “You’ve Never Heard of It, But You Will”
Rudolf Stricker on Wikimedia Commons
This campaign leaned into the brand’s obscurity with clever irony. It dared drivers to take a chance on something new. Unfortunately, that gamble didn’t pay off.
18. Infiniti Q45 – “Vision of the Future”
Tokumeigakarinoaoshima on Wikimedia Commons
Infiniti’s earliest commercials didn’t show the car at all — just scenic visuals and poetic narration. It was artsy, elegant, and totally confusing. Critics and consumers scratched their heads.